Page 6 of Relentless Queen
I just lay there, too afraid to move or speak up.
“Don’t worry, they will get theirs soon. They think they can say and do what they want.” Maci says. She gets up and heads towards the bathroom.
The next morning, we were woken up by the staff. I still can’t believe this; it's Saturday, and we don’t even get to sleep in. I walk into the room, looking around the room and noticing that Maci’s face and body are bruised and swollen. She looks up at me and smiles. She gets up, walks to her closet, pulls out a bottle, and heads towards the bathroom.
“Aghhhhhhh! What the fuck!” comes from the bathroom. Everyone rushes to see what's happening. I walked in, noticing a smug look on Maci’s face. I see a girl from last night; she's in a towel and crying.
“What happened?” Ms. Carol, one of the female staff members, says.
“She threw her piss on me while I was in the shower!” she screams, pointing at Maci.
“I want to press charges! I want her out of this house and put in a cage like all the other animals.” She screeches.
“I didn’t do anything. I was just standing here brushing my teeth when she screamed.” Maci says.
“Barb here was walking out of the showers when she saw me and screamed.”
“She’s lying!" Barb says this while glaring over at Maci.
“Alright, that’s enough! You two get downstairs and into my office now.” Ms.Carol says it with venom laced in her tone. What is wrong with these girls?
Walking downstairs, I take a seat by the bay window with some of the other girls. Once everyone files in, Ms. Carol walks out of the office.
“Okay, girls. Ms Gina will be here in a few minutes.” She states that as more girls take seats in the area,.
Looking out the window, a tear falls as I think about how I’ll never see my parents again. I’m so lost in thought that I didn’t notice the blue sedan pull in. Watching as Ms Gina steps out of her car and makes her way inside.
“Ladies, so I hear we had trouble last night as well as this morning.” She stands with her hands in her pockets.
“So let's do this. Who wants to talk about what they saw last night?” She looks around the room, and not one person says anything.
“Okay. So nothing to say?” She looks around the room again. “Then everyone loses a level.”
Girls start yelling, screaming, and snitching on each other for different things. Ms. Gina whistles, causing everything to go silent. I just sit here, not saying a word, as she locks eyes with me.
“Someone explain levels to Aluxis.” She smiles.
“I will.” I turn my head and lock girls with this beautiful brown-eyed girl. It feels like we could be sisters or something.
“Each girl starts at level zero when they first arrive. We earn levels by completing chores, taking part in groups, and staying out of trouble. Every thirty days we get an evaluation, letting us know if we achieved a level or not. Once you complete your levels, you are eligible for early release if you're here for court-ordered detention.”
I listen in as the group continues over the next two hours.
Once lunch and chores are done, we're free to do as we please, as long as we avoid the upstairs rooms. I’m sitting at the table when Jojo, the girl who spoke in the group earlier this morning, comes over and takes a seat by me.
“Hey,” she says while looking over towards the kitchen.
“I noticed you don’t talk much. I heard what you said in group earlier, and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry about your parents. That’s got to be rough.” She places her hand over mine, giving it a little squeeze.
Looking at her, I nod my head, unable to speak the words as tears form in my eyes.
“Hey, it's going to be okay. I know that's easier said than done.” She reaches over to hold my hand.
“Listen, I lost my family too, just not in the same way as you. We were all separated when they raided our place. My parents only cared about getting their next fix.” Wiping her tears away, she gave me a small smile.
“Anyway, like I was saying, I could use a friend, and it looks like you could, too. What do you say?" She smiles at me.
“Sure, I’d like that,” I say, smiling back at her.
