Ok, here it is chapter 9. It wasn't meant to be written like this, and it was meant to be the final chapter. But as I was writing it, it just began to write itself like this. Hope you all think it was worth the wait. And please read and review. xxx
Chapter 9
The moment Baloo and Kit walked into the shack, Rebecca expected outrage, what she didn't expect was the range of vocabulary which had fallen out of Kit's mouth. She didn't realise Kit knew words like that, though his time was the Sky Pirates was so intense, it wasn't really surprising. As she reported the incident to the police, she knew child abuse cases weren't new. But as soon as she mentioned Kit's age, and the Sky Pirates, she could then hear the urgency in their voice, as they asked Rebecca to keep Kit there and they would be sending a car straight away.
"How could you? How could you?" He screamed at the pair of them, making his way to the bedroom to retrieve his small bag, only to be stopped by Baloo. Kit glared at the older bear, who had a firm grip on his arm. "You're not going anywhere Kit".
Anger seethed through Kit, who though had made a vow not to run, had momentary forgotten his promise. "They're going to put me in jail Baloo, do you want that? Do you Mrs Cunningham?" "Of course I don't, Kit", Rebecca gently responded, "But you have to go to the authorities"
"Why?" Anger dripped from Kit's voice. "So I can go to prison?"
The conversation was going nowhere fast, so Baloo had to bring it back down to earth, "Christopher". Kit stopped, at the use of Baloo using his real name, in an authoritative tone. How does he ever know, my name? Kit wondered, but decided not to question that further. "You are going to the authorities".
Before Kit could open his mouth to protest, Baloo didn't give him a chance. "You owe it to too many people, not too". Seeing the quizzical look on Kit's face, Baloo said something that Kit had never considered. "You've been here for a month, Kit. Have you ever wondered, if he may have got someone to replace you? He had others before you, remember that?"
Kit's eyes opened, he hadn't he generally hadn't ever thought about that. There was silence in the room, as the thought processed through Kit's mind, as he looked away, feeling deflated. "There's a car, on its way now". Rebecca informed them both, "Wait here the two of you, I'm going to have Wildcat pick up Molly".
While Rebecca was out of the shack, Kit stared intently out of the window, he was expecting the police car and men in uniforms to hurl him away; instead he was surprised to see a blue sedan turning into the road, and a very petite middle aged woman exit the car. The sun illuminated her face, giving her a pleasant glow as she turned towards the shack. Baloo immediately began to feel embarrassed for his place; this woman looked like an Angel, who was coming into his organised chaos.
As she made her way towards the door, Baloo glanced over at Kit who still wore the same troubled expression on his face. "It was fun while it lasted", he muttered under his breath, as she knocked at the door, Kit wanted to run all over again, but since his only exit was blocked by adults, he had no choice but to stand there whilst Baloo opened the door, just as Rebecca was coming in behind her.
"Ahhh Mr Cunningham", the woman said, before Baloo could correct her. "I'm Mrs Gold from the Child Welfare Agency". "No, that's Baloo von Bruinwald, my employee, I'm Rebecca Cunningham". Rebecca stated, having come through the door after her. "I see, and you must be Kit?"
Like so many other times in his life, Kit was suddenly scared of authority, so he just inched closer to Baloo. The Officer easily sensed his nervousness, and took on the same air he had seen so many times with Mrs Cunningham. "I understand, your unease Kit, but all were going to do today, is take you down the station so you can tell us what happened". Kit wasn't totally convinced of this, but both Baloo and Rebecca held the same look on their faces, as Kit found himself led to the sedan.
With Baloo and Rebecca between him, the car smelled expensive as Kit turned to look at the shack and the Seaduck, for he hoped wasn't the last time. Kit knew it was a few miles to the Police Station, but they seemed to be the longest of his life as Rebecca held his hand, whilst he just stared at the floor.
As they pulled up to the Station, Kit's fears almost got the better of him, as Baloo gripped his hand, as was envisioning being led to the cells and left there to rot. Word that they were bringing in a teenage Sky Pirate had spread through the Prescient like wildfire, and several men were waiting at the front desk to see the bane of their lives. The chatter of them men fell silent, as Kit walked through the door; half of them look embarrassed; the other half couldn't take their eyes off him. Kit hadn't noticed, but Baloo caught one of them whispering "My God, he's just a kid", Kit still expected to be taken to the cells, was surprised instead to be directed to a bright room, which contained sofas, chairs, toys and magazines.
"Kit, if you'd like to go in", Mrs Gold directed as Kit gripped Baloo's hand tighter. "Not without Baloo", he uttered terrified, this was just a ruse to get him to the cells. Mrs Gold smiled, understandable "Of course, and Mrs Cunningham, if you want her too?"
