The Lake | BxB

-26- Comeuppance

Disclaimer: The legal proceedings, terms & events in this chapter may not be realistic! I do not work in the police force so do not know how these things work, so for story reasons just go with it haha! Happy reading <3.

...

Just as Romeo was giving up hope a beautiful sound filled his ears. Normally this sound was one associated with corruption, violence and fear, but right now. In that moment it was like an angel was calling out. Sirens had begun blaring from behind them as bright headlights flashed along with blue a red lights.

"Shit" Scott swore under his breath beginning to speed up dramatically, he'd already been speeding. Hence why he was being pulled over, but this made it even worse. The sirens only got louder and began to multiply as the car whizzed down the highway. Romeo was sent careening into the footwell landing with a crash as the car went extremely fast. From where he was lay Romeo couldn't see the speedometer, but he assumed it was well in the 100s by now, probably more.

"Fucking pigs. This is your fault Romeo!" Scott hissed weaving in and out of other cars dangerously, Romeo then heard a crash and was jolted sideways in the already confined space letting out a muffled, unintelligible yell. The car grinded to a halt but not by choice, it seemed to be struck from the side. Loud voices filled the air as bullets began flying through the car windows shattering the glass dramatically. Romeo shut his eyes as Scott rushed out of the car.

Hurried footsteps became briefly audible before more gunshots rang out followed by an agonising scream. They'd shot Scott. Good riddance whether he was dead or alive. The next thing Romeo knew the car door was ripped open.

"There's a boy in the back! Minor I think" A cop called out. Romeo felt strong hands undoing the restraints around his ankles and a second later his hands, before he knew it he was being wrapped in a blanket and ushered into a cop car. Everything was happening so fast. There wasn't any time to process anything.

"Hey honey, how old are you, what's your name?" The officer sat beside him asked, she had brown hair and friendly green eyes. Romeo felt safe with her.

"Romeo... Romeo Swift. I'm 16" He explained, despite feeling safe with this particular cop he knew he couldn't trust them all, he also didn't actually want to be with them in that moment, sure it was better than being in a hole in the woods not breathing anymore stone cold. Yet being with cops and being this vulnerable didn't feel remotely good either.

"Did you know that man?" She queried. This nearly made Romeo laugh, of course he fucking didn't. He shook his head making the cop in return nod. "Can we take you back to your parents? Since your a minor we'll need them to be involved rather than yourself. We'll come to you for key evidence but your parents will need to be present after at all times" She explained calmly.

"I've ran away" Romeo answered coldly.

"Okay, we'll take you back then" She decided giving a small thumbs up to the driver, they began heading the direction Romeo had come from. They must've looked his name and age up on some database and found his home address, this was confirmed a second later.

"Your mother Sandra Swift?" The driver asked stonily.

"yeah" Romeo muttered, he couldn't go back there. "You can't take me back!" He pleaded desperately.

"Why not?" The cop beside him asked narrowing her eyes.

Romeo hesitated then lifted his shirt. He hadn't even seen the damage himself, but the gasp of horror from the cop confirmed it didn't look pretty, glancing down himself Romeo cringed slightly. His entire torso was basically black, blue, purple and red. Misshapen, battered and swollen. It looked nasty, but Romeo could tell looking at it he hadn't broken anything, thank god.

"It's a- a 217" The cop in the back reported to the one up front, Romeo rolled his eyes. She could've just said child abuse.

"Do you have any relatives we could safely take you too? Or friends?" The driver asked logically.

"I do, this is the place" Romeo answered passing his phone forward. For the rest of the drive the cop next to him asked invasive questions getting the entire lowdown on his parents and what had happened that day plus night. She had barely finished the extensive questioning by the time they pulled up to the Summers house. It really was a sight for sore eyes.

The cops walked to the front door with him knocking loudly on it, since it was the middle of the night it took a moment before the door was actually answered.

"Oh my god- Hello officers, Romeo darling, come in" Mrs Swift said in surprise wiping the sleepy dust from her eyes. She was clad in pyjamas and a dressing gown clearly having not expected the cops at her door.

The group made their way into the living room Romeo remaining silent. Footsteps soon sounded from the stairs and Gabriel burst round the corner followed by Mr Swift who had evidently gone to get him.

Gabriel rushed over to Romeo giving him a massive hug and kissing his cheek gently. Romeo shut his eyes embracing the hug and kiss, it felt so nice to be in Gabriel's arms again.

"Are you okay?" He asked. "P-probably a stupid question" he added sheepishly.

Romeo just nodded allowing Gabriel to lead him upstairs whilst Mr and Mrs Summers spoke to the cops.

"Ro, p-please talk to me. What- what happened?" Gabriel asked softly his eyes filled with concern.

Romeo ignored him instead just staring out in front of himself, he'd nearly just been murdered, he'd considered killing himself, he'd slit himself open, he'd nearly lost the love of his life. He'd been brought here in the back of a cop car, he'd told cops about his parents. It was all a lot to process. So much had happened in such quick succession.

Seemingly sensing Romeo just needed silence and comfort Gabriel cuddled close to him softly stroking his back.

After a few hours of deliberation downstairs Mrs Summers came up to them entering the bedroom gracefully.

"The cops have left now Romeo, are you okay with Gabriel being here when I tell you what they've said?" She asked kindly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Romeo just nodded, remaining silent. "So, they've told me what happened, all of it. The man Scott was arrested and will be taken to court accordingly, your parents are also being arrested as we speak. You may have to attend both of these court proceedings if you're summoned by either party, but the cops said in cases of abuse like this that is avoided if possible" she explained gently.

Romeo just nodded again, he could feel Gabriel's eyes on him. Trying to understand or figure out what had happened. The Summers family were taking this rather well considering it was the middle of the night and he'd just been brought here by cops.

"We've also. Signed some documents, if it's okay with you, and you can say no. Me and my husband, are going to become your legal guardians until you turn 18. So legally we'll be responsible for you. Is that... okay with you? I know it might be a bit odd considering you're dating our son, so if you don't want you can-" She began but Romeo cut her off with a weak response.

"That's fine" He mumbled not looking up. Mrs Summers nodded before standing up. She was so much like Gabriel, ranted on and on to try make sure whoever she was speaking to was happy.

"Goodnight boys, sleep well" She whispered shutting the door softly behind herself. Romeo immediately shut his eyes not even wanting to discuss this with Gabriel. They could talk in the morning. He needed rest.