Chapter Text
The rag was wet against his hands as he scrubbed away at the bar. The chemicals in the sanitation liquid burned away at small cracks in his knuckles, but Zane wasn't one to complain. He had other things on his mind. Such as school starting soon. He was nervous to be honest, going to a new high school two grades ahead of his usual age group was bound to bring some attention to him. He might have to lie to his classmates about his age, maybe that way he wouldn't be bullied as much about it.
Returning the rag into the bucket, Zane made his way to the tables as his coworker swept the floors. The great thing about working in a donut shop was that you get to close up before the afternoon. A fond smile graced the boy's face as he looked back upon his summer job. He liked most of his coworkers, and his boss was impressed with Zane's performance, but the summer was at its end and with school being his top priority, Zane had to resign from the bakery. After his shift today was over, that would be the end of his job. Despite the many afternoons he had rushed to help close up the shop, today he found himself stalling.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder in a friendly manner, his coworker Jill walking past with the mop bucket in tow. "Nervous?" She asked, straining out the excess water from the mop head before slapping the soaked rope bundle onto the floor and spreading an ever growing puddle across the tile. Zane chuckled good naturedly at the single mother before returning back to his task. "The beginning of school in a new area usually makes me feel cautious." He smiled.
Jill nodded in understanding before she turned her eyes back to Zane, worry barely hidden. "And what about the other thing?" The boy's eyes went downcast before he realized and he quickly regained his smile. "I will be fine. I am used to it by now." He laughed. The woman's eyes glazed over in sympathy as she stopped mopping to look at Zane for a long moment. He flashed her a reassuring smile which she tried her best to return before she shook her head and sighed, leaning against the mop handle. "Oh Zane, you're too good for the hand you've been dealt." Jill said somberly before the both of them fell silently back to work.
Zane didn't have parents. Or, he did once, but they gave him up when he was little. For as long as he could remember, he was jumping from foster home to foster home, that was just his lot in life. There wasn't any need for people to feel sorry about it, that was just the way things were. He is supposed to move to a different home this week, closer to Ninjago High. The family he's been staying with has to make room for another kid. It was a practical arrangement on both ends, he's been told.
Once Zane and Jill had completely sanitized everything and put away the equipment, they emptied the trash into the dumpster and locked the back door behind them. Farewell summer job, it was fun while it lasted. Jill pocketed the keys, readjusting her purse as the two walked out of the back alley and onto the bustling streets of downtown Ninjago City. "Goodbye, Ms. Jill." Zane said, his usual line of departure holding a heavier weight to it. Jill made a grab for his arm before he could turn around and leave. "Wait, Zane!" She called, "Just a second."
The boy raised an eyebrow as the woman turned him to face her with the grace of a worried mother hen. "Yes?" He queried, feeling slightly awkward as a few passerby's looked their way. Jill exhaled before looking sternly at Zane with a seriousness he had never seen her use before. "You know I'm here for you right? If you ever need anything - anything at all - just let me know, I'll help." She began, straightening the bow tie on his uniform. He gave an affectionate smile as she continued, "Now, I know you'll be busy, but I want you to at least keep me updated mister, let me know how you're doing. You can do that for me, right? You have my number, and if you need anything -" Zane laughed softly, pushing her hands away from his tie as the young mother gave him a shaking smile. "I will be sure to tell you, yes." He hugged her gratefully, wondering for a moment if his mother ever worried over him like this. Jill hugged him back eagerly, and when they released each other Zane didn't miss her watery eyes.
"Give my best to Richie." He asked, knowing her three year old wouldn't fully understand his absence. Jill laughed light-heartedly, rubbing one of her eyes, "Of course. Stay safe, Zane." She said, resignation in her tone. After that they went their separate ways.
A pang of sadness took hold of Zane as he made his way home. He always hated leaving the people he cared for, but it was always this way with him. That didn't stop him from growing attached though, he couldn't stop caring if he tried. Zane looked up at the view of the city, taking it all in. The billboards, the buildings, the traffic, the people, he would remember them all years from now. Making his way towards the family's home, he took in every sound, every bit of conversation from the city as he walked.
I'll keep her updated.
