I was taken from my perfect suburban family when I was five, the memories from before I was taken are jumbled and hard to remember. I never had friends and I never went to school, that doesn't mean I'm an idiot though. Cohen—the man that took me, made sure I wasn't uneducated. According to him having a stupid mind was one of the biggest weakness's you could have. Because of that whenever he wasn't training me physically, he was training me mentally.
Cohen took me in as an experiment, he couldn't have a kid of his own, so he took me instead, or at least that's what the social service lady told me.
Cohen unfortunately experienced a gruesome death and ended up bleeding out on the kitchen floor with a couple appendages missing. The death affected me greatly, I mean who wants to see the person who took care of them, taught them everything they know, spent every birthday and Christmas together die in front of them.
I did, and I enjoyed it.
I believe the cops that came an hour later after my distressed call might believe that I was the one who killed him, but they won't say anything, not after they found the basement I was kept in.
No, I'm sure they will keep their mouth shut, apparently both me and the cops know the man doesn't deserve any type of justice.
They took me to the police station shortly after searching the house, their eyes were wide with horror as they ushered me into the police car whispering comforting words in my ears. 'you're safe now' 'he's gone, and he can't hurt you anymore' 'don't worry sweetheart everything's going to be okay'. I didn't need all the comfort, but it was nice to hear words spoken with care instead of malice for the first time.
When we arrived at the station, I was taken to a back room to be questioned about the death. They asked many questions and I only responded with a shake of my head, no words making their way out of my mouth.
I was tired and I just wanted to be alone, I've gotten so used to only seeing Cohen everyday that the amount of people I've seen and who have talked to me today is overwhelming.
When the man with the soft voice was done questioning me, he left the room telling me someone will come in shortly to discuss the next steps.
I didn't know what that meant.
Until now sitting across from a nice-looking woman with a smile on her face. People are very smiley here.
Am I supposed to smile back at her?
The last time I smiled was when my knife went through Cohen's eye, and I can't remember a time I smiled before then. I kept my face neutral as she kept smiling at me.
Her smile stays in place as she asks her questions, "hi Jade, my names Samantha and I'm your social worker." Her words make my brain kick in gear, remembering everything I was taught in the makeshift classroom in the basement, but I couldn't find anything.
Cohen never taught me about what a social worker was.
She must have read the confusion on my face as she explained, "I'm here to help you with this transition from your old life to your new one." I just nod my head still not willing to speak, her smile falls for a moment, but she quickly puts it back up.
She doesn't mention anything about Cohen's death, but instead asks questions about me. I stay silent, sensing she wasn't going to be having a conversation with me she tells me about the next steps, "We will swab your mouth to get your DNA and search for any relatives." I nod at her and she gets up to leave, another man enters with a cotton swab and swabs the inside of my cheek before they both leave, leaving me alone in this room.
Finally.
My seat at the table in the middle of the room leaves me in an uncomfortable position. Pushing my chair back, I get up and make my way to the farthest corner from the door sitting down with my back against the wall. I take a deep breath in and try to control my heartbeat from panicking. The events of today were a lot and I'm not sure how long it will take me to adapt to how many people I interact with. It's quiet in the room as I drift off into a dreamless sleep.
***
The sound of the door opening jolts me awake, my body on high alert to the noise and ready to fight, but its only the social worker. She closes the door behind her before motioning for me to take the seat across from her, I oblige.
She opens the folder in front of her before looking at me, the smile goes as a look of pity comes over her features, "With your DNA we were able to find who your parents were, unfortunately your parents passed away in a car crash four years ago, and your brother passed away not long after you went missing." Her tone is sad, trying to sympathize for me, but I can't feel anything for the loss of my family, I didn't even know them.
She looks at me expectantly life she is waiting for a type of response, maybe I'm supposed to cry or ask her about them, but all I can offer her is a small shrug.
She looks disappointed in my response but continues with her file, "you have no other relatives who would be able to take you in." I take my gaze away from her and look around the room calculating everything I see, they have two cameras in the room and what looks to be a mirror along the wall, but I know that's were people can watch you, its one of the things Cohen taught me in his 'cops are bad' lesson. Accompanied by scars on my skin after answering questions wrong. Cohen wanted me to be scared of cops and see them as the devil so whenever I would go on missions, I wouldn't risk talking to them. It was another way he tried to manipulate and control me.
Samantha's talking brings me out of the memories, "since you're not eighteen yet one of the officers and I will be taking you to the local orphanage until we can figure out a more permanent plan for you." I nod letting her lead me out of the room and into a police cruiser with another cop. "Everything will be okay Jade."
***
The orphanage is an interesting place, filled with children of all ages and different backgrounds. I've been here for two days now and haven't talked since the cops at Cohen's. The children here look at me with understanding and sympathy but most of them are intrigued and want to hear my story,
To bad I won't be telling any of them.
Samantha, the social worker gave me a number to reach her on if I need anything before she left me here. I don't like this place at all, you get no time alone. I share a room with three other girls and the only time I can sort of be by myself is in the bathroom.
