I sat on my bed and took a few deep breaths. What did Emma mean by a hit on my parents? Emma knew more than she let on. There was a knock on my door.

“Who is it and what do you want?” I yelled at whoever was at the door. Eli’s voice sounded through the door, “It’s Eli. I’ve come to take you to training.” I sighed, “I’m not going, Eli.”

He opened the door and sat next to me on my bed, “Look, kiddo, I know you don’t want to go. And I forgive you for what happened in the living room. Mistakes happen, I get that. But Rihanna, you need to learn all the great things about this realm!” I look at him, “But why? Why can’t I just go back to my realm and my sect? I was fine where I was!”

“But the true question is were you happy there?” He was asking harder questions. “I mean my 2 friends are still there, and the kids at the orphanage are left alone to deal with Ms. Harren-” I slap my hand over my mouth as I think of the kids. All left in her terrible care. Well, if you could even call it care. 

“But were you happy, Rihanna?” he asked. I thought for a moment, “No, alright? I was not happy! I hated every second of it. My only joy was the art. Knowing that no matter who left me or hurt me, art would always be there.” 

“You didn’t have friends?” He questioned. “Ha! You think anyone would want to be friends with me? The two people I was quote unquote “friends with” only let me hang around because they felt sorry for me!”

Eli looked at the one picture I had in a frame. I had set it on the dresser. I forgot it was there. Eli tapped the glass of the picture, “Why do you have a picture of you and the kids from the orphanage then?”

 I sighed, “Because I took better care of them than the caretaker.” I shivered at the thought of all the things done to us at the cursed place that should have been home.

"What makes you say that?" Eli looked concerned. "Look Eli. I know you care and shit, but I don't need to explain that one to you! Please just leave me alone!" I hated when people ask about that fucking orphanage.