Rose Among Thorns

6-Questions

Rose pove:

When I enter the room, it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. I don't spot Charles and Alice right away, so I glance around, taking in the muted colors and warmth of the space. Then, over by a soft leather couch in the corner, I notice them seated together, watching me with gentle expressions. I start walking toward them, feeling strangely nervous, but Alice's warm smile and a small wave of her hand ease my nerves a bit.

Charles sits up straighter as I approach, his face a mixture of warmth and formality. "We just have a few questions for you and some rules to go over now that you'll be staying here," he says kindly, his voice calm and steady. I nod in acknowledgment, feeling a slight tension in my stomach.

"So, I don't have many rules, but there are a few important ones," he continues. "First, whenever someone asks you something, answer with a verbal response. That way, we're sure you're being heard and understood. And if you plan to go out, just let someone know so we don't worry about where you are. Those are the main things, and if I think of anything else, I'll let you know." His voice carries a mix of authority and care.

"Okay," I say softly, feeling a bit of relief that the rules seem simple and reasonable.

"Now, just a few more questions," Alice chimes in, her eyes bright. "Would you like to go to a regular high school, or would you prefer to be homeschooled?"

"Go to high school," I say without hesitation. I almost feel excited at the thought, a flash of normalcy.

"Wonderful," Alice says, her enthusiasm reassuring. Charles then speaks up, "Do you have any allergies or medications we need to know about?"

I hesitate. It feels strange having people asking such personal questions about me. "No allergies," I reply, "and no medications." I can't help but wonder why they're asking. Do they really need to know all this?

Charles nods, satisfied. "Alright, thank you, Rose," he says gently. "Lunch will be served around 12:30," he adds, glancing at the clock. "I'll be back Thursday for dinner, pumpkin," Alice says, her tone affectionate and a little sad. Panic hits me as I realize she's leaving. She's the one person here I feel I can trust, and the thought of her going makes my chest tighten.

Alice notices my worry and gently places a small card with her number in my hand. "Call me if you need anything, alright?"

I nod, gripping the card. "Thank you, Alice."

As they leave the room, I glance around, feeling both alone and curious. I notice the clock on the nightstand reads 10:43 a.m., so there's still almost two hours until lunch. My gaze wanders to the door, and Theo's invitation echoes in my mind. A small smile tugs at my lips, and I decide to head to his room.

But then I realize something—did Theo mean the room on the left from inside my room, or from the hallway? After a moment's indecision, I decide to knock on the door to my immediate left. My heart races as the door opens, and I'm surprised to see Oliver standing there instead.

"Hello, can I help you?" he asks, his tone warm and friendly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I stammer, already turning to leave. "I thought this was Theo's room."

"Wait, don't go," he says with a small laugh, his eyes crinkling as he gestures inside. "Come in for a sec."

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I step inside. His room is surprisingly tidy, decorated in black and white, with framed photos and a faint scent of cedar. It feels both welcoming and lived-in. He gestures for me to sit in a chair across from his bed, and I do, feeling a bit nervous.

"I won't ask about your bruises," he begins, his voice gentle but serious. "But I would like to do a full medical exam at some point." Seeing my eyes widen, he quickly adds, "I won't tell anyone, and you don't have to agree right now. I just want to make sure you're okay."

The concern in his tone catches me off guard. He really means it, I realize. "Maybe... but only if you don't push me to do anything I don't want to," I say, my voice wavering slightly.

"Of course, Rose," he says with a reassuring nod. "We can go at your pace, and if there's anything you're uncomfortable with, just let me know."

After that, he lets me leave, and I make my way down the hall to the next room, a little more confident now that I'm sure it's Theo's. I knock lightly, and the door opens almost immediately. Theo beams at me and grabs my hand, practically dragging me inside, excitement radiating off him.

His room is lively, filled with posters, books, and a gaming setup with a big TV and a PlayStation. "Will you play this game It Takes Two with me? No one else will play it!" His enthusiasm is contagious, and I nod, smiling as he jumps into the air, pumping a fist. "Yes!"

He hands me a controller and launches into an explanation of the game, his eyes shining. For the first time in a long time, I feel a glimmer of something I thought was gone: joy.

880 Words