AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I really hope you all enjoy this chapter, it was my favorite to write as it had so much passion and emotion tapped into it and hopefully it gives the same heart-warming feeling it gave me. :)
(Sorry that it is extra long...)
Chapter 58: Finding Casey
Back at the Braxton house:
Brax was getting ready to go and visit Casey. The social worker had managed to organize one supervised visit. Heath watched as his brother flapped around anxiously, waiting for the moment he would hold his baby brother in his arms again.
"Hey Brax?" Heath called. "Yeah mate?" Brax replied softly.
Heath could tell how upset and hurt Brax was and that he was relying on this visit. Heath sighed.
"You tell Case that no matter what it takes, to make sure he gets his little butt back here soon so I can start teasing him again."
Heath gave a small smile to lighten the mood. Brax only gave a weak smile and nodded his head before leaving. As Heath watched Brax go he whispered, "and tell him I'm sorry." Heath turned away defeated.
When Brax arrived at the group home he saw a police vehicle parked outside, cautiously he entered and approached the front entrance, catching the manager's eye he began to feel a sickness in the pit of his stomach. The manager approached him.
"I'm here to visit Casey, where is he?" Brax questioned.
"There has been a situation?" The manager replied.
"What kind of situation?" Brax demanded.
"It seems that Casey has run away." The manager informed.
"What! How could you let that happen! He's an 8 year old kid, he can't fend for himself! Why wasn't I told?" Brax fumed.
"Casey is our responsibility now Mr Braxton, we have no obligation to inform you."
"What! He's my brother! Of course I need to know if my baby brother is out there somewhere! How long has he been gone?" Brax demanded.
"Apparently since last night."
Brax sighed in frustration, Casey could be anywhere, he could be hurt, in danger, anything. Brax took off out the front door.
"Mr Braxton." They called. Brax turned. "Nah stuff ya! I'm going out to find my brother!"
Brax stormed down the stairs but was stopped by the police. "Wait, at least come with us, you have a better chance of finding him if you're in a car."
Brax followed the police into their car and took off.
The police drove around the streets searching for Casey, as they turned onto the highway Brax saw a young boy on the side of the road, followed by a car pulling up next to him.
"Stop, that's Casey!" The police pulled over and Brax rushed out of the car.
"Casey! Casey!" But Casey was too far away to hear Brax call. Brax saw a man walk around the car to talk to Casey and saw him give his brother a shove.
"Don't you dare go with him Casey. Don't you dare." Brax warned a loud, he was terrified when he saw Casey follow the man into his car.
"Dammit!" Brax quickly jumped back into the police car.
"He's got Casey in his car! I've told him never ever to get into a car with strangers, or even talk to them! What is he thinking?" Brax yelled. The police followed the car.
Upon nearing the car, one of the police recognized the number plate on the car and spoke.
"Nixon I believe that car is the one we have been searching for." "I think you're right."
Brax became suspicious at what the police were discussing, something was not right. "What's going on? What's wrong with that car?"
"It's not the car Mr Braxton. If we're right, the man driving that vehicle is someone we have been after for months."
"What? Why?" Brax demanded, fearing for his brother's safety. The policeman sighed.
"We have evidence to believe that man has been abducting children and keeping them in a secret hideout and using them for sexual acts."
Brax's heart jumped when he heard, this man now had Casey in his car and would do the same to him if he didn't get to him in time. "Pull over!" Brax shouted.
"Son please remain calm we will reach your brother." This just was not good enough, Brax needed to get to his brother now!
"Pull the car over now!" Brax demanded, but the police still continued to drive. "Pull the damn car over or I'm gonna jump out while it's still moving!" Brax yelled.
The policeman finally slowed down the car and before it stopped, Brax jumped out of the car and stumbled onto the ground, cutting his head on the path. Brax quickly got up and raced full speed towards the car that Casey was in as the car slowed down for traffic. Brax took his chance and ran in front of the car, the man slammed on his brakes and Brax's hands hit the bonnet of the car when it stopped.
Brax breathed heavily, full of emotion. Brax ran to the driver's side and pulled the man out and punched him hard. "What gives you the right to take a defenseless kid?"
Once Brax had done enough damage he pushed the man to the ground and ran around to the other side of the car.
"Casey get out of the car now!" Brax yelled.
