Page 3 of Grave Intentions

“Welcome to your new room, Lena,” Mrs. Wilson says, guiding me upstairs. She opens the door to a little bedroom that’s tidy but plain. It doesn’t feel cozy at all, not like my old room did.

I nod, but my heart feels heavy as I drop my bag and sit on the edge of the bed. The mattress is hard, and the sheets are stiff. Nothing feels like home.

“I’ll let you get settled,” Mrs. Wilson says while Emily talks to her about boring adult stuff. She gives me a nice smile.“Dinner will be ready soon. Why don’t you come down and meet everyone then?”

As she walks out, I feel a wave of worry. I’m going to meet a whole bunch of strangers, and I’m scared they won’t like me. I want to disappear.

Suddenly, I hear a soft creak at the door. I turn around and see a tall boy standing there. His dark hair covers part of his face, and his blue eyes look serious and scary. This must be Talon, the other foster kid Emily told me about.

“Hi,” I say, trying not to sound too freaked out.

He doesn’t say anything, staring at me and making me feel weird. It’s like he can see right through me.

After a moment that feels like forever, he finally says, “You’re the new girl.”

“Yeah, I’m Lena. Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling a little.

Talon smirks, and it feels like he’s up to something. “Nice to meet you, huh?” He steps closer, looking at me like he knows something I don’t. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”

Before I can say anything, I hear a loud voice from downstairs, calling us to dinner. Talon gives me another look before fading back into the shadows of the hallway.

I sit still for a second, my heart racing, and I feel kind of scared about what will happen next.

Taking a big breath, I head down the stairs, even though my tummy feels funny and twisted. I can smell something yummy in the kitchen, but I am too nervous to be hungry.

When I stroll into the dining room, everyone from the Wilson family sits at the table. Mrs. Wilson smiles at me and waves me over to sit by her. I feel their eyes on me, which warms my cheeks.

“Lena, this is my husband, Mr. Wilson, and our son, Jamie,” Mrs. Wilson introduces, her voice still nice.

Mr. Wilson nods and gives me a serious look like he’s not too happy to see me. Jamie glares at me like I did something wrong.

“Great, another one,” Jamie says, rolling his eyes. “As if we don’t have enough problems already.”

I shrink a little inside. Is this how it will be—people who don’t want me here?

Mr. Wilson clears his throat and looks right at me. “I expect you to help out here, girl. We’re not running a charity.”

I nod, my voice almost a whisper. “Yes, sir.”

While they talk, Mrs. Wilson’s quiet, looking down at her plate. I can’t help but think she might be scared of Mr. Wilson, too, just like I am.

Across from me, Talon’s still staring at me without saying anything. It’s like he’s studying me, but it feels creepy, like he knows more than he’s letting on.

The food goes mostly untouched, and silence fills the air except for the clanking of forks and spoons. I pick at my plate, not hungry, and try to ignore how mad Mr. Wilson and Jamie look.

After dinner, Mrs. Wilson gets up to clear the table. “Lena, why don’t you head to your room and rest? You must be so tired after today,” she suggests.

I nod, relieved to escape the awkwardness. When I head back upstairs, I can feel Talon’s eyes on me again, making me think about the darkness that’s hanging around in this house.

3

TALON

THIRTEEN YEARS OLD

Through narrowed eyes, I watch the new girl from my spot on the stairs. She’s crossed-legged in front of the TV, her dark hair falling around her tiny shoulders like some innocent little halo while she colors in her book. She has a naive vibe, like she doesn’t know what will hit her.

Heavy footsteps thud from the kitchen. Mr. Wilson’s shadow stretches across the doorway, and I notice Lena tense up. Smart move. She’s already picking up on the vibe but not learning fast enough.

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