He walked for a while, lost in his thoughts and the ever present sounds of the city before he reached his neighborhood. He stopped at the local park for a moment, wanting to feed the ducks one last time before he left. Donuts weren't the healthiest thing to feed to waterfowl, but Zane had made an effort to only take the baked pieces that were too disfigured to dip into the glaze. This way, it was only the bread part the ducks ate.
As he sat there, a lone puppy approached him, yapping at the fowl when they got too close to Zane and then wagging his tail at him as if he was waiting for the boy to congratulate him. "Well," he mused, an eyebrow raised at the tiny canine, "It seems as if I've found a guard dog." The puppy was white with little gray splotches, his body round and babyish as most puppies are. He seemed to be part Great White Pyrenees, but Zane couldn't figure out what other breed he was. Not that it mattered to him, but Zane had a habit of trying to see the whole of things so he never had to stay uncertain. Only, right now there were other questions about the tiny canine that needed to be answered. For instance, where was his owner? Dogs were required to be kept on a lead in this park, and even though the pup was so tiny, Zane was sure there were collars and leashes manufactured to his size. Why was he without them?
The puppy barked again as a duckling came swimming closer to Zane, elated in scaring the hungry thing off. Zane raised an eyebrow at his antics before ripping another chunk of donut apart and pinching it into smaller breadcrumb pieces. The breeze danced softly about the pair, seeming to glide around slowly through the city before falling dead moments after. Zane looked into the waters of the reflective duck pond, thoughts elsewhere. Where was he staying this semester? Would there be many other children in the house with him, or would it be only he and the foster parents? Would the house be on the school bus route or would he need to purchase a car? Questions circled endlessly in his mind, thoughts of his future, his upcoming routine, the new family. As peculiar as it sounds, this was the sixteen year old's usual process. It helped to have a plan before moving, it wouldn't be wise of him to show up unprepared or uncoordinated to a new home, he had learned this when he was much younger.
His canine companion whimpered, slapping his stubby paws against Zane's loafers in protest to his lack of attention. Zane chuckled, petting the twerp behind his ears before throwing the last handful of donut into the pond for the ducks to devour. "Alright my mysterious friend, let us find your owner." The puppy yapped at the news while Zane stood to leave, trodding close at the long-legged human's feet; the boy made sure to keep his pace slower so that his companion could keep up with him.
It wasn't two hours later that he found himself cold, confused, and searching through classified ads on his phone with a wriggling ball of white fluff in his arms. At this point, he just wanted to take them both home and get some well deserved rest. Why must finding the owner of such a precious looking creature be so daunting in a city such as this? Zane was leaning against a tree on his shoulder as the puppy made itself a perch in the folds of his polo shirt and hand. The boy couldn't get very far with his online search without having to re-pocket his phone and scold the pup as he untangled his little claws from the new tiny rips in his shirt.
Maybe he needed to give up for today. After all, it wasn't as if he was actually getting anywhere with his search. "Would you mind sleeping at my house tonight little one?" He asked the tiny mammal. The puppy, who had already embedded his little teeth into the white fabric of his shirt, looked unashamedly up at Zane, meeting his gaze with a pant and an excited tail wagging in wild abandon.
Zane smirked, pulling the pup away from the garment and instead offered him his index finger to destroy. "A yes then I assume?" He queried, pushing himself off the tree and starting on his walk home. "First thing tomorrow morning, I will take you back here to search for your owner. This may only be for tonight, understood?" Zane briefed him. The puppy continued to gnaw contentedly on the boy's finger, completely aware that, no, this was not going to be a one night thing. The human just failed to see it yet.
Jay hated this house. He couldn't stand the hurt of it any longer, he wanted to leave. Desperately wanted to leave. Ducking his head behind the kitchen island, he tried to steady his racing heartbeat as a cookie sheet hurtled past him before loudly making contact with the wall. It missed him by only six inches.
Letting out a yelp, the auburn haired boy darted to the other side of the isolated cabinet, his offender pursuing.
"Walker! You're dead! Dead!"
The elder girl screamed at him, throwing the closest thing in her reach in his direction. Both skidded around the side of the island, Jay being extremely thankful for it's solid boundaries as the other clambered furiously after him. "I-I'm sorry! I d-didn't mean to Hailey!" He pleaded as the twosome moved their chase into the living room where the girl's father sat reclining in peace before their entrance.
