Fostered by their teacher

Chapter 6

Trey's POV

I wake up in my bed, my teddy still tucked under my arm, but something feels different. It's too loud. My eyes are all sleepy, and I rub them with my hand as I sit up. I can hear voices—like talking, but not the kind when everyone's happy. It sounds like someone's crying.

I blink a few times, still sleepy, but I don't want to stay in bed. The noise keeps pulling me out of my dream. So, I get up, dragging Teddy along with me, and walk down the hallway toward the kitchen. My feet make soft little taps on the floor, and my eyes feel all squinty.

When I get to the kitchen, I stop in the doorway. Y/N is sitting on the floor, and Mrs. Lewis is there too, her arm around Y/N's shoulder. Y/N's face is all wet, like she's been crying a lot, and her eyes are red. Mrs. Lewis is talking real soft, like she's trying to help.

My tummy feels funny seeing Y/N like that. She's always the strong one. I don't like it when she's sad.

"Y/N?" I whisper, holding Teddy close. My voice sounds tiny, even to me.

Both Y/N and Mrs. Lewis look up at me. Mrs. Lewis gives me a soft smile, but Y/N just looks so... sad.

"Trey, sweetie," Mrs. Lewis says, standing up and walking over to me. She kneels down so she's at my height, her eyes kind but serious. "Why don't you go back to bed, okay? It's late."

I shake my head, my feet shifting nervously. "What's happening?" I ask, my voice wobbling a bit. "Why is Y/N crying?"

Mrs. Lewis looks at Y/N for a second, like she's thinking about what to say. I look at Y/N too, but she doesn't look back at me. She's wiping her face, but she's still shaking a little, like when it's really cold outside. I don't like it.

Mrs. Lewis takes a deep breath, then she speaks real quiet. "There's been an accident, Trey. Your mom and dad... they're at the hospital. But everything's going to be okay. We're taking care of it."

My heart thumps in my chest, and my tummy feels even worse now. "Mommy and Daddy?" I whisper, hugging Teddy tighter. "Are they hurt?"

Mrs. Lewis doesn't say anything for a second, and that makes me even more scared. She rubs my shoulder gently. "We don't know yet, but we're going to the hospital to see them. Y/N and Mason will go, but you need to stay here with me, okay? I'll take care of you."

I glance over at Y/N, who's still sitting there with her head down. She looks so sad. I just want everything to go back to normal. I want Y/N to smile again.

"But I wanna see Mommy and Daddy too," I say, feeling tears start to sting my eyes.

Mrs. Lewis hugs me close, and her voice is so soft it makes me feel a little better. "I know, sweetheart. But it's very late, and it's best if you stay here with me. I promise we'll tell you everything as soon as we know."

I nod, even though I don't like it. I just want Mommy and Daddy to come home and for Y/N to stop crying. I don't know what to do, so I hug Teddy real tight and lean into Mrs. Lewis. Maybe if I stay close to her, things will feel a little better.

"We'll be okay, Trey," Mrs. Lewis whispers. "Everything will be okay."

I don't know if I believe her, but I stay quiet, hoping she's right.

Mrs. Lewis's POV

I hold Trey close as he hugs his little teddy bear, his small body trembling slightly. His innocent question—"Are they hurt?"—echoes in my mind, and it breaks my heart. I don't have the answers he needs, and the weight of that reality hangs heavy.

"We'll be okay, Trey," I murmur again, more to comfort myself than him, though I'm unsure if I truly believe it. Y/N is still sitting on the kitchen floor, her face buried in her hands, trying to pull herself together but clearly struggling. Mason stands beside her, looking as lost as I feel. The weight of it all—these kids having to carry such a heavy burden—is overwhelming.

"Let's get you back to bed," I say softly to Trey. He nods, though his eyes are wide with worry. I help him to his feet, leading him gently back toward his room. He holds my hand tightly, like I'm his lifeline, and I can feel his tiny fingers trembling.

"I don't want Y/N to be sad anymore," Trey whispers as we walk down the hallway. His words are so pure, so filled with love and concern for his sister, and it makes my chest tighten.

"I know, sweetheart," I whisper back. "Y/N is doing her best. She's just scared, like we all are. But everything's going to be okay. You'll see."

Trey nods, though I can tell he's still unsure. Once we reach his room, I tuck him back into bed, smoothing the blankets over him and making sure his teddy is tucked under his arm. I give him a reassuring smile. "Try to get some sleep, okay?"

He looks up at me with those big, innocent eyes and nods again. "Okay."

I turn off the light and step out, closing the door softly behind me. The moment I'm alone in the hallway, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I need to stay strong for these kids. I can't let them see how scared I am.

I head back to the kitchen, where Y/N is still sitting on the floor, her back leaning against the counter, staring blankly at the tile. Mason is sitting beside her now, his hand resting on her arm, like he's trying to offer some comfort even though he looks as lost as she does.

"Y/N," I say softly, walking over to them. She lifts her head slightly, her eyes red and swollen from crying. I crouch down in front of her, gently placing a hand on her knee. "We should go to the hospital now. Mason and I will go with you. I'll stay here with the little ones once I bring you there, okay?"

She nods, her movements slow and heavy, as if the weight of everything is too much for her to handle. I help her up, and she leans on me, unsteady on her feet. Mason stands up too, quiet and pale, but determined to be strong.

"We'll be back as soon as we can," I tell him. He nods, his jaw clenched tightly as he tries to keep his emotions in check.

Together, we gather what we need—phones, keys, jackets—everything feels surreal, like we're moving in slow motion. My heart aches for them, for the burden they're carrying at such a young age, for the fear that's consuming them right now.

As we walk out to the car, the night feels unusually still, like the world is holding its breath. I help Y/N into the front seat while Mason climbs into the back. I try to offer them some reassurance, but I know words aren't enough. Right now, all we can do is get to the hospital and hope for the best.

I drive through the dark streets, my mind racing with worry, but I keep my voice calm as I speak softly to Y/N and Mason, reminding them they're not alone in this.

"Whatever happens," I say, my voice steady, "we'll face it together. You're not alone in this."

Y/N doesn't say anything, but I see her nod out of the corner of my eye. Mason stays silent too, staring out the window.

As we approach the hospital, my stomach twists with anxiety. I can only hope that when we walk through those doors, we'll be met with good news, and that somehow, despite everything, their parents will be okay.