Chapter Six!
Eric Camden turned the corner onto Krad Street. Behind him were two other cars, following him. In one car was Officer Matthews, a local cop who was a good friend of the Camdens and in the other car was Alice, a social worker from child services whom Eric had met from the whole process of adopting Ronnie.
Eric had spent about half an hour on the phone, making arrangements and now, they were on their way to remove Chad from the dangerous situation.
Ronnie had wanted to come, to try and explain to Chad how sorry she was, but Annie and Eric both thought it would be better if Ronnie stayed home.
"Chad's father will get very angry Ronnie. I don't think you need to see that." Annie had said. Ronnie had gotten angry and had stormed off to her bedroom.
Eric knew she wasn't angry at them, she was just upset and worried about Chad.
Eric pulled alongside the rundown old house that Chad lived in, and Eric was immediately reminded of Ronnie's old house and the horror he had found there.
"Okay, you ready?" Officer Matthews said when he, Eric and Alice were standing outside the screen door. Eric sighed.
"This is never easy." He commented as he knocked on the door.
Chad was the one who answered the door. He looked at Officer Matthews and Alice unsurely, and stared at Eric.
"Reverend Camden, what are you doing here?" Chad asked in a low whisper. Eric sighed as he looked into the innocent eyes of the abused boy; the eyes that reminded him so much of Ronnie's
"Chad, we need to speak with your dad." Officer Matthews explained. Chad's eyes widened as he heard heavy footsteps behind him, approaching quickly.
"Who is it?" Luke Delano slurred as he pushed Chad aside roughly to see three unfamiliar figures staring at him.
"Who the hell are all of you?" Luke asked. Officer Matthews took the initiative to step forward.
"Mr. Delano, we've come to place your son under the care of social services." He explained. Chad's eyes widened again as his dad stepped out onto the porch.
"Excuse me? I'm sorry but nobody is taking my son anywhere!" Luke yelled.
"Mr. Delano, we know what you're doing to your son. It's child abuse, and it's illegal. We're taking your son away from you where he'll be safe." Eric explained, leaving Ronnie's name out of it. He wasn't about to offer anything about how they came across this information. But it was no use; Chad didn't have the same idea.
"Ronnie told you, didn't she Reverend? I told her not to tell anybody!" He yelled. Luke turned quickly to stare at his son.
"You told that girlfriend of yours? I told you that if you ever tell anyone…"
"Dad, I only told Ronnie, no one else, I swear!" Chad said defensively as he recoiled back. Eric closed his eyes. Now Luke knew that Ronnie had been the one to tell Eric and that was why they were all together now. Eric prayed that Luke would forget.
"Chad, will you please come with me?" Alice said gently. Chad looked nervously from Alice to his dad, not knowing what to do. Luke glared down at his boy.
"Don't move!" He snapped. Chad remained rooted to the ground.
"Mr. Delano, we're taking Chad into the custody of social services where he will be placed in a foster home until such time as a possibility of adoption comes up." Alice explained with fierce eyes.
"And you are being charged with child abuse. Don't make this hard on yourself, Mr. Delano, or on your son. We don't want to have to take him by force." Officer Matthews added. Luke glared at the three of them and then down at Chad, who wouldn't return his gaze.
"You'll be sorry. You can take him all you want, but I'll get him back. Mark my words." Luke said in a quiet, but deep voice.
"Come on Chad." Alice said again. Chad hesitated, afraid and confused.
"It's alright Chad, everything's okay now." Eric said quietly, trying to help Chad feel more comfortable. Chad finally took one step forward, and when he didn't hear his father say anything, he finally stepped outside. Eric put his arm around the boy and began to walk him down the steps toward Alice's car.
"Don't get too comfy, Chad m'boy. I'll be seeing you real soon." Luke called confidently. Eric could see the color draining from Chad's face.
"He's wrong Chad. You're safe now." Eric said, recalling the familiarity of these words. It's okay Ronnie, you're safe now. Eric could still see the pain and confusion in the young girl's eyes as she lied helpless in a hospital bed.
Chad looked up at Eric as they walked.
"Ronnie told you, didn't she?" Chad asked, as his voice cracked. Eric could tell Chad was nervous, not knowing where he was going or what was happening.
"Yes Chad; she cracked." Eric said, trying to shed some light on the situation. "She was worried about you. She was afraid you'd be mad at her, but Chad, I'm really glad she told me. You're better off safe than with your father." Chad didn't respond; he only stuffed his hands into his pockets, as Alice opened the car door for him. Chad took one last look at his house and then at Eric before he sank into the car. Alice shut the door and gave Eric a small smile.
"Tell Ronnie she did a good thing." She said. Eric sighed.
"Right now she doesn't feel like she did, but I'm sure she will one day." He replied. Alice smiled and gave a little wave to Eric as she got into the car with Chad. Eric watched them drive away, and he turned to see Officer Matthews talking to Luke Delano. He shook his head to himself as he walked to his car. In the faint background, he could hear Luke screaming.
"You'll be sorry! I'll get my kid back! Just wait!" Eric didn't bother turning around; he knew Luke was screaming at him.