The smaller boy trembled once he realized he was cornered. All he had done was accidentally drop her laundry on the floor, and now the giant of a female was out for his blood. He didn't mean to trip over his shoelace. He said he would pick up the clothes. Why did she always try to hurt him? It was an honest accident. Jay began to hyperventilate when she finally got to him, screeching out apologies in the most pitiful of ways as she slammed his smaller body against the wall in anger.
With every hit she gave him, no one came to stop her. The father actually watched on with annoyance, most likely irked by their interruption of his nap. The larger girl pressed his skull far back into the wall with all the grace of a woman scorned before taking away her other hand and punching him repeatedly in the gut as he struggled.
Punch.
Someday he will leave here.
Hit.
One day he'll get far away from them.
Push.
Someday, he'd get out of their reach.
Punch.
Wait, was that the doorbell?
The three froze in shock at the front door opening, fear and relief resting in Jay's stomach as the inspector's widening eyes read the situation. He furrowed his eyes at the two in the room with Jay, before looking the boy up and down and setting his jaw in anger. Jay's heart made a free fall when the inspector turned and walked out the door with his phone in hand.
He's leaving? No! No, no, no! Please don't go! Help me!
The girl and her father stood frozen, staring in the direction the inspector retreated, giving Jay the opportunity to wiggle out of her grasp and bolt for the front door in wild abandon. On the verge of another panic attack, he started when his body met that of the old inspector and he fell onto his rear. He was going to hit him wasn’t he? He didn't mean to run into him, he didn't want to get hurt!
The inspector must have noticed Jay's fear, his face turning into something somber at the younger man's features. It felt like hours passed before anyone in the house made a sound, but when they did Jay couldn't understand what they were saying, his mind and body still in panic mode. At some point he knew there was yelling, and officers had showed up but he was too frantic to take in what it meant. His panic had taken over him completely and all he could focus on was the fear he felt.
He just sat there against the wall, shaking and panting and curling in on himself. Why did his life always take these kinds of turns? He would have been just fine staying with his elderly grandparents, so why did he end up in care houses like this? Why did he have to enter the stupid system to begin with? Just because his grandfather had dementia didn't mean they needed to move him into places like this. He was old enough, he could have stayed a few more years until he graduated, he wasn't too much of a handful, it wouldn't have been too much for his grandma. He could have helped her even, but instead, they decided he needed to be taken away.
Jay wanted to go home. He wanted to be whole again. He wanted to hug his Grandma Edna, and laugh with his Grandpa Ed again. He wanted to wrestle with his dog, Sparks- and just be the kid he was. He was tired of being dropped off at stranger's houses and being expected to like the people. He missed his house. He wanted to get as far away as possible from here.
Grabbing at the sleeves of his jacket, the disgruntled teen tried to calm himself. He couldn't go back. They wouldn't let him. They'll just keep putting him in different homes until one family decides to keep him. Oh, how he wished someone would keep him. Maybe then he wouldn't have to come to houses like this one.
Maybe then I'd have a family of my own.
His shoulders heaved at that thought, and it was then he realized he had been crying. Why would anyone ever want him? He's never been anything but a failure. A disaster waiting to happen. An overall klutz. No, the only way he would get out of the system was turning eighteen. Nobody wanted this walking catastrophe of a boy as their son. He wasn't going to meet their expectations at all.
Vaguely, Jay felt someone sit beside him and pull him into an embrace. Jay longed for the person to be Grandpa Ed. He wanted them to be someone that actually cared. He clutched his arms tighter around his knees, making no effort to lean into the man's attempt at comfort. How could he anyways, when they were the ones that put him here in the first place? The better part of him knew it wasn't their fault, they had known nothing about the family's ways, and yet the teen felt a small hint of betrayal from them.
They should have known. He decided.
That's their job in the first place.
Maybe the new house he'd be put in would have a nice family. A caring Mom and Dad who wouldn't hit him, and maybe learn to tolerate his foolishness. Hopefully, maybe… If they liked Jay, they would… adopt him? He'd have to quit messing up everything if he wanted the next family to like him. No more dropping laundry, stuttering, or any other kinds of things that might get him in trouble. He’d try his best to be tolerable, instead of becoming a burden. Only, who was Jay kidding? No one in their right mind would take him as their kid. Not with the baggage he carried.
Maybe someday I'll find a home.
