Halfway There // Liam O'donovan

01

_NEW HOUSE_
•••
EVIE'S POV
•••

Amira, my social worker, had stuffed me and my belongings into her car at 8am that morning. We'd driven half an hour from my temporary foster placement towards my new care placement. I hated this. I could never settle into a new care home, I would be moved to some other shit-hole and the cycle would just continue. I'd never been anywhere long enough to call it home.

Usually my sister El would be with me and we'd be making the move together, but she ran off. Once our last care home closed down she legged it. I had an idea that she had been staying at Stefan's or at someone else's place, El hadn't reached out yet but I knew she would- once it was safe for her to do so. Or maybe I should reach out first when I get to the new place but I haven't decided yet.

Since El's disappearance, social have been on my back. I'd been questioned multiple times by the feds and Amira. Speaking of the feds, my patrol officer would be dropping by at the new house to set up my tag alarm. It's nice to know that the other kids at the house would think I'm a criminal. I'm not a criminal. I just have a dangerous life.

Amira seemed excited about this place however. Apparently I'd 'enjoy it here' and 'settle in just fine'. I wasn't excited. My social worker's smile reappeared as we pulled up at the house. "We're here, my lovely," she said. I removed my air-pods and peered out the window. It was a large house with a big tree in the centre. The sign read 'Elm Tree House' which explained the tree.

As I climbed out the car and swung my back pack over my shoulder, a white, balding man with a wide grin on his face exited the building. "Ah," he said, he had a thick Irish accent, "Welcome, Evie, to Elm Tree House. I'm Mike," he said.

I shrugged and murmured, "Thanks," I moved to the boot of the car, Amira had clicked it open and I reached for my two suitcases.

"Let me help with that," Mike said and held his hands out for one of the cases.

"Nah, it's cool, I got it," I grumbled and took them out myself.

"Alright, let's get you in, we need to have a chat and then I'll have Tracy show you your room," he said. I followed him inside and we dropped my suitcases at the foot of the stairs. I pulled my hood down and looked around, there was a piano and a small settee against the stairs. I followed Mike into the office where two other care workers were stood. There was a large, Jamaican woman and a young woman with black hair. "This is Tracy," he pointed to the young woman with the black hair, "And this is Gina," he pointed to the large, Jamaican woman.

" 'Sup," I mumbled, my eyes were glued to the floor.

The care workers stayed quiet for a second and then Mike spoke again, "Listen, Evie, we know you've probably already been asked this question but do you know where your sister, Adele, has run off to? Have you heard from her at all? If you do, it is crucial that you tell us right away,"

I kissed my teeth, "No, me and Amira already went through this like 6 times. I ain't heard from El. And damn, everyone's acting like I don't want her to come back, thats my sister ya'no," I said, rubbing the fabric of inside my coat pocket between my index finger and thumb. I was stood looking at my new care workers and Amira.

"Alright, that's fine," Mike said, finally, "Right, Tracy will show you to your new room and then we could take you to meet the other kids,"