Charlotte's POV-
Later that night Henry got an unexpected visitor at his house.
"Char, hurry up and hide in the closet."
He whispered, shaking me awake.
I turned on my side and squinted at him.
"What?"
I lazily signed before closing my eyes again.
"Sorry Char."
Henry picked me up and placed me in his closet.
"Henry what are you doing?!"
I signed with full force, now completely awake.
"I know and I'm sorry... But my boss Ray is here and he wants to talk to me so just stay in here and don't make any noise."
Henry signed back urgently. I rolled my eyes, well that was gonna be easy.
"Just keep quiet okay? Ray is here and I if finds you in my room he'll tell my parents."
Henry quickly signed. Oh. Now I get it. I nodded solemnly.
When Henry closed the door I chewed on my thumbnails in the dark. What if somebody found me in here? What if Henry's parents found me and made me go back to Mrs. Perry?
I shrank farther back into the closet and prayed Ray would leave soon.
[Henry]
"Why are you looking like that?"
Ray squinted at me while popping peanuts into his mouth.
"What? Looking like what? I-I don't know what you're talking about."
I sat down in a chair and kept my mouth closed, trying not to appear as nervous and guilty as I felt.
Ray gave me a look but didn't say anything more.
That's when my parents decide to walk in. They look kinda stressed out and that made feel even worse.
"Hello Mr. Manchester, how are you?"
My mom smiled and held her hand out.
"Fine thank you, Mrs. Hart it's always a pleasure seeing you."
Ray replied with a smirk.
My dad being totally oblivious to this, was studying a security code manual with vigor.
My parents were still a little shook about the robbery and my dad insisted on having an alarm installed as soon as possible.
"I wonder what UHL means?"
He thought aloud.
"Uh, Henry I gotta talk to you in private for second."
Ray said, suddenly turning to me. My stomach jumped.
"Me? Uh, yeah okay... We'll just-"
Ray was already climbing the stairs to my room.
I slowly followed after him. I had to think of something fast.
"You can stay for dinner if you like Mr. Manchester!"
My mom called after us.
"No, he cannot mom we don't have enough!"
I yelled back.
"Henry!"
My mom exclaimed.
"I mean... Ray already ate!"
I lied.
Ray looked at me.
"Actually I was getting kinda hung-"
"-Yep! Ray already ate!"
I cut him off as we walked into my room.
I stood in front of my closet and stared curiously at him.
"So... What's up?"
Ray sat on my bed and gave me that squinted eyes look again.
"You know, you've been acting weird all day kid... Is everything okay?"
He asked me. I leaned against the door of my closet.
"Yeah, I'm fine... What did you wanna talk about?"
I reply to him quickly.
Ray runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head.
"There has been a lot of commotion going on about this girl... The girl you saved a couple weeks ago, Charlotte I think her name was. She's been reported missing and I wanted to talk you about speeding around the city to try and find her."
My heart was beating so hard.
"Sure, no problem... I will definitely do that."
I said with a nod. Ray studied my face. Then he cracked a scary smile.
"What are you hiding kid?"
Oh shit.
I tried to play off a relaxed easy going vibe.
"Pfttt... Hiding? What are you talking about? I'm not hiding anything."
I answered him in a way that it totally seemed like I was hiding something.
"Really."
Ray stood up and walked over to me.
"What's in the closet, Henry?"
He's getting even more suspicious.
"Umm, Clothes?"
I shrugged. Ray crossed his arms.
"Can I see?"
I shook my head.
"Oh no, it's a mess in there and stuff might come flying out at you."
I chuckled nervously.
"Kidx I've know you a long time and I used to think you were a very good liar."
Ray replied. I looked at him strangely
"Thanks?"
Was that a compliment or what?
Ray then grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.
"Enough of this charade, Henry."
He said, opening the closet door.
"Ray no!"
I tried to close it again but it was too late. Ray had already seen her. He opened the door again and I let out a defeated sigh.
"Charlotte?"
Ray blinked. Then he turned to me with a stern look.
"I know what you're gonna say... I know.
"Do you really Henry? This girl's Mother is worried sick about her!"
Ray said. I gave him a look of disgust.
"Her foster mother doesn't care about her. If she did she wouldn't have done this."
Charlotte peeked out of the closet and gave me a desperate look.
I grabbed her hand, helped her up and made her stand directly in front of me.
Ray stared at Charlotte and his angry expression slowly faded.
"What happened to her eye?"
He asked.
"Her foster mom... That's what happened."
I told him firmly. Charlotte turned around to face me.
"Is he gonna make me go back?"
She signed with fear.
"What is she saying?"
Ray asked.
"She wants to know if you're gonna take her back to her foster home."
I told him, before looking deep into Charlotte's eyes.
"No, I won't let him."
I signed back.
"You know sign language now?"
Ray seemed impressed.
"Yeah, she taught me."
I explained.
"What did you tell her?"
I paused.
"That I won't let you take her back."
Ray sighed and shook his head.
"Kid, you don't understand. I have to take her back. I don't know how you could have kept her up here all this time without even telling your parents. This is big Henry and just because Charlotte is hurt... It's a lot more complicated than that."
All I know is that Charlotte is someone I need to protect. She needs me.
"Ray, please. You can't take her back she'd never forgive me for doing that to her."
Ray stood up to pace my room.
"Henry do you realize the severity of this situation? I don't think you do. How do you know this girl is telling... I mean signing the truth?"
Ray's eyebrows puckered.
I glanced at Charlotte.
"She would never lie to me."
I replied. Char isn't that kind of person.
Ray shook his head again.
"You don't know that. You don't know anything about her Henry!"
He said.
"Yes I do! I know that she's my friend and she needs my help! I'm not letting you take her Ray!"
I never felt so angry at Ray. He was the one that didn't understand. I was in love with Charlotte. Seeing her hurt like this was effecting me too.
He looked away from me and placed his hands behind his head.
"I'm telling your parents Henry, and Charlotte is gonna have to go back to her foster home until further notice."
"Ray! I'm begging you!"
I took a step forward. Charlotte grabbed my hand and held on tight. She could see the distress in my eyes.
She could tell things weren't going well.
"I'm sorry kid, but Charlotte can't spend the rest of her life in your room."
Ray gave Charlotte a long sad look before leaving my room.
"Henry what is he doing? He's not gonna tell is he?"
Charlotte's hands were shaking so bad I could barely read her signs.
"Charlotte, whatever happens I'm not gonna let them take you away from me... Okay?"
I grabbed her arms and made her look at me. Her eyes were starting to water, and I felt terrible.
She nodded, sniffing.
"Is he gonna make me go back? Please don't let him take me back."
She buried her face in my chest and began to cry. I put my arms around her and rest my chin on her head, closing my eyes.
I wish I could tell her everything was gonna be okay... But I don't even know.
💞 Thanks for reading! From 💞 Nations101 and Annaleese_Parker!
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