Pulling himself over the ledge, he grinned, letting his shaking body fall into the cool clover patch at his feet. He felt elated, happy he had finally arrived at the top of the mesa before dark. He loved this feeling of release. Smiling for the first time in what felt like forever, the young man ran a hand through his sweat soaked hair making it stick up in irregular places. He had gone a long time without a bit of fun, and now that he was away from the village, a sense of enjoyment had seated itself within him.
He was so relaxed after the climb, he wasn't sure he'd go back. He finally had gained a shred of peace. Don't get him wrong, he was sore in every possible place on his body, and his arms and legs were trembling with fatigue, but Cole hadn't felt like this in a long time. Not since he had lost his parents anyways.
Cole rolled onto his stomach, peering over the edge of the cliff and gazing out over the little village in the valley below. They were probably looking for him. Who knows how much trouble he was in, but for once he couldn't find it in him to care. He knew he needed a breather, and he took the first opportunity that presented itself. The couple who was taking care of him never gave him space to think. No matter where he went they followed him, making sure never to leave him unsupervised. Their hovering drove him to near insanity at times. Seriously, he's seventeen, not three.
Trying to rid himself of his thoughts, Cole set his eyes on the tiny beetle making its way along his calloused hand. He raised an eyebrow almost bemused at the insect before guiding the small creature onto a nearby clover bud and watching it leave.
Sure, he missed his parents terribly, but in the end he could live with their absence, it serves him right for never spending any time with them anyway. That's what the villagers didn't understand, he could keep it together quite fine by himself. He didn't want anyone's pitying glances, or random hugs that lasted longer than needed. He was fine, if he's not, then that's his problem. He hated their coddling and advice for coping. What else was there to do? His parents were gone. They were dead, and he couldn't have done anything to save them, so why should he be allowed to cry?
Cole dramatically blew a few strands of his windblown hair out of his eyes, sitting cross-legged as he watched the colors on the horizon change, the sun beginning to set. He had decided a month ago at his father's funeral that he would be a man about it. There was no need to go and get himself depressed when they probably wouldn't want him to be.
If only it were that easy.
I could let them go.
Not that I can do it. I won't forget them.
They loved me.
He let out a yawn, taking one last look at the meadow behind him before cracking his knuckles and stretching. He liked the Mesa. The feeling of climbing the cliff face without anything but his glove less hands and bare feet gave him a little feeling of pride sometimes, not to mention the feeling of adrenaline that coursed through him all the while. He never had to think when he was climbing, never needed to be on his guard, or keep up his facade. It was a great feeling.
Nothing was complicated up here. Down in the village, the people seemed to thrive on complex issues like his. He never could quite understand their concerns until he walked into the village's small drugstore the other day. Seeing all of the frail old women and a few young mothers talk animatedly about how his father died, and why he was in foster care, Cole had done his best to get the gallon of milk he'd been sent for before setting his jaw and marching back out the door in anger.
He needed to get somewhere where no one would care about his past, a place no one would use his pain in a normal conversation. He wouldn't run away, no, but the next time his case worker came to see him Cole would beg her to take him someplace else. If that won't work, then yes, he might consider running away.
"Co-ole!" A voice called, panicking down the Mesa path. Of course they took the path. Weaklings. Why couldn't anyone around here just leave him alone?
The young man let out a frustrated growl before ducking behind a cluster of Juniper trees and laying in a still wait. The woman's cries were soon joined by many others from the village as the last rays of the evening sun began to sink into the horizon. The posse after him - yes, an entire posse - began to reach the top of the Mesa and search in circles with their flashlights, calling his name as if to lure him out of hiding.
So much for alone time.
He recognized most of their faces. The neighboring farmers, and his foster parents seemed to be the most prominent to pick out of the crowd, the annoyance sketched in the farmer’s features at having to track down their free ranch hand giving them away. "Cole! This isn't funny. Come out this instant!" The shrill voice of his foster mom rang out.
Cole hunched deeper into the sides of the shrubbery, his worn brown tank top not very protective of his now, scratched arms. He shivered slightly as a breeze danced through the leaves, scraping his exposed body wherever his clothes didn't cover. He should have at least brought his shoes in hindsight.
