Speechless (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

                There was a mess of chaos around me but all I could see was Harry. It was like the time in the lunch room, but this time instead of students blurring around him there were police officers and instead of a lunch room we were in a police station. Harry’s eyes were locked on me as he was escorted roughly into one of the interrogation rooms his hands still chained behind his back. Lucy and Finn stood by my side and I held Tobias tight in my arms. I refused to let the police take them away from me. Without their mother or Harry they had no one, no one but me.

“Ma’am,” A small woman spoke placing her hand on my shoulder making me jump.

Turning around to face her I smiled weakly. She wore a police uniform, and her red hair was pulled into a tight bun on the top of her head.

“I’m Officer Zimmer,” She spoke her hands following her words in sign language; “I need to interview all of you as witnesses.”

I nodded and set Tobias on his feet, his arms instantly went around my leg.

“I’m still a minor and they don’t have a legal guardian without their mother.” I signed back shrugging. I had watched enough crime shows to know that a parent or guardian needed to be present whenever a minor was questioned.

“We have a woman coming in from social services to act as the Styles’ legal guardian for the duration of Harry and Jessica’s arrest.” Officer Zimmer explained as she began to lead us away from the commotion of the entrance area of the police station.  “and as for you, your mother has already been notified and she isn’t required to be here because you are not a suspect in the investigation only a witness, but she is on her way over to pick you up.”

I nodded and took a shaky deep breath, “can my mother act as their legal guardian?” I asked with little hope.

Officer Zimmer shook her head, “No, I’m sorry.” She opened a door to a small room and nudged us inside, “without next of kin it falls to the state to take care of these kids.”

I nodded again trying to keep my composure. I didn’t want this to happen; some social worker wouldn’t understand them like I did. They wouldn’t understand this family without knowing the nitty gritty details of their lives. The room she had guided us into was plastered with rainbows and colorful paintings. Toys, books and games were scattered across the floor and a small table was stationed in the middle

“An officer will wait in here with the three kids,” she explained, “we’re going to the next room so I can take your witness statement.”

Glancing down at Lucy, Finn and Tobias I felt a lump form in my throat. The fear that each of them was feeling was written across their faces as plain as day. They knew less than I did about what was going on and they were going to be left alone with some stranger to act in their need.

Kneeling down in front of them I signed, “I need to go into the next room and tell the police women what happened tonight. You guys are safe here, there will be someone coming to take care of you. But I promise that I will come back as soon as I can.”

Lucy and Finn nodded slowly their eyes dropping to the floor. Tobias instantly reached his arms out to me and wrapped them tight around my neck.

“Gene, pwease don’t leave.” He whispered in my ear through his tears.

Squeezing him tight first them pulling his arms off me I signed back, “I’ll be back real soon okay big man?”

Tobias nodded his bottom lip extending out and shaking as he cried.