WARNING!

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS IMPLIED SEXUAL CONTENT!

Chapter 9

It wasn't until nightfall when Zane returned Kai to Krux's house. Zane was amazed by how much the boy had grown. While he wasn't a hundred percent the right state mentally or physically for someone his age yet, the brunette had put on some weight and the dark circles had faded from his eyes. While they were out Zane was happy to see Kai had picked up more words. He had definitely seemed to improve since Zane had seen him last night.

It was truly mind-boggling.

Zane and Krux were now in the kitchen while Kai was watching Sesame Street on Krux's old fashioned TV.

"Kai sweetie, you can watch TV for a few more minutes then it's time for bed," Krux said with a smile before walking into the kitchen where Zane was waiting for him.

"I just can't get over how well he's doing, you've really got a gift, Dr. Saunders." He said before taking a drink from the coffee he was given.

"I suppose I can empathize." He smiled weakly. "I was a very sickly child myself and always wanted children of my own but I guess it just wasn't meant to be." He explained, letting out a sad sigh. Zane frowned slightly but didn't say anything. "Now, I hope you've noticed that Kai's quite fond of... touching himself?" The older man asked nervously. Zane blushed slightly as the embarrassing memories flooded his eyes.

"Yes, I'm afraid he's even done it in public a few times."

"But you've tried to stop him?"

"Yes we have but you know Kai, he has a mind of his own."

"But children are like sponges and they copy what they're taught to do."

"Not always," Zane argued and his frown deepened. "Linguistically speaking, the seeds of language are there from birth and the only way for a child not to develop language is to... well, do what Kai's parents did and isolate him completely."

"And you think the sexual instinct works the same way?"

"I'm afraid that's not really my field of expertise," Zane replied, trying to steer the conversation anywhere else. Krux hummed in thought and just nodded slowly...

Zane growled as he fidgeted in his seat with Jay sat next to him, looking just as upset as they sat in Garmadon's office. It had been almost a week since Kai had been quarantined at Krux's house and Garmadon had called them all to his office. When they asked who, he said he had some devastating news for them. What happened next made Zane and the others felt like a bomb had hit them.

"Krux Saunders is accusing me of molesting Kai." Dr. Wu said sadly. "I went over there yesterday to check things out and Krux told me I could take Kai out to the park." He continued. "We were gone for the entire afternoon and when we finally got back Kai's hands were a bit musty from the wind, Krux looks right at him, and well..."

"He's completely out of his mind!" Jay shouted.

"I can't tell you how I felt; I mean a charge like that?!" Dr. Wu exclaimed to his brother. "I am the last person in the whole world who would do anything like that."

"Well, who'd believe him?" Zane glared.

"Yeah, you practically saved Kai, everyone in this hospital knows that and you've always treated that boy like he was your own child!" Jay hissed in anger. Garmadon and Zane nodded in agreement.

"It doesn't matter." Dr. Wu sighed in defeat. "Even if it was proven false the charges would still stick, people would always wonder; I do really care about that boy but you know I don't think I have any choice but to quit the team."...

The next very morning Zane went to confront Krux by himself. As far as he knew the others or the teacher didn't know he was here. As he knocked on the door he saw Kai waving at him through the window again.

"Kai, could you open the door for me?" He called to the boy, only to get the same reaction as last time.

"Just one-second sweetie, I'll be right back," Krux said as he stepped outside. He closed the door and walked up to him, already knowing why he was here.

"What's going on?" Zane asked as calmly as possible.

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to see Kai today." He said as he tried to lead Krux off his lawn.

"What-"

"Your visits are tiring him." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Since when?" Zane glared, feeling his anger boiling. "And since do you decide who he sees and doesn't see? You're not his guardian!" He exclaimed. As they continued to argue, Kai's smile dropped and he stopped waving as he stared at the two people from the window in fear and confusion. Zane was the only one who seemed to notice. He wanted to try and defuse the tension, but Krux wouldn't let that happen.

"Well as a matter of fact I've applied to be just that and until Social Services make their decision Kai is to remain in my custody." He grinned before walking away.

"Dr. Saunders, don't you realize what you're doing?!" Zane shouted in desperation. "You are cutting him off from the rest of the world again, it is like he is right back in that torture house he grew up in!" He exclaimed. Krux scoff in offense and stormed towards his door. "First Dr. Wu and now me, who else?! Are you gonna go on holding him hostage for the rest of his life?!" He cried. Krux didn't say anything else and sent the younger man a smug smile.

With that, he slammed the door shut and locked it.

Zane sighed and looked back at the window to see Kai's sweet smile before Krux angrily pulled the curtains back...