I'm in one my room when Pricilla, one of my roommates comes in, "Mrs. Anders needs you in her office." I place the copy of my book down and make my way downstairs to the Mrs. Anders office. The doors open when I get there as I come closer, I notice my social worker sitting in the chair across from her.
Sensing my presence Samantha turns around and gives me a big smile, "oh, Jade come in we have some great news for you." She stands up and motions for me to take her seat. I make my way into the room and to the seat she instructed as she closes the door to the office. Mrs. Anders smiles at me, both ladies looking creepily happy. Samantha takes my silence and continues, "you will need to pack your bags Jade." She smiles looking to Mrs. Anders to continue.
"A very prestigious boarding school has offered you a scholarship to attended." My brows furrow at her words. Why would a random boarding school want me? Suspicion overtakes my features as Samantha chimes in.
"This school has amazing academics and extracurricular activities; the students there have to be invited to attend and most of the students there are from very wealthy families." She must sense my suspicion because she adds, "this is an incredible opportunity Jade and will help you once you turn eighteen with your future."
It's not that I have a problem with leaving the orphanage, but I can't wrap my head around the benefit of inviting me to this school. What do they want? And how do they even know me? It's not like my grades are available for them to see—considering I've never gone to an actual school. So why do these people want me?
Knowing its either this or the orphanage I make up my mind pretty quick, regardless of my suspicions. I nod at Samantha giving my answer, her smile beams at me as she claps her hands together, "oh great, this is going to be amazing Jade just you wait and see." I give her a tight nod before rising from my seat to make my way back to my room to pack but Samantha's voice stops me, "Pack quickly Jade, we will leave as soon as your done." I give another nod without looking at her and continue on my way.
Finishing packing my clothes the girls in my room give me questioning looks and ask questions. I don't respond and once done I make my way back downstairs. Samantha is waiting for me there with a big smile.
Guiding me to her car she rambles about how amazing this will be and it being an incredible opportunity, I tune her out as I stare out the window on the way to the airport. Watching how the trees move against the wind and the small wildlife living amongst the branches.
We reach the airport not long after and Samantha explains everything that we have to do for security check in's and what seat we have. We get on the plane and strap in, although I've never been on a plane before the experience wasn't a bad one but I sensed Samantha's discomfort with the flying transportation.
The flight wasn't very long only about three hours— although I don't know if that Is long compared to other flights, I still didn't think it was bad compared to how long we would have been in a car for to go the same distance, and by the time we land its four in the afternoon. Grabbing our luggage and finding our rental car we are on track to the school. The tree's here are different, there's more of them and they're a lot of green with more branches. The air here is also clearer and easier to breath in. It is colder here, but it doesn't bother me.
About an hour of driving later we approach a large gate with two guards standing by it, guns in their hands. Are all schools like this? Judging by the muttered 'what the hell' from Samantha I'm guessing they're not.
We approach the guards and they come towards our window inspecting us and the car. Samantha rolls her window down, "hi I'm Jade Fullers Social Worker-"the rest of her words drown out as I take in what she just said.
My last name is fuller?
A small ache makes its way into my chest as I think about the family id lost and never knew. I shake out of my thoughts, ignoring the emotions.
What's the point on dwelling about something I can never get back?
When Samantha's done speaking the guards gruff voice responds, "Ms. Fuller will be taken from here, you are not allowed past the gates."
Samantha's eyes widen "But- "
"There are no exceptions" the guard interrupts.
Samantha looks at him for a moment before responding, "okay just give us a second." He nods as Samantha rolls her window up, turning to look at me with a sad smile, "well I guess we say goodbye here, you still have my number incase you need to contact me?" I nod. "Good call me if you need anything." I don't respond and go to open the door, I grab my backpack from the back and make my way to the guard, Samantha rolls her window down, "Goodbye Jade, I hope you find happiness here." I give her a small wave as she puts her car in reverse to head back.
With Samantha's car getting further away I turn to the guard, he meets my gaze , "Follow me," he commands.
Wow this dude's a little grumpy not gonna lie—or is it his job to be a grumpy buttcheek.
He turns around as the gates begin to open, there's a car on the other side that he motions me to get into. We begin down the road and about a mile down the outline of a building takes shape. The closer we get the bigger it gets, there's a few students walking around outside trying to get a look into the car.
Great, I just love when all the eyes are on me.
Approaching the front of the giant brick building that looks more like a castle, the guard parks the car and gets out. I grab my bag and go to open my door but when I turn my door is already open and the guard is waiting there with his hands clasped in front of him staring ahead.
How'd he get here so fast?
I get out of the car and can feel the number of eyes on me as I follow the guard to the front doors. Walking into the grand room I had to contain my gasp.
This place is huge.
The whole place gives off a regal feel. There's beautiful shinny hard wood floors and an amazing staircase to the left, there's a big common area in the front with chairs, couches, and tables. To the right are multiple doors with names engraved on them, as well as a large desk in an L-shape with two women sitting behind it.