As the three bears sat, with Kit in the middle, still scared to release his grip on Baloo's hand, as Mrs Gold, sat on the chair opposite, and pulled from her bag, a pen, notebook and recording device. "Kit", she explained, "Just so we get everything right, I will have to record everything you say, I understand, you're afraid, but no matter what you have done in the past, you will not be judged, nor charged with crimes relating to the Sky Pirates". Kit blinked at her last statement, "You mean I won't go to jail?"
Mrs Gold shook her head. "You're a minor, which means you were not responsible for any of your actions, but what I need you to do is tell me everything that happened". As she produced snacks and drinks, sensing this was going to be a long day.
Kit, now visibly relieved, steadied himself as the recorder pressed down, took a deep breath and began, "My name is Christopher Cloudkicker and I was recruited by Don Karnage..."
In total the meeting went on for six hours, several times they had to pause whilst Kit steadied himself, by now he remembered dates and times of his beating, mentioning several times, the kindness of a Pirate called Mad Dog, all of which Mrs Gold wrote down. For Baloo, this was second hand information, but for Rebecca and Mrs Gold, this was their first and even though they both tried to show professionalism, the sadness etched on all their faces.
As the interview concluded, Kit did his best to ensure they knew Baloo, was the one who had saved his life, that Baloo was the one who had taken him in. Suddenly afraid, he would end the conversation and lose him. Baloo feeling his fear, stroked the back of his neck reassuringly. As the interview concluded, Kit felt exhausted from having to re-live the last year over and over again, as Mrs Gold stood up, saying she would be back in a second, but returned ten minutes later with a police photographer. "Kit, for us to document the abuse, we need to take photographs of your scars, would that be all right?" It wasn't what he wanted, as the blood rose to Kit's face. "It's alright Kit", Rebecca whispered, grabbing his hand, "We'll be with you,"
"Actually I'd like to speak to Baloo outside, if that's all right with you?" Baloo wanted to stay, but since the professional needed to speak with him, he reassured Kit, that it would be all right, as Kit slipped of the sofa, and in front of the photographer exposed his back. The photographer had seen some serious crime scenes over the years, but ever he was stunned at the abuse inflicted on Kit's small body. Baloo followed Mrs Gold into a side room and saw through two-way glass, an invention he had never seen before, which looked back into the room, even with Rebecca holding his arms, as the camera exploded across his back, Kit jerked as if that residue memory of the beatings was crossing his shoulders. All Baloo could do was watch and wish he was in there, whilst Mrs Gold addressed him, "I know he's been through Hell, and that's why I wanted to bring you out here"
"Whilst my boy, is being photographed!" Baloo didn't mean to sound so sharp, but he was tired of all of this, and all he wanted to do was get Kit home. Mrs Gold understood this, and preserved, "I know, I know, but I'll be honest with you, this may get worse for Kit!"
"In what way?"
"Kit ran away from an orphanage, spent a year with the Pirates and now is here...he is a strong boy, but what he needs now is help and support"
"Are you going to take him away from me?", the sudden horror ran through Baloo, and he was determined that would not happen
Mrs Gold smiled sincerely, "Actually quite the opposite, Kit has made it clear he wants to be with you more than anything, by placing him back in the foster care system, I believe this will be detrimental to his future. However he is still only twelve, he has gaps in his schooling, so I am going to recommend a state funded tutor, until he's academically improved enough to enter the public school system. I also want to arrange some counselling, to assist in his transition period, and even though you are a single man, with less than a stellar financial, however Mr von Bruinwald, there is extensive records of you and your aviation performance, in both the War and in defending Cape Suzette against the Sky Pirates on several occasions".
Baloo groaned inwardly, he really did not want to be reminded of that, knowing full well that ever victory, he had against the Pirates was another whip against Kit's back. Mrs Gold brought him down to earth, with the sound of her voice "So, what I am going to recommend to the courts is that you become Kit's temporary foster father, pending permanency". Baloo blinked, "Pending..."
Mrs Gold peered over her glasses. "I'm not going to lie to you Mr von Bruinwald, we've been trying to arrest the Sky Pirates for some time, courtesy of Kit's evidence, we now have against his original charges of being a Sky Pirate, we now have attempted murder, abuse, and intimidation all against a child...we have enough evidence for a stronger warrant for his arrest, to be issued immediately". Baloo could have kissed her, "You mean you can seriously arrest him?"
Mrs Gold, beamed, "Let's say were going to try, until then, whilst I was out of the room, I did talk to my superiors about Kit, and they are happy for him to stay with you, however, there are some conditions that have to be met". It took a few minutes, as Baloo and Mrs Gold entered the room, at the exact moment the photographer was finishing, who made a hasty retreat, clearly hating that part of his job. Kit was pulling his sweater back on and Baloo couldn't help but notice Kit's, eyes were red rimmed.
