“Wake up, we’ve arrived.” I was pushed awake with several annoying punches and pokes. I groggily opened my eyes and started focusing on my surroundings. I can’t believe I fell asleep. I looked out the window of the car and saw a gorgeous sunrise. I smiled at the sight, but it quickly turned into a frown as I recalled the recent events. I huffed in anger as I slouched back into the car seat.
I remember being woken up at the early dawn of six in the morning. The officers had placed another pair of cuffs around my already swollen wrists and pushed me out until I was seated in the soft seats in a car. I didn’t remember eating anything either. But that was alright. I yawned once before watching the window to the driver’s seat roll down. The driver and a guard exchanged some formal words, and we were let into what felt like a prison. There were rows of high bushes with spikes poking out from them. It seemed like we were driving through a long road.
“You’re sending me to Juvey.” I spoke in a husky voice.
“No, we aren’t.” The man I never noticed beside me put his hand on my thigh and I flinched away. Why the hell did he do that?
“Don’t touch me.” Grumbling, I looked at his face. He had pale skin and emerald, green eyes. He wore a tailored trench coat and glasses.
“Who are you? Where are we going?” I asked impatiently.
The man looked at me before replying. “Adam Millar.” He held his hand out, but I didn’t take it. He let out a sigh and continued. “We’re sending you to boarding school. The only one that accepted you.”
“So, Juvey.” I retorted.
“No. If you want me to be more specific, we’re sending you to a school for troubled teens.” He spoke slowly, as if wanting to engrave his words into my head.
“Troubled teens? Is that how you see me? I’ve been living alone for the majority of my life, with no help or support at all, I was happy with my life, and you’re telling me I’m troubled?” I whined. Happy was a lie. I never felt happy.
“This is what’s best for you and your mental state.”
“Mental state? So, you’re calling me a delinquent now?” I scoffed. He opened his mouth and closed it. We eventually turned into a road with a gate at the end of it. I watched as the gates opened and we slowly drove in. I could see the driver exchanging nods with some of the guards at their posts, but I couldn’t tell if it was a happy nod or a serious ‘I don’t want to be here’ nod. I spotted a large facility in the middle of it all, what seemed to be a prison for kids like me. Surrounded by many other smaller houses and sheds.
The building was made of dirty old bricks, piled up into the sky. I let out a fateful sigh and wished I never got caught. There were spikes lining each window of the building, preventing from anyone entering or leaving the building through them. There were a lot more security cameras then I had liked, and many guards were either walking around; patrolling, or standing at their designated posts. I already hated it.
Adam opened the door and got out of the car, shaking hands with another man that came out of the building. The man wore a dark suit, his tie longer than it should be. Adam pushed his glasses up before nodding and smiling at the man. I looked the other way when the man caught me glancing at him.
“Hey, kiddo.” He motioned for me to get out of the car. Why does everyone have to call me kiddo? My frown deepened and I undauntingly stepped out.
“I don’t need to be here. I don’t need mental help or care. I was fine by myself out there.” I protested longer until the man in the suit put his hand on my shoulder. I immediately shifted to the side, avoiding the physical contact. The man looked as if he were offended. Well good for him, I didn’t give a fuck. Hell, I didn’t give two fucks.
“You’ll learn how to maintain public safety and skill development. It won’t be long until you feel at home.” He smiled warmly at me despite my language, and I pulled out a disgusted face. Adam pulled out a large ring of keys and grabbed my hands, freeing them of their cuffs.
“No.” I spoke harshly.
“No, is not an answer.” I finally caved in, knowing that the officer wouldn’t listen to my complaints. I looked up at the building hovering over me. After multiple of misunderstood tries, he finally got his hand on my shoulder, guiding me into the building. When we got to the front doors, they opened and made a loud creaking sound. I winced at the sound and held my breath as the doors revealed a dark medieval style lobby. There were multiple doors on each side of the walls. Each door was guarded by two guards. One on either side of the door. When they saw the man and I walk in, they all gave him a subtle nod. He opened a door at the end of the hall beside a set of stairs. I hesitated before stepping in.
The room had everything needed to be an office. A desk, a file organizer, a chair, specifically the ones that had wheels on the bottom of them. On either side of the door inside, there were two guards set. I shivered as the cold air hit me. This man’s office felt like the artic.
“I’m Frances H. Willemsen.” He smiled and sat down at his chair. Crossing his legs, he watched me carefully. “Take a seat.” I took my precautions and pulled a chair out, checking the chair for any traps before sitting down. “You’re here because of many reasons.” He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for an answer. I nodded my head; I didn’t feel like speaking. “You’ll be at the school for the next four years.” I choked on my saliva.
“Four years?” I raised my voice. This cannot be happening. Four years was more than I could handle. Four years in this hell hole. My jaw dropped when I saw him nod again. “No way. No way in HELL.” I added more anger into the last word. I literally just got here, and NOW they’re informing me of this. They could have told me earlier so I could prepare. “Are you kidding me? I’m not a kid that needs to be baby sat, you know that right?” I replied frustratedly.
Frances looked at me, disappointed. “There’s nothing I can do about that, kiddo. You know how this place works. You know what you did to get here.” He spoke solemnly, as if feeling bad for me.
“What I did to get here?” I repeated. “Do you know what I did to get here?” I slowly raised my voice. “I had to lose so much to just be here. I had to do so much to merely survive. I had to do so much; and what did this world do for me? NOTHING! In fact, they’d rather find me, and then throw me into some goddamn prison.” Frances looked at me wearily.
“I can’t do anything about it. I’m sorry. I really am.” I scoffed.
“Of course, you can’t do anything. Afterall, this is for ‘troubled teens.’” I mimicked Adam’s voice. I rolled my eyes, finally leaning back in my chair. Francis just sat there, like an inanimate object. He looked deep in thought.
“Say, if you behave, and pass all your classes, I’ll let you leave one year earlier. That’s all I’ll offer.”
That’s all I’ll offer.
ns 18.68.41.177da2
