Withering Roses

Chapter Three. Rose.

I wake up on a sofa. How on earth did I get here? No one ever had furniture this nice at the arena. I look around and see a boy lying on the floor. I should probably start breakfast before he wakes up. I can't stand more punishments. I walk around the house until I find the kitchen. I grab some pans from the shelves and start making eggs. Once they're done I get a plate for whoever that boy is. I start carrying it to the table. "What are you doing?" Someone asks. I get so startled I drop the plate and it breaks. I quickly bend down to clean it up before he gets mad. "You don't have to clean it up." The boy says. Yes I do. He grabs my hands and pulls me up. "I'll clean. Sit down." He says gently. I sit down on a chair and watch him clean up the plate and the eggs. He makes two plates of toast and sets one in front of me. I pick it up and sit down on floor with it. I look up at him. Please eat fast so I can eat. "You don't need to sit on the floor." He says. I have to sit on the floor. I need to sit there and wait until he leaves. I'm not allowed to eat in front of anyone. "Come sit with me." He says. I can't disobey a direct order like that. I pick up the plate and sit at the table. "Are you alright?" He asks. I shake my head. Once we're down eating I pick up the plates and carry them to the sink. "Let me do the dishes." He says. "You go rest." I walk back to the sofa and sit down. A little while later he comes out and sits next to me. "What's your name?" He asks. I point to a vase full of roses. "Rose?" He asks. I nod. "That's a beautiful name." He says. "I'm Nick." Nick. I've never heard that name at the arena before. This confirms my suspicions of him being new there. "Are you sure you're ok?" Nick asks. I don't answer. "Would you like to stay with me until I can get you help?" I can't stay with him. I need to get out of here. I need to find the others and warn them. "Rose?" I look up. Nick is standing next to the sofa now. "Come with me. I'm going to take you to someone who can help you." What? No don't take me anywhere please! Just leave me alone!