Have Some Hope

Chapter 3

We walk the short mile to Kai's house. We are under umbrellas so we don't get soaked.
I sit on the floor in front of the couches. We came into the basement in case Kai's parents decided to come home early.
Everyone else piled onto the couches.
"Okay. So what is it? Who do l need to beat up?" Valley asks quite seriously. She cracks her knuckles and I flinch.
' I'm going to try something. It may not work but I'll try.' I write on a sticky note.
Okay. I can do this. I got this. And for the first time in three years, I spoke.
"I na-need ga-halp." I say.
(I need help.)
I look down. The record I hadn't broken for three years was now broke in just three words.
I look back up at my friends. Kai has his mouth dropped open and the rest have similar expressions of delight and awe.
They all take a moment to collect themselves. It is funny seeing their reactions.
"What do you need help with?" Meadow asks. Rain nods her head at me.
"My dad abl-abuses me." I manage to get out. Tears come to my eyes once again. It's really embarrassing to talk. And especially to ask for help.
"We can call the police." Rain suggests. The others nod and so did I. I don't think I could go back to that house if I tried.
Kai gets out his phone. He dials the number and calls.
The phone call:
Dispatcher: 911, what's your emergency?
Kai: Hello. I have a friend whose father abuses her.
Dispatcher: Is she with him currently?
Kai: No. She is at my house with some friends.
Dispatcher: We will send a couple people down there. What is your address?
Kai: 2984 Dillon Dr.
Dispatcher: Okay they will be there shortly.
Kai: Thank you.
End of call
"We should go upstairs." Chip suggests. He grabs my arm and pulls me up the spiraling staircase.
The others follow and we all sit in the kitchen. We talk about who I'd get adopted or fostered by to pass time.
"KNOCK! KNOCK!"
" It's the police! " A female officer yells from outside. Meadow goes and opens the door and leads the officer and case worker to the kitchen.
"What is your name?" The officer asks. I write ' Hope' and give it to her.
"I like that name!" The case worker says.
"So where do you live?" The officer asks. I wrote down my address and gave it to her.
"What has your dad done?" The case worker asks. I write down ' hit, kicked, yelled, threw, and stopped making sure I had everything I need to survive.'
They asked a few more questions and then said, "Okay. Well we will go over to your old house. Stat here until we come back." The officer says.
They both leave and get into the cop car. They speed off into the dark, rainy night.
We wait for a while. Rain and Chip make cupcakes. Me and Kai play a board game. Meadow sings to music we have on and does her homework. Valley sits watching Rain cook.
"KNOCK! KNOCK!" Chip opens the door and lets them in. They sit down at the table.
"You can have a cupcake if you want." Rain said to them. They both grab one.
" Your dad is in jail. We saw the condition of the house and when we went in he started screaming your name and trying to beat us up, we knew we couldn't let you go back there. "
I nod. I didn't really want to go back anyways.
"So we best get to introductions. I'm Mindy. Your case worker." Mindy says and puts out her hand. I shake it and look at the officer.
" I'm Officer Hankins. " Officer Hankins says.
"Mindy and you will go to your temporary foster home after you go and grab your stuff." Officer Hankins says. I nod.
" Later guys! " I manage to say without stuttering, my voice still wobbly and gravelly. My friends say bye and wave. I walk out with Mindy and get into the cop car.
I sit in the backseat and buckle my belt. The drive isn't too long, only about four minutes.
I walk into my house and grab my phone charger, clothes, and a couple of other valuables. I follow Officer Hankins out and get back into the cop car.
Mindy turns around to face me as Officer Hankins starts driving.
"You will be staying with a lady named Sadie until you get adopted." She said. I nod and look out the window. It stopped raining but it is still really cloudy.
We pull up at a house close to the library. Mindy and I get out. I knock on the front door. A lady opens it.
"Hi. You can go to your room." She says bluntly.
" It's the first one on the right. " She says. I nod and head to the bedroom.
The floor was carpeted with black and the walls were white. It is a very lovely home. I walk into the room and put my stuff on the bed.
I look around. There is a wooden desk with paper and pencils in it. The bed sheets are blue with a green blanket. There is a huge dresser and a little closet. I put my clothes in the dresser and closet and the put my suitcase under the bed.
I walk back into the living room. Mindy and Sadie are still talking so I sit on the ground and watch Hell's Kitchen. After about ten minutes I fell a tap on my shoulder. I look up and see Mindy smiling.
"I'll see you tomorrow after school Hope!" She says and waves as she walk off.
" Tank you! " I call after her. I look over at Sadie.
I wave. I yawn and look at the time. It's eleven fifty-six.
"You should go to bed." Sadie says. I wave back and walk to the room. I change into my night clothes. I walk into the bathroom and brush my teeth then go back to the room. I plug in my phone and lay on the bed. I soon fall asleep.