First of all, thank you all for favorited, followed and reviewed this story. Today's been a really bad day for me( as we were leaving for church this morning my family had discovered my pet chicken Chirpsy, who I had hand raised since she first hatched, had died. Needless to say, its been a tearful day), but when I got on here and saw all the support you guys have given me it really brightened my day. Thank you guys so much. Hope you all enjoy this one just as much!
It was about a fifteen minute drive to get to the address Hera had gotten off the police. On the way there, the small family (Minus Zeb) tried to coax Ezra into speaking.
While Hera took control of the vehicle, Kanan turned to look at the boy. Ezra sat in the middle, wedged between Sabine and Zeb. He glanced up at the man before his gaze returned to his hands.
"Soo Ezra." The girl next to him spoke up.
"I know it's none of our business, but why're you away from home."
His gaze flicked her way, then averted.
Kanan mentally toyed with the idea the boy was mute, but soon decided against it. It was obvious that the kid-Ezra-could hear. He wracked his brain, trying to think of other reasons why the child wasn't speaking. He soon admitted defeat.
It's not like it would matter. In a few minutes Ezra would be home with his guardian, and they would most likely never see him again. A thought that Kanan tried to pretend didn't bother him.
They soon pulled up to the address, a shabby one floor house with garbage littering the front yard and paint peeling off the sides.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Kanan looked over at his wife. His eyebrow was raised in doubt.
"Of course I'm sure." Hera objected. She hesitated as she unbuckled.
"At least I think so." She turned to look at Ezra.
"What about it kid, is this it?"
Before Ezra could do anything, he glanced over her shoulder. His eyes lit with fear.
They turned to see a tall man exit the house. He was blonde, dressed in perfectly matched clothing.
Kanan got out of the car as he approached. He held out his hand.
"Hello, I'm Kanan. And you are…."
"Trevor." The man said shortly. He ignored Kanan's outstretched hand.
"May ask what you are doing in front of my house."
Kanan let his arm fall back to his sides. Sighing, he turned to the vehicle and motioned for the others to exit.
Zeb was next to last, pulling the boy out with him. This time Ezra didn't fight, staring with wide eyes up at the man.
Trevor's face abruptly changed. For a split second, Kanan thought he could detect anger in the man's expression. It faded so fast into a smile that he thought he imagined it all.
"So, the lost lamb decided to return." He knelt down before the now trembling youth. He wrapped a hand around his arm.
"What's wrong, Ezra? I'm not angry at you." He stood and pushed the boy toward the house.
"Go on up to your room. I will be right with you."
The boy glanced at Kanan, as if begging him to not go. Another push, this time more forceful, sent him scurrying away.
Trevor turned back to them.
"Thank you for bringing the kid home. I was beginning to think I would never seem him again
"The pleasure is ours, sir." Hera said politely, though her face told a different story.
While they continued to talk, Kanan noticed Sabine slowly slip away, heading toward the house. He saw that the man was about to turn, ready to head back into the house.
"Pardon me sir, but can you help us? Our engine was making strange noises. I would like to here a second opinion."
He caught the surprised look Zeb sent his way. He couldn't blame him. The car was just fine. But Hera caught on immediantly.
"Yes please. I honestly don't know what's wrong with it."
The man's face flashed annoyance at being bothered, but bowed.
"Of course."
….
Sabine came through the front door just as he was about to open the door at the far end of the dim, dirty hall. She jogged after him, grabbing his arm before he could enter the room.
"Wait a moment kid, I just want to talk. Can I came in?"
Ezra hesitated a moment before stepping back. Letting her step inside.
Sabine was shocked. Judging by the size of the house, she had assumed that Ezra's room would be fairly large, or at least a decent size.
Instead she found a room not much bigger than a closet. Despite the fact that it only contained a small bed and a bedside dresser, she only had to take about two steps from the door to reach the bed. What bothered her the most though, was that there was no window. No sunshine streaming in, or the colors of life from the world around them. It was almost like the younger boy was cut off from the rest of the world.
Like he was cut off from life itself.
Sabine carefully sat down on the rickety bed, wincing at the loud creak as the springs gave to the added weight. She patted the space beside her.
Ezra obeyed her silent command and sat down. He wrapped his arms around his thin frame as if he was cold.
Sabine wracked her brain, trying to think of a place to begin.