As Mrs Gold discussed what she had just informed Baloo, every adult in the room, couldn't help but notice Kit's tension disappearing. Then she added the one thing Baloo knew Kit wouldn't be happy about "You mean I'm grounded!" He exclaimed in shock, even with Karnage dominating the skies, flying was the one thing he loved before everything else, on the planet. "No, it means that apart from any special circumstances or moments we know Karnage is not in the flight area, you will have to remain out of the skies". "But I'm Baloo's navigator; I have to be with him"
Kit's excuses fell on deaf ears, as Rebecca could only shoot Baloo a look, whilst the adults discussed Kit's welfare, as if he was not in the room. It was made clear, Baloo would go on his flights, whilst Kit stayed being. He would also have to have a tutor and counselling, Kit knew was for his own well-being, but he hated the sudden loss of control over his life. As the meeting concluded, and the rather unorthodox, according to Mrs Gold, family, filed out of the room. Kit's mind was a myriad of emotions, which he couldn't voice on the way back to higher for Hire, his home. The concept was a new one for Kit and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.
Mrs Cunningham and Baloo, both couldn't hide their delight and kept stealing smiles at each other whilst Baloo slung his arm over Kit's shoulder in comfort. The sun was setting over the bay as the car pulled into their shack. Wildcat and Molly were playing catch on the dock. "Mommy", she squealed in delight running over to her mother. Rebecca gave her daughter a deep hug, breathing in the scent of her innocence. "Where you been Momma?"
"Mommy had some grown-up things to do sweetie" Rebecca explained, not wanting Molly to know anything about it. As Kit watched from a distance, Baloo came up behind him "Heck of a day, ha Kit?" it was all Baloo could say. And all Kit could do was nod in response. "Baloo", he suddenly said after being quiet for so long, "What happens now?" Baloo smiled, "I really don't know"
With Kit's future now in the hands of other people, it seemed like moments for things to process. Baloo heard first they had issued a warrant for Don Karnage for all the reasons involving Kit, although his name was withheld, in addition tothe other numerous act of crime he had committed over the years. Baloo thought of the times the entire region had encountered Karnage, but only gave a damn when they found out he was abusing children. Baloo was hoping Kit would somehow remain anonymous, but it was a matter of seconds that people figured out it was Kit. The only teenage Sky Pirate they knew, who had that altercation in Louie's on that fateful day.
In the meantime Baloo, for woke up every morning, knowing he now had a child to support and little by little, a bear who considered himself a total bum, suddenly began to get his act together. That night as an exhausted Kit slept; Baloo sat down with Rebecca and worked out Kit's entire schedule. It was simple really, with Kit grounded; he would spend his days with Rebecca, doing his schoolwork in the Higher for Hire office, or at his appointment with the councillors. In truth Baloo, had always considered Shrinks, as a bunch of Quarks, but he recognised Kit needed help which he couldn't supply.
The next morning as Baloo headed off, Kit watched from the office window, itching to sneak on board. Mrs Gold, had called them that morning, to advise an Educational specialist would be there in the afternoon, to check Kit's education level. As Baloo launched the Seaducks engines and climbed through the skies, he suddenly saw in Kit's seat, a map folded up with a note, and couldn't suppress a smile, "Baloo, it's the quickest way, get home soon, Kit". It was signed at the bottom, even though he was barred from the skies, Kit still wanted to be useful as a navigator, in the end Baloo was grateful for it, as thanks to Kit's direction he narrowly missed three storms and was home before the sunset.
Docking the plane, he approached the Higher for Hire office, and was almost taken aback by what he saw, Kit was sitting at the desk next to Rebecca, who was both looking over the deliveries, and aiding Kit with his homework, Molly was running around pretending to be Danger Woman, it suddenly struck Baloo, how much of a family, they looked together. Rebecca had that motherly and patient way about her, as she aided Kit with his lessons, Baloo almost felt guilty, for walking through the door, and disturbing the scene, even though Molly clearly didn't as she bounced into Baloo's arms for a cuddle. "Baloo". She squealed in excitement, "I'm Danger Woman", "I know you are Princess", he assured her as he approached the desk, whilst Rebecca and Kit began to tell him, about their day.
As Mrs Gold had suggested, Kit was behind in the typical things a student needed, like English and Science, but advanced in Maths and Physics. He also had an appointment to see a counsellor the next day, which Rebecca was taking him too. In the days that followed, it was strange to Baloo, to suddenly have a routine thrust upon him. In the skies he missed Kit, but loved coming home to a shack full of life, as the weeks wore on, there were changes occurring, of which he had no control over.
