INSTITUTION OF THE ILL AND FORGOTTEN

CHAPTER THREE

(SKYLAR POV)

Waking up, everything was very confusing. I felt like I was lying on something soft and incredibly comfortable. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw Elijah. Relief passed through his eyes, but I couldn't understand why that was the expression he had on his face. He walked closer to me, but my stupid body flinched instinctively, causing him to stop in his tracks. He looked at me with worry and concern, but that only made me move back a little bit more.

It was the same expression those monsters used to show me before they beat the living crap out of me for just living in this hellish world. Hey Skylar do you want to go see your room why don't I take you there so that you can start to get comfortable Elijah said. Elijah's words cut through the turmoil in my mind like a lifeline. He was offering me a bedroom, I thought I would be locked in the basement and just taken out when social service came around just like they used to do. Despite the lingering fear, I nodded slowly.

Elijah's eyes softened when he saw that I had responded in him, and he then tried to help me to my feet, but I moved away and got up by myself. As we walked, I followed a good distance behind him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fear washing over me. what if this was a trick and he was trying to hurt me or what if he just wanted to get me hopes up so that he can break them and so much more? We reached the door to my supposed room, and Elijah opened it, revealing a big and elegant-looking room. It was extravagant and big I thought Elijah was playing a joke on me cause there is no way this is mine.

"Here we are," Elijah said, stepping aside to let me enter first.

I took a hesitant step forward looking at him to see if he would hit me for walking in, but to my surprise I was completely in the room and nothing happened. My eyes scanned the room it had a queen-sized bed, a library-looking shelf, and a large desk with a laptop on it. The room also had two doors inside, it was a closet and a bathroom - this room was everything I never had and more.

"Is this mine," I whispered, to myself, but Elijah heard and replied, "Yes Skylar it is".

Elijah's gaze softened, and he gave me a small smile. As Elijah left me alone to settle in, I sank onto the bed, feeling the exhaustion wash over me like a wave. For the first time in what felt like forever, I willed myself to relax And fall asleep knowing the nightmare was not far away.

Skylar Room

(Time Skip)

I was awoken by knocking on the door I jumped off the bed instinctively, my mind telling me I did something wrong that I was not supposed to sleep on the bed but on the hard floor, and that they were going to hit me. Lost in my thoughts I didn't even see the person walking into the room. my thoughts were interrupted when the person called my name, " Skylar, it's time for dinner said the cute looking Asian boy. "Hi, my name is Tyler follow me I will show you the way to the dinner table, everybody else is already there," he said excitedly.

we started walking out of the room i didn't even notice when we arrived and the dining room until I felt a bunch of eyes looking at me. I shifted my foot uncomfortably, as it was weird being stared at by people you don't know. Alright, everyone stop staring at the boy you're making him uncomfortable said the scary-looking man. Hello, Skylar my name is Leonardo Russio and I am the owner of this institution. I hope you're settling in nicely, why don't you take a seat? he said.

As Skylar moved slowly towards the only open seat, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him. Sitting down, he kept his gaze fixed on the table, avoiding eye contact with anyone in the room. The chatter resumed until Leonardo's voice cut through the noise.

"Boys, introduce yourselves," he commanded.

One by one, the boys complied, each speaking up to introduce themselves to Skylar.

"Hey there, Skylar," I am Alexander Lopez and I am 17 years old he said in a soft but excitedly friendly voice. I cautiously looked at him; he was an American-looking person with fluffy and slightly curly dirty brown hair. I nodded at him in acknowledgment.

Tyler the boy you came to look for in my room said while offering a small smile. "Hi, Skylar I am Tyler Lee and I'm 19 we met before welcome to the group, Skylar we're here if you need anything."

The next person was a scary-looking man covered in tattoos I am Anthony Black I'm 20 years old." he said blankly

Finally, Elijah King stepped forward, his eyes soft with understanding. "Skylar, I'm Elijah King. It's good to have you here. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

I offered a hesitant nod in response, feeling overwhelmed with everything. Like why do all of these men look like Greek day, I mean how am I supposed to survive in this place?

Leonardo then looked at me and the rest followed i was so confused as to why but then I remembered that I hadn't introduced myself yet. Hi my name is Skylar Jacobson and I am 17 years old, I said stuttering quietly. this must have been the longest sentence I have said in a very long while. Ok thank you, everyone, Skylar after you finish eating I need you to follow me to my office to go over the rules and expectations of this place. I tensed up while slowly nodding my head at him but then he said Skylar in this house we expect a verbal answer do you understand? yes, I said.

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UNTIL NEXT TIME.