Hooked The Making of an Addict

Chapter Two: Shattered

When I awoke the next morning it was easier. I could see where I was. I knew right away that I wasn't at home. I took a long look at the room I was in. Their we're two more beds. I hadn't noticed them yesterday. I wondered if I had been sharing a room all night since the beds we're perfectly made as mine had been. Mine is nothing but a tangled mess of sheets and covers.

I sat for a while unsure of what to do. I didn't hear any noises in the house so I began to think I was completely alone. Would the man and woman who owned this house really leave a kid the barely knew alone? What if I was a thief?

Just as my mind began to wander another boy entered the room. I could tell he was older than me just by the sheer size of him. At least six foot and very athletically built. They kind of guy that would probably beat me up in school if I stepped just the tiniest bit in his way.

"Took you long enough to get up. I'd get that bed made fast Ann and Michael are o.c.d. beyond belief." He said as he got something out of his night stand.

I couldn't help but stare at him. I was waiting for him to lash out.

"You missed breakfast. They won't mind since it was you're first day but I wouldn't make a habit of it. I'm Oli by the way."

I still didn't speak. I wasn't used to someone anywhere near my age talking to me.

"It's cool bro. I get it. I didn't talk much at first either. Had too much going on in my head. Why'd you get placed here?"

"Oli give him some time to get used to the place before you go nuts with the questions."

That voice. I quickly looked at the door to see the girl whose voice matched the one from my dream. She was so beautiful. Even more beautiful than I could have imagined. Her looks perfectly matched her angelic voice. She turned to look back at me.

"He never used to talk now you can't get him to shut up." She said with a smirk.

"You're hilarious." He said exiting the room.

"How are you feeling this morning?" She asked as she walked over to sit on the bed beside me.

I just nodded.

"You were having some rough nightmares last night. I hope I didn't scare you when I came in here."

So it was her. It wasn't just some wild dream.

"I'm Cecelia but everyone usually calls me Cece."

Even her name was perfect.

"Do you want help making your bed? Ann and Michael can be kind of strict about it."

I again just nodded. I wanted to speak to her so badly but I couldn't find my voice. I felt like everything had been stripped away from me last night.

Cece showed me how to make hospital corners on the flat sheet and how to put the comforter back on. Once we finished it looked almost as perfect as it did yesterday. I don't know what was different about it but it didn't seem right.

"It's never going to look as perfect as when Ann does it. She will spend an hour making one bed. As long as you make a decent attempt and keep the door closed she won't care."

I gave her a weak smile.

We stood awkwardly in silence for what seemed like eternity.

"I have to get downstairs to do the dishes. Let me know if you need anything."

She began walking out of the room. I could feel it closing in on me. I didn't want to be alone again.

"Do you need help?" I said with a cracking voice.

She turned around and smiled at me. I could feel myself blushing. Her smile literally lit up the whole room.

"Sure."

That's all she said. All she needed to say. I moved quickly to follow her to the kitchen. I noticed more bedrooms as we walked down the long hallway. I started to question how many kids were here at any given moment.

"Don't worry there's never more than six kids in the house. One of those rooms is Ann and Michael's the other two are guest bedrooms."

I guess she could see the wonder on my face.

"How many are here now?"

"You, me, Oli, Averi, and Noah. Averi is Ann and Michael's daughter. Steer clear of her as much as possible. She will try her hardest to get you in trouble."

"Noted."

We quit talking for a while after that and just focused on getting the dishes done. She washed, I dried, and attempted to put them away. I hope I wasn't going to be here long. Everything is so perfectly set up that I was nervous I would put something in the wrong place and get screamed at.

When the dishes we're done we stood in another awkward silence.

"Oh Aaron you're up, wonderful!" Ann exclaimed as she entered the kitchen.

I didn't say anything. She just made an awkward situation even more awkward.

"Cecelia would you give me and Aaron a few moments to speak privately please?"

Ann had a very concerned look on her face. I started to feel nervous again. I could feel my lungs tightening just like last night.

"Deep breath and focus." She whispered as she passed by me to leave the room.

Ann waited until she was sure Cece was out of earshot to speak again.

"Please sit down Aaron would you like something to drink?"

I shook my head as I sat down. Ann sat across from me. I didn't want to know what she had to say.

"Your father has been found."

I almost leaped from my seat. I would be able to go home. Away from this place. Back to the safety and comfort of my own room. My own blankets and sheets and pillows. All of my books.

"Aaron?"

Had she kept talking? I looked at her and tried to focus on her words.

"Your father is in jail. You're going to be staying with us for a while. Would you like to get some more of your things from your home?"

No. I wanted to go home. I didn't want to bring my home here.

"What did he do?"

"I think it would be better if you spoke with an officer about it. But for now we're going to do the best we can to keep you comfortable."

I couldn't do anything but stare at the wall. tears began to form in my eyes.

"Aaron." Ann said softly putting her hand on my shoulder.

I pushed her away, stood up and ran out of the house. I didn't know where I was going but I had to get out of there. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. My mind was raging. Did my dad really hate me so much that he would go to jail just to get away from me?

I've never felt more alone than I did in this moment.