I'm back and wow this chapter has been challenging to write. Mainly because I had to research information concerning the process of Child Protective Services(CPS) and exactly how to obtain a Social Security Card.

Let me tell you, it was exhausting reading the information, frustrating trying to understanding it, and so much legal jargon; and I'll have to do this again. *shudders*

9. Ask For Help and Ye Shall Receive

During the confrontation, Star was worried that Chrona would simply get up from the table and stomp off but that hadn't- that didn't happen. Relief washes her as Chrona rest their head on her shoulder. Her eyes rest on the dark blue and purple bruises lining along their neck under the hoodie. She takes a deep breath, angry and hurt at whoever thought it was okay to hurt her friend like this.

"Chrona," she asked, "Where did you get those bruises?"

Almost instantly, Chrona sat up and scooted away from her, pulling the hood over so it covered more of their neck. "...I hurt someone and then I couldn't breathe. It's sore but I don't blame them for doing that. It's my fault anyway," They admitted. "A lot of things are my fault if, I had to be honest."

"It's your fault?" Star hissed out, her voice dropping dangerously. She caught wind of the subtle flinch and reminded herself now wasn't the time to lash out her anger and protectiveness; forcing herself to remain calm, she tacked on, "The person who did this to you is at fault. Not you."

The bell rang and Star and Chrona stood up, Star grabbing both of their bookbags and headed off to their last class of the day in a uneasy silence.

Psychology was a breeze and neither Star nor Chrona could be more relieved for the final bell to ring. The two waited for the students to leave the classroom before they left the room. As soon as Star and Chrona stepped out the classroom, Star flashed a gentle smile at her friend as she gave them a pointed look. "You ready?" She asked.

Chrona was quiet for several seconds. "...I guess so." They finally answered.

Star gently slinked her hand around Chrona's arm. "You know it's okay to be scared."

"I'm not supposed to be," Chrona replied.

"Well, that's then. This is now," she said firmly. "Besides, I'll be there every step of the way."

"I guess we should go now, right?"

"I suppose so."

With that, Star and Chrona walked arm in arm to the principal's office.

Principal Ishiyama from between the folds of her curtain, carefully observed her students board the buses from the comfort of her office, pinching her arms so that she could stay awake. Like her students, she was glad it was Friday, and she couldn't wait to go home so she could temporarily sleep away her stress before returning to Casper. She's awakened from her sleepy trance when her secretary Mr. Evelyn knocked on her door, his face twisted apologetically and she knew that he had something in store for her she wouldn't like. With a lazy wave, she directed Mr. Evelyn to come in, subtly raising an eyebrow when Ms. Lewinski and Chrona walk in her office; stepping away from her window, Ishiyama gestures for the two students in the pair of empty seats. Mr. Evelyn leaves, promptly closing the door behind him.

"Please tell me you two haven't stirred up any trouble," she started off bluntly, huffing in relief when the two shook their head no, but held a bated breath when neither one made a motion to dissuade the principal. Ishiyama says nothing as she strides over to her desk and sits behind it, keenly observing Star and Chrona vehemently whisper to one another, an obvious sign (at least obvious to her) that something was gravely amiss. Star whispers her last two cents, presumably to end the argument while Chrona deflates, dejectedly, their shoulders sagging in fatigue.

Star's the first one to speak, "Well, it's not that we-" and then Star cut off suddenly, unsure how to continue. Principal Ishiyama remains silent, patiently waiting for the teen to continue on when a sudden, "I haven't been entirely honest with you," breaks the silence.

Both Star and Principal Ishiyama sharply turn their attention to Chrona, who shrank in on themself slightly from the attention. "I didn't tell you the truth about some of the things that's been going on," Chrona said slowly, carefully positioning their wrists in their lap, eventually snaking their hands in the pocket of their hoodie.

The principal rested her hands under her chin, preparing to open her mouth and then promptly closed it before she said anything. She closed her eyes in aggrievance, "What were some of the things you haven't been honest with me?" Ishiyama asked, ensuring she kept her voice level so that Chrona would know she wasn't angry with them. Her brown eyes flittered over to their person, narrowing slightly when she noticed Chrona snaked their hands in their pockets in a somewhat awkward position. "Did you ever get your wrist checked out?"

She automatically knows the answer when Chrona averted their unyielding glance away from her, "No," they said, voice small and slightly hoarse. "I never had a chance to get it checked out. I think my other wrist is sprained when I fell… Out of a tree." They amended quickly upon seeing Ishiyama face tighten in worry. "I haven't been staying with anyone for this past week like I said I was."

