Broken (Edited edition)

CPSA

The next morning I wake up still in Mark's arms, and he's snoring very loudly.  Blowing warm air into my face.  His morning breath stinks of last night's dinner.  I lift my head, and turn it to look at the alarm clock.  It's around seven in the morning,  which means I have to get up.  I always get up at seven.  I slowly pull myself out of his arms, crawling out and standing up beside the bed.  I walk quietly downstairs, trying not to make a sound.  I creep through the living room, making small steps and trying to stay quiet.  Once I get into the kitchen, I start pulling pans and measuring cups out, lifting them onto the counter.  Nearly dropping the mixing bowl because of how high the counter is. I get out pancake batter, and read the side of it." I can do this.....maybe." I say out loud to no one.  I read the directions several times, then take a big breath.  I mix the batter with milk and eggs, then mix it up in a large bowl. I swish butter around the pan, and pour a circle of batter in it. It sizzles at first, then the bottom becomes a golden brown. I flip it over, and let that side cook. I do this several times until I have four pancakes done. I put them on a plate, then put it on a tray with a fork and knife, with a glass of milk, then bring it upstairs.  Being careful not to drop anything, and keeping the milk from spilling.  Mark is still asleep, and I set it on the nightstand.

I touch his back for a moment, and smile. I'm so glad he said yes about taking me in, because now I'm happy. I have a better life, and it's only my second day here. I leave his room, and go to my bedroom to change. I put on my only pair of skinny jeans, black hoodie, red beanie, and fluffy socks. I hear a loud yawn, and also something moving. I open my door slightly, and see Mark slowly getting up." What the hell?" He says, and I can hear him clearly." Lyca?" I hear him shout, and I open my door." Yeah?" I ask as I walk into the hall, walking into his room,  and he has his glasses on. He's looking at the tray next to his bed with confusion." What is this?" He asks, and I dig my toe into his carpet." It's sort of a thank you, but also I just wanted to make you breakfast." I say, and he looks over at me with happiness in his eyes." Thank you very much." He says, and I blush." It was my pleasure." I say, and he smiles. He sits up, and starts eating.

"What are we doing today?" I ask, and he looks up." Well, we're going to the CPSA building. They have your things already, and they have some questions for you." He says, and I sit on the edge of his bed. I'm shivering again, because they want to know about my past. I look away from Mark, and he pats me on the shoulder." You'll be fine, they just need to ask some questions about you." That makes me calm down a bit, and smile at him." Okay, why don't you go downstairs and I'll get dressed." He says, and I leave his room. I walk into my bedroom, and I get my sketchbook. I open it up, and grab a pencil. I start drawing a picture of Mark. He has his great smile on his face, and his hair perfectly brushed. It actually looks like him, and makes me feel proud of myself.

"Holy shit!" I hear behind me, and turn to see Mark is behind me." Did you draw that?" He asks, and I look down." Lyca, that's really good. I mean Artist good, I didn't know you liked drawing this much." He says, and I shrug." It's sort of an Anxiety reliever." I say, blushing really hard, and he smiles at me." Can I ask you something? Can I bring that to the Grump Station?" He asks, and I tell him sure. I rip out the drawing out of the sketchbook, and hand it to him." Thank you, I'll show it to Danny and the others." He says, and sets it on the counter." You ready to go?" Mark asks, and I nod." Okay, put your jacket on." He says, and takes the coat we bought yesterday out of the closet. He puts it on me, and I button it up. We leave the apartment, and get out on the streets. We walk down the street a few blocks before Mark stops near a car." You have a car?" I ask him, and he nods." Yep, Danny was borrowing it yesterday." I get into the passenger seat, and buckle in. Mark turns the car on, and we start driving.

"So they told me they had a struggle finding your things." He says as we continue to drive, and he looks over at me when we're at a stop light." They said that they found your things tucked under piles of clothes and under furniture. Things like hair brushes, toys, drawings, and even some boxes of food." I look away from him, and he starts driving again." I don't trust Todd as much as I can throw him." I say, and Mark smiles." Well, they don't know if they have everything. So you'll have to check the box." I nod, and he parks in a huge parking lot. The CPSA building is huge, it has three floors, and has glass walls. We walk through the double doors, and walk into the lobby. It's really clean, and has lots of people walking around. Several older kids sit there with a CPSA agent talking with them. Some have jet black hair and black eyeliner, and some kids have bandages on them in some places." Mark! Lyca!" It's the green haired lady again, and she's smiling at us. She's wearing dress pants, gray suit coat, and white shirt." Hey Andy, it's great to see you." Mark says as he hugs her, and Andy smiles down at me." Well, shall we get your things?"