Azalea |18+|

3| The Cohen's

I do care for them, but I'd also kill them if the situation arises which goes the same for them, and we are all aware of this unspoken agreement.

"Why bother when nothing is happening." I said and yawned, already feeling bored of this conversation.

"Don't be so sure." Avianna said in a challenging tone and I raised my eyebrow, daring her to try anything.

"What about putting it through its paces? Have them over for a week or so, and if you don't feel like continuing we'll send them back and revoke your guardianship stating you are unstable, you're heartless, anyway, so it won't bother you much." She said and I yawned again.

"No." I replied, earning myself an eye roll.

"What if I become their guardian?" Avianna said out of nowhere and I shrugged my shoulders.

I don't necessarily care.

"Why are you asking me? I'm sure you are old enough to make your own decisions." I said, tilting my face to the side, trying to assess what's on her mind.

"Oh! I forgot you are a little down on social skills." She muttered and I gave her a blank look.

Well so...

To be fair, I don't see a problem.

"Do as you please, and if Carden had messed up the Greek's drug consignment, make sure to have it settled. I don't feel like killing another Mafia." I said dismissively as I picked up the merger file and began going over the contents for my meeting.

I heard heels clicking that became more distant with each step, followed by opening and closing the door, and I looked up just when Avianna left my office.

She's been with me since the very first day of my stay in the facility and despite everything I had done, I'm surprised she still considers me her friend.

I had tortured Carden to the point of death right infront of her eyes.

But then again she's Avianna Hope, my very first friend.

I stood in front of the big black gates in a strangely secluded place, holding a torn up teddy bear, my soft curious eyes taking in the enormity of the building in front of me.

I'm not sure if we are still in Bolton, but with the hours of travelling we did, I believe we might be somewhere outside Manchester all together.

'The Arcane Education and Research Facility'

I looked at Mr.cuddles, feeling a little relaxed knowing that I have a teddy that was given to me by my parents.

My parents abandoned me at the orphanage, according to the lady at the orphanage, with only the teddy bear as my only possession.

That was a year ago when she told me that, and now I am five-years-old.

I still don't understand why I have to stay away from them but I was hoping they would come get me soon.

The old lady at the orphanage said that I along with a few other kids, had to come here to this facility, as the people in here offered to help us find our parents.

I was very excited to come but now I am feeling a little scared.

But I'm still hopeful that they'll be able to find my parents soon.

"Hello and welcome to your new home. Come on kids, let's show you all to your rooms." A big man said, and I was a little scared with how widely he was smiling.

But I returned his smile because it was the polite thing to do, otherwise, he might have felt bad.

After that, I was led away with a few other kids from the orphanage by another man, who motioned us to follow him.

He led us down a long corridor lined with a lot of rooms that were all adjacent to each other.

One by one, the man would stop in front of a room and ask one of the kids to go inside, but none of us shared a room.

Will I have to stay alone?

But I'm scared of the dark.

Will they give me a nightlight?

Will someone tuck me in?

I hope so, because the nice lady at the orphanage always tucked me and the other kids at night before leaving.

She was nicer than the old lady who sent us here.

The old lady is a little meanie to all of us.

When I came to a stop in front of a room, I realised it was only me and the other kids who had already gone in their rooms.

I gave the man a big smile which quickly faded when he glared at me.

Did I do something wrong?

I should apologise.

"Don't smile too much, they'll wipe it away." He muttered angrily and I furrowed my brows in confusion.

But before I could ask him what he meant, the man shoved me into a room and shut the door behind him.

He's meanie.

"Are you okay?" I heard a timid voice and I turned to look at a girl around my age staring at me from across the room.

Her concern was evident in her eyes, and I nodded my head while smiling at her, which she quickly returned.

"I'm Azalea." I said as I extended my hand while walking closer to this girl.

"That's such a lovely name, but can I call you Leila?" She asked and I nodded my head while smiling at the nickname I got for the first time.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"My name is Avianna hope." She said with a big smile before quickly engulfing me into a hug.

"Will you be my friend? I don't have any friends other than my older brother. He's here as well, and I'll introduce you to him. He loves me so much." Avianna said and I smiled at the prospect of us being friends.

I quickly raised my pinkie finger in front of her and smiled shyly at her.

"Best friends?" I asked hopefully and she quickly locked her own pinky finger with mine.

"Best friends."

What I didn't know at that time was that soon after that day, we'd have to fight against each other, forgetting our little promise, simply to survive.

***