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two: a night at the station

*A/N: This book contains triggers. Proceed with caution.

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When the kids got their food, they practically inhaled their sandwiches.

I had called Leigh to let them know that we might be a little bit since Pez had to make an arrest. I heard him say his name was Michael Colón and the bags he carried didn't have food in them.

He had gloves, trash bags, and a gardening shovel. He was obviously high on something, but it was clear what his intentions were.

What scares me is what if we didn't come back in time and the kids were gone? What did that man put them through? What were they exposed to? Only one way to find out.

The first one I spoke with was Lauren. Erick cried because he's not used to being from his sister, but he ended up falling asleep on the bench outside of the room.

"Hey, Lauren. Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?" I start off and she plays with her recently washed hair.

"I'm 6 years old, about to be 7 in June. I like the color red," she then pauses and shrugs after a second. "Where do you live, Lauren?" She says nothing, tapping her fingers on the metal table nervously.

"It's okay, Lauren. You can trust me. I just wanna help you." She studies her clean hands, closing and opening them repeatedly. "Lauren?" Her head shoots up, "Hm?"

"Do you live close to the park?" She nods hesitantly. "Do you know your address?" She shakes her head, and goes silent again. I don't speak either, just looking at this little girl in front of me.

A part of me wants to take them in.

I read about what happened to their mother, Rose. She was a drug addict that unfortunately overdosed last year. Their father was a convict of several despicable crimes. A deal of them possibly involving these kids.

All I'm gonna say is I hope he rots in prison.

"Lauren, I need you to talk to me, sweetheart. You're not going to get in any trouble, I promise," I say gently as she stares down at her lap.

After a few moments, quiet sniffles are heard coming from the small girl. "Lauren?" She lifts her head to look at me, her green, bloodshot, and watery eyes break my heart. "C-Can I leave, please?" Her high pitched voice stutters.

She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "I w-wanna go home."

"Where's home, Lauren?" She doesn't answer, just looks as if she'd start bawling. "Th-Th-The playground tunnel," I sit back with my heart full of dread.

"I wanna leave now," she sniffs before burying her face in her hands and weeping hard. "I don't wanna be here," she sobs.

I instinctively get out of my seat and approach her. She whimpers and backs away before falling onto the floor. I go over to help her, but she scoots back frantically. "Don't hurt me. Please, don't hurt me," she begs, hands up in defense.

I've only been working in Child Protective Services for almost three years. I specialize with smaller children, being that I'm one of 6 case workers that work for this part of Houston that kids seem to warm up to the best.

I've had children cower from me or reject me, but Lauren's reaction really concerns me more than anything.

"I promise I'm not gonna hurt you, Lauren. I wanna keep you safe. You and your brother." She stays in place, but seems to be a little less tense. "You want some more to eat? Something to drink?"

She doesn't answer, instead she just stares at me with watery, green eyes. "I-I want my mommy," she whimpers before crying like a newborn. I want to hold her tight and let her cry it out, but I'm afraid to scare her any more than I did before.