Page 3 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

“Good idea,” she says, holding my gaze.

She walks out of the living room and I follow behind her, keeping my eyes on the floor. We go down a hall and then up a flight of narrow stairs with walls on both sides that lead to an open bright room.

“This is the kids’ living room area where they all hang out,” Lisa explains. “You are free to go anywhere in the house except for my bedroom and Ed’s den, which are both downstairs. They stay locked at all times.” She glances over her shoulder. “You understand, don’t you?”

I nod and keep following her down the hallway. She stops about halfway. There are five doors here: three on the right and two on the left, all closed.

“The first door there,“ she points to the door on the right, closest to the living room, “is the bathroom. There is just the one up here, so you all have to share. We have a detailed schedule for showering and other things that you will have to follow to ensure everyone stays clean and does their part. The two rooms on the right are the girls’ rooms. They each have their own room right now. On the other side are the boys’ rooms, and there are two beds per room. This one here is where you will be staying.”

Lisa walks to the first door on the left and opens it, stepping inside.

There is a twin-sized bed against the wall to the left when you walk in, and another across from the door. Each has an end table beside it with a dresser. One is neatly made while the other is a mess.

“You’ll have to excuse the mess over here.” Lisa gestures to the unmade bed. “Trenton doesn’t understand what cleaning means.”

“The rest of the children are currently in school,” Ingrid adds.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll enroll you tomorrow, and you’ll likely start on Monday.”

Considering today is Thursday, it makes sense and it’s what I assumed would happen. This is not my first rodeo.

“We can talk more about that later, though,” Lisa says with a small wave of her hand. “Why don’t you get settled in here while I gather everything that you’ll need?”

“Lisa is very organized and detailed. She makes these adorable little binders for the kids to help them learn the schedule,” Ingrid says with a bright smile, as if I give a shit about a binder. I’ll keep it beside the toilet for when this shit hole runs out of toilet paper—they always do.

“It’s not all that much trouble,” Lisa says with a wave.

“But it’s truly appreciated,” Ingrid responds, and I want to throw up.

“I’ll make you some tea before you go, Ingrid. Let’s leave him be, for now.”

“Let me just have a word,” Ingrid says, and Lisa leaves the room. Ingrid steps up to me, giving me a sad smile. “This is your last shot, Atticus. You get kicked out of this house, and no one will want you. Lisa and her husband aregoodpeople. They do us many favors by taking in difficult children and accepting emergency stays. Do not screw this up.” Her words are stern but not unkind. Ingrid is a confusing person. It’s like she distances herself from her job so she doesn’t have to be sad about it. From what I’m told, her job is difficult because emotions get in the way and she feels bad for all the fucked-up kids she has to move from home to home. I think if she can’t handle it, she should find a new job.

“I’ll check in with you next week,” she adds before leaving the room and closing the door.

I go over to the made bed, drop my bags to the floor and tear the blankets down to mess it up, making it look like Trenton’s. Feels a little better that way.

Chapter Two

Atticus

Sixteen years old…

I’ve been with Lisa and Ed for exactly a year when it all goes to shit. Looking back, I don’t know how I was blind for so long.

They’re nice enough, have some ridiculous rules, but what adult doesn’t? I don’t always do what they say, they get pissed and call my case worker, who then shows up and scolds me. But of course they keep me here. I’m not sure why. I wonder if they get bonuses for dealing with me. Hush money from the state or some shit to keep me since I’m so “troubled.” Guess I’ll just have to work harder to make them earn that money.

A whoosh of cold air caresses my skin, causing goosebumps and pulling me from my half-awake state.

“Shhh…” someone whispers.

I force my eyes open, wondering who the hell is in my room. Trenton aged out, so it’s just my room now. Has been for about two months and it will be that way until they fill it. The only person who ever sneaks into my room is Violet, but she doesn’t wake me up when she does it. She silently slips into my bed, and that’s where I find her in the morning when I wake.

She’s the closest thing to a friend I’ve ever had, and I like talking to her. She’s the only person in this world I’ve found that is easy to talk to. She doesn’t judge me, no matter what kind of crazy shit comes out of my mouth.

I think she’s like me. I also think she’s as crazy as I am, but she’s smarter about keeping it quiet.

I get this feeling deep in my gut that we connect on a level other people can’t. We understand each other, and I’ve never gotten that from someone before. I know all that soulmate stuff is bullshit. I don’t believe in it for a second, but something about Violet… it’s just different. Maybe I’d be sad if I never saw her again—or if she died. She’s the only person I’ve met that I haven’t thought of killing. So that’s something.

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