Colors

Eleven

We were all sitting in the middle of this garden. Grace was in the sun, Felix was leaning on a tree, and I was laying in the grass, watching the clouds. Some were bunnies, others were ducks, and one was a wizard hat. I smiled, picking out the clouds and watching them change.
"What are you smiling about?" Felix asked.
"The clouds," I said, pointing out a bird.

I heard Felix stand and walk over to me. He laid down next to me and looked up at the sky. I saw another bunny and a dog. Then I saw the best one...it had a hamster head on a dragons body. I smiled. As I watched the clouds go by, I felt Felix's pinky finger poke my hand. Then, his hand found mine and our fingers intertwined. His thumb rubbed small circles on my hand. Making me smile more.
"Felix...your so sad," Grace laughed.
"Shut up, Grace," Felix said.

I grinned and closed my eyes. For the time being, I was happy. There was nothing to be afraid of out here in the garden. Just the peaceful sound of the fountain and singing birds. We all sat in silence for a little while. Until I heard something. It was dark laughter. My eyes shot open. In the clouds I saw Ben screaming. He was clearly in pain wherever he is.
"You'll never see him," a dark voice laughed.

The cloud contorted into something else. It changed from Ben into an evil face. A face I hadn't seen. It's face long, eyes big, and mouth contorted into an evil grin. I shook my head to clear it. But when I opened my eyes again, it was still that same haunting face. It seemed as if it was coming closer to me. The cloud was falling. Before it hit my face, I screamed and it burst into dust. I jumped up and my hand was ripped from Felix. He sat up and looked at me.
"Addy? What's wrong?" Grace asked looking at me.
"In the clouds..." I gasped, looking back up at the sky.

Felix and Grace looked up. They both shook their heads. They didn't see it. No one ever sees what I see! No one knows what I go through. They just don't know. Before I could help it, tears fell from my eyes. They slipped down my cheeks and I sat on the ground. Felix sat next to me and wrapped me in his arms. I buried my face in his chest. As I cried on Felix, I breathed in the scent on his hoodie. New books and flowers. One of my favorite things. New books.
"Addy, it's okay..." Felix said softly.

I shook my head no. No, actually, it isn't okay. Bens screaming face kept popping in and out of my head. Then there was that other face. What was it? Who was it? The same questions swam around my head. I squeezed my eyes shut to try to block everything out.
"Guys it's almost five, do you wanna go back in?" Grace asked.
"Sure, c'mon Addy," Felix said standing.

He let go of me and stood up. Felix offered me his hand and I took it. He pulled me up and the three of us all walked out together. Grace had her arm linked through Felix's. As we walked, Felix's hand found mine. I smiled a little. We all walked back into the Institution. Together, we found the dinning hall. Grace opened the door and we all walked in.

There were several round and square tables scattered throughout the room. People were eating silently. One table was filled with girls snickering. Another with a group of kids less than eleven. I turned my head and looked at the ground. When we reached the kitchen, Grace wandered off.