ManHunt

Charlotte

I stand there wide eyed, jaw dropped.

"Alice, meet Charlotte, she's going to be staying with us for a while. She's a foster kid just like you!" Mrs. Heller chimes.

Charlotte/Alexa smiles an itsy bitsy smile. I try and smile back but i can't. i'm frozen in my spot.

"Come on now dears, lets go see the boys," Mrs. Heller hustles us into another room.

It's plotted with a deep red carpet and in the middle of the room is a formal dining table with wooden chairs neatly lined up along the sides. There are only 5 chairs, and 6 people live here. I don't let myself wonder too much about it but follow Mrs. Heller.
Charlotte/Alexa falls beside me and starts walking with me. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. Could that be the very same girl that died nearly 3 years ago?

Suddenly I'm interrupted from my thinking by the voices of 2 males.

"Hi!"
"Hi!"

Josh and Marcus say in unison. They're twins I can see. Identical twins. They have short silky ginger hair, swept back with gel. They are fitted with tight white t shirts and loose black gym shorts. It's an odd outfit to go with your hair but this whole place is weird so I  guess can't say that.

"Hey," I respond. Charlotte/Alexa keeps silent.

"Now children, it's almost dinner so go up to your rooms and get ready," she turns to me, "Alice, follow me and I'll show you to your room."

She starts walking and I follow. The question that I thought of earlier comes back to me.

"Um M- Mrs. Heller?" I stutter.

She turns her head and faces me.

"Why are there only 5 chairs. Don't 6 people live here?"

"Yes dear," she replies coldly, "but Mr. Heller eats in his office. Which reminds me, do. Not. Go. Into. His. Office. There are extremely important items up there which are are strictly prohibited for you to touch let alone see. So stay away."

I step back a little, appalled by her words.

"And also dear, call me Simone."

Simone? Why not "mom". Well it's only the first day so I guess I shouldn't call her that.

We walk silently to my room. It's on the first floor, near the back of the house. It's not spacious but it's cozy. There lays a bright pink double sized bed in the corner of the room, a colourful butterfly bedspread drooping over the sides of the bed. There's a lamp, nightstand and closet. The walls are a pastel blue and the floor is hardwood.

"Like it?" Simone/Mrs. Heller asks.

"Yes. It's pretty," I reply keeping to myself that it looks like a room for 6 year olds. I mean, not to be age stereotypical or anything.

"Great, now, settle in and then supper." She walks out of the room without another word.

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Dinner was normal enough. We had steak and chicken and a variety of greens. I sat on the second seat to the left and Charlotte sat beside me. I got used to calling her Charlotte but I still wonder about Alexa.

"So Alice dear, are you excited for your new school?" Simone/Mrs. Heller chirps.

"Uhh yeah I guess." Since I'm 16 now I'm in eleventh grade.

"Hmm, okay so you know where the bus stop is and everything?"

"Yes I've got a map."

"Good. Okay everyone tidy up! Let's get ready for bed." Mrs. Heller exclaims.

I leave my seat and head to my room. It's pretty nice here..if you ignore all the creepy stuff. And the fact that I've never even met Mr. Heller. I'm too afraid to ask. I tuck myself in the lumpy bed. Not the best but fine.
I stare at the bare ceiling for a while until I let my eyes gently close.
Everything seemed peaceful and normal...at least thats what I thought.

End of chapter 2.