Safe Inside

Chapter 2: New Orleans

Grace

I smiled when I saw the city of New Orleans. I turned my head at Faith still smiling

"Are you seeing this?" I asked turning my attention to the people who walked down the road.

"Unfortunately. It's not hard to miss" Faith said still in a bad mood but I ignored her. Mr. Lee stopped the car in front of a brick building that gave me the chills.

"We're here." He announces and I took off my seatbelt and got out feeling my happy mood drop instantly. Faith got out and stood by my side.

"Alright girls, let's go inside to meet Ms. Palmer." Mr. Lee said shooting us a smile. We grabbed our suitcases and followed behind him. As we walked inside, goosebumps form on my body. As we went further I made sure to stay closer to Faith who stared around. Many voices started to fill my eardrums as we got closer to a set of brown wooden double doors. Mr. Lee opens them and in an instant the voices stop. My body freezes up at all the eyes on me. I never had so many eyes on me and it was very intimidating.

"Ahh, Mr. Lee. Children say hello to our guests" An old lady in a red dress ordered.

"Hello" Everyone greeted. My heart raced as I glanced at Faith who looked around the huge dining room.

"Hello children. Ms. Palmer, I didn't know you was having lunch. My apologies, ma'am" Mr. Lee apologizes looking down. This Ms. Palmer women looked at Faith and I.

"Are these the girls?" She asked connecting her dark brown eyes to my hazel green ones. I gulped but didn't break eye contact. Something about this women told me she was not a good person.

"They are." Mr. Lee said and the women studied both Faith and I before looking away from us and to all the kids who were between the ages of five and up.

"Children, these are your new sisters. Faith and Grace will be welcomed and be treated as one of our own. Now, girls I expect you two to play well with the others, follow the rules and use your manners." Mrs. Palmer said looking back at us. We said nothing only stared at her. She raised an eyebrow like she was expecting something. The room was silent and I all of a sudden caught on.

"Yes ma'am, we will be on our best behavior" I said trying not to make my voice seem low but it was hard. I've never been in a room full of people before. It scared the crap out of me. Mrs. Palmer hummed moving her eyes between Faith and I

"I will hope so." Mrs. Palmer hums. "Kaley"

The younger women beside her stood. She had shoulder length blonde hair, Brown eyes and a skinny figure. She wore a a plain blue summer dress that came to her knees.

"Ma'am?"

"Please, escort the girls to their rooms. You will also explain the rules and everything else they need to know" Mrs. Palmer said in a commanding tone without even taking her eyes off us.

"Yes ma'am" Kaley said and walking around the table towards us.

"Follow me, please" Kaley said exiting the dining room. I gave one last glance to Mr. Lee who nodded me off with a smile. I followed her out the room walking beside Faith who has been very quiet.

"The rules are simple and must be obeyed. Before I get into the rules, you two must know this. You must be up at seven am every morning and be downstairs in the dining room by eight. If you do not show, you will not have any breakfast. You will have two hours to play in the backyard, not a minute over. Showers must be taken at five sharp. Dinner is at six thirty and if you're late, you will be sent to bed without eating." Kaley explains and I stare at the back of her head in disbelief. What the fuck kinda shit foster home is this? You can't be late to breakfast nor Dinner or you'll have to starve. Kaley didn't mention lunch so they probably isn't any lunch given. Before I can open my mouth to speak, Kaley continues.

"First rule, no fighting, backtalking or arguing. Second rule, manners must be used at all times. Third rule, no passing over the gate. Fourth rule, always be on time at dance class. The fifth and final rule is to never under no circumstances go into Ms. Palmer's room, office or the basement without her consent. Do you girls think you can handle all of that?" Kaley asked stopping at a ugly pale green colored door and turning to us. I stood there trying to process everything.

"Is this our room?" Faith asked throwing her hand up towards the door. Kaley wordlessly turns and opens the door. Inside was two bunk beds with some ugly wool blankets on top and a single pillow. A nightstand was beside it and a chest was at the foot of the bunk beds. A dresser was against the wall with a lamp on top. There was a desk in the corner of the room with a notebook and pencil on top.

"Any questions regarding your stay here?" Kaley asked as Faith walked in placing her suitcase in the middle of the floor.

"No." Faith said and Kaley turned to me. I shook my head no.

"Good. I will take my leave now" Kaley said turning and walking away. I walked inside the room and closed the door behind me.

"This place is weird and strict" I told Faith pulling my suitcase to the bunk beds.

"I have a feeling our stay here is not gonna be a pleasant one." Faith said and I swallowed hard at her words.

"You don't think it's gonna be that bad, right?" I asked and Faith looks at me.

"I don't trust this place nor that women. So stay with me at all times"