"Where have you been staying instead?"

"...On the streets," Chrona answered after a few beats of silence. "Alleys, condemned buildings, trees. Except Thursday night. I woke up Friday morning in a bed."

Principal Ishiyama nodded her head, overcome with the crushing disappointment in knowing the fact that she had failed Chrona and the swelling internalized anger that she hadn't noticed a single thing during her sessions with them. She had been right there with them, how was she so damn oblivious as to not notice? She's a principal for God's sake, she was supposed to notice these things! But when Star and Chrona stood up, slothfully inched towards her, she steeled herself, prepared to be shown how she failed even further. Ishiyama watched warily as Star rolled up the sleeves of Chrona's hoodie, eyes bulging in horror seeing the dark, discolored blue and purple bruises with pink and red sprinkled in littered on the child's wrists.

Star remains impassive, Chrona is obviously unnerved and Ishiyama is horrified to say the least. The silence still remained when Star locked her gaze on Chrona, engaging in a seemingly telepathic conversation and eventually backing off and respectfully turned around as Chrona shimmied their way out of their hoodie.

An inaudible gasp escaped the principal's throat seeing dark blue and purple bruises line Chrona's throat, trailing down across their shoulders but the cuff of the black t-shirt Chrona was wearing obscured Ishiyama's view. "W-who did this?" She rasped out, voice drying out.

Chrona shook their head, not wanting to answer.

"What do we do now?" Star asked softly, her back still turned.

Principal Ishiyama hangs her head, then jerking her head in the direction of the door. "For the moment, sit outside. I have to make a phone call regarding this." Her hand rest on the telephone hook, solemnly watching Chrona struggle to put their hoodie back on, eventually calling Star to help and then the two teenagers trailed out the office.

Star and Chrona stepped out the office, plopped in the (conveniently placed) chairs and let out a breath neither teen knew they were holding.

"Who do you think she's calling?" Chrona asked.

Star stared at the ground in thought, tapping her flats against the tiled ground. "My best guess? CPS."

"CPS?"

"Child Protective Services?" Star said slowly, "They're the ones in charge of things like this. Social workers, foster care."

Chrona nodded their head, now understanding but the vague understanding they have immediately became muddled as to why she has to call them. "Why does she have to call them?"

Star's eyes widened ever so slightly at the question. She wasn't expecting to have an in-depth conversation about legal matters involving child abuse with a Time Master. Then again, Star never expected to suspect said Time Master to be abused. "She's required by law to do it," Star explained slowly, trying her best to gather her thoughts as she explained. "We brought you and we revealed instances of what is suspected to be child abuse, and she has to call them to come in for the next part."

Chrona nods, "Well, what does CPS do when Principal Ishiyama call them?"

"I don't know what happens in normal cases exactly," Star admitted. "But for your case, I would say that you would be placed in protective custody, where you're placed in a temporary foster home…"

Chrona rose an eyebrow at Star's sudden silence, curiosity piqued. "What happens afterwards?"

"I don't know," Star whispered quietly. "I don't really know."

Bitter, broken laughter made her look up to see her friend wipe away the tears that pooled at the corners of their eyes and then painfully palmed them in order to keep the tears at bay. "No matter how you look at it, I'm screwed. I'm absolutely fucked. Nothing good is going to come out of this."

"You don't know that," Star protested.

"I wasn't born yesterday Star." They spat out, "I'm a ghost who tried to masquerade as a human kid with no papers whatsoever. It was by sheer, dumb luck the principal let me even come here. I even told that florist, Caven, that no one was able to help me and that's what it seems like it's boiling down to. They're all going see some hideous monster underneath this persona and then I'll be whisked away, never to be seen again."

"You aren't hideous." Star grounded out stubbornly. "You're pretty cool, open-minded, quirky, and a person I'm glad met you by breaking into your tower," Her spirits were lifted when Chrona laughed, (albeit it was watery, a laugh was a laugh.) "Besides if anyone did try to take you away, expect me to fight them tooth and nail. Non-negotiable. You're my friend, friends do that for each other and that is a fact."

Chrona gave a small smile, although it was still shrouded by their misery. Star beamed back trying her best to remain optimistic but her smile fell quickly and Chrona was quicker to notice. "Star?"

Gripping the edge of her chair, Star bit her lip, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought, "When you said that you were going to be whisked away," She began with a seriousness that hadn't been there since the beginning of this conversation. "Where would have you been whisked away to?"

