A Friend in Need

by Demonwolf

When his family agrees to help care for a boy whose only relative is sick, James is initially eager to help out another boy in need. But Dylan Anderson couldn't be more different from James and not in a good way. But he's just a boy; he can't be that bad. Can he?

43. Chapter 43

Ch. 43

Saturday was a grey day.

That was the first thing James noticed when he woke up. Reaching over to switch off his alarm before it started to ring, the little boy noticed the dim light that gave his bedroom a pearly hue. Slate grey shadows splashed over his walls and ceiling while silvery shafts of light slithered over his bed and carpet. Sitting up, James glanced at his neatly organized bookshelf and closed toy chest. Up on his toy shelf, the little otter lay curled up on the truck, both of the toys almost radiating contentment with each other's presence.

James smiled at the pair; toys though they were, he knew that the truck and otter were going to love the game he and Tessa were planning. And they looked so relaxed in the cloudy light. James's couldn't blame them; without a breath of wind to rattle bare tree branches, a heavy silence blanketed the room and the lull of his warm bedcovers and soft pillow was enough to make the little boy's eyes feel heavy again. More than anything, James wanted to lay back down and drift back to sleep without worry about what today would bring.

But... no. He couldn't do that.

With a sigh, James pushed himself out of bed and began readying himself for the day. Today was family court day and the first time he'd see Dylan since the morning the older boy had run away from school. As he made his bed, James found himself wondering how Dylan would behave today. Would he continue to throw fits and make demands, even in front of the judge? Or would the nine-year-old's time in the Renovito Juvenile Detention Center have mellowed him out a bit? James's didn't know, but he was certain that Dylan was sure to be unhappy about the whole situation.

He's not the only one.

James swallowed a lump in his throat as he pulled on a pair of tan slacks and a white collared shirt and tie. Right, Dylan's grandmother was going to be in attendance too; Mrs. Ladybug had confirmed that last night.

"Amelia Anderson has been cleared to attend court, but she'll be in a wheelchair and with a nurse. If she spikes a fever in the morning, she won't be able to attend, of course. And if she starts to feel poorly during the hearing, she'll need to go back to the hospital right away."

"Any chance they can just sedate her?"

"Very funny, Centipede, but if she's up to it, Amelia does have the right to speak to the judge."

"Which, I'm sure, will be incredibly enlightening," Mr. Grasshopper had said, sarcasm heavy in his voice.

"Will Dylan get to see her?" James had asked.

"I'm sure he will, dear. I know Ms. Gould wants them to have some time together, if only to talk."

"Talk? They're likely to scream the whole courthouse down."

"And if they do that, Earthworm, they will simply make the judge's decision that much easier."

"I hope the judge is nice," James said now, looking up at his toy shelf. "Dylan was bad, but only because his grandmother taught him to be bad." James paused, then added,

"My family said that's why Dylan can't go home with his grandmother today. He's not going to be happy about that and I don't think Mrs. Anderson will either. I just hope no one gets in serious trouble."

James blinked as he thought he saw the otter's tail twitch a bit and the truck's headlights seem to flash in the early morning light. The little boy nodded in agreement.

"Right. I guess they can't get in any more trouble than they already are. But it's still not fun when people yell and scream at you because they're mad at something they did. At least you don't have to worry about that."

James reached up to pet the otter, causing her head to tilt slightly as he did.

"No, don't worry, I'll be okay. My family will be with me and they said I don't have to talk to the judge or anything. We're just all going together because that's what families do. That's probably why you two go everywhere together, right? That's good." James smiled at the otter and truck and stepped away. "I'd better finish getting ready. See you two later."

If only he could stay with the truck and otter today. James sighed as he brushed his teeth and washed his face. Much as he wanted to help his family and Dylan, the little boy was not looking forward to today. Oh sure, he wasn't going to be forced to sit by himself in a dark hallway all alone and scared while a group of grownups talked about "the burden of orphans in the system" and "the issue of locating adequate guardians." Nor would James have to worry about being dragged into a car and sent off to live with relatives he'd never met before and who were not looking forward to helping ...

Heart still heavy, James made his way out of the bathroom and downstairs. To his surprise, the downstairs was silent and still in the early morning. Mildly surprised, James paused to look at the clock on the mantle above the fireplace and discovered it was barely past 7:00 a.m. Oh, so he could have slept longer.

I guess I was too nervous to read the time properly.

Oh well, much as falling back asleep would have been nice, James doubted he would have been able to stay asleep for long anyway. James took a seat on the couch closest to the window and rested his head in his arms against the plush end of the sofa. Outside, Central Park lay still covered in snow, though by now the paths were clear and relatively free of ice. While still cold, the damp chill and freezing winds had departed New York City and if what Centipede had said was true (and James was certain it was), they were gone for good until next winter. Soon enough, the snow would start to melt, the leaves would start to bloom, and winter would become spring. James was looking forward to that and all the fun he and his friends would have in the warmer weather. Playing in the snow was fun, but sometimes the cold could make staying out long difficult, even when you were enjoying yourself.

And when it's warmer, you don't have to worry about people nearly freezing to death.

Well, yes, that was certainly true. The little boy watched the heavy clouds drift by as he wondered what spring would bring for Dylan. Would the older boy still be living in the city? Would he still attend James's school? Would his new family also have to deal with Dylan's fits about homework and healthy meals, and bedtimes? Or would Dylan have to go somewhere else? James knew Mrs. Ladybug had mentioned something to Ms. Gould about Dylan living on a farm outside the city and James had to admit that it didn't sound too bad. After all, if you couldn't live with your family anymore, a farm wouldn't be so bad. His mother had done something like that.

"The school I went to when I was a girl was built on an old farm and they still had animals and crops that needed to be tended to. All of the students helped out and yes, it was hard work, but it was so rewarding. I even raised a duckling by myself and he went on to have plenty of children. By the end of our term, quite a few of my classmates went on to become farmers while others developed a real taste for gardening."

James sighed as the memory left him. If Spiker and Sponge had owned a farm, living with them might not have been as miserable as it was. True, his aunts would have still been horrible, but if there were animals to care for and real crops to grow, James didn't think he would have minded as much. And Dylan wasn't going to live with people as awful as James's aunts, so if he ended up on a farm, well, maybe Dylan would find something to make him happy.

Or he'll just throw more tantrums if he's told to work.

Well, yes, that could happen too.

"You're up early, my boy."

James turned to see Mr. Grasshopper striding down the stairs, straightening his tie as he did so.

"I didn't realize it was that early when I woke up. But I was already awake, so it's okay."

"Oh, I understand, James; I wasn't able to stay abed myself, pleasant as that would have been. Still, once this is over, I think we'll all be in need of extra relaxation."