The guard leads me over to the desk, the women facing us as the guard's boots sound on the wood floors. She smiles at him and turns her gaze to me, her eyebrows dip in a confused manner but before she can ask any questions most likely a 'who's this' the guard speaks first.
"This is Jade Fuller, the new student." The women's face morphs into surprise, her eyes jumping to mine in utter surprise but quickly regains her composure.
"Hello dear," She softly smiles. I give her a small smile myself accompanied by a light nod. She accepts my response and turns back to the guard. "You can go back to your station Theo, I've got it from here." He nods and heads towards the door, completely ignoring my wave.
Rude.
"Don't take it personally, he's like that with everyone." I turn back towards her and give her a small shrug. She purses her lips and grabs a file from her desk before standing up and rounding the desk. "My names Adeline" she reaches her hand out to me, I eye it for a moment before shaking her hand. "I'll show you to your room and one of the students will give you a tour tomorrow." I keep quiet as she starts walking towards the staircase.
People move in and out of the door talking with their friends and their curious gazes in my direction. I ignore them focusing on Adeline as she leads me up the stairs.
"There's a range of different living arrangements here" she says reaching the second floor but still continuing up. "There's rooms with two to four roommates on the first two floors."
I cringe at the prospect of me having a roommate, Adeline see's my reaction and lets out a small chuckle. "Although your situation is a little different, you moving in halfway through the school year most rooms are already at full compacity, there were only two rooms with placements available, one being a two person room with a student who had lit two previous roommates on fire and the one you will be staying in." My eyes widen at her statement she smirks at me, "Don't worry no one was hurt but I can't say the same for their belongings." She turns back to the stairs as we reach the fourth floor, her breath a little labored as she walks down the hallway.
There're only four doors in this hall and she take us to one at the end of the hall to the right. She opens her folder and takes out a keycard, holding it the door, a small green light flashes from the small box accompanied by a click of the door unlocking. She opens the door wide stepping in, I grasp the bag in my hand a little tighter as I enter. "Welcome to your new home."
I take in the room, but its not a room, no, it's a penthouse. There's a large kitchen with granite countertops and a light blue backsplash. The room is mostly white and grey with hints of light blue and back. Floor to ceiling windows covering the back wall, lighting the kitchen. There's a living room area to the right, a large grey couch decorated with light blue and black throw pillows, a grey arm chair to the left of it and a throw pillow with the words 'I'm sorry I stole your girlfriend, but not really.' To the right of the couch is a love seat in the same gray shade, a clear coffee table in the middle, and a giant tv above the fireplace. The far-right wall is filled with built in bookcases and a hallway, the open staircase leads to a second floor. Everything looks sleek and modern, totally different from the rest of the building, this place holds nothing to the homes advertised in the home magazines Cohen would give me. My heartbeat picks up at the thought of him.
He's dead jade, he can't hurt you anymore.
I repeat the sentence over in over in my head until an excited voice pulls me out of my thoughts, "Hi, you must be Jade." A small blonde rushes over to me her arms open for invitation, I side step her embrace feeling a little bad for denying the petite blonde.
I really don't want to be touched right now.
She doesn't seem at all affected by my rejection and keeps the genuine smile on her face, before waving at me. "I'm Callie one of your new roommates." I offer her a small smile and gentle nod which she seems over the moon with, turning to Adeline, "hi Addy how are you on this marvelous afternoon." Adeline lets out a small chuckle smiling at the girl.
"I'm doing just fine Callie, thank you for asking."
"Anytime," Callie says turning back to me "everyone else is either at training or studying in the library and won't be back until after dinner." I look around the room, taking in the big space.
How many people live here?
"That's alright Callie, I was just going to show Jade to her room but I'm sure you'd rather show her." Adeline says with a knowing smirk towards the small blonde.
Callie's smile beams twirling around walking towards the hallway yelling out a "Follow me." I do as she says and follow her to the hallway.
There are two doors on opposite sides at the end of the hallway, but past the door the hallway continues to a small library with two love seats facing each other with a coffee table in between. Callie points to the door to the right, "That's Finn's room, he's a bit of a grump but he wont bother you much." She then directs me to the door on the left, opening the door wide with a huge smile, "and this is your room." I walk in, taking in the furniture and décor, it's a very similar to the living room and kitchen but instead of a light blue accent color it's a emerald green, I turn back to Callie. Her smile seems to dim a little and she looks nervous her hands clasping and unclasping in front of her, my brows furrow.
What's wrong?
She lets out a small breath before looking around the room avoiding eye contact, "I hope you like it, I designed it for you and got all the furniture and everything. I tried to ask Adeline to get in touch with you and ask about things you liked, but she said the only thing she got was that you might like green. So I kind of went safe but stylish with the style and added green, but if you wanted to change anything let me know and I'll get right to it" She rushes out in one breath. She takes a deep breath in before turning to look at me. Nervous anxiety still etched on her feature.
I look around the room taking in the beautiful and classy décor before whispering and awed, "Thank you."
I walk further into the room and drop my bags on the bench at the end of the bed, I turn back to Callie still in her spot by the door. She looks at
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