Chapter 2 Two

Ravenna pov

I understood long ago that my dream of being normal was nothing more than a stupid joke.

For one thing, I have been living with my foster family for as long as I can remember in Nashville, a small town far away from the city and with more farmers and ranch owners.

In a family filled with blond-haired, blue-eyed siblings which means my red hair and so fiery they will never be blond made me stand out.

And according to my foster sister Clara, that made me the ugly duckling in a lake full of swans.

She took great pleasure in reminding me of that fact every chance she got.

Today was my eighteen birthday according to the date written on my form. I doubt anyone remembers though.

My foster mom only kept me because of the money she received from the orphanage and her husband rarely comes home anytime he comes home they always had a fight,my foster father had mistress outside perhaps even children and anytime he comes home he will take any money in the house and anytime he does that Mrs Perry my foster mom will not even let me eat anything even if it was leftovers.

My stomach growled, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything in two days, why? She told me not to eat anything because the money her husband took was my feeding money but she and Clara had a hearty meal this morning. The leftovers Clara carried it and dumped inside the waste bin.

Carrying the last basin of laundry I had been washing after cleaning the house and doing the dishes, I stepped through the front door kicking the door shut with my left leg behind me and looked around the corner, hoping to make it upstairs without running into Clara. It was almost time for her to return from school.

I wasn't ready to exchange words with her. Any mistakes she makes always ends up being my fault.

"Ravenna!"

My foster mother's voice came from the living room.

I sigh as I set down the basin and headed to the living room.

“Yes Mrs Perry” I answered her as I walked into the living room. She hated me calling her mom and said I should call her with title.

“How many times must I tell you to call me mother" she said smiling "come here” waving her hand.

What was wrong with her ? That was when I noticed she wasn't the only one in the living room.

A woman I had never seen before sat on our old couch as she looked at me like she was assessing me. I looked down on a habit I had formed because I was always told my eyes were disgusting to look at.

"Is she the child?" the woman asked

"Yes," my foster mother replied excitedly.

The stranger stood and walked closer to me ,on reflex I stepped back regretting it immediately. She wasn't my foster mom and she wasn't going to hit me right?.

"Ravenna, dear, would you like to come with me?"

She asked stopping a feet away

I frowned and looked at my foster mother.

She gave me a look that clearly told me to agree.

"Where?" I asked cautiously

I certainly wasn't ready to let a complete stranger take me to God knows where and seeing how my stepmom was acting it like the lady promised her something.

The woman came closer to me again with the look in her eyes that were reassuring and gently took my hands.

"Somewhere made for people like you," she said with a smile. "A place I think you'll come to love and trust me I don't mean you any harm am just like you."

People like me? What does she mean by that?

Before I could ask what that meant, she handed me a thick envelope.

I opened it.

My eyes widened immediately.

BLAKEHURST ACADEMY

An invitation letter to go to school ?

I frowned, wasn't I the same girl my foster mother claimed she couldn't afford to send to school? that the support income was for my feeding.

So what exactly had changed?

"Pack your things," the woman said. "We're leaving now."

Before I could argue, my foster mother spoke up

"No need. She doesn't have anything worth packing”. glaring at me to hurry up.

I clenched the invitation tightly

Without saying a word, I headed upstairs.

My room was small and nearly empty ,I didn't have anything worth packing.

Crossing the room, I knelt beside a loose floorboard and lifted it up,hidden beneath was a box I had hidden my silver necklace which had been around my neck when I was found Clara took it once and when woke up the next morning the necklace was back on around my neck I found it really strange but I was happy it returned back to me.

The only thing that had ever truly belonged to me.and what my parents had left for me I couldn't bring myself to resent them and I have always wondered why they had left me behind and where they were.

I picked it up and slipped it into my pocket looking at the room I have always lived in before heading back downstairs.

As I stepped into the hallway, Clara was leaning against , a cruel smile spreading across her face.

"I hope you die out there and you have lost everything to me both Theo."

I met her gaze without flinching. "I wouldn't give you that satisfaction and I promise I will live well speaking of Theo you can have him."

Her smile vanished instantly as she was shocked I gave up on theo why wouldn't I when I found out he only approached me to get close to Clara using me as a stepping stone.

Satisfied, I continued walking downstairs.

The woman waiting for me smiled warmly, strange why I felt sad seeing her.

"Ready?"

But I nodded together and we walked outside and a black car waited by the road.

I climbed into the back seat beside her.

As the car pulled away, I looked out the window at the house that had been my home for as long as I could remember.

No one would miss me.

No one would even notice ,I was gone.

It was the first time I was leaving this town I had grown up in, as the woman squeezed my hand beside me.