Mother.

The knob turned with uneasiness rising within Akena as she peeked through the gap noticing a woman's eyes already on her before she could even enter the room. Dark eyes staring right through her, dread washed over her as the woman shifted her gaze behind her shoulder.Why was the woman looking behind her?..was something there? Akena's body froze when she felt a cold breath on her shoulder.Her eyes widened with surprise and terror engulfed her as she gulped, sweat dripping from her forehead as she slowly turned her head to look over her shoulder....before getting interrupted-

"Akena!!", She flinched and felt a wave of relief washing over her as she paused in her action, opening the door a little wider to let the room's light fall upon her face. The woman stared over her shoulder with utmost seriousness before slowly turning her expression soft, her gaze now shifting back to Akena.

"Come here child!!",the preiest called out, excitement oozing in his tone. Why does the priest sound more excited than me..i don't have a good feeling about this, the room feels...cold and...eerie.

Akena puts on a forced smile as she enters the room, now standing besides the overly excited priest. "Sit child" , a low and deep voice spoke breaking Akena out of her trance to look at the rest of the family. A man in his fourties with a clean, ironed suit and an overly extravagant cane. His demeanor was cold and unaffectionate but what drew her eyes the most was the boy standing behind the man on the couch.

The pale handed boy who she had met on her way to the cafeteria. Though it had been rarely visible she could still make out the surprise in his face. There were a pair of twins as well, they stood beside the boy with the same expressionless face their father wore. And finally the woman. She seemed like the only one in the family who knew to smile but she wasn't normal either not from what she had witnessed earlier.

Aren't they too cold to be called a family who came for adoption? drably colored clothes, non appealing expressions and an...unsatisfied look? ..i think?. Why do they even wish to adopt...they seem like they have enough kids already..

"Now,now since you all here are going to be a family in the coming future i will give you some space, please excuse me" 

What?! This old man !! What is his problem?! they look all the more murderous when you turn your back on me!

Footsteps receding

Shit... The room felt colder than usual at his exit. An animal piercing his eyes at his prey with a gaze that remains unwavering. She felt their eyes on her at every fiddle and clench of her fist.

Akena lets out an awkward chuckle before she sat herself down on the couch in front of their couch ,facing them now. She looked around the room, trying to avoid their eyes falling on hers but she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at their stares.

"So.." - The woman broke the silence as she spoke in her bold and heavy voice.

"We hear you're quite the devotee" - Akena finally shifted her gaze back to the people sitting in front of her

"Well..i keep myself occupied.." 

"So you're actually not a devotee?" - The young boy spoke up interrupting his mother.

"Sh" - The twins shushed their sibling with their voices in sync.

"That's not what i meant..! i just ...found god and always keep myself occupied with prayer"

The awkwardness returned as the family didn't utter a word, they just stared at her with their expressionless faces. Akena didn't even attempt at being comfortable with them or atleast trying as she secretly hoped to be released next year when she turns eighteen rather than staying with these people for the rest of her life.

"Would it be alright with you if we adopt you today?" , there was no smile or a sign of happiness in their faces as they spoke on the topic of adopting me. Were they doing this just for their kids or something? so that they could get a sibling and would open up? It's..just a gut feeling but i feel like....i'd feel like living while being locked up in a basement if i went with them. No matter i don't have the authority nor the power to refuse the adoption and i can just get out of the house when i turn eighteen.

"Yes ,sure!" - Akena replied.