James nodded as Mr. Grasshopper sat down next to him. The elder insect peered closely at his son.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, James? I won't have you come along if you're ill."

"No, I'm okay," James assured him. "I just... I'm not looking forward to going, that's all."

"Nor am I, dear boy. Nor am I." Mr. Grasshopper pulled James to him and the little boy happily leaned into his guardian's affectionate embrace. Mr. Grasshopper was silent for a moment, running a few fingers through James's hair before asking,

"Tell me, James, do you know if your mother or father ever read the novel Dracula?"

"That's about a vampire, isn't it?" James asked, looking up at Mr. Grasshopper.

"Yes, the titular character is a vampire and the novel centers around those who seek to defeat him."

"I don't know if Mum or Dad read that. I haven't yet."

"I should hope not," Mr. Grasshopper chuckled. "You're still a bit too young for it. But when I was younger, I remember hearing a passage from the novel that I've found truly helps me when I'm confronted with a situation I'm not looking forward to facing."

"Really?"

"Yes. In fact, the characters in the novel are themselves faced with something they don't want to do, but must be done, regardless."

"What do they have to do?"

"Ah, well, I can't tell you that, James. I'd be giving away too much if I did," Mr. Grasshopper explained with a smile.

"Oh, okay. I want to find out for myself." James felt a smile of his own steal across his face. "But the people in the book have to do something they really don't want to?"

"Yes. Specifically, it's a young man who has to do something to help someone he loves, but it's not at all pleasant. Thankfully, he has the advice of a man named Dr. Van Helsing who is there to give him support."

"Like you do."

"Why, thank you, James, you flatter me." Mr. Grasshopper fondly tousled James's hair again. "And in this case, I happen to agree with Dr. Van Helsing when he counsels the young Arthur Holmwood. As per Dr. Van Helsing, 'we must go through the bitter waters before we reach the sweet.'"

"The bitter waters?" James repeated.

"Yes. Tell me, James, what do you think that means?"

"Hmmm." James frowned a bit as he mulled the words over. "Well, you said Arthur and Dr. Van Helsing had to do something, they didn't want to, so that's the bitter part, right?"

"Very much so."

"But when they finish, are things okay?"

"Well... in a matter of speaking, things are better and the person Arthur loves is at peace."

"Oh. Then that's the sweet part. And... maybe because Arthur and Dr. Van Helsing had to do something hard, they feel even better after it's over because now they don't have to worry about it again. And that way, they can enjoy the sweet part even more."

"Clever boy; that's exactly what Dr. Van Helsing meant. And the same applies here, don't you think?"

"I think so," James agreed. "I'm not really looking forward to going to the courthouse and I am worried if Dylan or his grandmother will say something mean or do something bad, but once it's over, everything will be okay, right?"

"I certainly hope so. Either way, we will have done our due diligence regarding the Anderson family. The bitter part is nearly over for us, dear James, and the sweetness of this whole situation being over is nearly upon us."

"So, we're not going to see Dylan anymore?"

"Well, maybe not ever. We're certainly going to ask after him and if there's something we can do to help, we will. But Dylan isn't going to be living with us anymore and we have no plans to socialize with Amelia Anderson." Mr. Grasshopper sighed heavily and shook his head. "I'm afraid she herself is heading into very bitter waters right now, my boy, and it will be a long time before she finds the sweet."

"Why is that?"

"Because, as Dylan's guardian, she was responsible for him and his actions. True, when Dylan committed the acts of theft that landed him in juvenile detention, we were his designated guardians, but his behavior and actions all stemmed from the fact that his grandmother raised him to be, if I may be frank, a spoiled brat with no regard for others."

"Dylan didn't really care about anyone else, did he?"

"No, he did not. And from Mrs. Ladybug has said, his grandmother isn't far off."

"I know. She said Mrs. Anderson doesn't really like anyone who isn't Dylan."

Mr. Grasshopper chuckled again. "That's a very apt way of putting it. But if Amelia Anderson even thinks about turning her ire on you, my boy, I promise we will get you away from her in the blink of an eye."

"I know." James leaned against Mr. Grasshopper again. "I am a little worried about that, but..."

"But what, James? What else is troubling you?"

"I... I don't really like courthouses."

"Don't like... oh." Mr. Grasshopper closed his eyes and nodded, wrapping all fours arms around his son. "I see. Yes, I imagine this brings up some bad memories for you, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"Well, I promise everything will be alright. No one is taking you away from us and no one is going to treat you cruelly. This will be over and done with by noon."

"And we won't have to worry about the bitter waters?"

"Not at all. And if it helps, just remember that it's us as a family who are going to this hearing, not just you. Indeed, the judge just needs to see us as a united front, that's all."

"Okay. I think I'll feel better if I know I'm helping."

"That's my boy. Now, I'm sure you're not up to a full breakfast, but do you think you can manage tea and toast?"

"I think so."

"Good. Come along and I'll make us a light repast."

James stood up from the couch and followed his guardian into the kitchen. "Will Dylan have to talk to the judge, even though I don't?"

"Possibly. You already gave your testimony to Ms. Gould, but no doubt the judge will want to hear what Dylan has to say for himself. Goodness knows how that will go, but let's just hope for the best. It's all we can do, after all."
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"I DON'T WANNA WEAR IT! NO NO NO! I DON'T WANNA!"

"For Heaven's sake, Dylan, hold still!"

"NOOOOO! YOU'RE CHOKING ME!"

"If you acted you age and not like a two-year-old, I wouldn't have to dress you like this! And going to court is a formal occasion, so you must wear the proper clothing! And in any case, slacks, a collared shirt and a tie is hardly something to throw a fuss about!"

"I HATE YOU! I HATE THESE CLOTHES! GRANDMA SAYS-"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure we'll all be delighted to hear what your grandmother has to say." Nora clenched her teeth as she straightened Dylan's tie and forced his flailing arms into a blazer. "But the fact remains that you must look presentable, Dylan, and that means wearing the right clothing. Now let me brush your hair!"

"AHHHHHH! STOPPIT! THAT HURTS!"

"First of all, if you didn't thrash around as much, a quick combing wouldn't hurt. Second of all, be grateful you favor a shorter hairstyle because that's far less of an effort to care for. There, see? And the barber did a good job; all you needed this morning was a little trim."

"I HATE GETTING MY HAIR CUT! GRANDMA LETS ME WATCH TV WHEN SHE DOES IT!"

"I'm sure she does." Nora sighed and reached for a washcloth, scrubbing Dylan's face vigorously and cutting off the worst of his screams. "There, perfect. See, you look like a little gentleman now."

