Brian woke up that morning to find that Lea and AJ were both gone. He had some work to do at the studio, so he got dressed and left. He locked the door behind him, and started down the hall.
AJ was suprised when she reached up and grabbed his hand. They were making
a trip to the store together so they could pick up a few things. He began
to swing her arm back and forth and she giggled and skipped a little to
keep up with him.
For some reason, he glanced over his shoulder. There were two mean looking
men behind them. AJ quickened his pace a little, feeling edgy. He held
Lea's hand tightly in his own. Looking up, he saw a woman in a business
suit standing at the store entrance. He looked back over his shoulder,and
Lea glanced up at him."What's wrong?," she whispered.He stopped long enough
to see the men break into a run. He scooped her up in his arms and dodged
cars to get across the street.
"What's the matter?," she asked, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck as
he ran. He shook his head. When he glanced back, he realized the men were
gaining on him. That's when a voice shouted,"FREEZE!" and he stopped dead
in his tracks. He put her down as she clutched his leg for dear life. Tears
filled her eyes as the woman stepped forward,"I'm Ms.Romez from Social
Services," she said, extending a hand. He glared at her. "The little girl
has been turned over to us. Neighbors in your apartment called this morning.
We understand you've been hiding her for a few days," Ms.Romez said. Lea
buried her face in AJ's chest and began to cry.
"Please," he whispered,"Don't. We can take care of her. She's trusted us
not to let anything bad happen to her."
Ms.Romez smiled sadly,"I'm afraid we have no choice. Lea,please come with
me." Ms.Romez held out her hand as Lea grabbed for AJ's and pulled him
down to look into her eyes.
"You promised me," she whispered,"Brian promised me nothing bad would
happen. I don't wanna leave."
He shook his head as he took both of her small hands in his.
"Nothing bad is gonna happen to you,Lea.I promise. But I don't have a
choice now-we have to do what they say,or we could get into more trouble,"
he whispered.
"But they'll send me home! He'll beat me again!," she screamed. Feeling
tears fill his own eyes, he hugged her tightly just before Ms.Romez took
Lea by the arm and pulled her away.AJ could hear the little girl's
screaming voice as she begged him not to send her away.
He knew right away that he had to find Brian.
Brian was standing in the studio when Donna walked in,looking panicked.
"You're landlady just called me. AJ and Lea were being followed to the
store by social services. They took Lea," she said. Brian felt the room
tilt. "They took her?," he choked out. Just as he looked up,AJ walked
into the studio. Angry, he lunged at AJ as Donna cried out.
"YOU did this!!," Brian roared, as he sucker punched AJ in the
stomach. AJ stumbled back, a hand to his side as Brian dove at him again.
"I didn't do anything! I couldn't stop them!," AJ shouted. Nick, who had
been in another room, came rushing in.He grabbed Brian and pulled him
back away from AJ.
Brian glared at AJ before shrugging Nick over and telling AJ,"You should
be ashamed of yourself." Then he stormed out of the room.
What happens next? Find out in Chapter 5.
Get your own Free Home Page