Sugar, Spice and Anything But Nice

Foster

Madd

I thought this place wouldn't get to me. I was acting, I wasn't really a foster kid. I already belonged to a family, even though sometimes they could be a pain in the ass, I loved them. I figured because of that, Ellen wouldn't be able to get to me. Not really. Not emotionally.

I was wrong.

My first day had been okay, pleasant even. Ellen had baked cookies and showed me around the house. She'd introduced me to the other foster kids, Heather

and Sidney and her boyfriend Gavin.

If I hadn't known about the violence, I would've never guessed what it was really like. Heather and Sidney behaved like they felt at home, like they felt loved. I didn't notice the distress in their eyes until a few days later.

Because I was the oldest, I got my own room. Heather had to move to Sidney's room but she told me she didn't mind. I lucked out because that way I could hide my phone and the chances of getting caught were slim.

The moment my head had touched the pillow, my phone buzzed. It was Sage, telling me good night. It was a confirmation of what I'd thought would happen. She'd monitor me day and night. I got up in the middle of the night so I could

plant some cameras in the living room and the kitchen.

I woke up early the next day and noticed there was a piece of paper on my night stand. It was Ellen's list of chores and it seemed a little bit excessive. Me and the other kids had to clean the entire house each day and there was even a dress code. We could find work clothes in the closet and an hour before dinner we had to shower and put on something nicer. Obviously we were the ones taking care of the food.

It seemed like Ellen didn't want kids but servants. Although I didn't mind doing chores, I soon realised how rigid Ellen could be. Her way of cleaning was very particular. She even showed me how to do everything and the amount of water we were allowed to use.

The same for showering, after fifteen minutes the hot water would run out.

What happened when we did something wrong was something I found out shortly after. Sidney was doing the dishes in the kitchen while I was washing clothes. Suddenly I heard something break, I think it was a plate. Ellen was there within a minute so I creeped closer to the kitchen. Before I actually reached the kitchen I heard a loud slap.

I went into the kitchen slowly. "I thought I heard something fall." I said, while taking in the scenery. My hair clip made it possible for Sage to watch with me. Ellen put on a sweet smile when she spotted me and Sidney was picking up the shattered pieces from the ground. Her cheek was red and her eyes were watering but she managed a smile anyway.

"Sidney was just being a little clumsy." Ellen replied and went back to her room, where she spent most of her time.

I went to help Sidney with the mess but she frantically shook her head. "You're not supposed to help me." She said with a trembling voice.

"Does she hit you a lot?" I whispered. Her eyes went wide and she shook her head again.