CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: AUSTIN

"First Officer Simon, I need you to take a step back from him," Sophia said as she walked in front of me, putting a distance between officer Simon and me.

"This isn't any of your business, Sophia, stay out of it," Officer Huston said as he took a step towards Sophia to pull her out of the way, but Leo got to her first, blocking him from getting closer to her.

"It's best if you listen to the lady and back up Officers, we both know you don't want to cause a scene," Leo growled as he stepped in front of Sophia, his large physique preventing Officer Huston from getting to her which made him quite annoyed judging from his expression.

"Leo, it's okay, I can handle them," Sophia said as she placed her hand on Leo's shoulder, causing him to move to the side. He turned to face her, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, it's fine, go stay with the others,"

"OK, Sophia," Leo answered as he turned to walk away, then that idiot Huston thought it was a good idea to threaten Leo.

"You should listen and walk away, boy. You wouldn't want me to lock you up like that jailbird over there," Officer Huston said with a huge grin on his face, making me want to punch him in the face, but that would only get me in trouble, so I decided to keep my emotions in check.

"You don't want to poke the sleeping bear Houston, because the only thing stopping that kid from hitting you is me, so if I were you, I would be very careful with what I say next," Sophia warned as Leo came to stand beside me, his fist clenched by his side as he glared at Officer Huston.

"I see you've taken in more strays, Sophia." Officer Simon said, his gaze sweeping over Leo, Shane, and me.

"Who I take in is none of your business Simon, so let's get back to the real reason you're here."

"Like Huston said, it's not your business, Sophia, so move out of the way."

"How old are you, Austin?" Sophia asked as she turned to face me. I was confused as to why she was asking me that now, but I answered her anyway, assuming she had a reason for the question.

"17" I replied

"You hear that, Simon, he's seventeen, which means you can't talk to him without a guardian present," Sophia explained, which was correct, but I didn't have a guardian because my mother was in the hospital, so what was she trying to accomplish?

"His junkie mother is here, he has no one." Officer Huston said, and he had a stupid grin on his face that made me want to punch him for Insulting my mother. Just as I was about to lunge for him, Leo grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.

"Believe me, I want to hit him as well, but it will give him a reason to drag you out of here,  so just trust Sophia."

"Leo is right, let's just let Sophia handle this like she said," Athena added as she gently squeezed my hand, then I felt Shane wrap his little hands around my other hand, and I looked down to see him glaring at the two cops, anger visible in his eyes, which surprised me because he is always so carefree and happy.

"Insulting a sick woman, just when I thought you couldn't be any more of an asshole, Huston, you give me more reasons," Sophia said, which made Officer Huston glare at her.

"Listen-" Officer Huston was about to say something when Officer Simon interrupted him.

"Huston, stay out of this, I'll handle it," Officer Simon said.

"That's a good boy, listen to your partner and let the grown ups talk," Sophia said, and we all burst out laughing at her statement, causing Officer Huston to glare at us.

"It wasn't funny, so why are you laughing?" Officer Huston asked, still glaring at us

"It was kinda funny, Officer Huston," Sophia said, causing Officer Huston's face to turn a dark shade of red, he looked really pathetic, to think I was scared of him when I was a kid.

"Guys, he kinda looks like a tomato," Shane signed, and it took everything in us not to laugh; even Sophia found it hard not to laugh at Shane's statement.

"You brat! What does that mean?" Officer Houston asked, his gaze fixed on Shane, who ignored both him and his question.

"Insult any of us one more time, and I'll give you a good reason to be angry," Leo said, his body visibly tense as he glared at Officer Huston.

"Now listen here-"

"Huston!" Officer Simon yelled, causing Officer Huston to flinch and take a step back, "Sophia, don't make things difficult, just give us the boy and we'll go our separate ways."

"Not going to happen, Simon," Sophia said, pointing to Austin, "that boy is under my care, so if you want to talk to him, I will have to be there."

"It's not like he's your kid; why are you being so hard headed?" Officer Huston asked.

"I may not have given birth to him, but he is my kid by association Huston, so we can keep arguing or you can be civil and get what you came here for," Sophia said, her brow raised and pulled together as she glared at Officer Huston.

