2. Lena

2

LENA

NINE YEARS OLD

I ’m staring out the car window, watching the little town of Stockbridge disappear. It feels heavy inside my chest, like I’m carrying a big rock. I’m holding onto a thin blanket that the nice lady, Emily, gave me, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I miss my mom’s hugs.

Emily, my social worker, sits next to me. “It won’t be too long until we’re there,” she says with a smile and puts her hand on my arm. “I know it’s all scary, but the Wilsons are the family you’ll be staying with. They’re nice people. I think you’ll like them.”

I nod, but I can’t talk. It’s a long ride, and my heart feels stuck in a muddy pit. The Wilsons live in Salem, which is far away—like another planet. I’ve never been anywhere else. How can anyone replace my family? I feel tears starting to come again, so I blink fast.

The car slows down after what seems like forever, and Emily gives me a hopeful smile. “Are you ready to meet your new foster family?” she asks.

I take a big breath and nod. I know I can’t fight it—I’ve learned about all this foster care stuff in the last few weeks. When the car stops at a busy parking lot, I get out and follow Emily to a nearby car. A nice-looking couple is waiting for us. The lady, who I think must be Mrs. Wilson, comes over and wraps me in a big hug that makes my shoulders stiffen.

“Welcome, Lena,” she says softly. “We’re so happy to have you with us.”

I’m not used to being hugged by strangers, so I freeze for a second. Mrs. Wilson notices and lets go, giving me a kind smile.

“Let’s get you settled in, okay?” she says, leading me to the car. “You’ve had a long day, and I bet you’re very tired.”

When I climb into the backseat, Emily follows and settles in beside me, giving me a reassuring smile. Mr. Wilson starts the car, taking me farther away from my old life.

I gaze out the window, watching everything zoom by. This is supposed to be my new home, but I don’t know anyone here. A shiver of fear zips down my back, and I wonder if I’ll ever feel like I belong.

The car finally stops outside a regular two-story house. Mrs. Wilson helps me carry my few things inside, and I feel a chill. This is it—my new home, where there won’t be any of the love I used to know.

“Welcome to your new room, Lena,” Mrs. Wilson says, guiding me upstairs. She opens the door to a little bedroom that’s tidy but plain. It doesn’t feel cozy at all, not like my old room did.

I nod, but my heart feels heavy as I drop my bag and sit on the edge of the bed. The mattress is hard, and the sheets are stiff. Nothing feels like home.

“I’ll let you get settled,” Mrs. Wilson says while Emily talks to her about boring adult stuff. She gives me a nice smile. “Dinner will be ready soon. Why don’t you come down and meet everyone then?”

As she walks out, I feel a wave of worry. I’m going to meet a whole bunch of strangers, and I’m scared they won’t like me. I want to disappear.

Suddenly, I hear a soft creak at the door. I turn around and see a tall boy standing there. His dark hair covers part of his face, and his blue eyes look serious and scary. This must be Talon, the other foster kid Emily told me about.

“Hi,” I say, trying not to sound too freaked out.

He doesn’t say anything, staring at me and making me feel weird. It’s like he can see right through me.

After a moment that feels like forever, he finally says, “You’re the new girl.”

“Yeah, I’m Lena. Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling a little.

Talon smirks, and it feels like he’s up to something. “Nice to meet you, huh?” He steps closer, looking at me like he knows something I don’t. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”

Before I can say anything, I hear a loud voice from downstairs, calling us to dinner. Talon gives me another look before fading back into the shadows of the hallway.

I sit still for a second, my heart racing, and I feel kind of scared about what will happen next.

Taking a big breath, I head down the stairs, even though my tummy feels funny and twisted. I can smell something yummy in the kitchen, but I am too nervous to be hungry.

When I stroll into the dining room, everyone from the Wilson family sits at the table. Mrs. Wilson smiles at me and waves me over to sit by her. I feel their eyes on me, which warms my cheeks.

“Lena, this is my husband, Mr. Wilson, and our son, Jamie,” Mrs. Wilson introduces, her voice still nice.

Mr. Wilson nods and gives me a serious look like he’s not too happy to see me. Jamie glares at me like I did something wrong.

“Great, another one,” Jamie says, rolling his eyes. “As if we don’t have enough problems already.”

I shrink a little inside. Is this how it will be—people who don’t want me here?

Mr. Wilson clears his throat and looks right at me. “I expect you to help out here, girl. We’re not running a charity.”

I nod, my voice almost a whisper. “Yes, sir.”

While they talk, Mrs. Wilson’s quiet, looking down at her plate. I can’t help but think she might be scared of Mr. Wilson, too, just like I am.

Across from me, Talon’s still staring at me without saying anything. It’s like he’s studying me, but it feels creepy, like he knows more than he’s letting on.

The food goes mostly untouched, and silence fills the air except for the clanking of forks and spoons. I pick at my plate, not hungry, and try to ignore how mad Mr. Wilson and Jamie look.

After dinner, Mrs. Wilson gets up to clear the table. “Lena, why don’t you head to your room and rest? You must be so tired after today,” she suggests.

I nod, relieved to escape the awkwardness. When I head back upstairs, I can feel Talon’s eyes on me again, making me think about the darkness that’s hanging around in this house.