Did I make the right choice? What if this ends up badly? I can only hope Kenny will forgive me…
…
…
…
The next morning, Kenny woke up to a groan.
"Kowalski!" The young boy rushed to his brother's side.
"K-Kenny…" Kowalski rasped.
"We're in New York."
Kowalski tried to smile.
"They want to talk to me…CPS wants me to go to their offices and…I'm scared."
"Spill…"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Kenny hugged his brother until the nurse came in to change Kowalski's bandages.
A while later, he was on his way to CPS office with George, Andrew, and Skipper; Sapphire, Rocky, and Rico were staying with Kowalski in the hospital.
When Kenny entered the building, he was surprised to see more people. Ramona's mother had brought her daughter along with Private. Barry was also there with a black haired girl that Kenny had seen after the swim meet. Allie was there too as she had been having a sleepover with Ramona.
"I told Ramona and Allie about being in a foster home." Barry said. "This is my sister, Jackie."
"Hi."
"You look just like your brother." Jackie said. "I met him when I visited for Spring Break." She added to his confused look.
"And we're all here to stand by and support you." Allie said.
"Kenny, do you want me to let your friends know?" George asked.
"Yes, please."
"Alright."
George sat down with the group while Andrew and Kenny headed into an interview room.
Two female interviewers were seated at a desk when they entered.
"Is he allowed in here?" One of them asked, pointing at Andrew.
"Yes, he is. Do you mind sitting back there?"
"Not at all." Andrew said, sitting at the back of the room.
Kenny sat at the desk in front of the two of them. The one on his right had her hair in a bun and the other had her hair down.
"Hi Kenny." The woman on the right said. "We heard you may have troubles with male interviewers so we were brought in here. My name is Julie and this is Tina."
"But he seems to have no problem with that man." The other woman said. "Who is he?"
"My friend's dad." Kenny said softly. "He let me spend Christmas with their family."
"And why didn't you spend Christmas with your own family?" Tina asked.
"That's a bit of a low blow, don't you think?" Julie said.
"My brother got in trouble with that man because he called Kowalski when he was drunk." Kenny said. "Kowalski explained it to me on the plane."
"I see. Is this the first time you celebrated Christmas without your brother?"
"It's the first time I celebrated."
"When's your birthday?"
"I don't know."
"You don't?" Tina asked. "What kid doesn't know his own birthday?"
"Kowalski didn't remember the day, but he told me I was born in May and he was born in January. He only remembered months and we made up the dates."
"Tell you what," Julie said with a smile. "We have investigators looking into your case right now. As soon as they find your birth certificates, we'll tell you when your birthday is."
"Okay."
They asked Kenny a few more questions about himself before delving into the deeper part. They were about to ask something when a man came in.
"Sorry, I'm late." He said. "The name's Todd, I'm one of the people in charge of Wisconsin PD and I happened to be visiting my niece when they called me here."
Kenny tensed up.
"Didn't they get the request for a female member?"
"They did and I'm sorry, but I was the only representative available. Are you Kenny?"
Kenny nodded slightly.
The man smiled. "Would you like a lollipop?" He set his briefcase down and pulled a lollipop out of it.
Kenny looked back at Andrew who smiled.
"Hello there, are you a family friend?"
"He and my son are friends."
"Oh, would you like a lollipop too?" He pulled out another lollipop.
"Yes please, thank you." Andrew accepted it with a reassuring smile.
Kenny accepted it and whispered thanks.
"No problem, kiddo."
Kenny was given a Pepsi as he began his story.
"How many times did you and your brother call the police?" Todd asked.
"Four, I think."
"Once should have been enough." The man sighed.
Kenny looked confused.
"Normally, they're supposed to report everything to the higher ups. Even if it's a prank call or someone calling to say 'you stink', we are bound by law to have it written down and presented to the higher ups for filing. A case like yours should have been investigated immediately. The first time your brother called, we should have mounted an investigation. All day, there were reports of crucial things missing such as birth certificates."
