Someone knocked at my door. I jumped up from my book with surprise. IN all my three years here in Phoenix, I've never heard that sound. Humans were too frightened or intimidated to visit me. Even the post man didn't dare ring th bell to fetch me. Not tht I got much post of course. No-one knew me well enough.
I hurried to the door, preparing myself to scare t human away, putting on a cold face. I undid the latch.
A man stood there, holding a brief case, wearing a posh business suit. A barely acknowledged that fact.
"Yes?" I asked, my voice purposely icy, making it clear he wasn't welcome.
The man, whoever he was, edged away from me slightly.
"Uh, Good afternoon. Im Mr Dean."
And? I glared.
The man gulped. "I'm a social worker. Are you Bella?"
I nodded, now confused. What was a social worker doing at MY doorsep? They social worker stood there looking at the neatly pruned garden, and spotless garage door…
"What do you want?" I asked, getting impatient.
Humans were so slow sometimes.
"Can I come in?" The balding worker said.
What? I didn't speak, just moved aside to let him into the hall. My house was finely urnished, and I noticed him admiring it- but who wouldn't? All the stuff in here was anicient.
I lead him to the kitchen table and stood there, while he sat down and put on a thick pair of glasses.
I didn't offer him a drink. Tht would have been more polite, I know, but A I didn't have anything to drink, and B I didn't want him hnging around any longer then I could help.
I waited, and he began to look uncomfortable. I stood there, still, forgetting completely that humans never stood like this. Finally, I spoke.
"So what do you want?" I said again.
Mr Dean opened hi brief case. "Im a juvenile social worker." He began "I look after the welfare of those under eighteen years old. How old are you, Bella?"
"Im Seventeen." I said coldly. A lie, of course- I was way older. By roughly eighty years,but, according to my forged passport, it was true.
Mr Dean looked uncomfortable again. "And may I ask-where is your caregiver?"
Ah. I knew where he was getting at now. "People over 16 are allowed to live on there own." I stated.
"And you've been living by yourself-how long?" The balding social worker asked.
"Um, A year and three months. Soft of." Sort of being the fact that I'd lived here a year and three months, but I had lived over eighty years by myself actually.
The man made a note on his clipboard. I frowned. What had I said wrong? And who was Mr Dean, anyway? A social worker, for sure- but how had found out about me? A tip of one of the neighbours? I didn't make it very obvious tht I lived here- for all any stranger knew, I was a ghost.
"And, which school do you go to, Bella?" He asked, looking at me through his thick lenses.
Uh oh. School? I quickly scanned the highschools in the area inside my head. Upton High. Macandrew. Swallow- the mixed primary school. St Johns. Cavanagh…
I gulped. "Cavanagh?"
The man looked at me skeptically. "Please don't lie to me, Miss Swan. Cavanagh is an all boys school."
Oops.
"Im joking."I lied again, "I go to Macandrew High. On Olive street." I kept my face smooth as he checked my face to see if I was kidding again. Finding nothing but acted truth he made aother scribble o the clipboard.
I would of sighed with relief as he stood up to leave.
"Well, we'll be checking on you in a couple of weeks, Bella." He informed me, making my heart pound with worry. "Please donthesitate to call if you need anything." His eyes darted around, looking at the expensive ornaments, obviously relisind I could afford anything.
I nodded anyway leading him back to the front door. I held it open or him. "Thank you, Mr Dean. I'll see you soon then, I guess."
He shot a wary glance back arounf the house, as if hoping for my 'caregiver' to ppear out of the chest in the hall. Smiling weakly at me, he left, closoing the door behind him.
Heart pounding, I sank to the steps as heard the car pll away. What should I do? Anymore social workers, any more investingating, and I might be put in with foster parents.
That wouldn't work. If any of them cut them self, even slightly, with me in the room- I would be in so much trouble. Well, not as much as them,but anyway, they wouldn't get into anymore trouble, because they would be dead. Drained. Lifeless. I shuddered.
I woul have to leave. Again. I was SICK of this travelling. Every few years, ditching my house. This place had seemed great. Hardly any people to socialize with.
Where could I go NOW though? I couldn't let Mr Dean and his friends ask me much more. And what if in the next town I went to, MORE social workers discovered me and my schooless, parentless ways?
No school. No parents. I wished for the billionth time that I was normal. HUMAN.
An idea occurred to me. No. Tha would never work. I would still have to move though-of course. Humans weren't stupid. But… I could still stay.
It would be impossible. But I could TRY.