"How old are you?" He asked

"Why does it matter to you?" She narrowed her eyes at the police man stood before her.

"Because your evidently drunk, high, and look like you're about 12." The officer replied calmly. "And I'm pretty sure if I look in those jeans pockets there will be drug baggies." He continued.

"Just arrest me then!" She challenged. He looked at her, she was just a kid, flat, knotted, greasy light brown hair. Her sweater and ripped jeans dwarfed her slender figure. Her face was dirty, bruises on her wrist which looked like finger marks. But he could see the sadness within her eyes, yes her pupils were dilated due to the drugs, but she had seen things no kid should have seen. He could tell. "You still haven't told me how old you are?"

"14"

"You got a name?" He asked.

"Depends who's asking."

"I'm Hank, Hank voight and you are?"

"Erin." The girl said.

"When's the last time you ate a full meal Erin?" He asked and the girl looked at him confused. In fact he'd confused himself. He wasn't known for being a caring person. Not when he was working anyways. His wife Camille might say differently. But this kid, there was something about her.

"Let's get you something warm to eat." He said. It wasn't the middle of winter yet but it was October, you could feel the chill in the air and she was only wearing a thin sweater and jeans. "Only if you don't call DCFS, I do fine on my own, I have a guardian before you ask. I don't have any money for a diner. Plus I can't be seen talking to the police." She told him. He was in plain clothes but had a CPD jacket on. He took the jacket off and put it in his unmarked car. "I won't call child services, you have my world and dinner is my treat, if anyone asks you can say I'm your uncle or something."

Erin ordered a coke and a burger and devoured it hungrily, as if she hadn't eaten all week Hank thought. Although, to be honest considering how thin she was, maybe she hadn't. Even in the diner Erin seemed anxious, she chose a seat from where she could see the whole restaurant and kept glancing around. "Where do you live Erin?" Voight asked.

"My mom always told me not to give my address to strangers."She replied, not giving anything away.

"Smart girl" he chuckled then continued " you said you had a guardian?"

"My mom, but my cousin Charlie is a better one." Erin told him. Thinking that saying Charlie was her cousin rather than boyfriend would sound better. She knew that adults always frowned upon teenagers having relationships with those over the age of 18. Charlie looked out for her, if it wasn't for Charlie she would be all alone, she wouldn't have met her best friend Annie and she wouldn't have be able to make any money. True, he took most of the money from the drugs but gave her a place to sleep and he loved her, at least that's what he always told her. And he wasn't violent, not like her mom and whichever 'uncle' happened to be at her moms that week. Well not usually, Sure he'd yelled a few times but he very rarely laid a hand on her, unless she was making out with him of course.

"Erin have you got drugs on you now?" Voight asked. Erin got defensive "what is this? Be sweet to me. Buy me food then arrest me?" She said cynically. "Erin I'm not going to arrest you. You seem like a good kid. But I want you to be a CI?"

"What the hell is a CI?" Erin asked narrowing her eyes.

"A confidential informant or criminal informant. It basically just means if we need information we think you might know you help us out in exchange for things you need."

"Like what?"

"Money usually, not arresting people. That kind of stuff. I want to help you Erin"

"Why?"

"I dunno, you seen like a good kid. I'll drop you back where I picked you up. Here's my card. Call me if you need anything." Voight said after paying for their meal "anything Erin" he gave her a small smile before dropping her off. She gave him a small smile back as he drove off and he noticed how her face lit up when she smiled.

Hank and Erin met up a few times in the following few weeks. She never gave him any information he needed but he enjoyed spending time with her and wanted to keep and eye on her. There was something about this kid. Camille had some clothes to donate to goodwill. Once Hank told her about Erin she picked some out for her. She finally had a coat. Essential for late Chicago fall. Previously he only ever seen her wear the same thin, blue sweater.

"H...Hank...is. Is that you?"

"Erin?" Hank asked. She'd never rang him before. Especially not at 1am. She didn't sound right.

"It's Charlie. He...he...I don't know but he's trying to hurt me...I locked myself in the bathroom...I'm afraid he's gonna kill me."

"Open the fucking door Erin. I'm not fucking done" Hank heard Charlie yell on the other end of the phone. "Hang on Erin, I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll keep talking to you on the phone." He told her as he threw on some clothes. "Are you hurt."

"Yeah, well a little, my arm but it's not too bad. I'm okay, I'm just scared"

"I'm on my way Erin. I'm in the car and I'm going to put the lights on. Hold on..." there was a crash on the other end of the phone and then nothing. He knew he needed to get there now!