Dylan scowled at his reflection in the washroom mirror. His scrubbed face was red from his tantrum and his eyes, though radiating with anger, were mostly free of the black rings that marked his normally irregular sleep schedule. Dylan's freshly washed brown hair had indeed needed very little in the way of cutting and now it was brushed into uniform regularity. Speaking of uniforms, Dylan's juvenile detention attire had been swapped for a pair of corduroy slacks, a white collared shirt, a dark blue tie and a navy blazer with a pair of brown loafers that had slid onto his feet with ease. All in all, Dylan looked like a boy about to head to a prestigious prep school, but as far as the nine-year-old was concerned, he was still very much a prisoner.

"I hate ties!" Dylan yanked at the knot at his throat.

"I'm sure, but you'll have to get used to them. Adult men wear them all the time." All the same, Nora helped Dylan loosen the tie a bit. "And the more you get used to wearing them, the better you'll get at knowing how to tie them to your comfort while still looking presentable."

"I don't wanna," Dylan whined.

"Well, you have to. Now come along, your transport is ready."

"I'm hungry. And my arm still hurts."

"I've tried to alternate between your arms for injections, but you wouldn't have to worry about being hungry or sore if you ate your meals properly."

"I want Grandma's pancakes."

"The doctor said no. And even after you leave here, you'll have to follow a meal plan."

"Grandma won't make me," Dylan muttered, trudging after Nora with a thunderous expression.

The nurse chose to ignore Dylan's comment. Instead, she led the nine-year-old down the hall and into the main room. To Dylan's surprise, three police officers were standing there and so were a few other boys, including Billy and Lenny.

"Ah, good, this is the last one?" One of the officers, who was holding a clipboard, asked.

"Yes. This is Dylan Anderson."

"Dylan Anderson." The officer marked off the name on his board. "Excellent. Alright, boys, here's how this is gonna work. You'll walk in a line behind me and my officers will be on either side of you. No talking, no yelling, no acting out. Once on the bus, you will take the first available seat and there will be no loud noises or distractions while we drive. When we get to the courthouse, you will file out and walk in line into the building, same as here. Any breaking of the rules and you will be handcuffed. Understood?"

"Can we talk on the bus if we whisper?" Billy asked.

"Yes you may, but keep the conversations civil. Otherwise, you'll be sorry. Got it?"

"What if we gotta go to the bathroom?" Lenny asked with a cheeky grin, eliciting a slight ripple of laughter from most of the boys.

"One of my officers will escort you." The officer frowned at Lenny, bending down to the boy's level. "Wipe that smirk off your face, kid; you're on thin enough ice as it is."

"Uh, sure. Officer," Lenny added, straightening up.

"Right, let's be off. Remember, no talking."

The boys followed the officer, casting side glances to the other two policemen on either side of their line. Nurse Nora trailed behind them, pulling on a brown wool coat as she did. Clearly, her presence was also needed in court today.

Once outside, the boys were herded onto a small bus and each of them took a seat. Lenny plopped down next to Dylan, who had claimed a window seat as soon as he could. Unfortunately, the police bus was nothing like the one that had carried Dylan away from the Locke and Key and the older boy scowled at the hard padded seats that were nothing like the luxurious cushioned chairs he had once ridden in.

"You really think you're gonna go back with your grandma?" Lenny hissed.

"Yeah." Dylan stared at the window as the bus pulled away from the center. "They gotta let me go back."

Lenny opened his mouth, thought better of it, then leaned back as best he could in his seat. "Sure, Dylan, if ya say so."

Dylan snorted, eyes narrowed as he envisioned walking out of the court with his grandmother while everyone else got carted off to jail. He and grandma could go out for ice cream and cookies and everything he wanted while everyone else had to eat gross prison food and get shots. And since James liked school so much, he could do homework all day while Dylan watched TV. And, just because, that stupid otter toy James liked so much could get locked up in its own little cage while he worked! That'd be funny!

Yes, Dylan was sure that by lunchtime, everything would be back to normal and he would be free from all the people who did him wrong at last!
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One of the benefits of being Mayor was that Centipede could call for a car big enough for the whole family for any occasion. For that Saturday morning's ride, a black limousine was waiting for the family just outside of the Central Park gates and the interior was as warm as a heated blanket by the time James and his guardians were seated. James sat by one of the windows and watched as the gates of Central Park fell away. Despite it being Saturday, the streets of New York were as busy as ever and the sound of horns beeping and tires screeching were audible even through the thick windows of the limousine.

"Exactly how long do you think we'll be detained?" Earthworm asked. "I'm sure we have a lot to go over, but-"

"I imagine we should be done by noon, if that," Mr. Grasshopper assured him. "After all, it's a ten o'clock appointment and despite what certain people might think, I believe this is a fairly clear-cut case."

"For the most part, yes," Mrs. Ladybug agreed. "I've had to give statements in a few family court cases already. We can speak our pieces as we see fit, Rachel will present all the evidence she has gathered and then Amelia and her counsel will get their chance to do so as well. The judge might ask to speak to Dylan, though."

"That a good idea?" Centipede asked. "Between Dylan and his grandma, they'll turn the courthouse into a circus."

"And one we do not have to join," Miss Spider said, reaching over to lay a reassuring hand on James's shoulder. "Let them speak if they wish; likely they will be digging deeper holes for themselves."

"Humph, they should be so lucky," Earthworm groused, hunching low on his plush seat.

"Hmmm." Miss Spider's brow furrowed in though. "James, you stay close to Earthworm when we get to the courthouse. Earthworm, if it appears that Amelia will become angry, take James outside and stay with him in the hall, yes?"

"I think that's an excellent idea," Mr. Grasshopper said with a nod. "Earthworm?"

"I... yes. Yes, I'll do that."

"Thanks, Earthworm," James said. "I feel better already."

"Well, of course, James. Happy to do so." Earthworm straightened up a bit. "Still, I'd rather both Amelia and Dylan behave themselves."

"Guess we'll find out."

James glanced in Centipede's direction and saw the courthouse outside the window. The little boy felt his stomach clench at the sight and only hoped his legs wouldn't buckle as he stepped out of the limousine. Thankfully, James neither stumbled nor fell, but he was glad of Miss Spider's hand grasping his as the family slowly made their way up the heavy marbled steps of the courthouse and toward the heavy wooden doors.

"Mornin', sir." The guard on duty tipped his hat at Centipede as he held the door open for the family.

"Mornin'. And thanks." Centipede nodded back as he and the others stepped into the surprisingly warm building. However, neither the comfortable temperature nor the tasteful layout of gleaming marble and polished wood could disguise the fact that the building in questions wasn't a happy place. Police officers and security guards in perfectly pressed uniforms stood in silent observance while stern-faced men and women in crisp suits and heavy sweaters sorted through papers and files atop heavy desks. Not a single face held a smile and the sound of footsteps echoing through the building sounded to James like Spiker and Sponge trudging up the attic stairs toward his room. The little boy swallowed a lump in his throat as he noted the gleaming handcuffs and heavy batons clipped to the belts of the guards and the way the people flipping though files with expression of disgust and annoyance was far too familiar for the little boy's liking.

