With Me (2) Chris Sturniolo

1.

The police station was full of activity. Men and women in uniform all over the place, walking around like their doing important stuff or their standing around talking like they have all the time in the world. We were sitting here for hours and no one has told us anything.

I hated the police station. I've been in plenty over the last year and it never gets better- the anxiety never goes away, and neither does the pit of dread that sits in the middle of my chest. The only reason I'm sticking rooted to my seat instead of flying out of here as fast as my legs can take me is Chris.

After the arrest, Mike, Nate and Madison picked up the twins from their friends house like Chris asked, and took them to Mike's house for his Mom to watch. Mike showed up a bit letter with Madison and his Dad, Jerry. Of course Mike went to his dad for help, since we needed an adult and Chris didn't have one to turn to.

After Jerry showed up, Nate showed up with his Dad, Brian. The adults spoke to the police about Chris and the rest of us sat waiting.

I sat up and studied them, and it didn't look like it was going well. Brian was running his hand through his hair like Nate does when he's frustrated.

After a while, Jerry was led away and Brian came back over to us.

"What's going on?" Nate asked him

"Chris is in holding right now. They can't question him without an adult and a social worker, and we're trying to figure out who that is" Brian explained, going through his phone.

"They can't question him without a lawyer! Shouldn't he have one?" Madison asked

"He doesn't need one because he didn't do anything" Matt defended. "He has eight alibis, even the guy at the pizza place!"

Brian ignored Matt and stood up. "I'll call a lawyer. He should be here soon"

And then, he walked away to make his call, leaving the rest of us to worry.

Half hour later, a professional looking man walked into the station and Brian stood up to shake his hand. They spoke to officers, who took the man, who I'm assuming was the lawyer into the back room.

Callie was talking to Jack in hushed tones. Madison glared at everyone in the police station, and looked like she was trying her hardest not to punch anyone who looked at her wrong. Mike was beside her, talking to Nate and Brian about what's going on. And Matt was beside me, tapping his foot off the floor.

After a while, I can't take it anymore and I slapped my hand on Matt's thigh. "Stop!" I snapped

"I know I'm irresistible, but now is not the time" Matt said

I pulled my hand back, in no mood for his jokes right now. He stopped tapping, but I didn't feel better. What's taking so long? Chris didn't do anything. This should've been dealt with already, right?

The minutes ticked by painfully. Callie's parents call, then her brother came to pick her and Jack up. We promised to keep them updated.

We've been here for what felt like hours. It was ten o clock. Why has the active in the station not calming down? The phone hasn't stopped ringing. The last time I was in a police station, Martin found me and I had to give a statement, which was useless because he's still looking for me.

It was after eleven when the lawyer and Jerry came back out, not with Chris. The dad's spoke for a while with some detectives and then the lawyer and Brian leave with two officers, leaving us all confused.

Jerry headed over to us, looking tired but less angry.

"They're keeping Chris in overnight" Jerry said before we questioned him. "While they check his alibi"