If Not Now, When? // Book 1

Chapter 27: Mar 25

Chapter 27: March 25

There was a knock on the door. I got up to answer it. No one was there, but the black car was still sitting on the nature-strip. I poked my head out the door, looking for anyone who may be hiding about. Maybe I was hearing things? I went back inside and closed the door. As soon as I turned my back there was another knock. I opened the door again, annoyed with whoever was at the door.

Standing in front of me was a tall man in a black suit.

"Miss Amiri, I'm here to take you and your brother to our local foster care centre." He said.

"Why? We are perfectly capable of looking after ourselves..."

"Legally, anyone under the age of 18 must be taken into foster care."

"No, no, we're over 18, I'm just looking for a job so I can start paying bills."

"Miss, our records say you were born in June, 2002, and your brother in March, 2003. You are not yet 18, so you must come with us."

"No... please..."

"Miss. Amiri"

"No, no, no, no!" I slammed the door closed, locked it and ran. I rushed into Shannon's room. "We need to go. Now!"

"What, why?"

"They've come to take us into foster care, Shannon, let's go, don't grab anything, we just need to go!"

"Alright, I'm coming!" He yelled.

We jumped out the window, climbed over the fence and started running down the road. We ran, faster and faster, until we came upon an alleyway. We sat against a wall, debating what to do next. Do we change our names and run away? Or do we stay here, escaping the police, stealing from shops until we get caught?

We had made a decision, but as I got up, I was taken by the collar, by the same man from before, being dragged away, hands bound together, into a car. Shannon was taken as well. We sat in silence as we drove for hours to the foster care centre. Yeah, 'local' my ass.

Once again, shoved into a tiny room with nothing but a bed and clothes. The window had bars on it to stop people from getting out. I looked outside so I could get a feel of my surroundings. I recognised this spot. We were at least 5 hours from Blue Murry, in Eldhambark.

This was it. I'm never going to see my friends again...

---

Again, I woke up crying. As I laid there, attempting to muffle my sobs, I must've woken Sheldon up, because I felt a hand slide around my neck.

"Shh, shh, it's okay..." Whispered Sheldon as I buried my face into his neck. "Another bad dream?"

"Yeah..." I whimpered.

"What happened?"

"There.. were people who came to get me and Shannon... to take to a foster care centre..." I choked. "And we tried to run away, but they caught us... we got taken to a centre in Eldhambark... I knew I'd never see you guys again..."

"I'll make sure that never happens."

"Promise?"

"I promise..." He started twirling my hair around his fingers. It was silent for a moment, until Sheldon started singing to the tune of Check yes, Juliet by We the Kings. "Run baby, run, don't ever look back..."

"They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance..." I whispered.

"Don't sell your heart, don't say we're not meant to be..."