He gasped in surprise as arms shot through the branches and hoisted his frame to its feet by a bearded giant of a man. Oh, boy, it was his foster dad. Joyous celebration. Cole's eyes went wide with fright as the behemoth steeled him with a gaze, before his shoulders slumped momentarily in relief. Poor Mr. Baker.
"Ey! 'Lisha! I found 'im!" He bellowed to his wife, eyes never leaving the boy trapped in his firm grasp. Cole exhaled, unfamiliarly angered at the farmer's presence. With an angry growl, Cole forcefully removed himself from the shocked man's hold, a small part of him confused with himself when he yelled at his caretaker in frustration. This wasn't like him.
"Just leave me alone for crying out loud!" He seethed, stance defensive.
What am I doing? Stop, Cole!
Now Mr. Baker's eyes were widened. "Wha- Cole?" He shook his head, face turning stern. "Hold it boy, we'll have this talk later. Control 'yerself, hear me?" The man looked to his wife for guidance, who was now jogging towards them along with the rest of the group. Cole let out a bitter laugh, hands clenched to calm himself. "No, no, you hear me! I can't go anywhere without you following me, and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you! Sick of everyone in this village!" He glared at the crowd, another part of him horrified at his outburst, while an even smaller part of him knew he told them the truth. Frankly, that scared him even worse.
Mrs. Baker scoffed, her hands on her hips as she scowled at him. "Mr. Brookstone! Do you realize what you're saying? Nonsense! Shut your whining and talk like a man!" The small woman ordered, pointing an accusing bony finger at him while he glowered at her.
This isn't right. I'm a good kid.
Why am I doing this?
"Did you hear me, Cole? What do you say?" Mrs. Baker hinted.
"No ma'am." He hissed venomously.
"Excuse me?"
"I said 'no ma'am'!"
"Well, I nev-!"
"I'm not going to shut up until you leave me alone! Why do you even care anyways? You're stupid, both of you!"
"Cole!"
He shook his head, stepping away from the couple. "No! I wanna leave! Leave me alone!" He shouted, as his eyes began to blur. What is happening? He can't cry! Suck it up Cole!
He let out a shaking breath, turning away from the crowd to look at the sky, the last strands of red and orange seeping back into the ground below. Does he actually want to leave here? Leave the Mesa? Cole gulped, emotions finding a knot in his throat before running his hand over the bridge of his nose. He has to leave. He can't stay with these people any longer or he'll learn to hate them.
And I don't want that.
He rubbed his palms over his arms to warm himself, trying terribly hard to not start crying. He was a man, strong men don't cry in front of everyone, he'd do that later, at the house: when he was alone. The boy turned back towards his caregivers in a calmer way but couldn't look them in the eyes. Cole scrunched his toes into his foot, the grass against them something like a comfort.
"Please. I just want to leave."
He hated how much smaller his voice sounded at the plea, but he dared not say another word. He'd been too much of a drama problem this evening already. He gazed out over the group of villagers, whispering and gossiping amongst each other at his unexpected tantrum. Shock and discomfort wallowed in the atmosphere that, only two minutes ago was the boy’s only haven in this place. Cole ignored the group, intent on his foster parent's expressions. Both seemed somber: Mrs. Baker seemed shocked at the news, a flash of brief guilt lacing her features, and while Mr. Baker seemed saddened at the news; he carried a resigned approach when he nodded in Cole's direction. "Yes. Yes, son you 'kin leave. Let's get back to the house." Mr. Baker finally said, reaching out to put an arm around the younger male's shoulder before stopping himself and letting it drop to his side with a sigh.
When they returned to the house that night, Cole filled his small duffel bag with the few belongings he owned and waited inside his bedroom until the next morning when his caseworker showed up. He didn't have dinner with the Baker's that night. He didn't speak another word to the couple until he hugged them goodbye the next morning. He wasn't meant for a place like this, a concerned family like this. He knew the Baker's were fond of him, that's why they cared, but he wasn't ready for another family yet.
I don't deserve another family.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants with a grumble of frustration. He kept his head down, eyes on the pavement at his feet. Grouchily, the young man wondered if his luck could get any worse. He'd been gone for two days already, and only now mother nature decided she'd intervene with his escape. He let out a string of unappreciative comments to the water falling all about him as a bus on its nightly route hit a pothole and drenched his already soaked frame even more than before. He made sure to whip around and scowl at the bumper of the public menace before moving on his way again.
