On the Run

Found

TW: This is going to be sad. There's a death, and the cause is currently unknown.

You wished you picked up the phone faster. Maybe it would've prepared you for this.

But nothing can prepare anyone for bad news. No matter how hard you try.

You turn away from the scene as the police cover the apartment entrance in yellow 'CAUTION' tape. Energizer and Arsenal are on your side, solemn.

You'd finally found her, Aria's mother. After months of searching, following leads, long, sleepless nights, and early mornings, as well as breaking up multiple trafficking rings, you'd found her.

Or, you found her body.

"She's gonna be heartbroken," Energizer mutters, fist tightening.

You shake your head. "She's gonna be more than that."

"You want me there?" he asked.

You scratched your hair, feeling pain behind your eyes. "This is something for me to do."

A pause drifts between the three of you.

"Will she take it well?"

You sent him a look. "Would you?"

"She doesn't deserve this."

"No one does."

"She's been dealt the worse hand of life," Arsenal finally says.

You make eye contact with each other, a steely determination covering the sadness. You each make a silent vow.

Aria will never suffer again. Her childhood will be filled with happiness, laughter, and joy. She won't cry unless it is necessary.

...

"Aria?" You call quietly. She turns, noticing your tone. Her heart stops.

"Yes?" she answers, voice shaky from fear.

"Can you come here for a minute?"

She shuffled over to you in trepidation. Her heart beats fast in her chest, almost constricting.

"Hey, no," you start, getting down to her height. She didn't even feel her eyes watering.

"Am I in trouble?" she sniffles. "I'm sorry."

"No, sweetheart! I'm sorry for making you feel that way."

Her sniffles stop. "Really?"

"Yes! You've been great."

"Oh."

You bring her into your warm embrace, helping her calm down.

"I'm sorry, baby. It's bad news."

"Are you giving me away? Are you not adopting me anymore?"

"What?!" you exclaim, eyes widening in shock.

"Do you not like me anymore?"

"Oh, baby..." you murmur. You scoop her in your arms, squeezing her tight. "I couldn't give you away, even if I was forced to. I just couldn't. I love you too much."

Her little eyes widened, and a flush clouded her cheeks. She fisted your shirt, pulling back to see your face.

You love her? The same way you love Oliver and Kya? How? You hadn't known her that long. Why would you love her anyway? She wasn't much. She was quiet and shy, she wasn't like Kya, nor was she like Oliver, who seemed to brave up around you.

"I..." she trailed off awkwardly, looking away from your eyes.

"You don't have to say it back," your eyes soften down at her shyness. "I'm just the lady who's decided to take you in. Don't worry about that other stuff. Just know that there's is no way I could give you up. Not now, not ever."