"Brax." Casey yelled surprised and started to undo his seatbelt. Brax however couldn't wait and slapped Casey's hand out of the way, undoing his seatbelt for him and yanked his brother out of the car.
Brax dragged Casey away from the car and gripped him tightly. "You alright?" Brax asked rhetorically as he scanned his brother for injuries, when he saw nothing Brax felt a wave of relief holding his brother in his arms again and stood in shock.
Once he composed himself back to the current situation, Brax knelt down and grabbed Casey's arms and jerked him hard.
"What have I told you about talking to strangers Casey? Not to mention getting into a car with one! Huh? It was a stupid, stupid, dangerous thing to do!" Brax admonished loudly.
"What on earth were you doing out here anyway? I go to visit you in the group home and I find that you've run away! I've warned you about this sort of dangerous behavior before, haven't I?" Brax continued, he didn't mean to feel angry at Casey but he was so scared that he could have been hurt that it came out as anger.
Casey stared at his brother in shock, he didn't know Brax would be so angry and his eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't wanna stay at the group home. I just wanted to be back with you." Casey mumbled, frightened by his brother's angry stare.
"That man said he would take me home." Casey whispered and pointed towards the driver of the car. Brax quickly slapped Casey's arm down and looked him in the eye.
"You know very well not to get into a car with a stranger, regardless of what they tell you! That man was going to hurt you!"
"But he said..." Brax shook his head. "No! You don't ever pull a stunt like that again!" Brax yelled angrily and pushed Casey's head up to face him again. "Do you understand me?"
Casey who was upset by Brax's yelling started to cry heavily.
"I'm sorry. I only wanted to go home. Please don't be mad at me. I missed you." Casey sobbed as he covered his eyes with his hands. Brax sighed and pulled Casey's hands away from his eyes so he could look him in the eye.
"I am not mad at you, but I am angry at the danger you put yourself in by disappearing and getting into that car. You could have been seriously hurt. Do you understand what I'm telling you?" Brax spoke more gently and Casey gave a small nod.
Brax sighed. "You really scared the life out of me." Brax told him firmly. "I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you Case."
"I'm sorry." Casey whispered and tried to pull his wrists out of his brother's hands to cover his eyes again. Brax wiped some of Casey's tears away with his fingers.
"Come here," Brax then pulled Casey into a hug, giving him a few rough kisses on his head whilst Casey rested his head on Brax's chest and cried into his shirt. Brax held him tightly, never wanting to let him go.
"I was really scared and I wanted you so much." Casey cried and clung on tighter to his older brother.
"I know, but I'm here now and you're safe." Brax comforted as he rubbed his brother's hair.
"I love you and I was scared you weren't coming back for me like you promised." Casey sobbed into Brax's chest.
Brax gently pulled Casey away from him and tried to gain eye contact before he spoke. "I love you too Case, always, and when I make a promise I mean it." Brax replied and gently kissed the top of Casey's head again and wrapped his arms tighter around his brother.
By now the police and manager of the group home had caught up with Brax. The police were busy arresting the man while the manager of the group home approached Brax and Casey.
"I hate to break up this little gathering, but I believe it's time for Casey to come back with us to the group home." The manager of the group home stated.
Casey stared at his brother and shook his head. Brax stood up and lifted Casey up in his arms and held him close. "You have to be kidding me? Did you not just see what happened? Because of you Casey felt the need to run away and could have gotten seriously hurt! Clearly he isn't safe there!" Brax yelled.
"Casey's behavior is not because of us, he made a choice. Now Casey Braxton you come with us this instant. Running away is unacceptable behavior and you will be punished, further to your already standing punishment."
"What? Is that how you've been treating Casey by punishing him for every misunderstanding?" Brax demanded.
"It has been far more than a simple misunderstanding." The manager spoke.
"Brax please don't make me go back, they're really mean." Casey sobbed.
"Hand him over Mr Braxton!"
"No! I am not giving my brother back to you! He is coming with me!" Brax shouted.
One of the police officers from the car approached Brax. "Son we want to thank you for helping us finally get hold of a nasty criminal."
Brax shook his head. "You had better get that head of yours looked at." He told Brax.
Brax reached up and wiped blood away from his head. "It's just a scratch, it's not important."
"Still. The heroic effort you did to save that brother of yours took guts son." The policeman informed.
"I would do anything to protect my brother."
