“Oh. So they were the reason you stayed?” I could tell Eli was fishing for answers as to why I am how I am. “Yeah. All 8 of them. I took the most bea-” I quickly shut up before the words flowed out. I wasn't about to let Eli know those things. 

“Most of what?” Eli looked puzzled. “Nothing. Most of nothing. Just leave me alone Eli,” I turned away from Eli. I felt the bed go back to normal as he stood up. I heard the soft padding of his footsteps as he walked out of my room. 

Growing up in that orphanage was hard. There were only 5 bedrooms and 9 beds. I always slept on the floor so the other kids always had cozy beds. They already had to double up just so they all had a room. 

And don’t get me started on Ms. Harren. That woman could make even the toughest of men run if she removed her glamor. Her hair is jet black. It is long running down her back. She may have looked like she was 30 in human years, but being a demon, she was anywhere from 300 to 600. 

If I remember right from her last birthday, she is 429. She was the only one in the orphanage to believe the Forgotten realm was real! That includes the 5 year old faery we had there!

She was cranky and sick of everyone’s shit. I hated every fucking second I had to look at her. It made me sick sometimes. I tried my best with the kids. I tried not to let them see the force with which she hit me half the time. I hated the thought of leaving them alone with her. It meant that I wasn’t there to take the brunt of the beatings. I hate it here. 

Here in a house where everyone is a stranger. Where everyone is hiding something. Emma, hiding things about my family. Eli, hiding knowing about it. And Emit, hiding everything and anything. 

I get up. All I can think about is taking a shower. Maybe that will let everything wrong roll down the drain with the water. I know it won’t but if I just close my eyes and let myself believe it, maybe just MAYBE it will happen. 

 I have to go back. If I don’t go back then I have failed them. I can’t fail them. I was the big sister that protected them. Protected them from the women that should have been like our mother. 

I hit the wall of the shower lightly with my fist. I turned off the shower and climbed out. After drying off and putting on a light blue crop top and blue jeans, I left the bathroom.

I ran into Emit’s back when I got to my room, “OW. Emit? Why are you standing in front of my door?” He looked at me with a blank expression, “Let’s go. We are leaving now.” I look at him confused, “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere but back home!” He sighed, “Rihanna. Let’s go. Don’t make me carry you!” 

“Oh no! I’m so fucking scared! You are nothing more than a muscle monkey for your mother!” I yelled at him. I mean I’m not wrong about the last part!

“Well, at least I have my parents. How was growing up knowing you would NEVER be loved?” Emit smirked at me. My jaw clenched and I pushed past him. I went to my door and turned back to Emit.

“I hope you get herpes. You disgusting asshole!” I slammed the door shut. I heard him sigh as he walked away. I collapsed onto the bed. I closed my eyes. Why was it that people used my parents’ death against me?