I hope Dylan's alright.

Holding tightly to Miss Spider's hand, James furtively glanced at the numerous hallways branching out from the main room. Had Dylan arrived here yet? How many other kids had been hauled through the doors of this building and told to stay quiet while their entire lives were condensed into a few slips of paper to be quickly glanced at by an annoyed adult before being tossed to the side to be someone else's problem? True, James knew his family wasn't going to allow that to happen to Dylan, but what about all the other kids who had to go to family court? When he'd been taken to the courthouse back in England, James remembered catching glimpses and hearing the voices of other children at the same time he was there. Would there be other kids in court today besides Dylan? What would they be like? What would happen to them? What would-

"Good morning, everyone!"

James was pulled out of his musings at the sound of Rachel Gould's voice. The social worker, neatly dressed in a trim white blouse, black skirt and black blazer, approached the family while toting a hefty briefcase.

"Good morning, Rachel. Is everything well today?"

"Yes, we are ready to proceed right on schedule. We can head for Judge Lamont's chambers now." Ms. Gould paused, then added,

"Mrs. Anderson and her lawyer are there already, but she's under strict orders not to speak to you. If she does break that rule-"

"James and I will leave, if that's alright," Earthworm piped up as James nodded in agreement.

"That's perfectly fine. I'll have you sit near the end of your bench and have one of the officers stand by to escort you out if needs be."

"Thank you, Ms. Gould."

"Not at all. And thank you, James. Your talk with me has really helped." Ms. Gould held up her briefcase. "Sadly, it's not the only statement I'll be presenting today."

"I can only imagine," Mr. Grasshopper sighed as the family followed after Mrs. Gould, all the while the security officers watched them with seemingly unblinking eyes.

"Is Dylan alright?" James asked softly. "Is he here yet?"

"I believe he is, yes," Ms. Gould answered. "There were several boys at the detention center who had court cases today, so he came with them. As to how Dylan is at the moment, I can't say, but he was certainly in quite the mood yesterday when I visited him to prepare him for today."

"He was in the quite the mood on Wednesday as well," Miss Spider replied.

"And from what I've heard, his behavior has not improved." Rachel paused outside of a pair of heavy wooden doors. "I'm going to be honest with all of you. This hearing is just a formality as there is no way- no way- Amelia Anderson will be granted continued custody of her grandson. Even if there were any doubt, Amelia's overall health complications and current living situation means she cannot care for a child. And... well, she doesn't know this yet, but her apartment is going to have to be sold."

"It is?" James felt a cold shiver run down his spine and was even more grateful for Miss Spider's hand gripping his own. "Why?"

"Two reasons. One is that Amelia is going to need to stay in a long-term health care facility longer than expected. Dr. Harmond is already here and he'll explain that to the court."

"Yes, he did mention that," Mrs. Ladybug said. "Is the other reason due to her legal troubles?"

"Yes. I've run the numbers for the damages Dylan caused. Amelia's insurance and the remaining money her husband left her will just about cover her stay in the treatment facility, but in order to cover the cost of Dylan's thefts, Amelia will have to sell her apartment. Whatever money she has left over she can use to either buy a cheaper place or remain in the facility once she is cleared to leave."

"Unfortunate, but that might be better on the whole," Mr. Grasshopper mused. "For one thing, she'll be cared for and any adverse health conditions can be dealt with. Secondly, Amelia remaining in the facility will ensure that Dylan can always visit his grandmother without risk of long-term exposure to bad habits."

"I'll be sure to bring that up to Judge Lamont."

"Will..." James tried not to stammer as everyone glanced down at him. "Will Dylan still be able to get all of his things?"

"Oh, of course!" Ms. Gould smiled at James. "No one is seizing the property; it's more like Amelia and Dylan are moving, that's all."

"And I've already given Ms. Gould the clothes and belongings Dylan brought to our house to Ms. Gould, dear. She'll pass them on to Dylan's new guardians and then they'll go through the Anderson's apartment for the rest at a later date."

"Oh. Okay." James smiled slightly Miss Spider squeezed his hand. "That's not so bad, is it?"

"Nah, kid, they're gettin' a better deal than most people." Centipede ruffled James's hair. "Better than gettin' sent to prison, anyway."

"Indeed. Although I just hope Amelia's lawyer is able to keep his client from being held in contempt of court. Shall we, everyone?"

Still holding onto Miss Spider's hand, James followed everyone into the slightly gloomy chambers of Judge Lamont. The room was rather like the one James had been in back in England: heavy wooden benches, dark carpet, and a high wooden seat upon which the judge sat with grim-faced officers flanking the interior. This time, however, James was not pushed or yanked along by impatient officials and even the hard benches were not as uncomfortable once the little boy was seated between Miss Spider and Earthworm. Ms. Gould, meanwhile, whispered something to one of the guards and he nodded and came to stand beside the bench where James and his family were seated. James cautiously glanced up at the man and to his surprise, the officer gave the little boy a quick wink and a nod. James nodded back before turning to scan the rest of the room.

On the opposite side of where his family was seated, James saw a heavy-set woman in a grey wool dress seated in a wheelchair. While she wasn't as fat as Aunt Sponge had been, the skin on her arms bulged against the sleeves of her dress like sausages desperate to escape their casings. Her greying hair was pinned atop her head like a ball of steel wool and her watery grey eyes and thickly rogue lips were set in a very familiar pout. Clearly, Dylan favored his grandmother in terms of appearance.

Seated next to Amelia and pouring through documents of his own was a round man in a black wool suit. His clothes, however, looked a bit too small and were clearly too heavy, judging by the sheen of sweat on the man's face and mostly bald head. He was smiling as he glanced at Amelia, but James thought the smile looked more nervous than anything. Indeed, the little boy was certain he caught a flash of panic in the man's eyes as he looked over at where Ms. Gould was talking with Mrs. Ladybug and another man James guessed was Dr. Harmond.

At least the judge here didn't look too mean. James shuddered as he recalled the thin face and iron hair of the elderly judge who had presided over his case. That judge- James didn't remember his name- had mostly glared at James as though the little boy had been wasting his time, but James did remember the judge telling him to be grateful he had relatives willing to take him in. Obviously, that judge had never once met Spiker and Sponge, but somehow, James didn't think it would have mattered if he had. Judge Lamont, meanwhile, looked like someone who wouldn't dare send a child to live with cruel relatives. Though he wasn't sure, James guessed the judge in question was a bit older than his father had been before he'd died. Judge Lamont's slightly tousled tawny hair and bright blue eyes magnified behind a pair of glasses made him look even more like a high school student than a middle-aged man. When he spoke, the voice that came forth was less a gravely growl and more a temperate tenor.

