Yeah. . . Here we go. . .
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The day seemed to drag on painfully slow.
Everywhere I went, The other kids would stop and stare at me, Whispering behind my back.
They watched me, Clearly hoping for me to try something.
I could practically feel their blood lust in their gazes as they stared at me.
The teachers weren't any better really, They were watching me closely as if I was a wild dog that could bite at any moment.
I felt a lot like an experiment in a test tube, Something to be stared at, A thing, Not a person. . .
Well. . .Guess it's time to go home. . . That's slightly better. . . At least I won't get stared at. . .
I lowered my head as I slowly started to weave through the crowd of kids heading to the door of our homeroom, Eager to leave school and get to their lives.
''Aspen, Will you wait a moment?'' Daniel called out cheerfully, Making me pause at the door.
I swallowed nervously before moving out of the stream of kids, Standing beside the doorway.
Some of the kids started to whisper, Pausing so they could stare at me again.
I ducked my head slightly, Staring down at the floor as I wrapped my arms around my waist, Trying to make myself appear smaller.
Smaller targets are harder to hit. . .
''Go on now, Head on home you guys'' Daniel said, Cheerfully shooing the kids out, Pausing every few seconds to chat or joke with one kid or another.
He seems to fit in so well with them. . . He just seems so happy. . .
I looked away from him, A feeling of loneliness starting to edge it's way into my already far too complicated emotions.
Letting out a small sigh, I sat down, My back to the wall.
At least I can't get attacked from behind now. . .
After a while, The stampeding sound of kids hurrying out of school was gone.
''Hey Aspen! Why in the world are you sitting down there?'' Daniel asked cheerfully, Crouching down in front of me as he spoke.
''I was waiting'' I muttered quietly, Staring down at the tiles on the floor.
''For what silly?'' He asked, Reaching out to gently tilt my head up slightly so I was now looking at him, The fabric on his mark glove being the only thing to touch my skin.
I blinked in confused as I watched him pull his hand back, Still smiling warmly at me.
''Y-You told me to wait. . . I-I figured I was i-in trouble. . .''I answered, Rambling on ever so slightly as I got nervous, My voice getting quieter with each word I spoke.
''Oh that's silly, You haven't done anything to get in trouble'' He said cheerfully, A large smile still on his face.
''C-Can I leave than?'' I asked quietly, Starting to feel a bit like a trapped mouse.
''Nope!'' He said happily, Standing back up as he spoke.
Before I could ask why not, He continued.
''You remember Mr. Miller?'' Daniel asked, Moving back over to his desk.
Who?. . . Oh wait, Wasn't that Emory's last name?. . . Oh no. . .
I could feel a cold chill run up my back, Dread settling down in my heart.
''Y-Yeah?'' I squeaked out after a moment of silence.
''Well! He asked for me to keep you back for a little while until he could arrive, I think he wants to have a word with you or something'' He explained, Sitting down in his chair as he happily spoke.
I nodded nervously, Bringing my knees up to my chest as I stared straight ahead, My mind starting to run through all the bad reasons why he could be wanting to see me.
Maybe I did something wrong and he's coming to arrest me. . .
Well, If that's the case. . . At least my family will still be alright. . .Still be whole. . .
Maybe they'd even be happier without m-
My thoughts were cut off as there was a knock on the door frame.
Both Daniel and I looked over at the door to see Emory standing there, Having not entered out of politeness.
''Oh! Hello Mr. Miller!'' Daniel greeted cheerfully, Getting up from his chair as he spoke.
''Mr. Camp, I am here to pick up Aspen if you do not mind.'' Emory said curtly, He looked a lot tenser than before.
''Aww, What's the rush?'' Daniel asked, Still far too happy.
I got up quietly, Noting absently the fact that Emory's eyes snapped over to me as soon as I moved.
He's on high alert. . . But why?
Emory just gave him a deadpan look before actually answering him, ''I do not have time for explanations. Come along Aspen'' He said before turning around, Walking towards the exit.
I glanced at Daniel before slowly, Meekly following behind him.
He lead me outside and to his squad car, Not saying a word the whole way.
When he opened the door for me however, I finally decided to break my silence.
''Am-Am I in trouble?'' I asked quietly, My voice breaking slightly on the first word.
He stared down at me silently before reaching a gloved hand up to gently rest on my head.
''No, Far from it'' He responded cryptically before nudging me into the back seat of the police car.
I nervously buckled myself in as he closed the door.
''W-Where are you taking me?'' I asked quietly as he got into the front seat, Turning the car back on.
''To the station'' He said curtly, Staring straight forwards as he pulled the car out of the school's parking lot.
''W-Why can't I go home?'' I asked, My voice weak and faint even to my own ears.
He was silent for a long moment, Seemingly contemplating something.
''It is going to be too dangerous for you there soon'' He said, Clearly not giving me the full reason.