"If you're so determined to be there while we question him, come with us." Officer Simon said as we followed them to a quiet corner in the hospital waiting room. "Take your seat, the rest can wait over there,"

"We're staying with them or no one gets questioned." Leo stated in a firm tone, causing the other two officers to glare at him, which he ignored.

"I don't have time for this, do as you please," Officer Simon said as he took his seat, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

"I'll be right here," Sophia said as she took my hands in hers, giving me the courage to face these assholes.

"Can we get started?" Officer Simon asked, and I nodded, my heart racing. He then began questioning me about the events leading up to my mother's shooting.

"Could you tell us where you were before the shooting?" Officer Simon enquired.

"I was staying at my friend Leo's house because my mother's new husband beat the shit out of me after I got out of juvie," I explained.

"So why were you at your mother's house then?" Officer Simon inquired,

"I needed some things from the house, so I went to get them, and that's when I found her shot, laying in her own blood, so I called the police."

Officer Simon scribbled some things on his notepads while I was speaking, then set his notepad down and asked, "Did your mother have any enemies or anyone who would want to harm her?"

I shook my head and said "Not that I am aware of, I was gone for a long time, but when you find her bastard husband, you can ask him."

"We're looking for him as well because he appears to be the reason your mother was shot."

"What!"

"Your stepfather owes some bad people money, so they came after him but found your mother instead"

"Fucking hell!"

"Does your mother ever learn?" Officer Huston said, forcing me to face him, pure rage coursing through me as I spoke.

"Officer Huston, the only reason I'm answering your questions is because of Sophia, but if you insult my mother one more time, I'll respond to your provocations."

"Watch your tone boy, or else"

Or else what, Huston? I dare you to finish that sentence," I said, ready for whatever he wanted to do to me because I was tired of taking shit from him.

"That's enough from you, Huston, we're here to help, not fight them." Remember that, Huston."

"Yes, Sir"

"We're done for the day, but if we need you, you'll have to come down to the station with your guardian," Officer Simon said, his gaze falling on Sophia.

"No problem, Sir," I replied.

"Okay then, I'll see you all later because I know this won't be the last time we meet, and Austin, I wish your mother a speedy recovery."

"Thank you," I said as Officer Simon walked out of the hospital with Officer Huston, who remained silent as they left.

"Good riddance," Athena said as she sat down in front of me, "how are you doing Austin?"

"I don't know, I'm just trying to get my shit together"

"It's okay if you can't handle everything dear, you've been through a lot, just let everything fall into place," Sophia said as she tightened her hold on my hands, a small smile forming on her face.

"Thank you so much for your help, I couldn't have done it without you." I said feeling extremely grateful for their help because without them, I don't know what I would've done or said, and that bastard,Officer Huston, might have gotten his way and dragged me out of here in cuffs.

"That's what family is for; we look out for each other," Sophia said.

"Family" I repeated, stunned by what she said.

"Yes, dear, you think what I told Officer Simon was a lie; you kids are now in my care, and I will protect you as I do Athena," Sophia said with a small smile on her face

"I don't know what to say," I admitted as I looked at Leo and Shane, who shared my stunned expression.

"Do we have a say in all of this?" Leo inquired, his expression amused.

"Nope," Sophia replied, sticking her tongue out at him.

"I've never had an aunt before; that would be great." Shane signed, his face beaming with joy as he looked at Sophia.

"Even if she is a bit overprotective?" Leo joked, which caused Sophia to punch him in the arm.

"I'm not overprotective, I just care a lot,"

"And that's why we love you, Sophia," Athena said, pulling Sophia into a hug and kissing her on the cheek.

"And I love you as well, let's go get some food, I'm starving," Sophia said as she took Shane's hand in hers and we all walked out of the hospital to get some food for lunch.

On our way Shane used the opportunity to tell Sophia everything about himself, which was so damn cute watching them interact with each other.

Several hours later...

Sophia had to go to work after lunch, so she left the diner before us, and since it was Monday tomorrow, I had to persuade Leo and Athena to take Shane home, even if they were bent on returning to the hospital with me on our way back.

But, after much convincing, they agreed to go home but promised to return as soon as school ended to be by my side. When I eventually agreed they dropped me off at the hospital first.

"Bye guys, see you tomorrow," I said as I exited the car, closing the door behind me.

"Take care of yourself, bro, and if you need anything, give us a call, and we'll be here." Leo said his tone is firm, leaving no room for arguing.