The policeman nodded and turned to Casey, "You okay kiddo?" Casey nodded. "You're a very lucky boy to have a brother who loves you so much that he risks his own life for you. You make sure you be a good boy now, no more talking to or getting in cars with strangers." The policeman warned.
Brax smiled at the officer, "thanks." "You're welcome. Just make sure you remember your own safety too." Brax nodded.
"Excuse me officer, this boy, Casey Braxton now legally belongs in the custody of the group home in which we do have signed papers and Mr Braxton here is refusing to give him back to us. So if you please, a little help." The manager spoke.
The officer looked at the bond between Brax and Casey and sighed. "Son I'm sorry to tell you this but if these people have legal papers saying this boy is their responsibility, the kid has to go back to the group home."
"What! You can't be serious, after what you just saw!" Brax yelled.
"I understand this must be hard for you after what just happened."
"Hard? They can't care for Casey like I can!" Shouted distressed.
"Please calm down son. There is nothing we can do. It's the law."
"No! This law is bull! I'm not going to give Casey back to these people again!"
"Brax, I won't go back. I won't." Casey whined. "Shh Case." Brax rubbed his back and turned back to the manager. "How can you do this?"
"Son, if you do not give your brother back to the people at the group home I will have no choice but to arrest you and I promise you I do not want to have to do that after your heroic efforts." The policeman warned.
"You heard Mr Braxton, let Casey go." The manager said.
Feeling scared, Casey struggled in his brother's arms. "Casey stop." Casey whined and struggled until Brax set him down.
"If I can't go home with Brax then I'm not going anywhere and if you take me back to that home I'll just runaway and I don't care where I go or who I talk too!" Casey screamed and folded his arms across his chest pouting as he glared at the manager and the policeman.
Brax placed his hands on Casey's shoulder and pulled him backwards. "No you will not!" Brax warned, firmly, causing Casey to turn around and face his brother defeated and burst into a new wave of tears.
Brax knelt down and pulled Casey into a hug and comforted him as he glared at the people around him. "Shh Casey it's gonna be okay."
"No it won't. I don't wanna..." Casey sobbed and Brax gently rubbed his back. "I'll think of something, I promise."
"Wait a minute." Everyone turned to see Christine the social worker approaching. "No-one is taking this boy anywhere. Re-assessing the situation and having considered all things, it has been decided Casey would be much happier staying with his brother. I can see that being separated from his brother is only going to lead Casey into dangerous situations and for his safety we cannot allow that. Mr Braxton I can see your dedication to caring for Casey and how you raise him suitable enough to give Casey a second chance with you."
Brax stood up. "So you're saying he can come back to live with me?"
"On one condition, I will be checking in from time to time to ensure the house is running smoothly and that you can hold down a steady job to support him, any minor incident, and Casey will be back in the home no more chances regardless of the changes."
"Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me. I promise you won't regret this." Brax replied as relief ran through his body.
"I better not. Good day Mr Braxton. I will be in touch."
"Thank you." Brax replied as Christine gave a nod and left.
Brax knelt down and smiled at Casey. "Did ya hear that Case, you're coming back with me?" Casey wiped his face on his sleeve and his eyes widened.
"Really?" Brax nodded. "Really." Casey fell into Brax and hugged him tight.
Brax laughed and picked up his brother and Casey bounced around in his arms. "Woah Case, easy." He laughed.
"Looks like you win this time, but if Casey ends up in our care again..." The manager warned.
"You won't get near my brother again." Brax threatened as he glared at the manager who huffed and walked away.
Casey rested his head on Brax's shoulder. "Brax I'm really hungry." Brax smiled at his brother. "Alright bud, let's get you home and something to eat."
As Brax turned to walk away he was stopped by another police officer. "Mr Braxton, would you like a lift back home, where are you headed?"
"Mangrove River." Brax replied.
"I'll take you there and to show our approval of you helping capture our criminal we will buy a nice meal for you and your brother."
Brax didn't think of himself as a hero, he was only doing what he had to for Casey and he didn't like asking for help.
"Thank you, but I don't need any fancy meal, but..." Brax turned to his brother who was holding his rumbling stomach.
"It'll be my pleasure Mr Braxton." The officer smiled.
"Come on Casey, we're going home." Brax helped Casey into the back of the police car and sat beside him.
"Look Brax, we're in a real police car!" Casey shouted excited. "Yeah bud."
"Police lady, can you put the siren on?" Casey rested behind the driver's seat. "Casey." Brax warned and pulled his brother back in the seat.
