Ryland Keith was a small and quiet boy, and at the age of 18 still looked to be 15. He always did what he was told and never questioned it. He lived in an orphanage located in Texas since he was 7. Not many people wanted to adopt a seven year old let alone a eighteen year old. They preferred babies...or as close to it as possible. Once in a blue moon they would get a 16 year old. At the particular orphanage he lived at they were sectioned off. 3-5 year olds on one floor, 6-9 year olds on the next, 10-15 on the very top, and Ryland in the attic. The age limit was 19 and in a few short months Ryland would be on his own. As if getting adopted wasn't hard enough Ryand was a dyslexic. The rare people who got the older ones only wanted the smarter of the bunch. No one wanted a dyslexic, small, and almost mute Ryland. Even then Mrs. James, the supervisor, never gave up hope. She woke him every day and said "Today is the day Ryland. I can feel it." Ryland learned not to argue with her, because she looked like a kicked puppy when she was sad. There was a great deal of things that makes Ryland 'hard to accept' besides his dyslexia and small size. He was very sensitive and he never admitted to needing help.
The way he was raised told him that asking for help was a sign of weakness. That is what led him there in the first place. His parents were smart, successful, all around perfect, and they expected their children to be the same. Ryland didn't meet these standards and wound up in an orphanage because of it. However he had a job at the local coffee shop and had some money saved up so when he was on his own he didn't have to live on the streets.
That brings us to the present. Ryland was walking from his job back to the orphanage when he was pulled into an alleyway and a hand covered his mouth. "Not. One. Sound." His attacker whispered. Ryland nodded and shook frightfully. He tried to keep his breathing even as a blonde women with a black dress on walked by the alley. "You can't run forever Doctor." She said. When she past Ryland's attacker pulled him into a dark building that was abandoned long ago. He was released and he immediately jumped away to looked at his attacker. "hello. I'm the Doctor, and you are?" The man asked. Ryland looked at him weirdly causing 'the Doctor to face palm. "That's right. Amy said snatching random people off the streets isn't normal." The Doctor took some time to examine the boy in front of him. Ryland felt ridiculous when he shuffled and looked down insecurely. He knew his hair could be a bit tidier and his clothes were a bit worn out. "How old are you?" Was the next question directed towards him. "18." He muttered weakly. The man took out a round thing with a green light on it and scanned Ryland with it. "Wow you're kinda small for your age aren't you?" He said chuckling. "So what." Ryland said trying to sound tough, but his voice cracked. The Doctor smiled. "I like your attitude. Maybe you can help me with something. But not now. I'm sure where ever you came from you need to get back to. Off you go." He said and walked out of the building. Ryland ran out and looked to see no one in sight. He sighed and hurried back to the orphanage unaware of the blue eyes ailen watching him.
First chapter guys! Just a small note, I don't know if the correct term is foster home or orphanage so I guessed. Hope I got it right.
