Chapter Text
Nika was in the foster system sense birth. Her mother did not want her so she gave Nika up. She first got adopted by a family who were actually nice and patient with her. But as time went on the family got more distant with her, never telling her why until one day they just leave the house. Not taking Nika with them. They didn't want anything to do with her. She stayed in the house for weeks only leaving when there was a need for food or water she stole it off of peoples abandoned shopping carts, rummaged through dumpsters, the trashcans of restaurants, anywhere she could find food she would take it.
She still lived in the house she grew up in. It was in horrible condition. Mold, water damage, and sewage were constant throughout the house. all besides her room. She tried to keep it as neat as she could considering the state of the house. It was pretty hard. By the time she was 15 a group of investigators came to inspect the house for hazards. There were accounts of a person seen through the windows at daytime as well. They were expecting an old homeless guy who set up shop there.
Nika was asleep when they came in to inspect. She woke up when she heard some whirring noises and voices, as it was mostly quiet through the night. Nika was terrified and who found her. She crawled to her closet and hid in there just ion time too. The people who were there came into the room to inspect it. They were a bit surprised at how clean it was. They started to Talk amongst themselves passing theory after theory to each other when Nika was too close to the closet door and it was flung open. The investigators turned to look at the commotion and saw her. A small, malnourished, girl. One of them, a woman, went straight over to her and spooked the small girl. Another one called on a walkie talkie and said a bunch of jumbled words and numbers. The one that had rushed over sat down and patiently waited for her to get out of her own. After an hour of waiting the girl got curious on why the woman was still here. She slowly crawled over to her cautiously still on high alert. The woman did not move at all still waiting for Nika to come over. He smiled at Nika.
Nika felt something strange start in her chest. She liked that smile and almost craved it. She crawled over next to the woman and sat beside her. She felt something warm crawl over her back and it was a soft blanket. The warmth from the blanket made me look at the woman. She opened her mouth asking something along the lines of “can you understand me?” I nod my head in response. “Do you know how to talk?” I nodded my head slightly. “Not much” She looked at me with a smile. “That's okay, we can just do yes or no questions. If you don't know how to answer it just shake your shoulders like this.” She started to move her shoulders up and down. I nodded. “First of all, have you seen your parents recently?” no. “do you know where they went?” no. Her face went into a frown and took out her walkie. “Hey blackbear, The kid hasn't seen parents in a while. Don't know where they went. Over.” There was light static until a voice rang through the small box. “10-4.” the woman started her question again. “Now, these two questions I'm going to ask are very important. Okay?” yes. “Do you know your name?” yes. “Nika Ruin” “Do you wanna come with me?” I nod frantically in response. She chuckles a bit at that. The woman stands up and helps me get up. “I'm Martha. Martha O'Neil.” she says kindly.
I walk outside and there are flashing lights of blue and red, blinding me a bit. I recovered quickly. As I follow Martha I see a cop and a small girl who looks a lot like Martha. “Mom!” The girl runs up to Martha and hugs her. “APRIL!? I told you to stay home in case it was something bad. “ She flicks Aprils forehead “ I know, but if I'm going to become a reporter after highschool I need experience now.” Martha turns to me and shields me from April. “Hey, Nika? Can you go with the officer behind April? He will help you back to the station to get things sorted. Okay?” I nod in response. Martha guides me to the police car and says something to the cop quietly. He nods his head and helps me into the car.
The drive to the Station was painful. Last time I was in a car was roughly 8 years ago and there were a lot of bumps on the road. We arrived and he helped me out of the car and as we walked he had a calm expression on his face. I made my nerves calm as well. We walked in. He grabbed a chair for me and went to go grab some water. He came back, grabbed a chair of his own, and sat in it facing me.
“So i heard your name is Nika right?” I nod in response. “I got you some water.” he nudges it towards me and I drink it all in one go without choking. He looks at me in surprise but changes his expression very quickly. “I'm going to have to ask you some questions Nika. That okay?” I nod again. “Do you have another place to live?” no. “how about family?” no. he ponders for a solution then his face shows that he must’ve remembered something “Would you want to go with the lady who helped back at the house?” I hesitantly nod my head. I didn’t know her well but I had a hunch that she was reliable. “She has quite a while until she's back. So just wait here until I say okay? I’ll be right over there.” He points over to the desk with a bunch of papers and what looks like a big black box on it as well. He refills my water and walks over to the desk. After what seems like forever I hear the doors open again and see Martha. I get up slowly feeling a bit wobbly. I'm able to hold myself up against the desk next to the chair.
She walks over to me quickly and helps me sit back down in the chair. After a few moments and her grabbing a chair she starts off saying “You are going to live with me Nika. Until we can determine if there's anyone else to take you in.” I nod a bit scared at the thought of being left alone again. “ I have a daughter as well. She might be a bit loud and scary at first but she will know when to back down and calm herself okay?” I nod “was it girl earlier?” My english still wasn't that good, forgetting most of my learning over the years. She nods at me with another heart wrenching smile. I'm able to smile back at her feeling happiness. After only feeling fear and worry for most of my life I felt a good feeling and it was nice.