Casey quickly covered his mouth. "Sorry Brax, I know you said not to talk to strangers." He whispered.
"It's not about that Casey. Don't be rude. Look I'm uh sorry about my brother."
The woman smiled at Brax through the rearview mirror. "That's okay. I understand the kid's happy to get a ride in a police car."
The police woman looked to Casey through the mirror. "Sweetie I can't put the siren on because that's only necessary for emergencies and it would be wrong to put it on when there is no emergency." She told him.
"But it is an emergency. I'm hungry." The police woman smiled and Brax rolled his eyes.
"Your brother's a cheeky little fellow." The officer said as she smiled.
"Yeah he has his moments." Brax smirked at Casey and ruffled his hair. "Seatbelt now." Brax ordered to his brother.
The police woman took Brax and Casey to a quality take away place where Casey managed to scoff down a chicken burger and chips. "The kids got a healthy appetite." The officer smiled.
Brax turned to his brother to watch him. "Sometimes." He smiled. "He can put up a fight when he wants too."
"I guess that's the way for most kids."
"I do not." Casey spoke with his mouth full of food. "Case finish up mate, and don't talk with your mouth full."
Casey finished his meal and followed his brother back to the police car where the officer finally dropped them home.
After Brax helped Casey out of the car he leaned down and looked at the police officer. "Thanks for this, Sergeant..."
"Buckton. Sergeant Buckton." She smiled at Brax who returned the smile.
Casey stood next to his brother and peered in the window. "Do you like the police lady Brax?"
Brax widened his eyes at Casey's comment. "Casey." He warned. "You keep smiling at her." He pestered.
"Casey will you be quiet." Brax glared at him, embarrassed. The officer laughed.
"Persistent isn't he?" "Yeah, you could say that." Brax eyed his brother who smiled at them innocently.
The officer turned to Casey. "You know what sweetie? I think your brother is a very nice man, who cares about you a lot."
"Does that mean you like him too?"
"Casey you are digging yourself a hole right now." Brax told him. "No I'm not." Casey replied confused.
The officer smirked. "I better go." She spoke. Brax stood up. "Ah, yeah, thanks again." Brax smiled and watched as the police car drove off.
Brax put his hand on Casey's neck and guided him towards the door. "Did you not like her Brax?" "You Casey need to learn to mind your own business. Inside."
Not long after Heath barged in and slammed the door. Casey ran out of the dining room and ran up to his brother and hugged him.
"Heath!" Heath looked confused. "Casey?"
Brax entered the room and smiled. "Hey mate." "What's going on?" Heath asked.
"Casey has come back to live with us." Brax replied with a smile.
"What? How?" Heath asked as he looked at his brother smiling up at him.
"Heath guess what?" Casey tugged him excited, but Heath ignored him and listened to Brax.
"The social worker has given us another chance after she saw how I handled the situation with Casey today."
"Huh? I though you went to visit him at the home." "I did but..."
"I ran away from there." Casey butted in. Heath looked down at his brother "You ran away? I didn't know you had it in ya?" He ruffled Casey's hair.
"Heath guess what?" Casey pushed again. "What Case?" Heath asked.
"Brax jumped in front of a car and punched a man then we got to ride in a police car and go out for food and Brax liked this police lady..." Casey blurted out.
"Wow, slow down Case. What actually happened?" Heath asked as he turned to his older brother. Brax raised his eyebrows at Casey.
"After Casey ran away he decided to try and make his way back home and lucky for him the police and I found him in time before he got hurt."
"What did you do Case?"
"He got a car with a dangerous man." Brax added and watched Casey let go of Heath and look to the floor.
"How dangerous?" Brax raised his eyebrows at him for emphasis, "dangerous, as in child predator and kidnapper dangerous." Brax whispered. Heath understood the severity of his brother's words and stood shocked.
"Geez Case, not even I would have been that stupid at your age to do that!" Heath tapped his chest.
"Brax already yelled at me for that." He mumbled not wanting to be scolded by his other brother too. "And so he should of squirt. We could have lost you for good."
Casey looked up at Heath who smiled at him. After a few moments of silence Casey whispered, "Heath I'm sorry I took your stuff and went in your room."
Heath leaned down and held his hand on Casey's arm. "I don't care about that Case, having you back is far more important to me. I shouldn't have had the bad things lying around where you could get them." Casey hugged Heath again.
