The next morning Emma found herself in the bed bunk she had been told where she was going to be sleeping, she was in pajamas she had in her backpack which were old worn hamidowns. She found an extra blanket covering her which she found that she had snuggled into during the wondered how it had gotten there.
She felt safe in the bed, however knew she had to get up when the other kids did knowing if she didn't she would miss out on any sort of breakfast . If she wasn't fast enough there would be nothing left, so she got up and quickly changed into the clothes she had on the day before.
Heading down the stairs she could hear the other kids talking loudly from the kitchen, most were done eating by the time she got down there however Kevin was just opening up a cabinet when Emma came into the kitchen. As Kevin opened the cabinet he grinned at Emma with evil intent, Kevin then looked into the cabinet for the cereal box only to screaming in absolute terror and fear like a little girl.
Every kids head whipped in his direction in surprise, as Kevin had fallen to the floor in fear every kid including Emma started laughing. Soon Ingrid came into the kitchen at the sound of Kevin's shrieking, she leaned against the fridge a bit crossing her arms looking down at Kevin. Kevin soon realised the spider was fake, anger flared inside of him when he saw Ingrid staring at him before she glanced at Emma where Kevin's eyes followed before she looked back at him.
Message recieved Kevin stood up from the floor in escape from the other foster kids laughs, as he went to leave the kitchen he passed Emma. He looked at her for a second as fear coursed over him once more before he ran up the stairs to the room he was apart of.
A couple of minutes later the other foster kids got ready for school including a newly silent Kevin, with the kitchen mostly empty Emma finally got to the cereal box to see it empty of cereal.
Emma sighed before a different box of cereal landed in front of her eyes, it was fruit loops. The one cereal she loved more than the rest and the one most foster homes do not have. She looked up to see who put it there to see Ingrid standing there with a smile before the woman went behind Emma to retrieve two bowls and spoons from the cabinet along with the milk from the fridge.
Ingrid sat down at the table across from Emma with a smile she slid Emma her bowl and spoon while she then poured cereal in her own bowl for herself. As they were both eating Ingrid spoke up to Emma.
"I was wondering since you don't start school today we could go do some errands today, especially get you some better fitting clothes"
Emma had her mouth open for a second in surprise and a bit of confusion, no other foster parent ever bought her clothes nor even cared. Emma always received hamidowns from social services.
"Your buying me clothes?" Emma's mouth hung opened as she stopped eating, it had to be a trick no one had offered to buy her clothes the only time she received something new was when she was three and it was a dress from a social worker in hopes of Emma getting adopted.
"That surprises you?"
"Well, no has ever bought me clothes before. Usually social services would drop off hamidowns for the kids at the group home that would last a couple of years"
"Well I"m not social services. I'm your foster mother and it is my job to take care of you and in that care you shall have proper fitting clothes that do not have holes in them."
"thank you" Emma smiled softly at Ingrid grateful for what she was doing for her, maybe it wasn't going to be bad here after all.
"You can thank me later, now go get ready and we'll be on our way" Ingrid smiled as Emma jumped up after eating to go get her shoes and jacket.
Ingrid had spent the day with Emma letting her pick out outfits they even had fun together trying on random dresses and outfits, it was the most fun Emma had since Lily. Emma could tell that Ingrid wanted to ask and know what happened while she had run away however knew it was hard for Emma to share so she didn't ask, Emma liked that. Most foster parents would just demand to tell them or flat out not care in anyway wanting something done or Emma locked up hidden away in a room.
When they had finished shopping Emma and Ingrid walked around the mall with their bags, Emma had gotten multiple outfits, hats, and even some fluffy socks that they saw while looking in which Ingrid had also gotten a pair of.
Emma had a great time with Ingrid however wasn't going to trust her completely. As they were walking Ingrid had pointed out a photo booth that people were exiting, she then smiled and took Emma's hand in her's and dragged her over to it in which she followed with a laugh.
"Look it takes pictures, we should do it"
"Why?"
"Because it looks fun, we can even make silly faces at the camera"
Emma smiled not seeing a reason not to. Smiling she said "Sure, why not"
"Great" Ingrid smiled pulling the curtain open going to set up the machine with a smile while Emma followed her.
With the machine started Emma and Ingrid sat next to each other looking at the camera. "Okay first a normal picture" the two of them smiling close together cutely.
Emma then spoke "okay now let's do a silly one" they then both smiled laughing as they made silly faces together at the camera.
They continued making a shocked face and then one of them hugging each other smiling at the camera. Once the machine was finished Ingrid and Emma emerged from the photo booth with smiles on their faces. They quickly went to retrieve the photo's in which they had selected two copies be printed.
When the pictures came out they both laughed at the pictures they had taken and their silly faces. Ingrid smiled fondly at them especially the regular pictures of her and Emma, she showed the girl.
