200 days

The Beginning

Dahlia

We all want the same thing, to watch the world burn. At least that's what I tell myself, when I see the officers standing outside my cottage.

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"Dahlia Willow, come with us" The man in the blue uniform says, completely expressionless. "May I have a moment with my family?" I question, the quiver in my voice a silent plea. He nods, "I will wait out here, you have 5 minutes". I turn around and face my mother, her eyes moist with tears. "Oh no mom, don't you dare cry. This is not goodbye." I reach out to hug her, refusing to let myself cry. "I'm not crying, I was chopping onions." She responds, a chuckle leaving her lips. 'Uh-huh, I'm sure you were." I joke, hearing the floorboards creak.

"Jeez, who died?" My sister mumbled, just waking up from yet another two-hour nap. "You're as bright as a black hole Sophie, and twice as dense" I retort, our eyes finally making contact as she realizes why our mother is on the verge of tears. "No- No, this can't be happening. You only turned 16 a week ago, this isn't fair!" I walk to the edge of the stairs, my arms open wide. "Please no," She whispers, running into my arms. "Please don't go Dahlia, I need you"

 I squeeze her tighter, not daring to say anything. A loud knock on the door startles us all. "That's the officer, he's here to take me to my Evaluation. I swear to you Sophie, I'll be back. I'm not letting them break up our family again." I say, my voice breaking from the memories flooding through my head. "We love you Dahlia" my mom's sweet voice calls as I open the door and get into a black transportation van.

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Driving on the cobblestone paths through the City calms me down. Maybe that's because I'm a Montague, but something about a field of flowers is so relaxing. Just looking and seeing different types of flowers of all shapes and sizes and colors, all in full bloom, makes me happy. A sudden stop jolts me to reality. "Stay here, we have a couple more people to pick up" the man says, stepping out of the car.

I glance around the van, at the six random faces staring back at me. "You fell asleep" a girl says, "I'm Teresa, what's your name?" Before I get a chance to respond, I hear someone yell my name. "DOLLY!" My best friend, Bailey, shouts. "Jesus, Bay, lower your voice." I mumble, not being in the mood for her chipper personality. I turn to Teresa, "I'm Dahlia, and this is Bailey. Nice to meet you."

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"This place doesn't look awful" I point out, noticing the fear creeping on Bailey's face as she looks around the Evaluation Hall "I love how you point out the obvious with such pride." Bailey snickers, trying to use humor to occupy herself. "You're the reason they have warning labels on everything Bay, maybe it's good that I always state the obvious. After all, wasn't I the one who stopped you from dipping your lollipop in cocaine?"

 I giggle, reminiscing in the memory. "I THOUGHT IT WAS SOUR POWDER!" She shrieks, reliving the memory of me pushing her into a random boy, now her boyfriend, when she stuck her lollipop in a bowl of white powder.

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"Bailey Langley" The receptionist calls. "You'll be fine Bay, I promise", I assure, giving her hand a tight squeeze before she walks through the black doors leading to the evaluation room.

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After 10 minutes of waiting, I walk over to the receptionist. "How much longer until it's my turn to go in there?" I question, hoping to get an answer that will settle my nerves. 'Perfect timing Ms. Willow, I was just about to call you over." I freeze, unsure if I heard her correctly. As if she read my mind, she points towards the doors and says "You may go in now".

I head to the doors, trying to lower my heart rate. One of the two officers stationed at the entrance gives me a subtle nod of assurance. I send a half-smile his way, trying to appear calm. "You got this Dahlia, do it for your dad" I mutter to myself as I step through the doors and into the dimly lit room. I know what to do, I've known what to do for years. But it still doesn't make the process any easier as I walk towards the grey table and take a seat.