Undesired Family

Police Station

POV: Breanna

The alarm clock rings, but I don't move, I don't feel like getting out of bed or living.

Last night was one of the worst nights of my life and all I want to do is jump off a bridge and end this miserable life.

This isn't the first time Joel has sold me out like this and I know it won't be the last.

The door to my room opens and Susie walks in with a smile.

"Get up and go to work, you still have a lot of bills to pay," she tells me as she opens my bedroom window.

She never acts like this and I know she's doing it to provoke me.

I sit up in bed as my body protests against me and getting ready for work takes longer than usual since my body is sore.

I go downstairs and smell bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen.

I find Joel and Jack sitting in the dining room. Jack notices me and smiles mischievously. I feel sick and need to get out of the house before I lose my mind looking at these two disgusting people.

"Goodbye, sunshine!" Jack yells and I quickly walk out the door with shaking fingers.

Jack is Joel's best friend, he works at the city police station and is on the list to become a detective soon.

I hope he dies before then.

I walk slowly to the diner because my legs hurt and my ribs are killing me. It takes me almost forty minutes to get there and when I look at the clock, I'm at least an hour late.

As soon as I walk in, I smell freshly baked bread and fresh coffee.

"Good morning, Breanna!" Henri greets me and I smile slightly at him.

"Good morning!" I say and sit in the nearest chair, resting my head on the table.

"Are you okay?" Henri asks and I shake my head.

"I feel sick," I reply and he comes over to place his hands on my forehead.

"You don't have a fever," he says, and I push his hand away.

"I said I felt sick, but I didn't," I say irritably, and then I stand up. "Let's get to work."

I put on my apron and get to work.

I set up the tables, check all the supplies, and make sure the bathrooms are clean.

Henri serves the first customers while I organize everything for a smooth work day.

I'm just getting to the service counter when I see the creepy family in the restaurant again.

Henri seems to have more sheets, and I decide to take his place.

"Henri, let me finish this one, I need you to put the napkins and other papers in storage," I say, and grab my notepad.

Henri gives me a grateful look and leaves.

I look at the family and the woman smiles at me, her husband looks at me seriously before speaking.

"Good morning, Breanna," he greets me, and I smile slightly.

"Good morning, sir," I say, looking down at my notepad. "Do you want to order now?"

The boys look at me with smiles, and one I identify as the oldest son studies me carefully.

"Are you okay?" he asks calmly.

The others' smiles fade and they study me as well. I can see their eyes darken as they do so.

"I'm fine," I whisper, and I see his jaw tighten in anger.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I sigh in relief before I check the caller ID.

The police number appears on my phone, and I excuse myself to answer the call.

"Who is this?" I ask as soon as I answer.

"Is this Breanna Sanderson?" someone on the other end of the line asks.

"Yes, that's me. Who are you?" I ask, walking over to an empty table on the other side of the diner.

"I'm Officer Frank from the 10th Precinct in Wisconsin," he says, identifying himself.

"Joel was arrested?" I ask, confused.

"I can't tell you over the phone, so I need you to come to the station," Frank says, and I sigh.

"Whatever it is, Susie will handle it," I say, ready to hang up.

"Breanna, none of them can handle this situation," Frank says calmly. "Come as soon as you can."

He hangs up the phone, and I rest my head on the table, wondering what Joel and Susie have done now.

I take off my apron and go to the kitchen.

"Mari, I need to go to the police station real quick. Apparently something happened to my parents and I need to get there," I say, and I see Mari wrinkle her nose when I mention my parents.

"You can go, honey. Henri and I will take care of it today," she says, kissing my cheek.

I ask Henri to finish attending to the sinister family and I quickly leave the restaurant.

The police station is a two-hour walk away, so I need to call a taxi, since my body can't handle walking more than thirty meters without getting tired.

I get off at the police station and go inside. At the reception, I ask to speak to Officer Frank. I have to wait about fifteen minutes before he shows up.

Frank is dark, tall, and in his thirties.

"Breanna?" he asks, and I nod.

He leads me to a private room and carries some papers. I sit on the couch while he places some photos on the table.

"Do you know any of these people?" he asks me, pointing to the pictures.

I look closely and, yes, I do know most of these people; they're friends of Joel and Susie.

"No," I say. If they're in trouble or if Frank is friends with Jack, I'm not going to risk a beating or worse.

"Are you sure?" Frank asks me and I nod.

"What happened? Where are Susie and Joel?" I ask.

"Breanna, this morning after you left, your parents' house exploded and we found three bodies inside," Frank says, and I'm stunned. "We found out it was caused by a cocaine lab they had in the basement."

I don't know whether to feel relief or fear.

Will I go back to the orphanage? I'd rather die than go to that place.

"What happens to me now?" I ask, scared.

"Let's see if you have any blood relatives who want to take you in or if you're going back to the orphanage," Frank says as he gathers up the photos.

I don't know which option is worse.

Going back to the orphanage or going to the home of those who put me there.

I know I have a family with siblings and parents, I remember that, but I also know that they left me in that damn place because they didn't want me.

Frank leaves the room and says he's going to call the social worker.

I end up sleeping on the couch while I wait forever. My social worker didn't show up after I was adopted, so I know I'll probably get another one and that takes a while.

I wake up with a start when I hear the door slam.

I sit up quickly on the couch and Frank smiles guiltily at me.

"Sorry if I woke you up," he says and sits down in front of me. "We found your family and they're coming to get you."