Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Seven: Halloween

It was Halloween. And it was Mikey's eighth birthday. Lauren had woken up early and called a bakery. He was getting a cake, he was getting presents, he was getting a birthday. Lauren helped them get ready. Mikey didn't know what day it was and was oblivious as they walked out to 'run errands'.

Maia was skipping ahead, as usual, with Lauren chuckling at her daughter's exuberance. Mikey was clutching to her hand, tightly. He was always nervous when they went out, and he still got tired easily. Lauren couldn't wait until she got, because she wouldn't let her worst fears win to think she wouldn't, custody of Mikey. Then they could drive, explore, and they could take daily walks. To get his strength up, to expose him to nature, and to just love him without fear he would be taken away and given back to those horrid people.

"Where are we going, ma?" Maia asked skipping back to her mother's side. "Are we going to the beach soon?"

"The beach?" Lauren asked, surprised. "Maia it's October."

"Well...it's still warm out here...and we could go before we can't." She said in a wide grin.

Lauren chuckled and nodded. "Yes, you're right. Maybe tomorrow."

"Oh! Yay!" Maia jumped up and down.

Lauren smiled. She started her job the day after, and she still didn't know who to leave the kids with. She couldn't leave them with her mother...and she could leave Maia with Mikey...but she was only eleven. And what happened if Mikey needed her.

"Ma..."

"Yes?" She looked down to Maia who pointed to Mikey. Mikey was having a hard time breathing as he watched an old man with a cane up ahead. The man was yelling and waving his cane around. Mikey stopped and looked up at Lauren. He held out his arms instantly and Lauren picked him up and held him close. "It's okay." She whispered in his hair.

He nodded but hid his face in her neck. Lauren kissed the side of his head and walked on. She gave the old man a dirty look as they passed. Why were people so cruel? She'd always noticed it before, but especially now that she was trying to comfort a very traumatized child. People were ruthless.

She walked to the bakery and in they went. "Oh!" Maia said and smiled up at her mother. "Is today Halloween?" She whispered.

Mikey lifted his head up and looked fearful at Maia. "H-h-h-Halloween?"

Maia looked troubled. Lauren nodded and sat down in the corner, people were staring as Mikey started saying no over and over again. "It is, baby, but I won't hurt you." Mikey stopped and looked up at Lauren with intense fear. "You're not the devil, remember? Remember how I told you that your birthdays would be celebrated?"

Mikey nodded a little. Maia was sitting in the next chair. She put her hand on Mikey's back. "Mikey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Maia, babe, you didn't. His parents tortured him and made this day like this. But we'll change it." Lauren said. She looked down at Mikey. "Baby, I promise. You're not going to be punished anymore. This day is a good day, your birthday is going to be celebrated and you're going to have a cake and presents..."

She felt a tear fall down her cheek, and she gave the people staring a dirty look. They went about their business. An older lady was watching, still, with a weird expression. Lauren watched as she approached with a box. "I'm sorry to interrupt." She said.

Mikey looked up at her, tears still falling fast on his face. Maia looked to her mom to see how she was reacting and then looked curiously at the old lady.