Rain. Of course it's raining. What else did I not pack for? Idiot!
The twilight hid his disgruntled form from the eyes of the few passerby's walking at this time of night, which for Kai, was all a part of his strategy. He'd left the group home Friday night with all of his supplies and hid inside a parking building until dark when he bolted as quick as he could to get out of Ninjago city undetected. Only, if Kai's sense of dejà vu was anything to go by, he's been down this block at least three times earlier tonight. In hindsight, he probably should have at least stopped to look at a map or something, but improvising is one of his few redeeming qualities, so yeah, he'll use that instead.
He shook his head, his vision dotted as a sudden wave of exhaustion hit him. He hadn't eaten since yesterday morning and that, paired with little to no sleep, left his body tormenting him with fatigue. He wondered for a moment what the kids at the group home were getting for dinner tonight.
Kai trudged down the sidewalk, his senses on high alert due to his surroundings. In the dark of an alley across the street, he could make out three figures huddled around each other, muffled conversation and the glow of their lit smokes telling of their hiding place among the shadows. He inhaled a little, the familiar scent of marijuana reaching him. He furrowed his eyes at the ground, his heartbeat deciding to go feral with anxiety. He wouldn't let these punks scare him, anyone can hide in a neighborhood like this and come off as creepy; they aren't any different from him. He's just as intimidating as they are, he determines.
Except you’re not really intimidating.
Kai jumped as the sky erupted with an ear-piercing crack of thunder. He hates storms. He never found out why, but he's always remembered dreading rainstorms as a tiny kid. He rolled his eyes, grumbling in discontent, as he slumped underneath the awning of the entrance to a small diner.
He rolled his shoulders, releasing his heavy, tattered backpack from them before using the baggage as a pillow and curling up against the cement steps as the thunder and lightning began to increase. He shivered as the storm blew a gust of cold air towards the storefront, his wet clothing sticking to him like plaster.
Minutes passed by, and unfortunately for the runaway, the storm only decided to worsen. He sat there, huddled against the door frame of the building, reflecting on the consequences of his choices for the past few days. If he were to be caught now, would they still force him to stay at the group home? Surely he's made them mad enough to send him away by now. He can't stand that place. Maybe now that he's caused enough trouble, they'll let him go away to a different home. Maybe he'd be lucky enough to bunk with a workaholic couple and be able to sit back and chill the rest of the summer at the house while they ran around their offices all week. That would be great.
Kai's eyes widened in fear as lightning lit up the entire sky, illuminating everything in a hundred yard radius before thunder rang out in an almost deafening volume. The buildings and the ground beneath him trembled at the sound waves created.
So normally, Kai's a very chill guy when it comes to scary situations: he's had many in his lifetime, but at the moment he wasn't feeling like the bravest. As the weather blew into a full on thunderstorm, he tried to shrink back as far as he could into the side of the storefront, heart beating involuntarily fast. This wasn't his golden moment really; on any other day he'd be taunting anything that looked remotely dangerous to challenge him, but all his bravado seemed to cease whenever storms were present.
He's also stupid, Kai decides as he shivers in the dark, soaked to his core and exhausted. What did he think this would change? If he went back now, there's still a very real chance of those jerkface owners making him stay with them as punishment. He hated spiteful adults. They could still get so angry that they'd shove him off to a different place entirely, but he was starting to doubt his plan a bit. He grumbled against the wind, questioning why he seemed to be the only one in his family that never thought through anything.
Oh geez, where's Nya when you need her?
Thunder rolled loudly as the sky became its own light show, bolts of jagged lightning striking the earth in farther places. Kai pulled the hood of his jacket and strained the fabric across his face as he squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to clear his mind from darker thoughts. Wherever she was, his kid sister was safe, he tried to convince himself. Nya was probably off in some comfortable bed sleeping soundly and safe for all he knew, the adults caring for her most likely gushing with pride about how polite and perfect she was. She doesn't need her screw-up of an older brother to ruin her chances of becoming adopted.
You'd just make everything harder for the girl.
He moaned, detesting his situation, as he spotted the three from the alleyway embarking toward him from across the street laughing and yelling among themselves as if there were no thunderstorm. They were tripping all over themselves, unbalanced and dangerously high as they neared him.