Chrona doesn't look at her, instead they looked at the wall, "Probably back to the tower," they said. "Maybe back to the streets but it would most likely be the tower."

"Why? Why would you go back to your employers who constantly overwork you? They don't appreciate you at all, and they're taking advantage of you!"

"No they aren't," But Chrona wondered if it was actually true, if they had been using them for whatever they thought was necessary. A large part of them denies it, it couldn't be true since it had never happened and that didn't sound like a thing their employers would do. Yet, the tiny shred inside says they've done it before and it was always like that. "I just have my responsibilities, that's all. Exhausting, but that isn't anything new."

"They overwork you," Star deadpanned. "Do you remember what you said to me when you snapped, out of exhaustion mind you, at me? 'I haven't seen a bed in weeks.' If those ghosts knew any better or actually cared about your well-being, they would let you sleep. They wouldn't get on you for doing things necessary to live or at the very least, keep existing. They don't care about your well being. If you hadn't came here, then you would have probably burnt yourself out." Watching Chrona remain unresponsive and seeing they weren't going to say anything, Star continued. "Besides why would you go back to the ghost who strangled you and most likely broke one of your wrists?"

The other teen blinked before turning their attention to Star, "What made you think there were two different ghosts?" They asked blankly.

'There wasn't a second ghost? Then that- Oh god,' Star swore she felt a weight being dropped into her stomach. Her eyes widened in a mixture horror and revulsion as she tried to process this horrifying revelation. "Y-you can't ever go back to them. No, no, no," Pointing a shaky finger at Chrona, her eyes unexpectedly welled up with tears, a few trailing down her cheeks. "You can't go back. I'm not going to lose you."

"I'm not worth your tears Star," came the response, "I don't really have anywhere else to go. So it'll be okay, I'll be fine."

"No you won't!" She nearly screeched, "You came out with a broken wrist and strangled. Who's to say they won't do worse? You don't know that. Don't lie, you don't know what could happen, you could die again."

"...Then what am I to do Star?" Chrona implored helplessly. "I don't know what to do. If I can't go back to the tower, then what am I supposed to do?"

"Let me help you," Star said firmly, her voice resonating with determination. "Whatever happens, happens but I promise that I'll always be there to help you."

"Don't make promises,." Chrona snapped, "I don't want anything happening to you because of a promise."

"Whatever happens, happens. For better or for worse," Star repeated, staring directly at Chrona. "I'm not leaving you."

"I guess I can't shake you off?" Chrona said wryly, their lips twitched to form a smile. "Thanks."

Strands of blonde hair flew in their mouth as they were suddenly propelled backwards and encapsulated in the warmth of Star's hug. A muffled mumble resounded from the teen and the two sat in fragile peace.

Minutes later, it was broken by Principal Ishiyama opening the door and the sudden presence of Star's parents, and merely seconds later, the group of five stood in the office waiting expectantly. Ishiyama moved behind her desk, pursing her lips together in a thin line before she began to speak. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Lewinski for coming."

Mr. and Mrs. Lewinski nodded, sneaking a glance at Chrona, "So this is the child you mentioned?" Mrs. Lewinski commented, "They look so adorable."

Chrona ducked their head in response of the praise they received and held Star's hand tightly. Luckily, Ishiyama continued to speak. "I have contacted CPS and the first course of action that we're taking is that Chrona is to be placed into protective custody. In most cases, Chrona would have been placed with a relative, however, seeing that Chrona has no other relatives present, they are to be placed in foster care. Thankfully, I was able to keep Chrona pretty close to their friend and both CPS and I decided it was best to stay with Lewinski's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lewinski have agreed to take you in Chrona."

Star beamed, her turquoise eyes shining with happiness, "Did you hear that? You can stay with us!" she whispered excitedly, her slim frame vibrating ebulliently.

Dumbly, Chrona nodded their head, equally happy and shocked that they were staying with Star.

Ishiyama smiled briefly, "However, there is more. CPS has allowed you to continue attending Casper provided the following conditions. One, you must apply for a social security card. CPS is aware you don't have a birth certificate or anything proving your identity, but either way not having a social security card will complicate the other two stipulations."

"The other two?"

"The second condition is that you are to see a psychologist on a regular basis and that is to be determined by you and your psychologist. Thirdly, you are to see a physician so that we can information for safekeeping and attain evidence so that we can start building a potential case. More specifically, the Amity Park Police Department will start building the case."

