Chapter 10
I woke up to someone screaming bloody murder. I started to panic, but quickly realized I was the one screaming. I quickly stopped and my throat hurt. I heard running down the hall and soon all three of my brothers were in my room. I looked at them and tears filled my eyes.
I had a nightmare. Usually Pony had nightmares. That's why Soda slept with him. Why on earth did I have one? It suddenly came flooding back. I remembered my dream clearly and it shook me to my very core.
"Tammy are you alright?" Soda asked in a concerned voice.
"Ya, just a nightmare I guess." I said, sighing afterward.
"I thought I had nightmares." Pony said.
"Me too." I replied.
"What was it about?" Darry asked.
I shook my head like Pony always does. I didn't want to tell my brothers about the horrible dream. I then realized that Pony probably remembered his dreams, he just never told us. I could be wrong, but I understood why he did it now.
Darry sighed and left the room, just like he does for Pony.
"Come on Pony, let's go back to bed." Soda said in the dark.
"Wait, Pony can you stay for a second?" I asked.
"Of course, Tammy." He replied.
Soda yawned and left the room. Pony came over and sat on the end of my bed.
"Pony." I started.
"Pony, please don't forget about me." I whispered.
"Forget about you? How would I ever forget about you?" He said, bewildered.
"Just promise you won't." I say.
"Okay. I promise." He said, still confused.
I smiled and didn't know if he could really see it.
"Sorry I woke you." I said.
"It's fine. I've done it to you before." He said and got up. He left the room and I snuggled back into bed, hoping my nightmare wouldn't return.
/\/\/
I got up to the smell of bacon and eggs. I looked at my room and wondered if I would ever see it again. I forced myself up and changed into some simple clothes. I grabbed my bags and walked down the hallway.
Pony was sitting on the couch with his bags on the floor. He looked as crushed and betrayed as I felt.
"Tammy come eat." Darry said from the kitchen.
"I'm not hungry." I replied.
"Just eat something." He said back.
I sighed and set down my bags. I walked into the kitchen and Soda was eating. I grabbed a slice of bacon and ate it.
Just then the doorbell rang. I tensed up. Darry rushed out of the kitchen to get it. Me and Soda met them in the living room as he was opening the door for Mrs. George.
"Hello. Tammy and Ponyboy we are leaving in five minutes." She stated.
I looked at Soda. He gave me the weakest smile I've ever seen. I caught him in a hug and didn't want to let go. We finally broke apart and he looked at me. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and didn't say anything. I knew he would explode if he spoke.
I walked over to Darry while Ponyboy went to Soda. I stared up at my oldest brother. Tears brimmed my eyes. I held on to his waist tight and he did the same to me.
"I'll get you and Pony back no matter what." He whispered into my ear.
I pulled away and smiled. I walked over to Mrs. George and waited for Pony to say goodbye to Darry. Once he was done we walked outside and climbed into her car. We both stared out the window at our house and our brothers as Mrs. George started the engine and drove down the street. Once I couldn't see them anymore I turned around in my seat and looked at Pony.
He looked back with pain in his eyes. I turned to the window and watched the town go by.
We arrived at the first home that was for girls.
"Here's your new home for a little bit, Tammy." Mrs. George said, getting out. I got out and Pony did too.
He met on my side of the car and we stared at each other. I didn't want to say goodbye to my twin brother. It wasn't fair! How could they just tear apart a family and then twins?
Both our eyes were filled with tears as we hugged.
"Don't forget." Was all I could say to him.
"I never will. I love you." He promised.
"I love you." I said and choked back tears.
We parted and I felt empty. I turned and faced the big building. This was my home now. I walked with Mrs. George to the door.
"Just go in and say you were with me, they are expecting you." She said and turned back towards the car with Pony.
I took one last look at Pony and walked in the building.
It smelled old and musty. The walls were all white and the floors were dirty.
"Hello, young lady." The lady at the front desk said.
"Hello. I was just with Mrs. George. I'm Tammy Curtis." I said weakly.
"Oh, yes. Follow me." She said.
She got down from the desk and opened a door that lead into a big hallway. We walked down it and she opened the third door. As I walked in I saw a teenage girl that looked a little older then me and a girl that looked my age about.
"This is Cassidy and Ellen. They are the oldest girls here and now you are too. Make yourself at home, lunch and dinner are later." She said and shut the door loudly.
I looked at the girls.
"Hi." I said.
"Just stay away from me and we will be fine." The older girl said nastily.
"Stop being so rude Cassidy. Hi, I'm Ellen." The other girl said.
"Hi, I'm Tammy. How old are you?" I asked.
"I'm thirteen and Cassidy is fifteen." Ellen told me.
"Oh, I'm fourteen." I told her.
"Your bed can be that one over there." Ellen said, pointing to the farthest bed.
I walked over and set down my bags.
"So, what usually goes on around here?" I asked.
"Nothing much. We just hang out all day and eat." Ellen replied.
"Wait, we just stay in here all day?" I asked.
"Pretty much, except when we eat and we do have an hour of gym each day." She said.
Just great. I hated being stuck in the same place all day.
"Tammy Curtis!" A lady yelled through the door for me.
"That's the head lady, Mrs. Everest. Do as she tells you." Ellen warned.
I walked to the door and opened it slowly. Mrs. Everest was standing in the hallway waiting for me. She was a plump lady with red hair. Her eyes were cold and her face looked tired.
"Here's the deal Tammy." She started.
"I don't want more teens in my home for children, so I am working as fast as I can go get you a foster home." She said.
"Okay." I said.
"You will treat me with more respect then that!" She bellowed.
"Yes, ma'am." I said instead.
"Thank you. Expect to be out of here in a few days." She said and walked away.
I went back into the room and Ellen was right on the other side of the door.
"Your so lucky! You get to leave this place." She exclaimed.
"I guess." I said.
I sat down in the hard bed and stared up at the ceiling. This life was gonna be different then my old one.