I jerked, eyes wide as I spotted a woman who didn’t look all that much older than I was. I blamed that on the fact Icouldn’t see much of her face, since my eyes were drawn to her very colorful clothing. The colors swirled and mixed together as she walked closer.
“No, I think you mean to say that to yourself.” The woman stated, stopping feet in front of the social worker. “Is that really the way you talk to a person who has obviously been through hell and back, more than once?”
“I’m doing my job.”
“Not well.”
That left the social worker with an open mouth, at a loss on what to say. I’d have laughed at the sight, seeing a man being put in his place. But the only thing I could manage was trying to make myself even smaller, eyes flickering between the two as my heart began to beat a bit too quickly in my chest once more.
“He…it’s all true though.”
“You aren’t in charge of my nephew’s wellbeing. You never should be telling someone they can’t recover from something.”
But he had been right. What I went through wasn’t something I would heal from. I knew that deep down. I didn’t see the point in so many people trying to care or help.
I swallowed as the tears started again.
I jerked, my elbow hitting the glass behind me, as the lady knelt down in front of me, keeping a bit of space between us. With her closer, I could see the wrinkles around the edges of her bright eyes, but otherwise she was just as young as I first thought.
I had to blink the tears that wouldn’t stop my vision, long since given up trying to appear normal.
“Hey there, sweetheart.” She shifted enough to put herself between me and the man who was mumbling into his phone angrily. “Koda, right?”
I managed a small, barely there nod. At that little bit of motion, her face broke out with a gentle smile that reached her eyes.
“You probably think I’m some crazy lunatic, which really couldn’t be too far from the truth. But I’m Dawn. Your dad’s stepsister, to be more precise. I met you, like when you were maybe three or four.”
That would explain why I didn’t remember her at all. I didn’t remember my parents, either. I couldn’t recall the last time one of them hugged me, or talked to me. Not that either of those things happened. If at all since I couldn’t remember any of it.
“Your parents were never a fan of me. Well, truthfully, the entire family wasn’t. I’m the odd member, and I’m better off without any of them. But you….when I got that phone call I knew in my heart that I had to come. Even if you don’t want to come with me, I totally understand. I’m nothing more than a stranger to you. Which is expected. But it’s what family should do. So, here I am.”
I blinked, tears sort of drying on my face. She was not what I expected, that was for sure.
“You’ll certainly have a long road to recovery, but that’s okay. Nothing I’m not scared of. I have a bedroom that can be all yours. My place is in the country, and I’m mostly the only person out there. Well, across the street is an older couple, and a nice sweet old lady next door. Both of which won’t be a bother to us.”
“He’s not allowed to leave this place with you. Even if he chooses that,” the man huffed, stepping back into focus, and making Dawn stand to her full height.
I sniffed back a laugh. She was tiny standing in front of the man who had definitely already decided to hate me. Yet, her attitude was at least twice his size.
I think I kinda liked her.
“I know the laws. As long as my house passes inspection, I pass a background check, and he agrees to go without me forcing him, Koda can leave with me. And to let you know, I have all that set up already. As long as it’s followed through within thirty days, of course.”
The social worker only huffed, not impressed. I on the other hand was. No one had stood up for me like this before. Not another slave. No adults. I had always had to just go with whatever, agree with whatever, just to hopefully not be hit.
“I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, Miss. Koda is not stable enough to go anywhere, least of all with you. He needs a stable round the clock care.”
Dawn scoffed, shaking her head.
I needed anything but that. I was more than capable of caring for myself.
Slowly, I slipped away, my feet not making a sound. Neither person saw me, making it even easier. The tears made it hard to see where I was going, but anywhere was better than where two people were fighting over me.
I didn’t care where my feet took me, as long as it was away. Away from the pain. Away from the sorrow. Away from a life I didn’t have.
My choices were already taken from me. It wasn’t going to be any different now.
Sooner or later…well my life really couldn’t get any worse than it already was. A few days away from being a slave boy, being forced to serve, would be coming to an end. I knew it, as did that social worker.
