Betrayal

Chapter Two: Dirty Paws

"Thank you," An officer nodded to another before bringing the can over to me, "Watermelon Arizona tea straight from the furthest gas station on 38th," The officer looked at me weirdly, "I know what you're doing," He sighed. I looked up concerned, "You're trying to waste as much time as possible... Kid, I don't blame you. I'm not your caseworker but I can guarantee they're gonna put you in a safe place okay?" 

"I don't want a safe place, I wanna go home," The officer looked at me worried.

A woman walked through the doors and was met by the officer, "I'm Veronica Hams, Aza McGrath's caseworker." 

The officer greeted her as they spoke for a moment, "Ready to go Aza?" I looked at the Officer then at her simply standing up. 

"You'll be staying in one of our orphanages till we can get you into a foster home," She pulled up in front of a white house on a hill with a swing and a single light one. 

"Welcome, Aza," Another woman greeted with a smile, "Everyone's already asleep but let me show you your room," She opened a door to a big but dark room. 

"Thank you," I muttered and immediately closed it behind me. I feel against it crying till I heard some rustling across the room. 

"You okay?" I heard a boy's voice. Turning a light on I saw his disheveled brown hair fall in his face, "Aza?" 

"I'm fine," I muttered angrily.

* * * 

I wandered around the big white house for four days. No one really talked to me and I didn't really talk to anyone. The early afternoon had me sitting on the porch watching the little kids push each other on the swings, "Aza?" 

I turned around to see Veronica, "Where will it be this time? Veronica?" 

She took a deep breath, "Your biological father flew in to take you back with him." 

I looked up at her and shook my head, "Yeah tell him to get a refund on that second ticket, I don't wanna see him." 

"Aza," I stood up seeing the man in a black button-up and slack walkout. Tattoos covering his arms and sprawled up his neck.

"Who's..." I looked at Veronica. 

"Aza, I'd like you to meet your father, Kai," Veronica stepped aside. 

There was no denying this guy was my dad, but that didn't matter, "Huh, cool you can leave now," I said sitting down my back facing them. 

Veronica went back inside as Kai sat next to me on the steps, "I know you don't wanna see me but-"

"Your right I don't wanna see you-" 

"Z, I just-"

"Don't call me that. You haven't earned that right."

"Alright, Aza... I just need you to come with me. It's not safe for you here." 

I looked over confused, "Those guys aren't gonna find me." 

"Aza, they already did," He looked out at the kids then back at me, "It wasn't my choice." 

"Hm?" 

"I didn't want to give you up Aza..." 

I looked down at the peeling paint on the wooden stairs, "Kai?" 

"Hm?" 

"Is my mom... is she... a good cook?" 

Kai laughed a little, "No not from what I remember." 

"What?"

"Your mom left about a month after you were born. She transferred to some fancy prep school in California and I never saw her again. I tried rasing you Aza. I really did. I tried to do homework while you napped. Study while you fed, but I was gone for seven hours a day and couldn't be around enough for you. I felt like I was neglecting you and I couldn't give you the life you deserved."