The sirens wailed through the streets as the police van screeched around corners, its tires burning rubber with every turn. In the backseat, I clutched the officer's coat tightly to my chest, tears streaming down my face. I had never been in a police vehicle before; it was something I'd only seen on television or heard about from others. Now, I was being taken away to an unfamiliar place that my parents had feared like death, alone with people who I only knew by the act of saving my life.
As the van sped through the city, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of dread. I had been living with a foster family for the past few months, but they hadn't treated me well. They had yelled at me constantly, made me work like a slave, and even locked me in my room when I did anything they didn't allow. It was only by chance that my life had changed.
I glanced out of the window as we sped through the city streets, taking mental snapshots of the sights and sounds around me. As my eyes roamed over the bustling metropolis, I imagined myself as a hero in a storybook, bravely venturing forth to save the day. Star Sword, the fastest beam bender in the universe. Skylark, the warrior queen who could talk to animals. This brought me some comfort, although little did I know of my vastly different future, and the countless torments that would abound.
But for now, the remains of a kind spirit would survive in my body even as the days darkened.
As we approached our destination, my heart raced faster than ever before. I knew that once inside the police station, there would be no escape – at least not without help from someone on the outside. The van screeched to a halt in front of the imposing building, and two officers climbed out to retrieve me by reaching for my hands and gently pulling me forth.
We walked side by side, and I did my best not to panic.
I was ushered into the office of the head officer, who looked sternly down at me as she sat behind her desk. "This is where you'll be staying for now," she said coldly. My heart sank even further into hell – it seemed that all hope had been lost. I'd just lost my real family, and these people... we're not the same. But then, something unexpected happened.
The office door swung open, and a kind-hearted officer entered the room with a smile on his face. He approached me and knelt down to my level, offering me a warm embrace. "It's going to be okay," he whispered softly into my ear. I felt an inkling of hope return – perhaps there was still a chance for me to have a good life after all.
"Sir," I stammered, "I need help." The officer's eyes softened as he took in my desperate plea for assistance. He knew all too well that this was not an uncommon sight – a lost soul seeking refuge within these walls. But he knew there was something different about me; it was as if my spirit had been hardened by years of struggle, yet still held onto the hope of finding solace in the officer's care. In fact, I exuded an air of suffering and torment that only a homeless guy could match.
"I'm starving."
"Hmm. I don't have anything on me right now, but I can sure ask around."
As we spoke, the captain couldn't help but notice the hunger that gnawed at the my sickly frame. With a nod of approval from his superior, he reached into a drawer beneath his desk and pulled out a small tin box filled with biscuits. He handed it to me, and I hesitated for only a moment before eagerly accepting the new food. The captain watched as I devoured his treats, my eyes lighting up in delight at each crunchy bite.
Once I had finished my meal, the captain guided me through the maze-like building towards an officer's office. We entered and found a young woman hunched over her phone, tapping away at its screen with practiced fingers. My eyes widened as I saw the device – a treasure trove of entertainment that I'd been begging my real parents to have for ages. But they were dead now.
The captain cleared his throat, drawing the officer's attention to their guest. "This young person has been through quite an ordeal," he said solemnly. The officer nodded and handed her phone over, allowing me access to explore its vast library of games. My fingers flew across the screen as I discovered new worlds and adventures that had once seemed out of my reach. I'd never been allowed to play games before!
Luckily, it looked like this phone was primarily a gaming device, rather than a work phone, for not only was every screen chock-a-block with gaming icons, but there was even a game that simulated the police station life, called Police Simulator. This woman was sure obsessed!
Beep!
Tap!
Bop, Bop!
SCRREEEEE-
As time passed, my laughter filled the room, a sound that echoed through the otherwise quiet office. The officer couldn't help but smile at my seemingly infectious joy – it was a sight she hadn't seen in quite some time. She knew this moment would be fleeting; soon enough, I would have to face the reality of being taken away from this temporary sanctuary and placed into an orphanage.
Indeed, it wasn't long before the child collectors arrived.
YOU ARE READING
Dreadmaker
Mystery / ThrillerHaven Town is plunged into darkness as the sinister persona of a psychopathic schizophrenic lunatic emerges from the shadows - one who holds within them an otherworldly power to teleport at will. --- In a dystopian world where power is everything an...
