I immediately gasp as I see Halley. Her normally beautiful skin is covered in bruises. "Halley, what the hell happened?" I yell, probably waking up half the seniors on my floor.
Next she says three words that tear my heart apart and make me tear up. "It was Dad."
Tears fall down my face and I have to shove my head between my knees to stop from passing out. As soon as the black dots disappeared I lifted my head up and started talking to Halley. "Can you tell me what happened?" I asked.
"When I got home from school yesterday Dad was drunk. He was saying something about losing his job, then he hit me. He hit me a lot," She sobs quietly.
"Okay Halley, is he there now?"
"Yeah, he's passed out downstairs." she answered.
"Okay, I want you to move your bed in front of your door and I'm going to call child services." I told her.
Halona looked very, very scared. "Am I going to have to have a foster mom?" She asked.
"Of course not," I replied, "I'll get full custody and you can come up here."
"Then I can meet Ranger!" She exclaims happily.
"Yes, you can meet Ranger," I replied, laughing. It's funny how she can make me laugh, even in the worst situations. I end the call with her, and open a new window on my laptop to look up Los Angeles child services. I use my cell phone to call the number.
"LA child services, how may I help you?" A lady answered.
"There is a child who was beaten; her father is passed out downstairs. She is at 2193 Baker's Avenue." I said hurriedly.
"Alright ma'am, we'll send police over right away. How did you find out?" She asked.
"I'm her mother. I live in Trenton, New Jersey, but I was just video-chatting with her and she told me all about it." I replied, my voice wavering slightly.
"Oh dear. Are you going to ask for full custody?" she asked.
"There is no way I'm not."
"I'll write down your number, and call you back when we find out what will happen," She said.
"Okay," I replied
I tell her my name and number and call Halley back.
"Mom, it's the po-po!" Halley exclaimed.
I laugh yet again. I seem to be doing a lot of laughing. "You know, you're taking this amazingly well."
"Well, the coppers are here, so I figure I'm okay," She said.
"Hard to argue with that logic. By the way, you may want to move the bed back."
"Oh come on! I just moved it!" There is a sound from downstairs, the police coming in and Chogan waking up. It sounded kind of like a dying bear. "He sounds like a dying bear," Halona adds. Is that ESP or what?
Quickly, Halona moved her bed back to it's original position, wincing because of her bruises. She also winces when she walks, and walks funny. As soon as the bed is moved, the door crashes open and two police officers come in.
"Hey," she said, and waved. Only Halona. The cops holster their guns, and start talking to her.
"Miss, you'll have to come with us."
"'Kay." She walks over to the computer. "Bye, Mom! Talk to you later." she hangs up. I sit there numbly for about half an hour, when my cell phone rings. I pick up immediately.
"Is this Stephanie Plum?" The same woman from before asks.
"Yes. What's happening?" I ask.
"Well, you need to sign some papers, then you can get her. Do you want to fax them or do you want to come down here?" She asks.
"I'll come down. What are they doing with Chogan?" I ask.
"Well, he's in a holding cell right now. Because of his past problems, the bail will be set pretty high."
We made arrangements for me to come to california to sign papers and get Halona. I was ecstatic, but I was worried about the extra costs, and raising a child. It's a good thing I started working for Rangeman, doing searches and distractions. I still did some lower bonds for Vinnie sometimes. I'd have to get a different apartment, one with two bedrooms. Maybe I'll ask my parents for money to go to California. My parents and Grandma Mazur absolutely love Halona, so it probably won't be too hard.
"We're getting new company, Rex!"
Hey Guys! I know that's a terrible ending, but I had to end it somehow! I just really want to get to Halona being in Trenton.
I'm also starting a new smutty story soon! Yay!
Toodles for now!
XxBabeLoverxX
