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One Mistake

The next day, Ashton met with a different officer, apparently a higher-ranking one.

One that could send Ashton to prison.

Ashton cautiously approached the desk. She couldn't be a wisecracking kid gang leader. She had to be at least moderately respectful

"I hear you commented on one of our officer's, um, dietary problems." He cracked a smile. "He was just hired on, but trust me, I can tell too."

Ashton let a laugh escape her lips, then quickly corrected herself by coughing. That just made her laugh harder.

The officer noticed and started laughing too, just a little. Then, his face got serious. "I hear you threw a rock at the the bakery."

Ashton's nodded.

"While an officer was in it."

She nodded again.

"Could you tell me why? I promise it won't be put in the records." He made a motion to cross his heart.

Ashton hesitated. "A friend was in there." Her voice cracked.

"What was he doing in there?" He asked, his kind voice not wavering.

"Making sure we didn't starve." She looked at the top of the officers desk and traced her finger across it.

"Was he stealing?"

Ashton nodded. She instantly felt like she has betrayed Jonas.

The officer saw this. "I don't take promises lightly." He told her. "Nothing is going on any report."

"Will you arrest him?"

"Well, after I release you, the police force will be surprised to know that I decided to resign." He smiled a little. "After that, I'll have no  more obligation to make a report of any kind."

Ashton was so happy, she wanted to hug him. And she hadn't hugged anybody since her parents had been sober.

Her happiness manifested itself in the form of respect. "Thank you, sir." She whispered. He didn't hear her.

Half an hour later, Ashton stood outside the police station. She hadn't brought anything in, so she had nothing to bring out.

She oriented herself. Years of stealing from this town left her with an internal map of the town. She walked towards the shelter.

She thought she saw Jonas along the way. She waved, Then realized it wasn't him. She blushed, embarrassed.

She continued on, and ducked beneath the new window of the bake shop. She didn't want to be seen there again. Ever.

Four blocks later, she knew she'd left something important. She suddenly realized her necklace was still at the police station. The one that all the boys had carved their names into. They all had one. That was enough for the police.

A horrible feeling gripped Ashton. She had betrayed her group, but not in the way she thought she had.

She had given the whole group away.

She buried her face in her hands.

And cried.