Riley didn't speak as her parents stood.
Her mother adjusted her purse strap. Her father nodded once to Dr. Carrow. Neither looked back at her as they stepped out the door.
It shut with a soft click. Final.
Dr. Carrow turned to her. "We'll begin intake now."
Riley didn't move.
A moment later, the door opened again. A young girl about seventeen entered.
She was tall, lean, with sharp eyes and a tightly braided ponytail. Her maroon polo was tucked into stiff khaki pants, and her posture was textbook straight. The badge clipped to her collar read:
TAYLA – LEVEL 4
"This is Tayla," Dr. Carrow said. "She'll walk you through orientation."
Tayla barely acknowledged her with a glance. "Let's go. You're already late for first block."
Riley stayed put. "What's a Level 4?"
Tayla turned back with a sigh, like she'd answered this question too many times. "There are six levels before graduation. Levels One through Three are lower level. You're at One. No privileges. Level Four and up are upper level—junior staff. We supervise. Assist with rule compliance. Help manage new admits."
"Is that a reward?"
"It's freedom," Tayla said bluntly. "You earn points. You move up. Or you don't. Doesn't matter to me."
Before Riley could say anything else, a second woman appeared—older, with hollow eyes and beige scrubs. Her name tag read:
MS. ELKINS – CHAPERONE
"Clothes," Elkins said, snapping on gloves. "Strip."
Tayla didn't leave.
Riley shot her a look. "You're staying?"
Tayla didn't blink. "We're never alone with staff. Always groups of three or more. For everyone's protection."
Elkins nodded.
Riley hesitated, then began unbuttoning the powder blue pantsuit. The fabric felt heavier coming off than it had going on. Like it was clinging to the last shred of who she used to be.
She folded the clothes slowly, her fingers trembling. Her body buzzed with cold, nerves, and shame.
Elkins stepped forward and did a quick pat-down, mechanical and silent.
On the table sat her new clothes: maroon polo, khaki pants, white sports bra, underwear, socks.
While Elkins turned away to note something on a clipboard, Riley moved quickly. She slipped the folded twenty behind the waistband of the khakis and stuffed the cigarettes and lighter into the lining. The fabric was stiff enough to hide the bulge—for now.
She dressed quietly.
When she finished, Elkins checked the collar and sleeves. "Fit's fine. You're Family Three. Let's go."
They exited the laundry room and made their way down a long hallway of pale beige walls and flickering lights. Riley's new uniform scratched at her skin.
"No talking in the halls," Tayla said, tone flat. "Talking's only allowed during the half-hour leisure block. You can read, write, draw, or talk. That's it. Maybe talk-on-task in P.E. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut."
Riley frowned. "That's... insane."
Tayla ignored the comment. "You're only allowed to say five phrases outside of approved talk time: Please. Thank you. Excuse me. You're welcome. Sorry. Also, you're not allowed to touch anyone."
Riley didn't answer.
They stopped at a locked door. Tayla keyed in a code.
Inside was a long hallway connecting five identical rooms. Each one housed three bunk beds—six girls per room. The beds were stripped of personality—white sheets, thin pillows, uniforms stored in bins beneath them. The walls were blank. Everything was monitored.
"You'll stay in this room," Tayla said, pointing. "Everyone in Family Three is a lower level—Level One through Three. Level Fours and up live in separate dorms."
The room was silent except for the hum of the overhead lights.
"Bathroom's there," Tayla added, pointing to a corner behind a thin shower curtain. "No doors. Girls count out loud when they go. It's for safety—prevents self-harm or purging."
Riley's stomach twisted.
Tayla continued. "You'll be assigned a buddy. You don't go anywhere without her. Meals, groups, line movement—your responsible for each other. If you have to talk to staff one on one, they will know all your secrets"
Riley stepped inside, eyes adjusting.
"The HOPE Buddy Program pairs each new girl with someone level 3 to explain the rules," Tayla said. "You get two weeks. After that, you're expected to know them all."
The room smelled faintly of soap and plastic.
Riley walked to the bunk furthest from the door. Her name was already written on the bin beneath it. She sat, stunned. Alone. Empty
Level One.
Zero points.
But she still had her fire tucked deep in the seams of the uniform they gave her.
And no one here knew it yet.