"Really?"
"Yes, we checked in every hospital in Wisconsin for them." Julie said. "They're not in the state of Wisconsin so we're looking to the government for help. We don't want you two to just disappear."
"Does that happen?"
Julie nodded sadly. "That girl out there is one of those who just disappeared off the radar for nearly three years." She said. "I think you met Jackie."
They continued the interview for a while, and then they took a lunch break. Kenny ate his lunch in silence, surrounded by his friends. They gave him comforting smiles and hugs. He ended up only eating a little bit.
After lunch, Kenny requested that George be in the room with him for the next hour or so. They would then let them go as Kenny was getting visibly tired.
Kenny recounted the rest of his life, but stuttered to a stop as he tried to get through what happened to Kowalski again. He had to step out of the room at one point so that George could explain what Kenny tried to say.
Julie had to step out after that to take a call. She came back in with a smile.
"We received a message stating that your certificates were found in the archives of the very hospital your brother is in right now."
"Really?" Kenny asked.
"Yep, and it turns out your birthday is the seventh of May and Kowalski's is January twenty-ninth."
Kenny grinned. "Thank you."
"No problem, kiddo. We'll be by the hospital tomorrow to talk to your brother, and then we have to talk about living arrangements."
Kenny's smile slid off his face.
"Don't worry; I'll try my best to make sure you two aren't separated." George said. "It'll be okay, I pr-"
"Don't." Kenny said. "Don't promise, just try, but please don't say you promise."
"I won't."
"Why not?" Tina asked.
"Because promises get broken." Kenny said. "And so do people."
"Can I promise that you two will be safe now?" George said. "Or at least that you never have to go back to that man ever again."
"Promise me that you'll never stop trying."
"I'll do one better. I promise I'll never stop caring."
Kenny smiled as they left the room.
…
"Was that your brother?" The nurse asked.
Kowalski nodded slightly.
"He's a sweet kid. My name's Chloe, I'll be your day nurse."
Kowalski didn't respond.
Chloe smiled sadly. "I know it's painful sweetie, but you're luckier than some other patients I have."
Kowalski snorted. "No." He rasped.
"Then make your own luck, kiddo." She said. She finished wrapping the last bandage and let Rico, Rocky, and Sapphire in.
"'Walski!" Rico said, darting forward. Kowalski winced, but Rico didn't jump on him. He looked like he wanted to jump though.
"Real subtle, Rico." Rocky said sarcastically. "How are you doing?" She smiled at Kowalski.
"Peachy..."
"I bet."
"Rikki?" Kowalski asked.
"Home." Rico answered.
"Speaking of home, we want you to come to our house for a while." Sapphire said. "I don't know how long we'll be able to have you, but I want to make sure you don't have to move so much."
Kowalski frowned. "Space…"
"Sweetie, I have a lot of space at my house. Chris has his own house, Brian and Toby are sharing an apartment about an hour away, and I've only got my youngest two at home. Also, Rico's here for a little bit." Sapphire said.
"Toby only comes to bug us when he wants things and the other two visit occasionally. They won't stay overnight too often because Chris lives nearby and Brian can drive. Brian usually drives Toby home, but Toby's lazy about eighty-five percent of the time." Rocky added. "I'll be in my room, Skipper has his, and there are two other rooms. You can take Chris's old room and we'll move Brian's bed in there."
"Yeah." Rico agreed. "I visit."
"Excuse me, sir." The nurse said.
Rico turned. "Rico." He said.
"Rico, would you like me to ask the doctor to check on your throat?" Chloe asked. "You sound like you might be ill."
"He's had vocal problems since he was a kid and he can't afford much in the way of treatments." Rocky said.
"How about I look for free?" The nurse offered. "I have the equipment in the next room, we can just look and see if I can get you something to make it easier. It sounds possibly painful." She added when he looked confused.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Sapphire asked.
"Uh, okay." Rico said with a shrug.
