Chapter 1
Imagine living in a world of Magic
Greek Magic
Life in Greece had been crazy. Imagine walking down the street, and suddenly your attacked by a monster. Then, out of no where, Someone comes up and saves the day. Like a knight in shining armor.
They look atthe monster, Sweat dripping down their forehead as they think quick on how to take down this gross thing.
And then, out of no where the tables turn and suddenly they win the fight. Slaying the being and then Winning the love of the towns folks. Maybe a King will invite them in, And give them gifts and riches.
That
Is not my life
Instead, I'm here. Stuck in the middle of children that are running around the foster care center in An area near Chicago. You could practically hear the crying of a child from a mile away while you live in a tiny, two story home that's less than an inch separated from your own neighbors house.
The ringing in my ears was something I was used to by now. The Workers here talked over the counter, laughing and most likely talking smack about all the teenagers in the center. They hated their job, you could tell that. Who wouldn't? Taking care of children that weren't wanted and got dumped off at an adoption center, only to grow up and not go into a family.
I sighed and continued sweeping the floors. This week was my week to clean, At the end they would give me about Ten bucks. Which, wasn't really that bad. I could buy myself two tacos and a soda at the taco truck downtown with that much money, But frankly, I've been there so many times They just give me free food anyways. The owner knows me and where I 'live'. When I told him for the first time, He scowled and offered to give me free meals. As he and the whole neighborhood knew that the food they gave us here in the Center could be compared to prisoner food. The other kids would usually gobble this stuff up, but I was more picky with my food. So I didn't eat much there. And with the community I live in, Not going a day with full stomach was basically a sin. Grandma Julia down the street would usually tell me to sneak in a few Tamales for me, and the older kids who didn't like the food there either.
After sweeping, I go into the supply closet to get the mop and put water in it, some rip off of fabuloso, and dip the mop in. Slapping it against the ground. All the kids shrieked as I started mopping, and one of them yelled "The floor is lava!"
They all giggled and jumped into the chairs and Couches(Which I once sat on, saw a cockroach in, and never sat on those couches again)
I quickly mopped, and put some air freshener in the air. I stuffed the mop into the supply closet, and slammed the door shut.
"Ah! Jade there you are."
I jumped and quickly turned around. Seeing Ari, another older kid here at the Adoption center. He had a strong, Irish accent when he first came in with a woman. I was around six years old, and saw a boy come in through the doors. He looked frightened. An older woman, Beautiful as one may look at her. She looked just like Ari. Blonde hair, Strong Hazel eyes, And plump pink lips.
Ari And I we're 3 years apart. But we grew up together. I later in life learned that that woman was his mother. At first he wouldn't say who she was, until he gave in. He explained how his mother couldn't handle her son anymore, who always seemed to get in trouble no matter where they were at.
"Ari, What do you need?"
He smiled and shook his head.
"Why are you always saying that? Expect everyone to want something from you?"
He laughed and ruffled my hair. I shooed his hand away. Feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
"Let's go get some ice cream! It's been a while since we both have been out together." "Well, that's because your focused on school. And if me going to get ice cream with you is distracting you from your studies then leave me alone and go and focus on what's going to get you out of this dump."
I crossed my arms and he rolled his eyes. "I finished all my homework." "Good. Now how about that ice cream?" I grabbed his arm and he laughed, Nodding.
Walking down the streets of Chicago is something I could do every day. Many people would argue that living in a city had more Cons than living in somewhere peaceful, quiet, and far away from society. But honestly I would go insane if that were my life. Everyone around here knew each other, and it was like everyone was family. People would stop and talk and laugh like if they knew each other for years, even though you just met a few seconds ago. It wasn't rare to be stopped by the side of the street just so some lady can complain about her husband missing dinner every other day. God, Some of these guys could be compared to British Kings just for the numbers of mistresses they have. Don't get me started on the number of kids men have.
"So, What book are you reading right now?" Ari asked, His hands in his pockets as he looked at me. This immedietly sparked my interest. "The Maidens Knife"!" He blinked. "Sounds scary..what is it about?" "It's about A lady named Cecelia schuyler! She's this Lady who all her life has spent working for this trashy rich man, And eventually this guy gets murdered. And she some of the main suspects! But the author never really Reveals if she's the killer or not. Instead, While she's being questioned, We get a glimpse of her life and how she started. The book goes off on how she was taken from her parents and put to work for this man, and how she's been a servant her whole life. And then it reveals she leaves and sneaks out at night to visit her son, whose being raised by his father, Whos married, But he played it off by like "oh I found this baby on the street" but in reality he had a child with Cecilia, who was his mistress at the time. One day she rebelled against the trashy rich guy and she dressed as a guy to get out. But while she's putting on men's clothes, trashy rich guy catches her and then puts her in a cell. Then it goes off to the police officers point of view, and they find her out of her cell by the time the guys killed. Which is a reason why she's a suspect. They also find bloody gloves in her cell, and the knife didn't have fingerprints on it."
Ari took a deep breath. "Wow that was a lot to take in." I laughed. "Yeah, But it's a good book! Right now their questioning her!"
We finally arrived at la michocana , An I've cream shop that was only a mile away from the Adoption center. Ari ordered himself a Ice cream sandwhich, and I ordered some Fresas con Crema. We sat down on a table near the window. We liked staring at people as they walked by. Usually they would start speed walking, and get creeped out, Or they would look at us and like if we had 10 arms and 10 legs.
