Page 48 of I Am Salvation

“I’ll give you a quick tour,” he says, “and then you’ll meet with your new counselor.”

I simply nod. This place already gives me the creeps.

Most of the main floor is a living room that doubles as a common area. It’s filled with faded furniture, and a single television sits in the corner. Space is limited, David explains, so the boys often have to take turns or share the room for different activities.

The dining area is crowded, with multiple tables squeezed together to fit everyone during mealtimes. The kitchen seems small for the number of residents. Several workers wearing white aprons are preparing dinner. It smells like spaghetti, I think.

The bedrooms are all similar, with bunk beds. Sometimes four beds, and sometimes six. I don’t know which one will be mine. There’s a small locker for each person, and the rooms are cluttered.

“You’ll get a designated time for showering each morning,” David tells me. “Mornings will be hectic, but you’ll get used to it. Older kids have to shower more often than what you’re used to at the old home.”

“Great,” I mumble.

A multipurpose room serves as both a study area and recreation space. Desks with computers line one side, while the other side has a few tables for board games and homework. The small yard has a single basketball hoop and limited additional space for outdoor activities. Inside, a corner of the multipurpose room has a few exercise mats and some basic gym equipment.

Then of course there are the offices and meeting rooms for the counselors and staff. David knocks on one of them.

“Come in,” says a voice.

David opens the door. “Hey, Leon,” he says.

“Good to see you, Dave.”

“This is Dragon Locke.”

Leon comes around from his desk and holds out his hand. “Good to meet you, buddy.”

I reluctantly shake his hand. Leon seems nice enough, but he doesn’t look much older than eighteen himself.

“Leon will take it from here,” David says as he tousles my hair.

I like David well enough, but I won’t miss that hair stuff. One day I’m going to wear my hair long so no one can mess with it.

“You take care of yourself and behave,” David continues. “And remember, my door is always open.”

Right. What a crock. David won’t give me a second thought once he’s out of here. At least not until he brings in the next thirteen-year-old. Then he might remember me. Or he might not.

“All right, Dragon,” Leon says. “Let me show you to your new digs.”

My “new digs” turn out to be a room with eight beds. Funny that David didn’t show me any rooms with eight beds. Only with four and six.

“Most of the boys in here are around your age. One of them is fifteen.”

I simply nod.

“See that bed in the corner?” He points. “Top bunk? That’ll be yours. You can put your things in the small drawers on the nightstand.”

“Great.”

“Go ahead and get settled in. You’ll meet your roommates at dinner tonight.”

“Leon?” I say.

“Yeah?”

I swallow. “I heard what those big boys said.”

He raises an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

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