BLOOD THIRSTY

Chapter One: The Arrival

The car halted in front of the perky yellow house. It had flower boxes on all the window and had the kind of look about it where, even in the scariest movies, this house would welcome anything with a bright smile on it's face.

"Well here we are!" Ms. Kipper said, "Your new home." This is a line I had heard three times this year. It never was. They always sent her back for things like attitude problems or being too secluded. I glanced at the house one more time before getting out of the car and walking on the neatly manicured lawn toward the front door.

"Uh, uh, uh!" tisked Ms. Kipper, standing in the middle of the driveway, "Don't walk on the grass!" But I pretended I couldn't hear her and kept walking. Ms. Kipper sighed but made no further objection. When I got to the door, I rang the bell not even waiting for Ms. Kipper who was now speeding up to keep from being left behind.

The lady that answered the door fit her house. Sun shining from her pleasure filled eyes shwon through as she greeted both Ms. Kipper and I. "Hi! I'm Ms. Tibbs," she said to Ms. Kipper, "But you can call me mom," she stage whispered toward me, and winked.

I ignored her like I did Ms. Kipper and just stared into the house beyond her like she was invisible. "Come on in," she said when she realized I wasn't going to reply.

Vivian Persons

"That would be delightful!" Ms. Kipper exclaimed, as if she were inturrrupting a reply I hadn't intended to make. I nodded trying to make some effort of being enthusiastic over becoming a foster child, yet again. Her smile widened a bit as she turned to let us inside the neat and tidy house.

"Let me give you the house tour," she said after closing the door behind us, "I think, we should start with Addy's room." She smiled at me and headed up the stairs. This woman was strangely happy, almost too happy, to see me. It was kind of creepy…

"Come on Addy!" Ms. Kipper urged, breaking my train of thought. I walked slowly up the stairs in time to see Ms. Tibbs halt before a door at the end of the hall. She waited for us to catch up to her, and said, "So what do you think?" while simuntaniously opening the door.

It was plain white, with hardwood floors, no covering or sheets on the mattress and, well, just plain empty. "I know it looks plain now," Ms. Tibbs said, "but we thought you should design it yourself. Wall color, comforter, furniture, everything!" she exclaimed watching closely for my reaction.

A smile slowly spread across my lips, as I came to realization. I had to bite my tongue to keep from screaming with happiness. Instead I found myself giving Ms. Tibbs a hug and saying a thank you that came out in a voice no louder then a whisper.

Blood Thirsty

"You're quite welcome," she said, hugging me back, "We'll go shopping tomorrow." Somehow, the control of my room made things seem real, and made me think maybe this new home would be my last new home.

"Well," Ms. Kipper said satisfied, "I'd love to stay for the tour, but I must be on my way now, call me if you have any problems!"

"I'm sure I won't," Ms. Tibbs said sincerely. And I felt that smile creep back onto my face.

Vivian Persons

Chapter Two: The Visitor

I took my cell phone out from under the pillow to look at the time. 12:05 A.M. I hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. "Maybe I need some fresh air. I opened my window to the warm summer air, but when I inhailed, the urge to go outside was over whelming. I headed to the front porch thinking of the swing I saw earlier.

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