First of all, I need to let you guys know that I won't be updating for a while. In a few days I'm leaving for teen conference, which I will be gone to for four days. Than the day after I get back I'm leaving for 4h camp, at which I'll be a counselor. So do not expect any updates for At LEAST a week. I will try to update as soon as I get back, but I will most likely be so tired I'll sleep for at least a month XD
Anyhow, not sure if I like how this chapter turned out. Let me know what you think!
Hera parked in front of the firm, a tall, foreboding building. In the passenger seat, Kanan unbuckled his seatbelt. He twisted around to look at Ezra sitting in the backseat.
"You ready?"
Ezra nodded. In truth, he felt far from it. His instincts were screaming at him to run, to get as far away as possible.
Zeb climbed out of the vehicle first. Sabine followed him. She turned back to look into the interior of the Ghost, smiling warmly and holding out her hand.
"Come on, kid." He took it immediantly, gripping it tightly. Kanan smiled at the sight. Together they entered the building.
The receptionist looked up as they entered.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, we have a appointment with Morad Sumer." Kanan spoke for them.
The woman nodded and checked something on her computer screen.
"Name please?"
"Kanan Jarrus."
She typed something on her keyboard. Apparently she found what she was looking for. She waved them down the hall.
"Last door to your right."
"Thank you." Kanan than turned to Zeb and Sabine, motioning to the chairs lined up by a nearby wall.
"You two wait here, alright?"
Zeb looked like he was going to argue, but before he could even could began the girl latched onto his arm, dragging him off.
Ezra walked between the two adults as they headed down the hallway. His emotions were a mixture of dread and excitement. It was great to finally see Morad after all these years, but dreaded the circumstances that even brought them there. He didn't know anything about trials, what would happen, what should he expect?
Kanan looked down and must have seen the fear on his face. He squeezed his shoulder.
"Don't worry kid." He said softly.
"Things will turn out okay, you'll see."
Ezra didn't even meet his eyes, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. He could feel eyes studying him, but he refused still to look up.
"We're here." Hera said. She reached out, rapping her knuckles on the wood door.
"Come in." a voice called.
The man stood from behind his desk as they entered. He smiled when he saw the youth.
"Ezra, my, look at how much you've grown." He walked out from behind the desk, holding his arms out.
Kanan and Hera were shocked when Ezra ran forward into the man's embrace. They had never seen the teen act this way with anyone before, just happy and excided to see someone, especially a stranger. Though Kanan was beginning to suspect that these two had known each other for a long time.
After a few brief moments Morad released Ezra, ruffling the already mussed up hair.
"It's so good to see you again, Ezra." He then walked up to the other two, sticking out an hand.
"You must be Kanan Jarrus, I'm Morad Sumer. I assume that this is your wife."
After hands were shook and introductions made, Morad once again sat down behind his desk, waving at the chairs in front of the him.
"Have a seat, then we we'll get down to the reason of your vist."
Both Hera and Ezra sat down. Kanan stood behind them, crossing his arms.
"Excuse me sir, but it is obvious that you both know each other. How do you know the kid?"
Morad quirked an eyebrow. "Ezra didn't tell you?"
"Uh, not really." Kanan glanced at the boy, who suddenly found his lap very interesting.
"I was friends with his parents, Mira and Ephraim. I watched Ezra grow up." He turned to look at the youth.
"At the time of their…passing I was out of town, with a sick relative. No called to tell me what had happened and by the time I returned, Ezra had already disappeared. I tried to find what happened, but Ezra here certainly knows how to cover his tracks. I never found out what happened, than I received a call from you Kanan." His smile slowly faded.
"But what is this about a trial?"
Kanan explained about the Trevor and the abuse. Ezra winced at the mention of his former foster parent, hands shaking. Hera scooted her chair closer to his, rubbing small circles onto his shoulders. The contact seemed to work, if only slightly, and Ezra soon calmed, though his face was still white.
"….When Sabine saw the scars, she soon figured out what was going on and came down to confront him. That's when we found out and we called the police." Kanan finished.
"Kid, show him your arms."
Reluctantly Ezra pulled off his jacket to reveal the scars. Though his injuries had healed, the marks were still bright against the tan skin.
Morad stared at the scars, making the youth squirm under his scrutiny. Sadness tinged with guilt marred the lawyer's face.
"I am so sorry Ezra." He sighed.
"If I had only known at the time, when it had happened…maybe I could have done something, kept you away from that 'man'" He said the last word as if it were poison.
Ezra smiled, as if trying to reassure him. He motioned at the other two adults, indicating how they had helped him. Hera smiled, giving him a one armed hug. For the first time he didn't tense or flinch away, instead snuggling closer into the hold. Kanan patted his shoulder.
Morad smiled at the sight. Than he sobered.
"I'll make a request for the police file on Ezra. It's appears to be a clean cut case though. I have a feeling that it won't take that much to put Trevor behind bars for a long while." He stood and led them to the door.
"I'll call you in the next few days, and we'll arrange another day to meet again before the trial." He once again ruffled Ezra's hair.
"It was good to see you again Ezra." The boy grinned at him. Kanan and Hera once again shook hands with the lawyer before they left.
They headed back to the lobby. Sabine jumped up when she saw them. Zeb also rose, though at a much slower pace.
"How'd it go?" The girl asked as they approached.
"It went good, I believe." Kanan said as he led them outside.
"Sounds like the case will most likely go in our favor."
Hera got behind the wheel of the Ghost.
"How about we eat lunch at the park today? Be a shame to waste such a beautiful day."
Everyone agreed. First they stopped at a fast food restaurant to pick up their meal, then headed to the park, where they found a picnic table and sat down.
Ezra nibbled on his chicken nuggets, gazing at their surroundings. Nearby was a small pond, where several ducks swam around. He smiled when he saw on dunk his head underwater in search of food, coming back up with a shake of his head.
One lone duck climbed out of the water and waddled toward them. He stopped within five feet of the table, quacking pitifully.
Ezra grabbed a couple of his French fries, tossing them in the ducks direction. It quickly gobbled them down, looking at him expectantly. Ezra tossed another one, which disappeared just as quickly.
Soon two other ducks joined the first, each begging for their own share of food. Ezra tossed more with a laugh.
The others watched on, exchanging smiles with each other. Despite of everything that had went on today, despite dredging up the boy's dark past, here he was, openly relaxed and enjoying himself. It was nice. Knowing Ezra felt comfortable enough around them to let his guard down.
Kanan grinned. He tore off some bread from his sandwich, tossing them in the ducks' direction. Ezra looked at him in surprise. Then, almost shyly, he smiled back.