(Luke's P. O. V.)
I remember the overwhelming feeling I had when I was told that there was other people we had to meet. Those other Foster kids could either make us feel like home or make our lives miserable. I remember hiding the fear that I secretly held inside me. I remember looking to both Beau and Jai and extending my hands out for them to take.
I remember Jai stepping forward and taking my hand in his own while Beau did the same. Then the three of us stood hand in hand and I felt like nothing could hurt us. I remember Beau leading the way as he opened our old wooden door and began to walk out. This would be the first time we had ever left the room.
I remember looking down the dark bland halls that had cracks along them. I remember feeling Jai's hand shake as it stayed firmly in my grasp. I squeezed his hand tighter to assure him that he was safe with me. I remember walking down that horrible endless hallway towards the stairs. We walked down a few flights of stairs and the closer we got to the bottom, more nerves built up inside each of us. I remember finally making it to the bottom and standing in front of a door.
That door was the only thing that separated us from whatever was on the other side. It separated us from the fear, the anxiety, and the dangerous curiosity that lied on the other side of it. I didn't want to open it.
Beau reached for the door and began to turn the door knob. I remember holding my breath and feeling Jai's heartbeat pulse through my hands. I remember Beau opening the door and all three us walking through.
Once we all had walked through the door, we realized that we were in what looked like a large lobby. There was a couch along a wall and a table in front of it that had puzzle pieces all over it. There was a large carpet in the middle of the room that had toys scattered all over it, while the rest of the room had wooden floors. There was a rocking chair in the back corner that had smaller seats around it, Almost as if someone could sit in the rocking chair and tell a story while people could sit in the seats and listen. There was a corner that had paint supplies, a toy box, paper, pens, and boxes full of things. It basically looked like a small shop that we could go to ourselves. Near the door where we stood, there was a small staircase that led up to a balcony which had a view of the entire room! Overall, the place looked comforting but, I didn't want to take any chances.
We walking deeper into the room and eventually, we stood in the middle of it. Beau began to walk around again but, when he took a step forward, he stepped on a stuffed toy that made a loud animal noise and we all froze. We stayed frozen for a few minutes and listened for anyone.
When we thought we were safe, I let out a sigh but, just as I did, another door opened from the other side of the room and it revealed plenty of people walking in of all ages. Boys, girls, Some young, some old, some our age, and an adult. They all looked different except the few who were obviously siblings. For example, I saw two girls who stood side by side and they looked identical so, they were clearly twins. I would know. I saw plenty of little children who ran to sit on the floor and they began playing with the toys on the carpet. I saw girls run to the toy box and they grabbed dresses, make up, and dolls. I saw a group of teenagers walk towards the couch and they sat together while glaring at my brothers and I. I already hated them.
A lady walked in and came towards us with a creepy smile on her face.
"Why hello! You boys must be the newcomers welcome welcome!" I lady said with a smile I wish I could slap right off of her.
"Uh...yeah I guess." Beau said awkwardly and who could blame him?
"Well don't be shy, tell us your names!" She asked.
"Well, I'm Beau and this is Luke and Jai." Beau said while gesturing to each of us while he said our names. Jai moved closer to me and practically hid behind me.
"There's to many Luke." He whispered to me and I only held his hand tighter to let him know that everything was alright.
"Alright well welcome boys! This is the commons room!" The overly exaggerated happy lady said.
"Commons room?" I questioned.
"Yes! Here, we meet every morning to update each other on the schedule of the day, to talk, and overall this is the place we can all meet up as a family! There's arts and crafts to do, puzzles, books, and a couch to relax on if you need to. We also tell stories here every night!"
"We aren't a family." I remember growling but, she only smiled at me before saying,
"Of course we are silly! Welcome to the foster family." She said and it made me hate her even more. I only glared at her and I think she got uncomfortable because, she cleared her throat and glanced around the room to avoid my stare.
"Alright well! Everyone now knows the new members of the family and I expect you all to treat them well. I'm off to make lunch so, meet in the dining room at noon. Am I clear?" She said.
"Yes Mrs. Micheals." All the kids said in union and with that, she left the room. Leaving my brothers and I with the other Foster kids. The little kids discarded us and continued to play with their toys while the group of teenagers kept looking at us and whispering things to each other.
"Can we go back up to our room now?" Jai asked uncomfortably and he started to pull me back. I started to go with him but, I heard someone talking to us.
"Oi! Where do you guys think you're going? You guys afraid or something? Cowards don't make it out of here!" A guy yelled in our direction and I almost turned around and snapped at him but, Beau didn't let me.
"C'mon Luke. They're just trying to provoke you."
"Yeah listen to your dad pretty boy! He doesn't want you getting hurt!" The same guy teased. This time I turned around and starting walking towards them but, Jai grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
"Please Luke it's not worth it!" He begged.
"Bring it on pretty boy! Maybe if beat the pulp out your brothers first I'll be able to see what you got!" That SAME guy tested me. I remember pulling out of Jai's grasp and running straight for him but, right before I could reach him, I heard Beau yell,
"Luke stop! If you do this you're just gonna sink down to his level. Let. It. Go."
I stopped in my tracks to face Beau.
"If you keep telling me to 'let things go', then people are gonna keep doing whatever they want to us!" I told him.
"Then let them! It doesn't matter what they do if we keep proving to them that we're stronger together!" Beau told me and he was right. I'll let this go. This time.
"Yeah that's right. Walk away pretty boy. I bet you're mom walked out on you too!" That SAME guy said except this time, I didn't let it go.
I turned around and punched him hard in the face. He fell to the ground and it felt good. It felt good when I hurt him. It made me feel happy and powerful!
I remember the fear that all his other friends held in their eyes. They backed away from me slowly and I've never felt so strong. I put my fist down and took a step back towards my brothers and then we walked back up to our room.
I remember closing our door and feeling safe again. Though, I remember feeling like a monster as I looked at the blood on my fist from when I hit that boy. I remember Jai hugging me and telling me,
"We'll be alright."
But would we? Why did that guy say that cowards don't make it out of here? Where do they go?
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Another Chapter yay!
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