Page 2 of Grave Intentions

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could wake up and everything would be okay. But this is real and hurts too much. I’m all alone now.

The adults look at each other sadly as they prepare to call for help. My heart races with fear. What will happen now?

I’m sitting in the chair, my tears slowing down, but that feeling of fear is still there.

After what feels like forever, a lady in a gray suit walks in. She looks serious and not nice at all.

“Lena Graves?” she asks coldly.

I nod my head, feeling all trembly.

“I’m from social services. We talked to your grandparents, and they said they can’t take you in.” She stops for a second, her mouth tight. “You have no other family, so we’ll need to find you a foster home.”

It feels like she just punched me in the stomach. My grandparents don’t want me? More tears fill my eyes.

“But... they’re my family,” I whisper, my voice shaky. “They can’t just leave me...”

The lady doesn’t show any feelings. “I’m sorry, but that’s what they decided. Now, let’s get you ready for your new home.”

I look at Mrs. Jacobs and the principal, hoping they will help me, but they look sad.

Slowly, I get up from the chair, my legs feeling like jelly. The lady reaches for my hand, but I pull away and hug myself. I don’t want to hold her hand. I want my mom and dad back. I want to go home.

As we leave the school, I look back one last time. This place, these people, they were my whole world. And now it’s all taken away.

The lady helps me into the backseat of her car, which feels like sitting on rocks. I look out the window as my school disappears, and tears keep coming down my cheeks.

I don’t know where I’m going or what will happen, but I know one thing: I’ve lost everything. My parents, my home, my life. And now my grandparents don’t want me either.

The car starts moving. Fear grips me. What is going to happen to me?

2

LENA

NINE YEARS OLD

I’m staring out the car window, watching the little town of Stockbridge disappear. It feels heavy inside my chest, like I’m carrying a big rock. I’m holding onto a thin blanket that the nice lady, Emily, gave me, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I miss my mom’s hugs.

Emily, my social worker, sits next to me. “It won’t be too long until we’re there,” she says with a smile and puts her hand on my arm. “I know it’s all scary, but the Wilsons are the family you’ll be staying with. They’re nice people. I think you’ll like them.”

I nod, but I can’t talk. It’s a long ride, and my heart feels stuck in a muddy pit. The Wilsons live in Salem, which is far away—like another planet. I’ve never been anywhere else. How can anyone replace my family? I feel tears starting to come again, so I blink fast.

The car slows down after what seems like forever, and Emily gives me a hopeful smile. “Are you ready to meet your new foster family?” she asks.

I take a big breath and nod. I know I can’t fight it—I’ve learned about all this foster care stuff in the last few weeks. When the car stops at a busy parking lot, I get out and follow Emily to a nearby car. A nice-looking couple is waiting for us. The lady, who I think must be Mrs. Wilson, comes over and wraps me in a big hug that makes my shoulders stiffen.

“Welcome, Lena,” she says softly. “We’re so happy to have you with us.”

I’m not used to being hugged by strangers, so I freeze for a second. Mrs. Wilson notices and lets go, giving me a kind smile.

“Let’s get you settled in, okay?” she says, leading me to the car. “You’ve had a long day, and I bet you’re very tired.”

When I climb into the backseat, Emily follows and settles in beside me, giving me a reassuring smile. Mr. Wilson starts the car, taking me farther away from my old life.

I gaze out the window, watching everything zoom by. This is supposed to be my new home, but I don’t know anyone here. A shiver of fear zips down my back, and I wonder if I’ll ever feel like I belong.

The car finally stops outside a regular two-story house. Mrs. Wilson helps me carry my few things inside, and I feel a chill. This is it—my new home, where there won’t be any of the love I used to know.

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