"Counsel, are you ready to proceed?"

"We are, Your Honor," Ms. Gould answered.

"As are we," Mrs. Anderson's lawyer said, flashing another nervous smile. Meanwhile, Amelia looked like she wanted to speak, but her lawyer placed a hand on her arm and she fell silent. All the same she glared in the direction of James and his family, and the little boy could feel the anger that shot from her eyes.

"Very well," Judge Lamont said. "You may bring in the child in question."

Ms. Gould nodded and quickly slipped out the doors of the chamber. A few minutes passed and then Dylan's complaints could be heard from outside.

"I HATE YOU! I WANNA GO HOME! I WANNA-"

The doors opened again and Ms. Gould, her arm fixed tightly around Dylan's wrist, was pulling the angry-looking boy into the room. Dylan's rant was cut off when he spotted his grandmother and he strained against Ms. Gould's grip.

"GRANDMA!"

"Oh, Dylan, angel!" Mrs. Anderson tried to get up, but had to sit back in her wheelchair with a gasp. Ms. Gould allowed Dylan to run to his grandmother, but while Amelia was desperate to hug her grandson, reuniting with his only family wasn't the first thing on Dylan's mind.

"Grandma, everyone was mean to me! They wouldn't give me what I liked and tried to make me do work and gave me shots and-"

"Alright, that's enough!" Judge Lamont adjusted his glasses and frowned. "I understand there are quite a few grievances to be heard here today, but all in good time."

"It's their fault!" Dylan pointed a finger at where James and his family sat. "They made me go to school and wouldn't let me watch TV and tried to make me do homework! They should be arrested and go to jail! Grandma said so! Grandma, make them go to jail!"

"Young man, I am warning you right now that if you continue with this display of temper, you will be heading right back to juvenile detention!" Judge Lamont said sternly.

"WHAT? How DARE you-"

"Mr. Berman, please control your client or I will be forced to hold her in contempt." Judge Lamont didn't yell, but there was no mistaking the force in his voice.

"Boy, that didn't take long," Centipede muttered.

"My apologies, Your Honor. It's just my client and her grandson were the victims of very unfortunate circumstances, as you can see!" Mr. Berman patted Amelia's shoulder. "One could hardly blame them for being emotional." Meanwhile, Miss Spider pulled James close to her and glared at the lawyer.

"I'll be the judge of that, as well as the judge of the case." Judge Lamont frowned at them as he sat back in his chair. "Now, may we proceed?"

"Yes. Come, Dylan, stand over here." Ms. Gould pulled Dylan away from his grandmother to stand next to her. Dylan whined a bit, but resorted to pouting as he looked up at Judge Lamont. Despite his smart suit and mostly neat appearance, James could tell that one of Dylan's famous temper tantrums weren't too far off from happening.

And this time, his grandmother's here.

True, but Judge Lamont didn't look like he'd put up with either Dylan or Amelia's behavior. A bit relived, James watched as Judge Lamont leaned down to address Dylan.

"Young man, this is your first appearance in my court and yet, you've amassed a sizable list of charges. What exactly do you have to say for yourself?"

"It's their fault!" Dylan pointed in the direction of the Bug Family again. "If they'd just let me do what I wanted, I wouldn't have had to run away!"

"And why, exactly, did you feel that you had to run away?"

"'Cause they gave me gross food and wouldn't give me dessert and made me go to bed early and wouldn't let me watch TV an made me go to school and-"

"I get your point. Ms. Gould?"

"Your Honor, Mayor Centipede and his family did indeed impose those rules on Dylan, as they do for their own son. If I may say so, I believe them to be very reasonable rules."

"I have to agree."

"They were not! Dylan was-"

"Mr. Berman!"

"Sorry, Your Honor. It won't happen again."

From the way Amelia was continuing to glare at everyone, James was doubtful of that.

"Ms. Gould, it was your idea to place Dylan Anderson with Mayor Centipede's family, was it not?"

"Yes, Your Honor. I became familiar through Dr. Ladybug's work at the city's main hospital and when I mentioned Dylan went to the same school as her son, she agreed that, if her the rest of her family was willing, they would not mind temporarily housing Dylan."

"Is this correct, Dr. Ladybug?"

"Yes, Your Honor, it is. We were happy to help another child in need."

"Help," Amelia muttered. Thankfully, Judge Lamont either didn't hear her or chose not to indulge the angry woman.

"Ms. Gould, did you see any evidence that Dylan Anderson was being mistreated?"

"None, Your Honor. If anything, Dylan was in a far healthier environment than he had previously been in."

"I was NOT!"

"Young man, you will not speak until I ask you to," Judge Lamont said sternly. "However, I would like to hear what you have to say for yourself regarding your actions last week. Can you please tell the court why you think running away from school and stealing from at four different establishments should not be grounds for punishment?"

"I told you. If they-" Dylan pointed at the Bug Family again "-had just let me do what I wanted, I wouldn't have had to run away! But they made me go to school and told me I couldn't watch TV when I wanted and made me eat gross food! That's why I had to run away; they were starving me! Plus, it's not really stealing if you tell someone they have to give you stuff and they do it without checking; people do that on TV all the time! And anyway, Grandma lets me have it all the time, so she could've just paid for it later!"

"Hmmm. And does your grandmother let you stay home from school whenever you want?"

"Yes!" Dylan declared proudly as Amelia's mouth twitched. "She said I don't have to so anything I don't wanna and anyone who tried to make me should get punished! That's why they should all go to jail! All of them!"

"Mrs. Anderson, is this true?"

"Your Honor," Mr. Berman began. "Please understand that my client-"

"I'll say it's true!" Amelia snapped. "I don't care who you are, sir, but you do not get to tell me how to raise my grandson! And neither do they!" Amelia clenched the arms of her wheelchair as she gasped for breath. "I don't care what those... creatures want to do with their own little orphan, but trust me, he's going to end up-"

"Your Honor, may Mr. Earthworm and James take a recess?" Ms. Gould asked, swiftly cutting off Amelia's rant.

"Of course. Bailiff?"

"This way." The officer standing by James and Earthworm tapped the side of the bench to alert Earthworm where to go and James followed him, leaning into Miss Spider's arms for one last hug.

"Oh, don't think I don't have plenty to say to you!" Amelia called after James.

"One more word, Mrs. Anderson, and you will be facing a $100 dollar fine!"

"But-"

"Good, you're going to jail now!" Dylan stuck out his tongue at James, but his view was quickly blocked by a second officer coming over to assist his partner. Together, they let James and Earthworm out into the hall and the first officer pointed at a bench across from the doors leading into the chambers.