Rico and Sapphire followed the nurse into the other room.
…
"So, you look like you've been beat up." Rocky said.
Kowalski gave her a deadpan stare as if to say 'No, really? I didn't know that'. Rocky stared right back.
"We were worried about you." Rocky said. "Skipper hasn't stopped talking about you. Not that we want him to stop…well, Toby does, but that's not the point…anyway, we were concerned and when Kenny called…" She sighed. "I never heard Skipper panic so badly in my life. Not even what happened in Denmark made him panic that much. I didn't like Denmark that much either…especially not what Hans did."
Kowalski's eyes grew wide.
"No! It's nothing like that!" Rocky said.
Kowalski's expression changed to confusion.
"He was trying to irritate me and I did my best to ignore him until…well, he just yanked me backwards and kissed me! It was the worst kiss EVER!" She shuddered. "He never lets Skipper forget it. It's one of the reasons Skipper can't stand Hans. It was also one of the things leading up to the big fight. I didn't know anyone could do that much damage with fists and a couple golf carts. And they were ten year olds."
Kowalski grinned.
"I'm going to let Skipper tell you the rest."
He pouted.
"No." Rocky said. "Figure it out yourself!"
"Aww…" Kowalski groaned.
"You'll live."
Kowalski gave her another deadpan stare.
"You will!" Rocky said. "You're already sort of talking and…Kowalski?"
Kowalski's eyes fluttered before shutting.
Rocky put two fingers on his neck and sighed when she felt a pulse. She opened the door and called the nurse.
Chloe came back in with Rico and Sapphire. Rocky explained what happened while the nurse checked Kowalski.
"I'm surprised he stayed awake that long." The nurse said. "He's mentally exhausted as well as physically. It'll take him a while to be able to stay awake for longer periods of time."
"Should we go out?" Sapphire asked.
"No, but I would like to ask that you keep your voices down please." Chloe said. "Rico, let me know how that tea and the medicine works, alright? You can buy the tea at your local store and put some honey in it."
Rico nodded. "Thanks"
"No problem."
…
A few days later, Kenny and Kowalski's bags were delivered to Barry's foster home. Kowalski had been only able to stay awake for an hour at a time, waking every four hours. Kenny was told that his brother had several concussions and nearly fallen into a coma in the ER. They had nearly lost the older boy to respiratory problems and nerve damage.
Kowalski's injuries were more severe than they thought. Since he had been hit right in the spinal column, he could barely move without hurting. His central nervous system was currently a wreck. When awake, he felt jumpy and he couldn't see very well even with his glasses on. He was barely able to speak more than two words at a time. His voice was as hoarse as when he woke up after emergency surgery on two of his ribs which had been constricting his lungs.
During those few days, Kenny refused to leave the hospital even though Barry said he lived close by and Ramona was even closer. He stayed on the couch, often one of the adults would stay with him.
However, three days was enough for the hospital staff. Kenny screamed and cried as they tried to tell him he had to go. He refused to move, holding onto the railing of Kowalski's bed. This time, Private and his dad were at Henry's house back near Central Park. Allie's grandmother was sick and the family had to stay so they wouldn't get anyone else sick. Eggy had come down with the flu and the Belmonte's kept their kids inside, even though Ramona insisted she was fine. Sapphire took Rico and Skipper back to the Sorenson's house as visiting hours were over. George volunteered to stay the night, but was gone at the time to get food from the cafeteria.
Kowalski woke up with a start. He tried to sit up, but his injuries were too much.
"Don't let them take me away!" Kenny cried.
Kowalski looked around at two men who were trying to take Kenny out of the room.
"Kid, you have to go home." One of them said.
"NO!" Kenny yelled.
"Stop…" Kowalski groaned.
"H-help me."
"I'm sorry, but your brother has to go. Visiting hours are over and he's overstayed his welc-"
"Excuse me, are you disturbing my patients?" The nurse said as she entered. Normally, she was a kind looking woman, but now she was glaring at the men harshly with an expression that even Julien would be shamed.
