The Lost Girl

Chapter 20: Parents or Lack of Them

Ben's POV

That night I was lying the couch. I looked over at Josh and Quinn on the floor. Josh's eyes were wide open.
"Do you wanna switch?" I asked. Josh looked up at me.
"Sure," he replied. I nodded and rolled off the couch. Josh passed her over to me and I settled down with her on my chest. Josh threw a pillow at me and then a blanket. I placed my head on the pillow and covered Quinn and I with the blanket.
When I woke up the next morning, it was two hours before the visit. I shot up and Quinn woke up.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"They're gonna be here soon," I replied.
"How soon?"
"Two hours. Get up," I said. Quinn laid back down as I got up off the floor.
"Tell me in an hour," she said as she rolled over.
"Quinn, get up. This is serious," I said as I tapped her ankle.
"What's going on?" Josh asked. He lifted his head from the couch.
"I'm trying to get Quinn up so she can get ready," I replied. Josh dropped his head on the couch again.
"I will dump water on you, Quinn," I said. She sat up and glared at me.
"You wouldn't dare," she said. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup. As I filled it up with water she ran into the kitchen. "Okay so you would dare. But I'm up."
"I know. Look, go find something thst fits or make what you're wearing look nice and go brush your teeth and brush your hair," I said.
"I'll brush after breakfast," she said as she opened the fridge. Josh came in groggily as I dumped the water back into the sink.
"That's wasteful, Ben," he said.
"Josh, it's just water. I've seen you do that yourself," I replied.
"Okay, well that's a warning."
"Get some coffee," I laughed.
"Josh, we're about the same size. Can I borrow a shirt?" Quinn said.
"Sure, if you can find one," Josh said as he make a pot of coffee. As Quinn left the room there was a knock on the door. I opened it to the social worker and a couple.
"Hello," I said.
"Hi, I'm Leanne from social services. I'm here about a girl that was found by Ben Fankhauser," the social worker said.
"Ben, is that the social worker?" Josh asked from the kitchen.
"Please come in," I said stepping out of the way so they could come in. Josh ran into his room then into Ben's.
"Where's the girl?" She asked.
"She is getting dressed," I replied. Then Josh's door opened and Quinn came out wearing Josh's clothes and putting on the suspenders he used for Newsies.
"I couldn't find a belt, so I guess these will have to do," she said, not looking up. She slipped the straps onto her shoulders and looked up at me. "What?"
"Hello, you must be Quinn," the social worker said.
"Y-yeah, who are you?"
"I'm Leanne. I'm here with social services. I have your parents here," Leanne said. I saw Quinn draw back from them.
"They aren't my parents. That's my aunt and her new boyfriend," Quinn said after she had a few moments of silence.
"Are you okay?" Ben asked. I looked up at him.
"I-I don't know," Quinn said.
"Ben, can I talk to you somewhere private?" Leanne asked. I nodded and led her out to the porch.

Quinn's POV

Seeing my aunt made me remember one of the worst nights of my life.
"Veronica, I'm so glad to see you," my aunt said. She took a step towards me and I backed away. Josh was still in the room and he went right over to me.
"Quinn, its okay," he said.
"She can't take me. Please don't let her take me," I said. I hugged him and didn't want to let go.
"Quinn, it's up to the social worker weather or not you leave. But, Quinn, I don't think Ben will let that happen," Josh said. He rested his head on my head. Then Ben came back in with Leanne.
"Quinn, I just finished talking with Leanne. We think you should have trial week with your aunt. I won't be there and it won't be right away," Ben said. I nodded.
"I think that's a good idea," I said a little slowly.
"This outrageous. I shouldn't have a trial week with my niece. I'm taking her home right now," my aunt said. She grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me away. I clung to Josh as best  I could. I even wrapped my legs around him.
"Stop!" He shouted.
"Ms. Cartwright, you have to go with the system if you want her back," Leanne said. "We are fully prepared to give Mr. Fankhauser custody of Quinn if you do not cooperate."
"Fine," my aunt sighed and let go of me. Josh carried me into the kitchen while she fought loudly with Ben and Leanne.
"Is she really going to take me away?" I asked quietly.
"I don't know," Josh said. They were yelling at each other and I couldn't take it anymore. I ran out of the kitchen and into Ben's room.
"Quinn, what are you doing?" He asked. I didn't say anything. I hugged him and stayed in his room until Ben came in.
"Quinn, you're not leaving right now. We're suspending the trial for a little bit. Please don't be afraid," Ben said as he came in.
"I-is she gone?" I asked. Ben nodded. I ran over to him and gave him a hug.
"Not yet," Ben said.
"Okay, this is my apartment. I have the right to kick her out," Ben said as he got up. I watched him from Ben's arms as he left.

Ben Cook's POV

I left my room to go kick Quinn's aunt out. If she made Quinn scared she couldn't stay. I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the door. She smacked me and I kicked her back. We got into a full blown fight.
"Stop!" Quinn shouted. We fought up until a door a slammed shut. Someone pulled me off her. I looked at the door to see that no one was there.
"You two caused her to leave," Leanne said. She looked so disappointed in us.
"It was all his fault," Quinn's aunt said.
"You're the one that made her scared in the first place," I retorted. Her aunt glared at me.
"Ben's gone too," Josh pointed out.
"I'm going to call him and see why they left," Leanne said as she pulled out her phone. She stepped outside and then the front door swung open. There stood Dan Deluca, back from his trip.
"Why was Ben leaving the building in a hurry? And who was he with?" Dan asked as he took off his sweater. I looked at Josh.
"Go on, Ben, tell him," Josh said. He pushed me towards Dan and I forgot where we had moved the coffee table. I tripped over it and hit my head on something hard.