Although Baloo had hoped to protect Kit from it all, he was not so fortunate especially when Shere Khan publicly announced, that he was personally placing a reward for a thousand dollars, for any information aiding to the arrest of Don Karnage. Suddenly every pilot who had ever dreamed of a windfall took to the skies, but even that didn't seem to tighten the net in the vast blue yonder.
The fact, he was still out there, seemed to affect Kit, even if he had constant reassurance Karnage wouldn't find him, his subconscious hadn't realised that, and almost every night Baloo, woke up, to the sound of Kit in the throes of a nightmare. Even at these times where he felt the most helpless, all Baloo could do was hold him, whilst he calmed down, eventually learning the art of soothing, as the boy slept once more. Some nights, when Baloo, sensed there were more to the dreams, he would sit up with Kit, who told him more about his life with the Sky Pirates, but even though Baloo sensed Kit was relieved to finally tell his story, Baloo sensed something more behind those eyes.
In all this Baloo had steered clear, of Louie's during the day, only heading there at times, when the bar was less busy so he could unload in privacy, to a sympathetic and attentive friend. Who, for once just listened whilst Baloo unloaded what had happened to Kit, but never asked any more of his friend. Then one crisp Sunday, and neither Baloo nor Kit had any plans, Baloo decided to take him to Louie's for shakes. He had heard reports that Karnage had been spotted several hundred miles away, and the police had confirmed the skies were totally clear for a brief visit away from Cape Suzette.
As the Seaduck took to the skies, Kit was so happy he was practically bouncing in his seat, though Baloo warned him, he would tie him down if he needed too. Even though Cloud Surfing was still barred, Kit, opened the window, a few inches, and let the cold air wash over him. Over the weeks, had forgotten how much the skies meant to him, and Baloo who had missed his presence, shared his enthusiasm. As the plane docked outside Louie's, both men entered the Island shack, and in a second, the typical noise of Louie's was cut silent, and all eyes fell on Kit.
Kit had only been there a few times, but he knew the usual noise and revelry. All now was silence as every pair of eyes fell on him, he heard a harsh whisper of "That's Karnage's Pirate", before he spun on his heels and brushed past Baloo, back to the bright sunshine of the dock. Baloo felt a surge of anger, deliberately letting his footsteps fall heavily, and he approached the nearest one, a scrawny pilot, who Baloo knew to be one of the biggest motor mouths of the skies.
Baloo knew his reputation preceded him, and he was happy to use that to his advantage, knowing all he needed was a Stetson and pistol, and this encounter would be remiss of a western. Approaching the pilot, Baloo, glanced down, and was pleased to see; he looked suitably freaked out, and moved lower until his eyes were almost level, with his. "Do you have a problem with me?" He asked sternly. The Pilot looked worried, almost immediately beads of sweat seemed to break out across his lips, as he shook his head "Do you have a problem, with my navigator?", narrowly avoiding calling Kit his son, not that he didn't want to yell it from the rooftops, he just didn't wasn't to add to the speculation, again followed by a head shake. "Well, that is perfect, so the next time, we come in here, you are going to act like nothing is out of the ordinary aren't you?" A head nod, in response.
"You are going to, go about your business, and leave, that boy alone, because I can tell you this, he's a great kid, and to me is worth more than almost every one of you". He directed the last statement to Louie, who could only nod in response, his own face of thunder. There were murmurs across the bar, as the message finally began to sink in. "Well, that's good", Baloo muttered, turning around and throwing a quick farewell to Louie. As the bar, door closed, Baloo was grateful to hear, the sheer angry voice of Louie's fill the bar, successfully shaming them, for their actions.
As expected Kit was seated, in his seat staring out of the window in silence, which continued as the plane roared across the sea, and back into Cape Suzette, that night Kit wouldn't even talk to Baloo, who desperately tried to get something out of him. He seemed to shut himself away, trying to reconcile his thoughts, Baloo, made the decision, the next morning to speak to his councillor, for assistance, which Rebecca agreed on, and shifted his work to Wildcat, who was grateful for something to do. Even since Baloo, had increased his work load, Wildcat, had found himself with more time on his own hands and was usually found tinkering with his inventions. It was a stunning day, as Baloo walked into the Doctors office, and all the windows were open, in an attempt to cool the room down, there was no one else but Kit being seen at that time, which Baloo was grateful for, as the sound of Kit's voice travelled, Baloo realised he was unintentionally eavesdropping on the conversation, but what he heard from the mouth of that boy caused his jaw to drop with surprise
Ok, we're now moving into the final chapter, so what will happen next. Please review xxx