Claire was shaken awake by Fixer.
"Come on kid. Wake up."
"Okay Mom. I'm up. I'm up," she said thinking she was still at home.
"I'm not your mother kid. Now wake up."
Claire's eyes snapped open, and she started to freak out when she saw Fixer's face right in front of hers. She then immediately shoved his face away with her hand. Surprised by her sudden strength, Fixer fell on the floor.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Fixer. I thought you were some creep that got into my house."
"It's okay. I just wanted to tell you that we found your parents. They are in custody as we speak. We found them in the cruiser that we had to recapture four days after you were put in the medical bay."
"They were probably searching for their slave," growled a voice.
She looked over to see Sev with his arms crossed waiting by the doorway along with Scorch.
"Where's Boss?" she asked.
"He's holding them custody and interrogating them."
"He's not going to hurt them? Is he?" she asked scared.
None of them said anything. Instead Fixer grabbed two crutches for her and helped her out of the bed. She then grabbed the crutches and tried walking with them. She looked up at him and stumbled a little bit as she tried to walk. Fixer quickly helped her stay steady.
"Thank you Fixer."
Fixer nodded as he continued helping her walk.
They led her down the hallway her crutches clicking as she walked with them. Scorch walked beside them then turned his head.
"Hey I keep wanting to ask. What is soccer? Is it some type of battle, or war?"
"No, its a sport."
"Heh, a sport huh? What do you do?"
"Well you have a ball that's normally black and white. You get to kick it and try to get it on the opposing team side."
"Kicking a ball around? That sounds like a toddler game," said Sev.
"It's for all ages."
Sev looked at her for a moment then continued looking straight ahead.
"Sev, leave the girl alone. Ok? She's gone through enough," said Fixer knowing Sev was going to make a cruel remark.
They came to a halt as Sev entered a code on one of the door panels.
The door opened to reveal her mother and father sitting at a table both handcuffed to the chair and desk that they sat at.
"Claire!" said her mother looking happy to see her.
"Hi….mom," she said barely even looking at her. Fixer pulled up a chair for her and helped her sit down.
Sev stood in the background leaning on the door arms crossed while Scorch walked over to Boss.
"Mr. and Mrs. Shadowstriker. You both are under arrest due to child cruelty, and she will no longer be deemed your child."
"What are you talking about?!" yelled her father. "We did no such thing!"
"Fixer…" Boss said signaling to him.
Fixer took a step forward and pulled out a pad and looked at it for a moment.
"Your daughter had a bone in her leg that was fractured in four places. She was very dehydrated, sleep deprived, and nearly starved not to mention the horrible deeds she spoke about. If we did not find her, she would have lost her leg or her life. You both are being held responsible and will be put in a correctional facility. Time? Possibly for your entire lives," he finished before walking back over to Claire.
"And what of our daughter? We have claim to her, and she doesn't have a choice but to be with us."
Boss looked at them angrily as he laughed.
"We have the authority to take your daughter from you-"
"We have a contract stating that she belongs with us even if we are put in prison for whatever reason-"
Fixer took it from them. "Yes, unless if this predicament does happen, someone can adopt her. Until she is adopted, she stays with her parents….." Fixer trailed off. Her father had a smug look on his face as he sat back. "So you can't touch us unless she's adopted."
Boss slammed his hand down on the table and removed his helmet angrily.
"Well good thing I'm adopting her then," he snarled. Claire's eyes widened. She had no idea it would come to this.
"Oh really? Where are your forms, your papers, your lawyer?"
Scorch laughed in the background.
"You really think the commander of delta squad needs that kind of stuff to adopt a kid?"
Their eyes widened as they realised what they had just done.
"Do you have the recording Sev?"
Sev nodded as Fixer helped her up.
"Good. Run that information down to the general. Fixer. Scorch, take the prisoners to their new cells," said Boss darkly.
Boss walked up to Claire. As she stumbled forward, he quickly caught her and steadied her on her feet. He noticed the tears brimming in her eyes.
"Don't worry Claire. They can't get you now. You're safe." Claire looked up at him before hugging him. Boss wrapped his arms around her in return comforting her.
"Thank you" she said as a tear slid down her cheek