Goddard's Home for Troubled Teens

Ryder

I bring my knees to my chest, "What's everything?"

Val

"Why you were an addict to drugs. Why your here," I look at him.

Ryder

"I wasn't an addict," I say. "But yeah. My problems all started with them."

Val

I nod and look down, sighing.

Ryder

I study her before looking back down, "I lived on the streets for a good two years before someone caught me. It probably didn't help that I sold the majority of drugs on downtown Phoenix; but I was sentenced and tried. After my first year in an adult prison, my father decided to spare me the pain he helped cause and sent me here instead. Been here since."

Val

I nod again, "Oh."

Ryder

I nod back and stop talking, not sure what else to say.

Val

I bring a hand to the dry blood on my face before shaking my head and sighing.

Ryder

I glance at her, "Y-you should go back...get cleaned up. You'll get sick if you don't."

Val

I glance at him, "I'm fine. If I go back they won't let me leave."

Ryder

I nod and wonder if there's a creek around her somewhere, knowing I could probably do things myself.

Val

I sigh, closing my eyes for a second.

Ryder

I stand and hold out a hand for her, "C'mon. I wanna see something."

Val

I hesitate before taking his hand, standing as well.

Ryder

I lead her to where I hear slight rushing water, finding a small system of water. Dropping beside it, I test it by taking a sip. Not finding anything wrong with it, I look at her and motion her to my side as I rip off a section of my shirt.