"So, happy to be back home?" A half hearted shrug was her answer. She frowned. He didn't seem too thrilled about it. Of course, if her room was like this, she wouldn't be either.
"You okay?"
He looked up at her. He seemed surprised, as if he couldn't believe that she actually cared enough to ask. He gave a slight nod, though his blue eyes told her a different story. N them, she could detect another emotion, somewhat akin to….fear?
What was wrong here?
She gripped his arm tightly. "Ezra, what is….."
She was cut off as he jerked away. He glowered in her direction as he cradled his arms. He seemed to be in pain.
Sabine followed her gut. Grabbing his wrist, she yanked up his sleeve. She would've swore that her heart stopped at what she discovered.
His bare skin was covered in scars, most of them fairly new. Cuts and bruises covered his limb, along with small marks that appeared to be cigeratte burns.
Anger was tight in her chest as she checked his other arm. By this time Ezra seemed to realize that this was a battle he wouldn't win and sat quietly as she studied similar marks on his other limb.
She met his gaze.
"Are there any more like these?"
Ezra's shoulders slumped. He motioned to his torso and legs. Her heart twisted at his soundless confession.
"Did Trevor do this to you?" She asked.
Ezra stiffened and turned away. He couldn't say a word: he didn't need to.
He heard her sigh, felt her gentle fingers touch his shoulder. Her next word startled him.
"Pack whatever you want to take with you. I promise, that monster will never touch you again." Patting his hand, she stood and left the room.
Ezra wasn't completely sure what was happening, but he jumped up to do as Sabine had asked.
It didn't take long to pack: everything he owned fit into his worn orange drawstring backpack.
Throwing the pack over his shoulders, he took a deep breath, then down the front stairs and out the door
…..
Trevor was growing impatient by the time Sabine arrived. His voice held a poorly veiled layer of anger as he spoke through gritted teeth.
"Yes, I see. Now if you don't mind, I would like to go check on Ezra. I haven't…"
"What do you mean, check on him?: Sabine came up behind him, placing her hands on her hips.
"By that, do you mean hit him, cut him, BURN him?" She spat out.
"What?" Hera cried, while Zeb jerked back in shock.
"I just saw Ezra's arms. The kid's being abused, Mom." Sabine pointed at the man. "And he's the one doing it."
Kanan was horrified at the accusation, but as he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Ezra's fear of returning home, the way he flinched whenever he was touched, all were signs pointing to physical mistreatment.
He could kick himself for not thinking of that sooner. And to think, they were about to return the poor kid to this monster.
Trevor's eye twitched as he stared Sabine down.
"I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about. I would never harm Ezra. His injuries must have happened after his disappearance….."
"Yeah right!" Sabine stepped closer so she was toe to toe with the man, glaring up at him.
"The scars aren't THAT recent. They happened while he was still with you, you little…."
CRACK.
Ezra exited the house just in time to see Sabine hit the ground, clutching her bleeding nose. He rushed over. Bending over, he stared in horror at the crimson liquid pouring from her nose.
Kanan reacted fast. He grabbed the man's arm, slamming him into the side of the car.
"So help me, make one more move and I'll make sure you don't wake up until next year." He hissed in the man's ear. Trevor gave up on struggling and slumped against the car.
Looking up, Kanan saw Hera kneeling by Sabine, hugging her tightly. On the girl's other side, Ezra rummaged through his pack. Finally he pulled out an old shirt. He handed it to Hera.
Sabine grimaced as Hera applied slight pressure with the now stained shirt. She tried to smile at the clearly terrified Ezra, only for it to turn into a grimace.
Zeb came over. He reached down and guided the girl to her feet, unusually gentle.
"You alright?"
Sabine loosened the pressure off her nose enough to speak.
"I will be." She grimaced again. "At least it's not broken."
Zeb nodded in relief, Patting her arm. He turned in Trevor's direction and his expression darkened. He took a menacing step in his direction. HE cracked his knuckles, loudly.
"Let me at 'em, Kanan. So help me, I'll make sure he never….."
"That won't be nesssary." Hera interrupted. She stood behind them. A hand rested on Ezra's slim shoulders, while her other held her cell phone.
"I just called the police. They said that a squad car was in the vinicity and should be here anytime now."
No sooner had she spoke than the sound of sirens filled the air.
Constructive critism is appreiated. Hope you guys liked!