''W-Why?'' I pressed timidly, Both wanting to know and not wanting to know the reason.
Please. . . Don't be anything to do with my family. . . I don't want to ruin my family. . .
He let out a sigh before giving in, ''There is going to be a raid, They will be taking your parents into custody on charges of child neglect and child abuse, You can not be there as it might get violent.'' He explained bluntly, His slightly rough voice sounding rougher, As if he really didn't want to be doing this.
''W-What? No! T-They would never-'' I started to squeak out before he looked back at me.
He didn't have his normal, Neutral yet ever so slightly annoyed looking expression on his face.
Instead he looked fed up.
''The artz said you were underfed, You had poorly mended bones not to mention so many bruises. Do not even try to say nothing is going on.'' He said sternly, His eyes trained on mine.
I could feel tears starting to build up behind my eyes as he stared sternly at me, Clearly not happy.
He stared at me a moment longer before looking forwards again, His grip on the steering wheel tighter than before.
''Please. . .C-Can't I do anything to stop you from doing this?'' I asked quietly, Trying to find some way to spare my family.
Please. . . I'm sorry I messed up, I won't do it again just. . . Please. . .
He was silent for a long while before he sighed, He wasn't even trying to drive by this point, Having pulled off to the side of the road.
''Yes. . . There is. . .'' He said slowly, Clearly thinking something through.
''A-Any thing! Just please, C-Call it off'' I whispered, Desperate.
He was silent for a while again, ''If you come home with me, I will call off the raid'' He said after a while, His voice a lot quieter than before.
I felt an odd feeling of disappointment at that.
Huh. . . I guess he's easily corrupted. . . Why am I sad about that? That works in my favor this time. . .
''Okay. . .'' I whispered quietly, Looking down as I clutched at my backpack strap.
I can only imagine what he was planning to do to me once I was in his house.
I felt sick at the idea.
''Close your eyes, I do not want you seeing the way there'' He ordered as he started back up the car.
Nervously, I did as he asked, Closing my eyes as I remained tense.
Waiting.
--- Time skip ---
I kept my head down as Emory led me up the steps to an old mini mansion.
It looked like something you'd see at the start of a horror film.
I nervously wrapped my arms around myself as I followed him inside, Unlike the outside the inside of the house wasn't nearly as creepy looking.
The lights were a warm golden color and the walls were painted a warm earthy brownish gold color.
It was pretty cozy seeming inside.
''Go sit down'' He said calmly, Gesturing into one of the rooms off to the left, Inside the room was a fireplace with a Tv above it, A redish colored couch in front of it enough so that if the fire was lit anyone on the couch would feel it's warmth.
Timidly, I went over to sit down on the couch.
Looking around slightly, I noticed a few old framed photos on the walls, Most of them featuring both Emory at different ages as well as three stern looking parents.
Non of them were smiling.
Glancing back at Emory, I noticed he still hadn't called in to stop the raid.
''W-Why. . . Why didn't you want me to see the way to this place?'' I asked quietly after a while.
He was quiet for a moment again before he sat down next to me.
''I did not want you knowing how to get back to the school from here.'' He stated simply.
''. . .Why?'' I asked fearfully, A nagging feeling starting in the back of my mind that he had'nt been telling me the truth earlier.
He stared down at me, Locking eyes with me before answering.
''So you can not stop the raid.'' He said, Confirming my fear.
''B-But you promised to call it off. . .'' I squeaked out.
''I lied.'' He answered, His eyes narrowing slightly as tears started to form in my eyes.
I shook my head slightly, Tears starting to drip down my face at the crippling feeling of betrayal that was choking me out.
''Y-You promised. . .'' I choked out.
He had a ever so slightly guilty look on his face before he reached out for me.
I flinched back, However he didn't even pause.
He wrapped his arms around me, Holding me close to his chest in a hug as he quietly hushed me.
''Y-You. . .You lied. . .'' I stuttered out, Surprised by the hurt betrayal I felt.
Why did I even trust this man?
He let out a small sigh, Gently rubbing circles in my back as he held me.
''I know I did, This is for the best though, You will see once you are thinking clearly again'' He said quietly.
After a little while of him holding me, My tears finally died down once I had no more to shed.
He kept gently holding me even thought I was no longer crying, Still gently rubbing my back.
''You can spend the night here, In the morning I will take you down to the station, A child care agent will see if they can not find a foster family for you to live with'' He explained to me quietly after a while.
I just numbly nodded, Not really processing any of what he said.
I did it. . . I really did it. . . I ruined my family. . . I-
I ruined everything. . . I just. . . I can't. . .
Please. . . Let me die. . .
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Like I said, This chapter can either be seen as really good or bad depending on your stance on lying, On the bright side, Emory has now gotten Aspen away from his parents, Any guesses how he's going to fix the fact he just lied to someone who thought he could trust him?
Anyways! Like always, Have a good day/night and find a better book! - fallen