How absolutely wonderful! Thank you SO much, I was starting to think this day couldn't get any worse!
The first of his visitors shuffled down the sidewalk in his direction, giving the boy a sleepy smile as he inched closer. "Heeeey, friend!" The older Male greeted, slightly delirious, and none the wiser, to the boy's tensing position as he approached him. Kai didn't reply, smart enough to avoid falling into conversation with him and his flanking companions. The man frowned, insulted at the lack of decency, before stopping right in front of the boy and clearing his throat.
"What's a kid like you doing out in the weather?" He slurred, the weed he had been smoking impairing his speech. The man stumbled a bit before regaining his balance and stifling his giggle. Kai groaned inwardly as the other two arrived, going over his chances at slipping away from them now. He didn't feel as anxious as he sat up and leaned his soaked back against the wall, the dagger clipped to the back of his pants reminding him of its presence. He wasn't in the fighting mood, but if these geniuses thought they could get the jump on him, they were dead wrong.
The men crowded around him, attempting to make small talk as Kai stayed still. The younger man bit down on the inside of cheek, crossing his arms lazily across his legs, watching the threesome with a bored expression. The sky split open with a large bolt of lightning, removing any shadows in the street for the fraction of a second. Kai swallowed.
The second stranger's face twisted into a sloppy grin when he caught sight of Kai's backpack laying hidden in the shadowy corner of the overhang. "What's in that bag you got kid?" He chuckled, the other two nodding in consent to the question as they peeked around him to glance at the drenched backpack.
Kai narrowed his eyes, ready to spring up and run if need be. The man that first approached him tried to make a grab for the backpack, but Kai swiftly parried his hand, getting to his feet. The men seemed amused at his reaction as they laughed among themselves. Grabbing his luggage, Kai slung one strap over his shoulder, pushing through the trio's barrier and down the sidewalk. He only made it a handful of steps until a hand clamped down on his shoulder and attempted to pull him backwards.
Here we go again.
Kai stumbled, off balance due to the weight of the overstocked bag. His follower grabbed hold of his backpack before he fell, greatly amused by Kai's unbalance. "Slow down buddy! Ha! Can you believe this kid? So jumpy, geez!" Kai grabbed hold of his restrainer's wrist pressing the pressure point hard as he twisted out of his grasp and turned to face the man. Kai's face turned back into a scowl as the three laughed at him once more.
"Whoa man! Chill, we don't mean any trouble!"
"Hah! Look at his face!"
"C'mon kid, let's see the bag."
The last man made a lunge at Kai, to which the boy sidestepped at the last second, kneeing him in the gut before body slamming him into the cement side of the building. The man slumped to the ground with a cough as his companions called after him in shock. Kai took their confusion as an opportunity to scram. He sprinted down the sidewalk, sneakers slapping through puddles, as they yelled threats after him.
He turned the corner of the block at full speed, aware the that one of them was trailing him. Kai looked at his surroundings as he sprinted, eyes squinting close as the rainstorm clouded his vision. Soaked, cold, and altogether done with tonight, the boy darted across the street and into the cloaking darkness of an alley. When his pursuer turned the corner threatening Kai in volume, he paused angrily before screaming into the wind and rain and returning to his two friends. Kai rolled his eyes at the man before yawning and letting himself sink against the building and to the ground in exhaustion. He could no longer bring himself to care about the weather. He was going to spend the night where he sat.
At least, he intended to stay right there until a raccoon leapt out of the trashcan sitting across from him and hissed venomously in his direction. He chuckled in tired hysterics, raising his hands in surrender and turning to leave. "All yours muchacho." He smiled, shaking his head and chuckling. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants, trekking through the rain to nowhere in particular.
Kai made his way down the street before he caught sight of a bus stop. He clutched his hands into fists at the sight of shelter, anxious to finally get some sleep. Not that finding shelter now would help, as wet as he was he'd have hypothermia by morning. That is, unless he went back. Kai would be okay if he went back to the group home.
What!? What are you thinking? You can't go back now!
Kai shook his head of thought before slipping under the roof of the bus stop. His hopes fell once he realized it was occupied by an old man. The old man looked at Kai before letting his wrinkled face turn into a scowl. Face deadpanned, the boy retreated as the older man shooed him out onto the street.