"This kid is refusing to leave."
"What's going on?" George asked as he entered the scene.
"They're taking me away! They're going to separate us!"
"You never told us we couldn't stay the night." George said.
"Well you can't." One of the men said. "And this kid's being an issue."
"He's been traumatized." The nurse said exasperatedly. "Doesn't anything go by the book anymore? We're not animals, you know?"
George went to Kenny's side and patted his back.
"We need him to leave."
"I need you two to leave. I will take care of this now GO!"
The men grumbled as they left.
"I am so sorry about that." The nurse said. "I was going to inform you that you could stay tonight, but tomorrow night you cannot stay the night. Sorry, we have a limit on that."
Kenny quickly moved to Kowalski's side and held his hand.
"If it's a problem, I can bring Kenny to a friend's house. Barry lives nearby and they can probably come first thing in the morning." George said.
"If you can find a place for him tonight, they might not bite my head off, but if you can't then tomorrow's fine." The nurse replied.
"Kenny, can we go to Barry's house? I promise you can come right after breakfast."
"Kowalski…" Kenny whimpered.
"Go." Kowalski said.
"To Barry's?"
Kowalski managed a weak smile.
Kenny nodded.
The nurse apologized again as George and Kenny got ready to leave. Kenny became unresponsive again. He merely stared with misted eyes and let himself be led to the car. He knew he was being spoken to, but his voice had disappeared and his heart was gone.
George explained to Barry's foster parents the situation before hugging Kenny and saying goodbye.
…
When George arrived home, Skipper immediately began firing questions about why his father wasn't waiting with Kenny. Once his youngest son stopped questioning, George told his family what happened.
Skipper swore loudly. Normally his mother would have scolded him, but Sapphire was too shocked to do so. Even Rocky didn't point out that Skipper had used a swear word. She was creating plans on how exactly to hurt those guys who took Kenny away, even though none of them would have worked.
Later, Skipper let Rico and Private know what happened. They were as shocked as the leader had been. Private wanted to call Kenny, but realized he wouldn't have a cell phone. He did try to call Barry, but was told that Kenny was barely responding to anyone. Skipper thought that this might be a backwards step for Kenny and they would have to help him.
…
Kowalski was startled awake a few times during the night; his brain was replaying images of Kenny being separated from him. Many of those images involved more destruction and blood as they progressed. He couldn't tell anyone about them either, he was struggling to speak and ended up passing out again.
…
Barry normally would have grinned and bounced over, but he had been told by others to be sensitive at the moment.
Kenny barely ate that night. He had tuned out the other kids and his walls were up again. He was cracking, but trying to fill them up as it happened.
Kenny was put in a room that had been previously occupied by two little girls. They had been adopted and he had to sleep in there. On the other bed was as chatty girl, but he tuned her out too.
The girl fell asleep fairly quickly…after she stopped talking…but Kenny was restless. Every spot he tried to lay on felt uncomfortable. He managed to fall asleep at two in the morning.
A/N: Skipper: Two updates in two days! Well that doesn't happen too often
Private: TK claims it was because of boredom, but I have a strong feeling it was also so the readers don't kill the author.
Kowalski: Don't worry, we signed a contract that says the four of us are subject to torture but will not actually die.
Rico: Yep!
Julien: When do I come back?
Skipper: Chapter 45, but we won't see you in the flesh for a while, depends on what TK wants to do.
Private: I can't seem to find TK at the moment. How was this chapter posted without the author?
Skipper: TK asked me to post it without questions.
Tammy: HEEEYYYY, Is that girl at the end MEEEE?! I wanna know!
Kowalski: Oh golly…
Skipper: AAH! END NOTE! PENGUIN SKIPPER TOLD ME ABOUT HER, HURRY! POST THIS CHAPTER!
Kowalski: You're in front of the computer…
Skipper: …I knew that…
