Safe?

Chapter 27

“We think you are, but I’m going to stay here for a while to make sure…”Agent Lawrenson sounded more confident now that we had dropped the embarrassing topic of the video leakage.

“I imagine we’re no longer in the Witness Protection Program now, so what’s our status?” I enquired.

“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Davies are your legal guardians until your eighteenth birthday, so you’re both  going to stay here…” He answered. “The only change is that you’re back to your real names.”

“Unless you get adopted…” Mr. Davies intervened.

“Hmm…” I raised my eyebrows at his suggestion. “I’m not sure many people would be willing to adopt two soon to be seventeen year old teenagers with the type of baggage we carry with us…” I answered sarcastically. 

“That’s a big no for me, anyway.” Ben said determinedly.

“Are you sure you don’t mind having us at your place?” I asked Mr. and Mrs. Davies, dropping the previous topic.

“Positive, Sweetie…” Nancy was quick to answer.

“It’s just… I don’t want to cause trouble with your friends or your business, Mr. Davies.” I added.

“Do you even know what I do for a living, Emily?” He asked with a real smile.

I shook my head.

“I’m a lawyer.” He went on. “A lawyer specialized in Child Protective Services.” He added. “That’s how I met Mrs. Davies who was already a very efficient social worker at the time…” He added smiling fondly at her.

“Oh…Ok.” I muttered, feeling silly for not having bothered to ask what my host’s job was.

“You said you wanted to be practical, Sis.” Ben was back to business. “So how do you feel about school?”

“Oh Ben,” Nancy exclaimed. “Your sister probably needs some time to …” She seemed hesitant. “Well, to digest everything…” She turned to me. “We could even get someone to come here if you’d prefer…”

I frowned at how overprotective she suddenly was.

“Has the School contacted you or something?” I asked feeling suspicious.

“Why? No, they haven’t…” She looked taken aback.

“Oh!” I insisted. “Do you think they will, then?” I raised my eyebrow at her questioningly.

“Why would they call us, Emily?” Mr. Davies asked.

“Well, I don’t know… To ask me not to come back because I would tarnish their reputation or something…”

“Say that again, Lily?!” Jax gasped. “What are you all about?”

“I don’t know, I thought that’s what Mrs. Davies meant…” I started.

“Nancy just wanted to make sure you didn’t feel pressured to go back there, that’s all, Emily.” Mr. Davies explained.

“Oh, ok…” I felt suddenly very stupid. “I think I’ll just go back tomorrow…” I shrugged.

“Are you sure, Lily?!” Steven looked horrified.

“Well, yeah… I mean, why wait?” I asked as much to myself as to them.

“Are you sure you’re up for all the looks and the whispers?” Steven insisted.

“Well, I don’t think it will be any different if I spend a week here, will it?” I replied.