Silence

Chapter One • Introduction •

CAUTION: This chapter was not proof-read.

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My brother stormed into my room quickly before shutting the door closed. He looked very panicked and I seriously didn't know what was going on. It was scary to see him like this considering he was always calm and collected. He told me we couldn't go downstairs and for a second he didn't sound very serious until I fully got a good look at his expression. He was much paler than usual and the dark bags under his eyes were very noticable. They never get that dark unless he's under a lot of stress and anxiousness.

"Why?" I questioned when I put my book down. I was reading shakesphere.

He explained to me that social workers came and were talking to our parents. Of course, me being me, I froze and felt a lot of weight being shoveled on me. Breathing became foreign and I saw the floor disappearing right under me. Yes, this is where my anxiousness comes in.

I got knocked out of my anxious trance when our mom opens the door and tells us to come downstairs. She had that cold glare as she pushed the door open more. My feet began moving towards the door and I felt my brother's presence very close behind in a protective way. We made our way downstairs and into the livingroom where we were met with two people: a man and a woman.

"Hello, my name is Adam and this is Dahlia." The man introduced.

My brother and I shook hands with them then moved away quickly as if their hands had burnt us. They both looked at eachother then collected themselves.

"Alright, well, Ryan if I can just speak with you in the kitchen," Adam said.

"And Renee if I can just speak with you here," Dahlia smiled.

A little wave of nauseousness hit me. I didn't want Ryan to leave me. I turned and gave him a look that pleaded for him to not leave me with someone I don't know. He hugged me and told me it was only for a little bit. I could see the distress in his eyes and he just looked so tired. So I hesitantly said okay for the sake of his sanity.

Adam and Ryan left the room and I was left with Dahlia in the quiet livingroom. We both sat down on the couch and she took out her clipboard. She explained why she was here and that she was going to ask me a few questions.

"So how old are you, Renee?"

"14."

"That's cool, any plans for the summer?"

"Not really," I responded.

"Okay, well.. how are living conditions normally for you here?"

I hated thinking about how my living conditions were here. Lets just say it wasn't pleasant. A whole lot of verbal attacks and threats. Some physical violence here and there. Depending on which parent was in a bad mood or not.

My silence gave it away as Dahlia soon wrote down stuff on her clipboard.

"That's all," she smiled.

As soon as she said that Ryan and Adam came back to the livingroom. Ryan looked like he was about to pass out. Adam looked at the both of us with a pityful look.

Adam and Dahlia went into the kitchen to talk. Ryan came to sit beside me and layed his head on my shoulder. Shakey breathes escaped my lips and I wanted nothing more than to just go back to my room and finish off reading shakesphere.

"Come on, you guys are coming with us," Adam said and Ryan looked at me.

I was beyond confused and looked at Ryan for answers.