On second thought, the group home doesn't sound like too bad of an idea.
Wait. What am I saying?
He sniffed, nose dripping, as he started walking. Was it too much to want a dry place to lay down? Kai was beginning to wonder if he'd ever sleep tonight. First there was the crack heads, then there was the raccoon, and then there was a cranky old guy. Was everyone so against the thought of him getting dry, and resting? He wouldn't doubt it at this point. Grumbling and starting to shiver, Kai rubbed his soaked sleeve across his nose, a burning chill running up his nostrils at the unexpected Kleenex. He sneezed loudly.
The rain was showing no signs of slowing, the sky thick and thunderous with angry darkness. The young man blinked away the rain from his eyes, trying to find yet another place to sleep. Maybe those crack heads had left already? He could go back to the storefront awning and stretch the water out of his clothes. He'd probably get around - he paused and glanced at his watch - three hours of sleep before daylight. It wasn't much time, but it was decidedly better than nothing.
Fine, but if they're still there we're heading straight for the group home.
Giving himself no objections, Kai turned and crossed the street, jogging through the rain until he reached the storefront two blocks away. Of course the idiots were still there. Them seeing him and getting up was just the icing on the cake. How wonderful. "Hey! Kid! Get back here!" Bellowed the man he threw into the wall earlier. Kai didn't go back, instead he turned around the corner and ran as quickly as he could in his weighted state. The three men followed after him, yelling and threatening his safety as Kai ran ahead of them, vision beginning to dance as his fatigue took the stage.
Looking around for a place to ditch them, Kai spotted a patrol car not too far away. Waving his hands in the air, he yelled, sprinting back across the street as the deputy in the passenger seat rolled the window down curiously. Normally, Kai would stay the heck away from any officer, but this situation needed a compromise. The patrol car came to a stop in the street, the blue lights blurring in the foggy rainstorm. Kai ran up to the window, soaked, scared, and hungry. The three dope heads behind him stopped on the other side of the street, pacing back and forth as if waiting to pounce on him. The officer in the driver's seat put his chocolate milk in the cup holder, eyeing the scenario before turning to Kai. "What did you do?" He asked, concerned for the boy but wishing to know the circumstances.
Kai let out a panting sigh before looking at the two with pleading eyes, "Please, I just need a ride home. I fell asleep in the wrong place, and they tried to take my bag so I fought them and - and now they're chasing me and I never should have left - I just need a ride." he fumbled, sparing a glance over his shoulder at his fuming pursuers. The two in the vehicle looked at each other before the officer in the driver's seat narrowed his eyes at Kai. "What do you mean, you shouldn't have left? Where did you leave, kid?" Kai sucked in a breath before spilling. "Vernon's house. I left Vernon's group house." He stated, suddenly finding the pavement at his feet extremely interesting.
The younger looking officer in the passenger side pointed a finger at him, shock written on his features. "Y-you're Kai Smith!" He said, turning back to his partner in silent confirmation. Kai nodded, watching their faces as they looked at each other again. They wouldn't just leave him now would they? He was one of their missing kids, didn't they have to take him with them? His fears were quieted when the one in the driver's side unlocked the doors and nodded to the back.
"Get in."
Kai grinned for real this time, slipping his soaked body into the backseat of the police vehicle. "We'll have to take you to the station first until things are squared away." The officer continued. Kai slouched off his backpack and nodded in consent, he couldn't bring himself to care any longer. Surely Mrs. Vernon would send him away after all of this. The officer in the passenger seat rolled his window back up eyeing the three men now retreating from the sidewalk. "Hey Clarke, what about them?" He asked the elder officer.
Clarke put the car in drive and began driving down the block, windshield wipers working furiously. "Send Wrackley to follow them, he ain't busy." The old officer shrugged before glancing in the rear-view mirror at Kai and raising an eyebrow. "They didn't hurt you none, did they son?" He queried. Kai shook his head before realizing the officer's eyes were back on the road. "No. No I don't think they did." the boy stated, shivering as he closed the air conditioning vent above him.
The pair hummed in acknowledgment before silence fell between them. The other officer, Bodie, called another officer on the radio and alerted him of the three crackheads' position and that they had found Kai. After that, none of them said more than a few words until they reached the police station.
Mrs. Vernon was waiting for them.