Kate And Meredith

Kate

When people think of adoption, they normally think of a sweet, playful baby. Not a moody, impulsive 13 year old who's convinced that no one will ever want her. That's how I know I will never be permanently adopted. People have tried to adopt me, they have tried there best to welcome me into their family. But most of the time it just doesn't work.

And other times, they don't even try to welcome me.

Like today, for example.

"KATE GET YOUR FILTHY BUTT DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!" yelled my foster father, Berns. I let out a sigh and lifted myself off of my bed, my arms burning.

I trudged down the stairs, dreading what awaited me at the bottom. I was right to, as I was faced with the very drunk-looking man I had to call a foster father. As I approached, the smell of alcohol got stronger and stronger.

"What is it?" I asked monotonously. "Don't act like you don't know, you little brat." He said. I smiled a little as I replied. "No, I really don't know. Could you spell it out for me?" I asked. In one swift motion, I received a slap to the face. Berns grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me to the kitchen and pointed at the sink halfway full with dirty dishes.

"Do you see what you did now?" He asked, venom in his words. "Actually, it would be what I didn't do, but yes." I said, immediately regretting my words. "DO THE DISHES!" He bellowed, throwing me to the ground. He walked away, running into the doorframe as he walked out. I snickered, apparently loud enough for him to hear.

"Excuse me?" He asked, turning back around. I didn't say anything. He clomped over to me, leaning over to my height on the ground. "You will do the dishes, then go back to your room for the rest of the night. Not a word from you unless you want to go without food tommorow." He said. He turned around, not expecting anything from me. My eyes hardened as I spoke. "No." I said firmly.

"What?" He said, stopping in his tracks. "I said, no." I replied, clenching my fists. I got up off of the ground as he turned around. "You have treated me like a slave for as long as I've been here. You under feed me, abuse me, and then expect me to do all of the cooking and cleaning here. So, for once, I'm saying no." I stepped closer to him with every sentence, but as I approached I saw something in his eyes I hadn't seen before. Fear. He was afraid.

It was then that I noticed my hands were glowing.

I looked down at myself. Navy blue and black light danced around my fingers and arms, getting darker with each second that passed. My eyes widened and I took a step back. Then, Burns let out a blood curdling scream. I jumped, and he stumbled out of the room and out of the house, still screaming.

Then, I ran.

Up the stairs, into my room, and to my already packed backpack. 'This is it,' I thought to myself, 'the day I get out of here.' I grabbed the backpack and slung it over my back. Thankfully, the light had faded, and I could think clearly now. I raced through the house and out the door, not looking back as I ran away from the house.

- - - - -

"Are you lost?" A quiet voice asked from behind me. I turned and a little girl, who looked around five looked up at me with big brown eyes.

"Well... Yes." I said. She smiled at me, a gap in her two front teeth showing. "I can get you not lost!" She said. I smiled at her. "Well, what's your name?" I asked, leaning over to her height. "Lainy!"