"These are my favorite" Emma smiled back at her for a second before her smile faded a bit, she liked Ingrid however she reminded herself that not all good things last.
Ingrid then smiled at Emma one more time before fixing the girl's jacket a bit before declaring that they should head back to the house because for the other kids school would be ending.
On the way out of the mall in a large crowd Ingrid grabbed Emma's hand stating that she didn't want her to get lost, displaying on her face something Emma never really saw on someone face when directed towards her.
Worry and Care.
On the bus ride home with Emma and Ingrid sitting together Emma was tired and fell asleep a bit and Ingrid found the girl leaning her head on her causing a smile to appear on her face. Knowing the girl would be embarrassed later when she teased her about it she would pretend it never happened even though Ingrid would know it most certainly did.
In the middle of the ride a woman sitting across from them spoke to Ingrid.
"She's tuckered out, huh" the woman chuckled.
Ingrid was wary however knew it was a just a random person being friendly.
"Well, after a whole day trip to the mall I'm surprised she lasted this long" Ingrid smiled brushed a bit of hair from Emma's face.
"How old is she?" the woman asked.
"Thirteen" Ingrid knows this because it has been thirteen years since she came into this world, she knows Emma's exact birthday.
"Did you two have a mommy daughter day?" The woman laughed knowing the pair had gone to the mall together.
"I'm sorry?" Ingrid was confused.
"Your daughter and you"
"Oh she isn't mine" Ingrid smiled at the thought that someone would mistake Emma for her's.
"Really?" the woman seemed surprised.
Ingrid not wanting the woman to know Emma was a foster child said "I'm looking after her"
The woman nodded with a smile, when the bus stopped soon the woman got off with a wave of goodbye to Ingrid.
Once they neared closer to their stop Ingrid slowly shook Emma to rouse her from her light sleep. She woke with a confused look on her face as she didn't realize she had nearly slept on Ingrid.
"Were almost there, so get ready to get off" Emma then sat regularly in the bus seat, waiting for the bus to stop.
They both soon got off and walked down the block to the house, they both waited for the other kids to get home in the meantime Emma had found Ingrid's book collection and found 'Peter Pan'. Wanting to stay out of the other kids way and Kevins Emma stayed in her bunk room reading the book she had once read in a group home two years ago in which she liked.
Ingrid was in the kitchen making the kids dinner and watching them, most at this time would be doing their homework in the dining room or the bedrooms. Kevin however was watching Emma at a distance, almost like how a predator observes it's prey.
Revenge danced in his eyes watching the blonde girl read, no one made him look weak...
A week had gone filled with Emma and Ingrid bonding, they were starting to get familiar with one another. Ingrid had learned from Emma after lying to her that she wasn't responsible on the attack on Kevin that she has what is like a superpower and can pinpoint a lie miles away.
Emma had been enrolled in the local school and embarrassingly enough Ingrid watched Emma as she got on the bus wishing her a good day at school. Emma had never had that before and secretly loved it, not that she would admit when calling Ingrid out on embarrassing her.
There were times where they hit small speed bumps however Ingrid was very patient with Emma giving her time.
One month after Emma arrived she came off the bus with a black eye and her clothes dirty, Ingrid asked her what happened in which she didn't respond. She then ushered Emma into the kitchen so she could get her some ice.
Emma sat on the countertop not daring to look Ingrid in the eye, Ingrid retrieve frozen peas from the freezer and then gentle settled them onto Emma black eye.
She winced at the cold it gave off.
"There now let it sit for an hour, I'm going to call the school and ask who did this" she demanded while going towards the phone.
"Ingrid" Emma tried to call out in protest knowing the woman wouldn't stop until she had the person responsible.
In the middle of the call facing the cord line in the wall.
"It was Kevin"
There was silence until Ingrid slowly hung up the phone, she sighed for a second closing her eyes before turning towards Emma. Ingrid looked to Emma sadly encouraging her to continue.
Emma didn't look at Ingrid as she told Ingrid of how Kevin had cornered her during lunch and then tossed her around with his gang before punching Emma in the face and leaving her in the dirt.
Ingrid looked at Emma's black eye checking on it seeing that it had only darkened, she wished it hadn't happened and knows shoe could have prevented it.
Emma seeing this told her "I've felt worse"
Ingrid began to cry and brought Emma's head in towards her.
"You shouldn't have had to"
As soon as Ingrid said it Emma then hugged Ingrid back wrapping her arms around her waist.
Emma held on Ingrid clutching her shirt as a few tears slipped out from her eyes, she had read Emma's file. She saw the photo's that were used as evidence and the reports.
Ingrid cried as well and began rubbing Emma's back.
"Never again"