"So, Where do you plan on going to college? I mean, Your 16 years old and graduating. What college wouldn't want you?"
He chuckled and shrugged. "I don't know, I'm thinking about it still.."
He took a bite out of his ice cream sandwich and I looked out the window. Munching on my strawberries. "Anyways, Enough about me. How's school for you?"
I shrugged. "It's okay..But..I don't know. The expectations and amount of work and pressure just can be overwhelming. Plus, Everyone's so different. I don't wanna be with the girls that just stare at a mirror all day. And oh my god, it's so annoying when they talk back-"
I pulled my hair, And Ari laughed. "You'll find yourself place soon. I mean, Your what-two school years away from high school? You'll survive."
We finished up eating, and we both walked back to the Adoption center together.
I'm not sure if I made it clear in how the center looks, But it looks like one of those schools with only one floor. A brick exterior, and when you walk in there's a desk with a lady named Briana. She constantly smokes inside, Right next to the 'no smoking inside' sign. I once saw her punch it. She may hate her job, But I often catch her in the baby area, Singing a lullaby to the kids. I once heard some chisme between a few other workers here. They said Briana had 3 miscarriages, and that she came here to work to be closer to have a feeling of what it's like to have kids. Sure, she could've adopted, but I doubt she would have had the money to adopt.
There's two hallways splitting between the desk, One leading to the baby room, Only a few toddlers and like one baby in there. There's always workers in there making sure the kids are safe.
On the left hallway, there's the little kids and Pre-teen rooms. Their separated, but our walls are thin and if the neighbors could hear the screams and not fall asleep imagine what it's like sleeping in the room next to where the screaming child sleeps.
If you keep walking, all the way down there's the Teen area. I technically was a teen, and you bet I didn't want to stay with screaming kids next door-So I insisted I move in with them.
There's a few Kids in there. There's our oldest, Michael, He's 17. Though he's preparing to leave because he's turning 18 next year. Then me Have Ari, and twin 15 year old girls. Their names? Mia and Gisselle. Gisselle likes to gossip and spread rumors, and Mia likes playing with the little ones here. She said she wanted to come back after college and work here. Which I questioned. Who would ever want to work here?
After them there's this guy who never really talks. He's always gone, so much that I don't even know his name. The only thing I ever see on his bed other than sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. Was a bookbag. The only thing Ari told me about him was that he was 14. Just a year older than me. Some kids called him Nico, Others called him Nick, some guy even called him Erick. No one knows his name.
Then there's me. You already know about me. I'm 13, 7th grader, and I like reading.
Back to the Kids hallway, There's the cafeteria and an office where if people wanted to adopt kids then they would fill up paperwork there. Let's go back to the cafeteria-As I mentioned before we get served food that is equivalent to prisoner food. There's nothing much there, other than a sweet old man named Gillo. He served us food, but he didn't make it. The food he actually makes is really good. He sometimes makes us stuff, but every time we ask him why he won't just serve his own food he shakes his head and starts complaining abo it muscle pain. I'd rather eat his sweet Tamales than those nasty tuna sandwiches.
We're all a big family here. And I like it that way. Even the little ones, If anything were to happen to them I'd risk myself, even if they keep me up till 3 in the morning.
This night wasn't any different. My lamp would still be on as I read books. But what caught attention was the sudden growl. I tried ignoring it. Surely it was all in my head-It could be Grandma Julia's chihuahuas, But I heard it again.
And again.
And again.
It eventually grew annoying. So annoying I couldn't stand it anymore.
I made my way down the hallway, trying to be as quiet as possible. I was in a tank top and sweats, Which probably ain’t the best choice of clothes at night, in fall, but I don’t mind it. I actually really like the cold. It’s always been so soothing to me.
I managed to sneak past Marie, and old woman who tends to fall asleep at night when she’s suppose to be guarding the hallways. So sneaking past her while she was asleep was quite easy.
In order to leave at night, You need a key to open the doors without an alarm sounding. And the Key is located in the front desk are. The large curved desk has about 6 drawers, But there’s one middle drawer with a lock in it. And you need key for that too. Now, Only the front desk Lady has the key to the drawer, But a while ago I Managed to steal the key. I had no idea how I did it, I just walked past her and swiped it from her. It was so easy. Ari questioned how I did it, and I just shrugged. But going back to the present, I put the key I o the lock and twisted it, The drawer flung open. Making a noise that could be compared to metal water bottle hitting against a school floor. Now, all of us who go to school know that’s not a quiet sound.
I freaked out and hid under the desk. Covering my mouth. Nothing came, And I detest of hearing geeks clicking I was met with silence. I sighed, and got out from under the desk and looked at the drawer. There, I saw the silver key.
Good work Jade
Aww thanks Jade
No prob
I complimented myself, And grappled the key. I closed the drawer and closed it silently. I made my way to the front wooden doors and opened them. Slowly closing them behind me. I turned around and expected to see the annoying Chihuahuas inside Grandma Julia’s house from across the street, But instead I was met with A liquid that touched my toes. I groaned and looked down.
But
t it was blood.
Bright red blood. It was scattered in patches of it too. On the floor. Leading towards the street. I froze. Was someone murdered? Did someone get hurt? Whatever the case was, I needed to get out of here. So I turned around, But heard to growl again.
Then I made the mistake of turning around.
I’m front of me, Bright red eyes.