"You can wait there. We'll let you know if the judge needs you for anything."

"Thank you." James huddled on the bench as Earthworm slid up next to him and wrapped his tail around the little boy's shaking shoulders.

"Don't worry; I'll bet my next paycheck that old bag walks outta here with a fine and a few nights in jail." The officer gave James a small grin. "You got nothing to worry about."

"I should hope not!" Earthworm titled his head and once the doors closed with a muffled thump, he heaved a heavy sigh that seemed to come from the tip of his tail. "Are you alright, James?"

"Yes. But Mrs. Anderson really doesn't like us, does she?"

"No she doesn't. I just hope that officer was right in that we have nothing to worry about. Can you imagine what could happen if that lawyer of hers manages to convince the judge that we're at fault?"

"I think the judge was mad at Mrs. Anderson, Earthworm."

"Yes, well..." Earthworm cleared his throat as he considered the little boy's words. "Well, as long as you're alright, James. In any case, we can just sit here and wait for this whole fiasco to be over. At the very least, you can't hear them, can you?"

"No I can't. Can you?"

"A bit. But believe me, that's enough."
************************************************************************************************************************************

"... and that was after he had stolen several desserts from my club."

"Thank you, Miss Spider. Mayor Centipede, is it true Dylan threatened you with a knife?"

"Dylan would NEVER-"

"Eh, he waved a butter knife at me, sure, but he threw it and nearly hit one of the waitresses. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt and that's when the kid threw up all over the rug."

"They made me sick!"

"Really? From the looks of what you stole, I would say the excessive amounts of goodies you consumed that day gave you a stomach ache." Judge Lamont arched an eyebrow at Dylan. "Ms. Gould, who was in charge of Dylan's physical health?"

"As per my research, Dylan did not have a primary care provider."

"Is this true?" Judge Lamon turned an incredulous eye on Amelia.

"It is not. My baby is a healthy boy and just hasn't needed to see a doctor. His school insisted on certain vaccinations and I got those for him, but Dylan was so traumatized by the experience, I didn't have the heart to take him back for to a doctor's office."

"I can confirm that, Your Honor, and so can Dr. Harmond and Renovito Detention Center Infirmary Nurse Nora Burns."

"Dr. Harmond?"

"Your Honor, there are records at my hospital of Dylan Anderson receiving injections at the age of five years, but nothing after that."

"Is Nurse Nora Burns present?"

"She is currently overseeing another case in Judge Mason's chambers. However, she did pass along her findings to me." Ms. Gould approached Judge Lamont and handed him a stack of papers. "According to her report, Dylan Anderson has missed five crucial injections, is overweight, and is already pre-diabetic. A report from a recent dental exam also shows five cavities and two teeth that had to be extracted."

"Good Lord," Mr. Grasshopper murmured as Mrs. Ladybug shook her head. Judge Lamont seemed to feel the same way as he scanned the papers.

"Mrs. Anderson, were you aware of the fact that your grandson is pre-diabetic?"

"I AM NOT! THEY'RE LIARS!"

"Ms. Gould, if Dylan speaks out of turn again, you may have him removed from the courtroom."

"NO PLEASE! Don't take my baby away!" Amelia glanced fearfully at Dylan before back up at the judge. "Dylan hasn't given me any cause for concern; how was I to know he was getting sick?"

"Why did you not take your grandson to a doctor for routine physicals?"

"Your Honor, as previously stated, my client's grandson had a very negative experience with doctors. Mrs. Anderson didn't want to expose Dylan to more discomfort and cause him pain. If anything, she's just guilty of being a doting grandmother." Mr. Berman's words slid out of his voice without any inflection, sounding as rote as a child reciting their multiplication tables.

"Considering you had raised a daughter, Mrs. Anderson, I would have thought you would be more responsible."

"Your Honor, that is exactly why Mrs. Anderson treated Dylan the way she did!" Mr. Berman replied, perking up noticeably. "Amelia attempted to raise her daughter Dorothy by the strict expectations society sets for parents and it only drove the girl away. Dylan was a second chance to raise a child how she saw fit and Amelia was determined to do things right."

"That's correct, Your Honor!" Amelia said, sweat standing out on her brow. "When my Dottie ran away, I saw what a fool I'd been to try and force her into a life she wasn't suited for. My husband died without ever reconciling with our girl or meeting Dylan. When I was able to bring my grandson home, I promised I would not repeat my mistakes. Surely you can understand that!"

"I can," Judge Lamont replied. "I believe very much in second chances, Mrs. Anderson, and under different circumstances, I might have granted you a second chance. However, I am to understand that you are not able to continue caring for Dylan, is that so?"

"Yes I am! Don't listen to what anyone tells you, I-"

"Your Honor, Dr. Harmond is Amelia attending physician and he is here with us," Ms. Gould called.

"Dr. Harmond, is Amelia Anderson able to care for her grandson?"

"No, Your Honor, she is not."

"YES I AM! I-"

"Why not?" Judge Lamont asked, giving both Amelia and Mr. Berman another stern glance.

"Amelia Anderson was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago. We originally thought she had kidney stones and had to perform an operation to remove them. However, it turned out we had to remove her let kidney due to the infection a particularly large stone and her bloodwork showed that Amelia was also at risk of developing diabetes. While this can be reversed, it will take time as Amelia's diet has led her to being at least twenty pounds overweight and leaves her at an even higher risk for diabetes and future kidney issues. Between that, her high risk of developing diabetes, and recovering from kidney surgery, it is my professional opinion that Mrs. Anderson will need to spend several months in a long-term care facility to learn healthier habits while she recovers. She could very well be in better shape after some time, but as it stands, she will need long term care for herself for the foreseeable future."

"I'M FINE! I can look after Dylan!"

"I WANNA GO WITH GRANDMA! I-"

"Amelia, calm down!"

"NO ONE IS TAKING MY BABY AWAY FROM ME! I WON'T LET YOU!"

"WHAAAAAAA! I WANNA GO HOME WITH GRANDMA! WHAAAAAA! I HATE ALL OF YOU!"

"Order!" Judge Lamont banged his gavel on his desk. "Mr. Berman, control your client! Ms. Gould-"

"I HATE YOU! YOU SHOULD ALL GO TO JAIL!" Dylan threw himself on the floor and began pounding his fists and feet against the carpet.

"YES! THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO TAKE MY BABY AWAY FROM ME! THEY WERE-"

"I'm calling a recess! Bailiff, stay here with Mrs. Anderson! Ms. Gould, take Dylan outside. Mr. Berman, I want to see you in my chambers! We'll resume in fifteen minutes!"

"Let's go, Dylan!"

