The Guard

Lance Cameron

Present Day,

"Remember, stay clean, stay sober and attend all meetings. Your curfew if you're is 9 pm every night, not a minute longer, and I'll be informed if you're late. You are not to contact the victim or their family. If you do, you'll be in breach of your bail. Don't even think about looking at driving a car. If you breach any of these, I'll drag you back myself, but remember, you turn 18 in a month, so you'll be transferred to the adult prison instead. Any questions?" the woman asked I stayed silent for a minute before replying, "I'll miss you too, Sue", I said to the guard in front of me with a smile. She smirked before speaking up again, "I'm serious, kid, I don't want to see you back here. Just listen to the staff at the house. You're a good kid you've just been dealt some pretty shit cards," she said while placing a hand on my shoulder as she led me through the doors leading to the entrance of the juvie. I nodded "I promise I'll do better, Sue, and once I'm cleared and have a steady job, I'll shout you lunch as a thank you for everything!" I smiled while holding my hand out in front of her she willingly took it and gave it a firm shake.

I made my way over to the man waiting for me at the entrance "see you, kid", Sue whispered I looked back to her and gave her a wave goodbye. Yeah, I wasn't going to miss this place. "Lance Cameron?" the man outside asked me I nodded at him while taking a breath of fresh air he reached forward with an extended hand "nice to meet you, kid, my name is Duke I'm your new adoption agent" Duke introduced himself with such confidence the dudes build was huge I'm sure this guy didn't miss leg or arm day in his life. I shook his hand and followed him to his loan car from the adoption agency I placed the few belongings I had on me from the day I got sent to juvie in the boot of the car before taking a seat in the back. Duke had the radio playing softly throughout the drive "how does it feel to be out?" he asked, trying to start some conversation "yeah, good", I replied, not having a proper answer.

That's how it was the whole drive Duke would ask random questions, and all I had were short replies I wasn't trying to be rude, but I was enjoying the view and the soft music playing in the background. The truth is, I should never have been in there, but how often does a kid who's known to the streets get away with claiming self-defence? But that's a story for another time. Duke turned into a driveway leading to a massive house "whoa", I whispered "welcome home, Lance", Duke said while briefly looking back with a smile "I thought I was going back to the last place?" I questioned Duke shook his head "they didn't want to take you back there after what happened, just think of this as a fresh start," he said with a smile still on his face. I got out of the car, taking in the place in front of me. It was huge! I mean, this is some Xavier school for the gifted type house.

After grabbing my stuff out, I followed Duke up to the house, as soon as the doors opened, I was greeted with kids of all ages roaming through the place, there were a few waves from some here and there and even some hellos from those that passed us. I couldn't help the smile that found its way onto my face this is already so much better than the last place, no doubt about it. "Ah, Mr Cameron, welcome to the brotherhood," a tall man with blonde hair said with outstretched arms as he walked towards Duke and me, "hi," I said softly. "I'm Brett, and I'll be your big brother, any questions, issues, anything, just come to find me, and I'll help as best I can," Brett said with a smile. After a few more hellos from passing kids, I followed Brett to his office while Duke went to ensure my room was set up.

"Take a seat, Mr Cameron, and I'll fill you in on the rules we have here," Brett said, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk while he sat in his chair on the other side. I took a seat and looked around the room, there were trophies on a shelve behind where Brett sat, and photos were all over the wall to the left. He also had filing cabinets, all your typical office supplies, and technology in the room, all placed with care and thought. Brett cleared his throat. "I've read your file, Lance. I'm not too concerned about you fitting in here. Still, I need you to know we have some straightforward rules to make this place a little easier for those who live here," Brett said as he leant forward, resting his hands on his desk, I nodded in response, "I don't want to be a problem here I appreciate you taking me in" I said honestly I had no intentions on going back to juvie or being removed from this place I had to stick it out till I turned 18 than I was able to leave, seeing as I would legally be classed as an adult and no one adopts an 18-year-old anyway.

"I'm glad to hear that. I've been told you're aware of your bail instructions as well. Is that correct?" Brett asked. I nodded again. Brett nodded with a smile "great! So all you need to know here is that everyone contributes, meaning we have a rotating chores schedule. Lights out at 10 pm, we also offer in-house tutoring, but you also have the option of going to school, but since school just ended for the year, that's off the table," Brett said the last part with a slight laugh. I smiled in response, glad he was trying to laugh to lighten the mood. "Sponsors heavily fund this place, so we have dinners we need to attend or hold here now and then, just so they can see their money isn't being wasted. But anyway! Welcome. I hope you settle in quickly Duke will show you to your room now. Dinner is at 6 pm," he said while standing from his desk and gesturing to the door. I turned to the door and, before leaving, turned back to Brett "thanks for taking me in and giving me a chance sir", I said gratefully Brett just nodded with a smile in return.

I made my way out of the office finding Duke waiting on the other said "let's take you to your new digs shall we?" he said with a smile I laughed at his attempt to be cool but nodded to him, Duke led my up the grand wooden stairs before taking a right as we reached the top "you're down here, you're lucky your room has your own ensuite Brett thought it'd make you feel a bit more comfortable in having your own space" Duke explained while still leading me down a hallway littered with doors on the side leading to what I'm assuming more bedrooms. As soon as Duke opened the door to my room I swear my jaw dropped to the floor, inside was a huge bed in the middle of the room, but it was pushed up against the back wall. There were bookshelves loaded with books of all genres, plants hung from the roof with vines running across the walls some were also potted near the wall-length windows that led to a balcony on the other side. I slowly turned around on the spot, taking it all in till I stopped to face Duke "this is mine?" I asked expecting him to laugh and drag me to another room "yep it's all yours, you can change what you like and add what you want. But nothing explicit that's the only rule with room designs" Duke said "are all the rooms like this?" I questioned trying to gauge what the rest of the place was like.

"All rooms are grand like this. Some like yours, however, have extra things depending on the age of the person living in them. We just want the place to feel more homely than a boring and depressing adoption centre" Duke explained I couldn't help the emotions that took over before I knew what I was doing I found myself almost running towards Duke wrapping my arms around him in a hug. I felt him tense up at first before patting me on the back. I take it the dude isn't much of a hugger. I pulled away smiling at him. Duke just nodded before turning to leave out the door "remember, dinner is at 6 pm I'll come to get you so I can show you where the dining hall is but for now, just settle in. See you later, Lancelot," Duke said with a smirk.

Another new nickname...I might let this one stay, though. Duke closed the door behind him as he left. I walked slowly towards my bed before launching onto it and laying on it like a starfish. I could get used to this.

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