"Arg, Case." "I don't want you to get hurt taking that bad stuff. Please stop Heath. I love you."
Heath finally realized how much his drug issue was hurting his brothers and he knew he had to get better for them. Heath felt tears well in his eyes from Casey's emotional reaction and he turned to Brax who smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"I love you too Case. Good to have you back kid." Casey smiled up at his brother and gave him one more, tighter hug before he let go.
Later that night Danny and Cheryl came home from hanging at a mate's party. The three brothers were inside packing away after dinner. Danny and Cheryl were shocked when they saw Casey stood in the doorway to the kitchen.
"What are you doing here brat?" Danny demanded. "What did you do Darryl?" Cheryl questioned.
"You better not have done somethin' to get us in trouble with the cops Darryl. You know I'll drag that kid straight back to that group home! How'd he get here?" Danny said.
Knowing his parents would flip if they knew Casey had run away, Brax again stretched the truth.
"I went down there and pleaded with them to give us another chance and this time I won't let either of you ruin it!" Danny glared at Brax, then at Casey.
"Fine, but if he's staying there's still that little incident with touching drugs we need to sort out. I think a thorough beatin' should do the trick. Come 'ere ya trouble making brat!" Danny raised his voice and headed towards Casey as he pulled his belt off and held it in his hand.
Casey quickly darted to hide behind his oldest brother. Brax quickly stepped in front of his terrified brother and wrapped his arms behind his back surrounding Casey to protect him.
"Move outta the way Darryl!" Brax refused to move.
"I won't let you touch him! This is the reason they wouldn't let him come home!" Brax defended.
"Ya think I care? Now I ain't telling ya again Darryl, get out of me way!" Danny was now face to face with Brax, both glared strong at each other. Brax didn't care what his father done to him or how badly he hurt him for protecting Casey because nothing would compare to how hurt he was without Casey, so a beating from Danny wouldn't matter.
"Darryl..." Danny warned. "No Dad! You'll be touching Casey over my dead body." Brax warned.
Danny leaned in inches away from Brax's face. "That can easily be arranged."
When Danny was about to take action against Brax, Heath stepped beside Brax and stood in front of Casey, this was the first time Heath felt fully confident to stand against his father.
"You'll have to get through me too." Heath spoke in a shaky tone.
Brax felt relieved Heath had come to protect Casey. Danny backed away seeing his two eldest sons sheltering Casey from him. Danny glared at them before angrily snapping his belt down against the floor with a loud crack, making Casey jump and Heath startle, but Brax stood glaring, unmoved.
"Pathetic. All three of ya are pathetic!" Danny turned away and walked down the hall to the bedroom, replacing his belt.
Brax turned to Heath and smiled. "Thanks mate." Heath shrugged. "It's the least I could do, seeing as I am partly responsible for what happened, besides I don't want them to take the little squirt away. I kinda like having him around again."
Heath ruffled Casey's hair and Brax turned to hug Casey. "I think it's time for bed for you." Casey hung his shoulders.
"Brax?" Casey asked. "Yeah Case?" "Can I stay with you tonight…Please?"
The look on Casey's face made Brax realize how much Casey had missed being home and how scared he must have been at the group home and how he must feel the need to feel safe and reassured.
"Sure thing Case, but I won't be going to bed for a while yet."
"So can I stay up then?" Casey asked.
Brax smiled. "Nice try, but no. You're going to bed, you need your rest." Brax placed an arm around his shoulder and led Casey down to his room.
Brax smiled at his brother as he tucked him into his bed. "I'll be in soon okay. You get some sleep." Brax stroked Casey's hair and gave him a gently kiss on the forehead.
"You promise you won't be long?" Casey asked as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"I promise mate."
When Brax finally went to bed, Casey stirred. "Brax?" He mumbled sleepily.
"Shh, I'm here Case. Go back to sleep." Brax whispered as he gently stroked strands of Casey's hair.
Casey turned and gripped Brax's bed shirt tightly in his fist for comfort, and snuggled into his brother's chest as far as he could, feeling warm and comforted by his brother's breathing.
Brax wrapped his arm around his brother and couldn't escape his feeling of luck that he got his baby brother back and nothing was going to take him away from him. Brax watched his brother sleep against his chest. "I've missed you so much Case." He whispered and leaned over to gently kiss his head before falling asleep.