"NO NO NO! I WANNA GO WITH GRAAANNNDDDMMMAAAAA!" Dylan screeched and howled as he was pulled to his feet. He went limp in Ms. Gould's grip, still wailing, and it was only by the efforts of two more security guards that he was able to be hauled out of the room.

"NO! NO! LET MY BABY GO! DYLLANNN!" Mrs. Anderson gasped and slumped against her wheelchair. Dr. Harmond leapt from his seat to attend to her with Mrs. Ladybug rushing over to join him.

"Better go check on James and Earthworm," she told the others. "I have a bad feeling Amelia is going to have to return to the hospital shortly.

"Shall we call for an ambulance?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"We can take of that, if you need it," the bailiff assured him. "We have an emergency line."

"Thank you. Stand by." Dr. Harmond was kneeling in front of the woman. "Breathe slowly, Amelia. That's it. Now..."

"Let us see if James is alright and let them work." Miss Spider nodded at the others.

"Yeah, I think she just blew her chance of ever gettin' Dylan back."

"Humph, and how dare she even think of slandering us when she referred to James in such a way?" Mr. Grasshopper growled. "Mind you, I don't wish for Mrs. Anderson to suffer, but I am not feeling so charitable toward her at the moment."

"I agree. That is why we should check on James right away."

Thankfully, James and Earthworm seemed to be getting on reasonably well and James immediately slid from the bench into Miss Spider's embrace as the the family approached. In a room further down the hall, the sound of muffled wailing continued, accompanied by the faint splashing of water.

"What in the world happened in there?" Earthworm asked. "And where's Mrs. Ladybug?"

"She's helping Dr. Harmond attend to Amelia."

"Is she alright? Is that why Dylan was upset?" James asked.

"No, my boy, Dylan was angry at the fact that no one believed anything he had to say regarding his desire to see us behind bars."

"An' his grandma probably just overdid it," Centipede added. "She wasn't lookin' too good from the start; surprised she lasted this long."

"She wanted to see her grandson; I imagine that was enough to motivate her," Miss Spider answered, pulling James closer to her.

"So what now? Is this whole thing over and done with?" Earthworm asked.

"Not yet. Right now, I think Judge Lamont is reading Amelia's lawyer the riot act for failing to keep her calm. That, and he seemed ill-prepared for what happened."

"I thought he looked nervous," James said. "Maybe he knew he couldn't say anything that would stop Mrs. Anderson from getting in trouble."

"I think you gotta point, kid," Centipede said. "Personally, I don't see how anyone thought Amelia and Dylan were gonna come outta this as winners."

"Dylan did," James replied softly. "And I think his grandmother did too."

"Indeed. And given what Dylan has been saying to us, it is likely he believed that once he was back with his grandmother, he would get his own way again."

"Given how lenient Amelia has been with Dylan, yes, that was probably it." Mr. Grasshopper tapped a few fingers against his chin in thought. "And now, both of them are being confronted with the reality of the situation. Harsh, yes, but sadly necessary. And now, Amelia may will be in contempt of court."

"What do that mean?" James asked.

"Means she'll spend a night in the slammer, kid."

"In this case, James, Mrs. Anderson will likely have to go back to the hospital, given her condition. But she'll have to pay the courts money for behaving so badly."

"Oh. Can that happen to kids too?"

"I believe that depends on how old they are, does it not, Centipede?" Miss Spider asked.

"I think so. Anyway, Dylan's already in kiddie lock-up. If he acts out, they'll just make him stay there an extra day or two before sendin' him to his new place."

The creaking of a door, followed by familiar whining caused the family to look around. Ms. Gould, followed by the two security guards, were exiting what was clearly a washroom and Dylan was sandwiched between them. From the sheen on his face, the older boy had been given yet another thorough scrubbing, but he was still sniveling and he pushed past his escorts to fling himself onto the bench James and Earthworm had been previously occupying and settled himself into a fierce sulk.

"So sorry about all of that."

"It's not your fault, Rachel. Are you alright?"

"Oh yes. I take it Judge Lamont hasn't called for us?"

"Not yet."

"We'll check for you." The two security guards slipped inside the courtroom, the door closing behind them before any glimpse of what was going on could be caught. James, meanwhile, glanced over at Dylan; the older boy was kicking his feet furiously against the bench, but no one was paying him any heed.

"If you don't mind, may I speak to you about something?" Ms. Gould gestured the group to move a few feet away.

"Certainly."

James thought for a moment, then slid free from Miss Spider's arms and glanced over at Dylan. Miss Spider nodded and tilted her head toward Ms. Gould, indicating she would still easily hear James if Dylan started laying into the little boy again. James watched his guardian huddle closer to the rest of his family before sitting back down next to Dylan and folding his hands on his lap.

"I'm sorry this is happening to you."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am. No one should have to leave their family."

"You're making me leave mine."

"I can't do anything, Dylan. I'm not in charge."

"Yeah, well, your family is."

"Yes, but Centipede has to work with a lot of people who are in charge of different things. It's not just him who tells people what to do."

"He needs to tell the judge that me and Grandma need to go home and that he should go to jail instead."

"Dylan..." James thought about what he could say. "Did your grandmother tell you that making you do things you didn't want to do was against the law?"

"Yes. She said people who are mean to me should get punished. That means they go to jail!"

"She said that?"

"Well... that's what getting punished means! Like on TV!"

James nodded, remembering what Dylan had said in the courtroom. "Dylan, did the gangsters on TV ever get caught?"

"Yeah! The stupid ones!"

"What happened to them?"

"They went to jail! I told you."

"Because they broke the law, right?"

"No. 'Cause they got caught."

"Like you did?"

"I..." Dylan gaped at James for a moment. "I'm not stupid!"

"I know you're not. But if you want to be like the gangsters on TV, you have to play by their rules, right?"

"Well..." Dylan faltered a bit, yanking at his tie. "Grandma says I can do what I want!"

"And you just want to watch TV and not go to school?"

"Yeah!"

"Even if you're not happy?"

"I'm happy." Dylan sneered at James. "What makes you think I'm not?"

"Because even when you were watching TV, you didn't look happy."

"That's 'cause your dumb family never gave me any of my favorite food."

"What about when you pretended to be sick? Miss Spider made you toast and jam."

"That's not what I really wanted."

"But it was still sweet, right? And you got to stay home from school and watch TV all day, right?"

"...yeah."

"Did that make you happy?"

"A little. But only 'cause I wasn't at home."

"I guess that's true." James looked down at his hands again. "I still am sorry this is happening to you, Dylan. I know you don't believe me, but I really do know what it's like to have to leave your home and family and go somewhere new. But my family and I wanted to help you. Ms. Gould wanted to help you too and even the judge here isn't as mean as you think. I wish you could go home with your grandmother, but people aren't being mean to you just because, you know. If they were doing that, my family would stop them."

