Survival

Chapter One

Madeline and Officer Jones 😍

Madeline's POV

Blood. Blood everywhere. The metallic smell has taken over my senses. Looking around I drop my volleyball bag and let out a blood curling scream, alerting my neighbors through the open front door.

My family payed there in the living room in a pile of blood. My littlest brother was only three, he was wrapped in my mothers arms. i heard thumping upstairs and a man's voice. "Sounds like little Madelines home. Shall we grab her?" My eyes widen as I tried to get up off the floor quickly, slipping on the blood slightly before catching my footing and running out the front door.

My neighbors were all huddled in a group outside my house. Dropping to the ground as soon as I was close to them knowing I'd be safe. A chorus of gasps sound as they take in my form, covered in blood from slipping on it.

The men came running out of the house after me before taking off down the road after seeing the crowd. My street was filled with cop cars within 15 minutes. Who knew I'd be an orphan before dinner time. I should've let them kill me too. How am I going to live without my family.

I was whisked away from my childhood home, away from the memories, away from my family. The cop car pulled up to the station. Not being able to focus on anything just being pulled and pushed like a toy. I was pulled down the hall before being ushered into a conference room. Alone. Not only physical but alone mentally. I had no thoughts. Just a blank mind. Tears streamed down my face. I. Was. Alone.

The door opened and I tried my hardest to look up, to acknowledge the person that just walked in. "Miss Woods, would you like to speak now?" Sniffling and wiping my nose I nod. About 9 people entered after I agreed. Two in formal attire the rest in police uniforms. The formally dressed began first.

"Miss Woods, we want to first offer our condolences. Your parents were the sweetest all the time. We've been looking and it doesn't seem like you have anyone available to take you in, your parents didn't leave a will for your care either." As if remembering once again I was alone tears threatened to spill out.

"I... I'm 18 in a week, I don't need anyone. I'll - I'll get a job. My parents were only children and my grandparents are dead. They're all dead. I'm alone." The silence in the room was deafening. "Well Miss Woods, unfortunately, we can't allow that. You must be placed until you're legally 18. But right now you also need safety. We don't doubt these men will be back to cut loose ties. You're the only one that can make sure they go to jail. They'll make you disappear. Therefore you need an adult. We'll just have to do a further search. There has to be someone in your family, somewhere." The tears finally broke the surface. "I have n-no one." Looking at my lap watching as tears fall and stain my pants wet.

"I'll do it, I'll take her in. Plus she'll be perfectly protected having a cop there." I looked at the man who was speaking. I never noticed him before. The other cops quickly frowned at him in confusion. As if just realizing what he agree to his eyes widened, confused and shocked. Mike, the police chief spoke up. "Actually Officer Jones that's a really good idea. If our officers will be posted to her anyways, there's no point not to let her be in the care of one of my officers. Officer Jones here is the newest to the force, but the highest ranked in the academy. He would definitely be the man for the job."

The lawyers looked at him with squinted eyes before glancing at each other. "Let's take five. We need to discuss this with family services." One by one they left letting me know they'd be back soon. Not more than a minute passes before Officer Jones walked back in carrying a bottled water and a doughnut. His shaggy brown hair falling slightly out of his ball cap, his greenish blue eyes looking at me, seemingly trying to figure me out.

"I u-uh brought you a drink and a snack." I gave him a small smile though it never reached my eyes and it only lasted a second. "Thank you Officer Jones." He nodded and after turning around to leave he paused. "I'm sorry if I messed our lives up, you just looked broken and I imagined my sister and I couldn't stand you saying you were alone. You're not anymore Miss Woods. You have me." He looked at me and his eyes held mine before he masked all emotions with a stone cold face and walked out.

What's going to happen to me? How am I going to survive this?