Sometimes he reminds me of an old cell mate I had in juvie who was much older than me, and he always made me promise to come get him if anyone tried to bother me.

"I promise, guys, I'll call if I need anything."  I said, turning to Shane, who had a sad expression on his face, "Little man, you will get to see me tomorrow but promise me you will take care of yourself and them while I'm not there,"

"I promise Austin"

"Thank you, little man," I said, turning to Red,"don't give me that look, Red."

"I'm not doing anything, but if you keep your promise to call if you need anything, I won't have to beat your ass."

"I will do as the lady says," I said in a British accent, which made her laugh, and after they left, I walked into the hospital. I was about to go ask the receptionist for directions to my mother's room when I ran into Stephen.

"Hey, Kid, how are you doing?" Stephen inquired, a worried expression on his face, "Better than before, Sophia made sure I was okay before I came back"

"That sounds like her; I'm guessing the others are nearby."

"No, I sent them home because tomorrow is Monday and I don't want them to miss classes because of me."

"Oh, I'm sure it took a lot of convincing to get them to go home"

"Yes, but they only accepted because they forced me to agree to let them come over after school," I explained, and a small smile appeared on his face, replacing his worried expression.

"Your mother will be fine, kid; don't worry too much." Stephen said, as if he knew I was still worried she wouldn't wake up.

"I'm trying to believe that Stephen, but it's hard,"

"It may be difficult to believe, but that doesn't mean it isn't true; she will get better, based on what her doctor said."

"Thank you very much, Stephen, for looking after her."

"No worries, would you like me to take you to her room?"

"Yes, I think I'm ready to see her now."

"All right, let's go; I'll drop you off before returning to my rounds."

"I appreciate it, Stephen."

"No need to thank me, kid, come on let's go" Stephen said as led me to the elevator and we rode it up to the third floor.

He went to talk to the nurse at the reception desk of the ICU department after we exited the elevator and said a few words to her, then her gaze met mine and she gave me a sad smile before returning to their conversation.

When they finished talking, Stephen came over to where I was standing and said, "Nurse Sam will take care of everything, kid, you can spend as much time as you need with your mother, I've talked to her."

"Thank you, Stephen, I appreciate your support," I said, thanking him for the millionth time for everything he had done for me today because it wasn't his job but he did it anyway, he is a really nice guy, and he deserves to be with Sophia.

"It's all right, kid, I have to go now, but take care of yourself."

"I will, take care, man"

"Bye," Stephen said, leaving me alone with Nurse Sam, who approached me with a small smile on her face.

"Come with me, dear, we need to get you sterilized before we go see your mother."

"All right, ma," I said as she led me to a small room and gave me instructions on what to do. I did everything she said, which took about fifteen minutes, and then I was ready to go see my mother in the ICU.

"You can go see her now; her room is the last one on your right at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you, Ma"

"It's okay, dear, as Dr Stephen said, you can spend as much time as you want, now off you go," Nurse Sam said, and I gave her a grateful smile before walking in the direction she pointed at.

I walked through the sterile white hall of the ICU department, the fluorescent lights weren't that bright so it was difficult to see where I was going, then the realization hit me as my heart began to ache again, knowing that my mother was in a coma as a result of that jerk's actions.

Like Nurse Sam had said, I found my mother's room on the right at the end of the hallway where the lights were brighter; her name was also written on a tag in front of the room, making it easier to find.

When I walked into the room, my gaze was drawn to the still figure lying in the hospital bed. The machines beeped rhythmically, monitoring her vital signs. My eyes welled up with tears as I saw my mother on the bed, vulnerable and helpless.

I took a deep breath and sat in front of her bed, and took her hand in mine. "Mom," I said quietly, my voice breaking. "I'm here. I'm sorry for what happened to you, I should've been there."

I sat in silence for a few moments, gathering my thoughts. Then I spoke again, my voice firm and determined. "But I promise you, Mom, I'm going to find out who did this to you and I'm going to make them pay"

I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead gently. "Just hang on, Mom. You're a fighter, and you'll get through this. And when you do, everything will go back to normal."

My hold on her tightened as the image of my step father flashed through my mind; this was his fault; he made her this way, and I will keep my promise to her and make him pay dearly for the pain he is putting her through.