The African-American tilted their head in confusion, "A case for what?"

"A case for the court, if it so happens your guardians ever decide to come back-"

"No," Chrona grounded out forcefully, hoarse voice hardening. Their body shook in uneasiness at the thought of their guardians coming back. "There's no need for a case."

"Chrona," Mr. Lewinski said suddenly, his voice soft and level. "Cases can't be closed until Child Protective Services determines they're no longer needed to protect you and as of right now, the case can't be closed because you are seen as a child in need of CPS' services."

Understanding, they nodded their head, still not agreeing with what Mr. Lewinski had said.

Principal Ishiyama sighed, forcing herself to sit down in her chair and gestured for the others to get comfortable. "Moving on, although CPS is aware of the fact Chrona doesn't have any government documents, they have allowed us to use the hospitals, pediatricians, health centers near us for Chrona to start obtaining medical treatment and start obtaining information to help them apply for a birth certificate and social security card." Turning to Star's parents, she went on, voice hardening suddenly. "It would be beneficial for you to take them to an urgent care center so that they can get immediate treatment for their wrists."

Mr. and Mrs. Lewinski noticed how her voice hardened, the couple mutely nodded their head. Heading to the door, Mr. Lewinski urged for Star and Chrona to come on so the four could leave together. Star snaked her hand out of Chrona's grip, joining her mother and father outside the office, leaving Chrona and Principal Ishiyama standing in the office.

"Chrona," Mr. Lewinski called out, a gentle smile graced his features. "It's time to go. You need to see a doctor and I'm sure you and Star are hungry."

Chrona blinked, "Can I… Is it possible I speak to Prinicpal Ishiyama alone?"

Mr. Lewinski nodded, pulling his wife and daughter away from the door and the three were soon out of sight.

"I didn't think this was possible," Chrona admitted, looking the administrator in the eye. "I told Star this and she said that I would get help. I was terrified, to say the least when you asked about my forms. Thought I wouldn't get in because I didn't have them, I honestly thought that I would have to live on the streets or possibly back to my guardians but then you said I could come here," for the second time that day, tears welled up in the teen's eyes but they didn't bother to wipe them away. "If it wasn't for you, then none of this could have happened."

Strong arms snaked around Chrona's sides, pulling the child in for their second hug that day. "Thank you." Chrona sobbed, hands weakly reaching up in attempt to reciprocate the hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Principal Ishiyama only hugged them tighter, "No need to thank me," she said earnestly. "I was only doing what was right."

The ride to and from the urgent care was silent. When they went, Mr. and Mrs. Lewinski were able to get a doctor with relative ease; after forty-five minutes which consisted of several x-rays. Afterwards, the doctor had revealed that Chrona's left wrist was broken while the right wrist had a mild sprain; it had taken another fifteen minutes for Chrona to be outfitted for a cast and wrist brace.

Nearly thirty minutes later, the group of four had arrived at Star's house. Dinner was silent, save for the clattering of silverware; after dinner, Mrs. Lewinski had informed Chrona that they were going to be temporarily sharing a room with Star until she had a chance to set up their room. Unperturbed, the two teens made their way up to Star's room, changing into pajamas (Chrona received theirs courtesy of Star's dad) and simply sat in the bed in a content silence.

"So, how are your wrists? Still hurting?" Star asked, effectively breaking the silence.

"A little," they admitted and rose an eyebrow in confusion when Star thrusted a bottle of medicine in their direction.

"It's Advil, you dork," she said. "It should help with the pain and whatnot. Take a tablet every four to six hours. I do have some Tylenol in my room somewhere but I'm too exhausted to find it."

Putting the tablet in their mouth and swallowing seconds later, they waved a hand dismissively. "Not necessary."

"Alright, you mind if I turn the light off?"

"Not at all."

She turned off the lights, the two teenagers sat in the mostly darkened room, the moonlight illuminating a small part of the room. "Sleep Chrona," she ordered gently.

Star feels Chrona's head rest on her stomach and the light snoring indicated that they were asleep. She carded her fingers through their hair, and in no time, she was lulled to a peaceful slumber.

Next month's chapter will be coming later than I hope it would, all due to Camp NanoWriMo where I'm leading the 50,00k cabin and dying for a whole month to achieve writing 50k on the Phandom Slack. If you want to join me for Death Month, PM me and I'll invite you to die with me and several others. However, if you don't think you can write 50k in one month, we have another cabin for you! Either way if you want to join, PM and we'll discuss it.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter and if so, drop a review!