The Unheard Children

Chapter 1

"God Damn it, I'm calling the social worker. I just can't take it anymore" The old woman hollered. "Fine, I couldn't stand it here anyway." Ellie yelled back. Eloise walked to the overcrowded bedroom that she and her little sister Cassidy shared with two other children. This had been their seventh home in three years, and she couldn't stand the woman there.

Ellie hated her, ever since she met the woman four months ago. When they walked up to the door Ellie was holding Cassisy's hand wanting to comfort her. Their social worker Joan had given them a small amount of information on this woman and tried to make sure they were comfortable before she had been called off to another case. Anyway, on their first night in the new home Shannon asked Cassidy to find her purse. Cassidy began looking and somehow ended up in her bedroom. Shannon didn't like that and struck Cassidy across the left cheek. Elli ran over and shielded Cassidy from another one before she herself was struck.

Back in their room Elli began packing what little belongings she had in a small bag. "Are we leaving again?" Cassidy asked. She nodded and turned away from her little sister. Cassidy sighed and began packing her stuff as well. About four hours later their social worker was on their way to their current foster home to pick them up. They quietly marched past Shannon and got into the car. Joan followed behind them.

In the car the three of them sat there driving down the road. "So is anyone going to explain to me what happened?" Joan questioned. Cassidy looked up from her lap, shrugging her shoulders. Joan looked over at Ellie, she refused to look back. "Shannon told me that you were caught stealing money from her purse." Joan emphasised. "Well she's not lying. The woman barely fed us. We were starving, she keeps locks on the pantry and fridge" Ellie recounted. "So she wasn't feeding you guys?" the social worker questioned. They shook their heads "Barely" Cassidy finally let out. "All right I'm gonna take your guys to get something to eat. Any request?" She asked. "Burgers!!" They both shrieked.

Cassidy went to the restroom while Joan and Ellie sat at the diner table looking at the menu. "Eloise..." She began. "You and your sister are going to have to stay at a group home for a couple of weeks, maybe even days until I find you guys a new placement." She finished. "What? Are you serious?" Ellie asked. "Maybe if the two of you would agree to splitting then we.." she was interrupted by Ellie. "No way. I promised I would look after Cas. There is no way we are gonna split. Cassidy came back out of the bathroom and took a seat next to Ellie. "What are you guys talking about?" she enquired. "Nothing was just gonna be heading to a group home until Joan can find us a placement." She replied. Cassidy shrugged her shoulders and began to look at the menu.

After their meal, Joan took the girls to the group home she was talking about. "Ellie, I'm gonna try and make some calls around but I can't make any promises. For now I need you to stay out of trouble, Do you understand me?" She asked. Ellie rolled her eyes and nodded her head.