My new classroom was closer to the exit than the old one was. It was a shorter walk than I was used to and it didn't help my nerves. I didn't know what my new teachers would be like or what the students in the class would be like.

Kids. They were just kids. Babies, if you wanted to be technical.

I took a deep breath as mom opened the door and we stepped inside the room. It was laid out much like the other room but the cots were cribs instead, lining the wall so they were out of the way. The floor near the play areas was covered in a foam puzzle, making it easy to play on. Or crawl on.

The windows were covered in letters and numbers, making the room even more childish than it already was. Posters hung on walls with kids playing and various crafts were mixed in. It felt welcoming but I knew I didn't belong there.

The teachers were both busy with kids. The woman was helping a girl around my age put a pink dress on. The male teacher was kneeling down in front of a boy by the cubbies who was struggling to get his jacket unzipped.

He pulled the boy's jacket off then told the boy to go play. He was already starting to run off so I figured he didn't need to be told to go play. Most kids didn't.

He turned to us and smiled, lines forming around his mouth as he did so. He had black frames on and dark hair to match. His outfit was fancy for a daycare.

"Ah, it's so good to see you. You must be Lyla. And... Joyce, if I'm not mistaken. I'm Mr. Eric."

Mom smiled at him, extending her hand to him. "I am. It's good to meet you. I've heard good things about you and Stacey both."

He chuckled. "Good. Mrs. Stacey is over in the dress-up center. Do you want a tour of the classroom?"

I didn't realize he was talking to me until mom looked at me, her brows raised.

I swallowed and shook my head.

He put his hand on the top shelf of a cubbie and turned his attention back to mom. "This is where you can put Lyla's coat and diaper bag."

Mom set my diaper bag inside then helped me take my coat off. "Do you want me to stay around for a little bit?"

I didn't like being in a new classroom but I didn't really want mom there watching me. I shook my head.

She kissed the top of my head. "I'll be back after work."

I lingered by the cubbies, feeling awkward and out of place in the new classroom.

She waved at me before leaving. The door shut behind her with a soft click.

"Lyla, breakfast isn't for another half an hour. Why don't you go play?"

I didn't want to meet the other kids or play with them. I wanted to stay to myself so I didn't fall for the lies they had grown up with. But if I was going to convince mom and dad I wanted to be there, I had to at least try.

I walked over to the center with blocks and sat down beside a girl with long, blonde hair. She had an orange sweater on and gray sweatpants. It wasn't the most coordinated look but maybe she picked it out. She looked up at me as I reached out for some blocks.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Lyla."

She watched me as I started stacking blocks, needing something to pass the time before breakfast. "You're new here. I've never seen you before."

I wasn't sure how much this girl knew. Was she cognizant enough to know what I was saying? Did she understand what I was saying?

I figured as long as I didn't ruin my plans to escape, I'd be okay with opening up to her. I needed to make friends, after all. "I just moved here a few months ago."

"My mommy said it's scary out there."

"Out where?"

The girl looked around the room before speaking again. "Outside town. Mommy said there are bad people out there."

I didn't quite know what 'bad people' she was referring to. Was I one of them? I knew they didn't get outsiders often and I wasn't even sure how mom and dad found the town. It seemed so secluded and closed off from the rest of the world. Nothing made sense to me and no one would give me the answers I needed.

"Are you bad?" She asked as I stared down at the block in my hand.

I looked up at her, my mind racing. I shook my head.

"Lyla, Blair, it's time for breakfast." Mr. Eric said, standing a few steps behind me.

The girl, Blair, dropped her blocks and got to her feet. She ran from our little corner and toward the tables, leaving me by myself.

I stood and followed, unsure of where my seat at the table was.

Mrs. Stacey patted the chair beside her on the end that was still empty. "Sit by me, Lyla."

I stared at the chair for a second before sitting down in it.

Mr. Erik walked around the table with an armful of sippy cups. He set one down in front of us, matching the sticker with our name to each kid it belonged to.

"Brandon, don't drink your juice all at once. You know your tummy didn't like it last time."

A boy at the other end of the table who looked to be around 13 or 14 frowned as he looked at his cup. He mumbled a 'fine' before pushing the cup away from him.

Mrs. Stacey put a spoonful of scrambled eggs onto my plate then moved onto the next kid's plate. "Dig in, Lyla."

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