Chapter 2

Absolute loneliness surrounded me. The other kids wanted nothing to do with the crazy girl and even though I stopped my medication weeks ago Laila wouldn’t speak to me. I knew she was back I could feel her and even heard her mumbling to herself sometimes.

A few more months passed, and I counted down the days until I could leave. I held some small hope that life outside could be better. It had to be.

One night like any other I got ready for bed, crossing out the number on my little note pad and writing the next. “Only 496 more days.” I said to myself.

“Shut up weirdo!” Danielle shouted. Throwing her boot at me. Danielle is a legend, constantly breaking out and coming back with a new tattoo or piercing and wild stories to tell. I secretly think she likes getting caught just so she can come back and show off. Her short spiky hair and pointed jewelry fit her personality perfectly.

The hard heal of her boot found its target smacking into my temple, my left eye swollen almost immediately. I tossed it off my bed and onto the floor.

“Now fetch bitch.” Danielle said with a laugh. “Bring it here like a good girl.”

I reach down grabbing the boot, fighting back tears and full of defeat when all of a sudden, I felt like I was pushed out of the way. Still standing, the boot still in my hand but I had no control of my body. I watched helplessly as I took four huge steps forward before swinging the boot and smashing it across Danielle’s face. A growl coming from deep in my chest. “You fetch bitch!” Laila’s voice came from my mouth before she spit at her. “Leave us alone!” Laila said before storming off into the communal bathroom.

Standing at the sink cold water running over a washcloth I felt Laila move back and I could once again move my body. “What the hell was that?” I asked.

“I don’t know, you were hurt and I’m so sick of her shit and I just grabbed the boot and went for it.” She replied.

“So, you can just take over my body. Am I frickin possessed! Like being crazy and talking to myself isn’t bad enough.” I put the washcloth over my eye and temple. The cold felt good, and my eye already felt better.

I was shocked when I took the washcloth off and leaned into the mirror to look at the damage. Running my fingers over my eyebrow down to my temple. My face was completely healed.

“Did you do that?” I asked still rubbing my fingers over where the giant knot should be.

“I think so. I just wanted to make it better and now it is, and now I’m really tired.” Laila let out a yawn before going silent.

“Great you break Danielle’s face and leave me to deal with the backlash. Thanks.” I said sarcastically but she was already out.

Walking back out all of Danielle’s friends were gathered around her. Her face bloody and swollen I couldn’t help but smile.

“Stay away from me you freak.” Her words muffled by her swollen lip.

Crawling into bed feeling quite content. “You stay away from me.” I finally replied before getting comfortable and falling asleep.

Things were better after that. Still, no one but Laila talked to me but at least they stopped bullying me.

Danielle aged out of the home and rumors of that day made everyone else steer clear of us.

Laila and I grew closer, we came to an agreement. She wouldn’t take over my body without permission or unless I was in danger. Which she agreed to easily as she said it didn’t feel right being in control. Saying my skin felt cold and standing up was awkward.

We fantasized about the day we would get to leave here. We would get a bus ticket and get as far away from here as we could. Start a new life where no one knows us, and we can blend in.

Laila couldn’t wait to see mountains, rivers and lakes. Try to garden and cook. Her passion for life pulled me through when I had all but lost hope.

A month before our birthday we had our last appointment with Dr. Tard. Our final assessment to make sure we aren’t a danger to ourselves or others as he put it.

I couldn’t eat breakfast that morning. My stomach far too upset to hold anything down.

“I can do this if you don’t want to.” Laila offered.

“You really want to go in and deal with him? You can’t just hit him you know.” I laughed.

“Do I want to, no! But for you I will. I can feel how nervous you are. You’re making me sick, and who says hitting him won’t work? Have you tried it yet?” She giggled in return.

“Okay sure. It’s only the meeting that determines the rest of our lives so no pressure.” I said nervously.

“In that case we definitely hit him.” She started making punching noises. “Grab that red tank top we got last summer.”

“Oh no.” I groaned. “It doesn’t even fit, and the top two buttons are broken.”

“I know, wink, wink!” She said in a seductive voice.

“You’re a perv.”

“And so is he, if the good doctor is distracted by your assets, he won't care what we say.”

Laila had a point over the last year our body definitely changed. We’ve caught all the men here checking us out, but Dr. Tard constantly lurks.

“It’s your show” I tell her.

Putting on my black yoga pants and the red tank top I tried my hardest to get the top buttons to stay fastened. Looking in the mirror I had my doubts.

“This doesn’t seem appropriate at all.” My nerves are shot, and I couldn’t hide it.

“It doesn’t have to be appropriate; it just has to get us out of here.” She took over and marched straight to his office door.