"No they wouldn't!"

"Yes they would. And... we still want to help you, even if you're mad at us."

"No you wouldn't. No one does that."

"We do. And we still will. I don't mind if you don't want to be friends, but I do want you to be okay."

"Then tell your stupid family to let me go home with my grandma. That way, you and your family and your stupid otter won't go to jail."

James paused, not sure if he should be more surprised that Dylan remembered his otter toy or that the older boy thought stuffed toys should go to jail as well. But before he could say anything else, the courtroom door opened and one of the guards poked his head out.

"Judge Lamont wants everyone back inside."

"Thank you. We're on our way. Come, Dylan." Ms. Gould marched forward to take Dylan's wrist again and pull him into the room. The older boy, surprisingly, went along, clearly wanting to see his grandmother again. James looked up at his family as he trailed after them. Their faces gave nothing away, but no one looked particularly upset or angry. If anything, they looked somewhat happy, but before James could wonder what Ms. Gould had told them, he was taking his seat next to Miss Spider again. Mrs. Ladybug was back at their bench and to James's surprise, Mrs. Anderson was still in the room. She looked a bit dazed, though not as dazed as her lawyer. Mr. Berman was sitting next to her, his gaze on the table in front of him and he didn't look up as Ms. Gould took her place next to the family.

"Right," Judge Lamont was saying now, "in lieu of everyone's testimonies- written and spoken- I'm afraid I have no choice but to remove Dylan Anderson from his grandmother's custody. But you knew that, didn't you, Mr. Berman?"

"Yes, Your Honor," the lawyer said, glancing up at the judge with a guilty expression.

"What?" Amelia's eyes widened, but she seemed to lack the strength to do anything than weakly protest. "No... you can't..."

"I WANNA GO WITH GRANDMA!"

"And in light of your transgressions, young man, I am remanding you to the Renovito Detention center for the next thirty days. Ms. Gould, I have here the paperwork you submitted for Dylan's custodial transfer upon his release. We will reconvene here in thirty days time, along with the guardians you have appointed."

"Thank you, Your Honor."

"Mayor Centipede, thank you to you and your family for coming here today."

"You're welcome, Your Honor. Always glad to help."

"NO! NO, THEY GOTTA GO TO JAIL! NOT ME! THEM!"

"You can't take him!" Amelia wheezed as Dr. Harmond gripped the back of her wheelchair. "You can't take my baby away from me!"

"Mrs. Amelia Anderson, the court has determined that you will have to pay the full amount of damages caused by your grandson."

"They should pay!" With some effort, Amelia turned her head to glare at the Bug Family. "They... let Dylan..."

"Based on the evidence I've seen, I can safely determine that had you not been so permissive with your grandson, this whole situation could have been avoided. As such, you yourself are to blame for your grandson's actions."

"I... did... nothing..." Amelia gasped again. "...but... make... Dylan... happy."

"Well, I hope that was worth it," Judge Lamont said. "Dr. Harmond, have you a way to take Mrs. Anderson safely back to the hospital?"

"Yes, Your Honor. She is not yet ready to move to the facility, so any legal issues can handled at the hospital."

"Very well. We shall be in touch. Court is adjourned."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Come, Amelia, time to go."

"I WANNA GO WITH GANDMA! I WANNA GO WITH GRANDMA! I DON'T WANNA GO BACK TO THAT PLACE!"

"I'm sorry, Dylan, but you heard the judge. Now come; I'll bring you back to the officers from the center."

"NO NO NOOOOOOO! WHHHAAAAAAAAA!"

Ms. Gould ignored the older boy's cries as she, along with the two security officers, dragged Dylan out of the courtroom. James stayed close to his family as they trailed after the social worker and struggling boy. Once out of the room, the two security guards took ahold of Dylan's arms, nearly lifting the boy off the ground, and heading down one of the halls.

"We can take him back to the bus from here," one of them said.

"Thank you. I'll be by the center at some point next week to begin the transition for when Dylan is released."

"LEMME GO! LEMMO GO! I HATE YOU! WHAAAA!"

Dylan was hauled off by the security officers. Down the hall, James could see what looked like at least to other boys being herded together by another guard and Dylan was being marched over to join them.

"Boy, they got their work cut out for 'em," Centipede sighed.

"Sadly, yes. I had a feeling Dylan would need to be remanded to the center for a bit longer and quite frankly, a month's sentence is fairly customary for a first time offense."

"And then he'll meet his new family?" James asked.

"Yes. I'll be setting up visits for them while Dylan is still at Renovito so they can get to know each other. If any of you want to come along to one of these meetings, please let me know."

"I think that would be wise," Mr. Grasshopper said. "I'm sure they're good people if you nominated them for this task, Rachel, but for our own peace of mind, I think I speak for everyone when I say we'd like to put faces to the names."

"Not to mention we can answer any questions they might have," Miss Spider said.

"And I'm sure they'll need to come by the hospital at some point to meet Amelia. After all, Judge Lamont didn't say Dylan couldn't visit his grandmother."

"Very true. Though speaking of Amelia, I'm guessing Dr. Harmond had to administer her a sedative?"

"Yes. A mild one, true, but the stress of the whole situation plus Amelia not yet being healed means she'll probably fall asleep before reaching the hospital and she'll need full-on bed rest for some time."

"A shame, but like I think nearly everyone noted, this all could have been avoided," Mr. Grasshopper sighed. "Still, this is over and done with for the most part. And with any luck, there will be good times ahead for all of us."

"I agree. And it's just eleven now; we'll be home in time to have a nice lunch and then a relaxing afternoon."

"Sounds good to me. Let's get outta here."

"Ugh, all I want to do is curl up in my dirt piles for a week."

"Don't you gotta work on Monday?"

"Only for the morning. And then..."

James kept silent as he followed his family out of the courthouse. The cold winter air was brisk, but oddly refreshing after the oppressive atmosphere of the courthouse. The family's limousine was still parked outside and the driver was already exiting the driver's seat to open the doors for the family. Centipede paused to have a word with the driver about something as the rest of the family began to climb back into the limousine. However, James's eye was caught by a small grey bus with thick doors and mesh windows. A police officer was standing by the bus doors, guiding children onto the vehicle and carefully marking them off on a clipboard he held. The officer glanced at his watch and then back at the courthouse.

"I imagine he's waiting for Dylan."

James looked up as Mr. Grasshopper stepped up next to him.

"He'll be along shortly, I think. Ms. Gould might have had to calm him down a bit."

"Do you think Dylan and his grandmother will be alright?"

"I hope so, James. They both have a long road ahead, but with any luck, they'll come out of it alright."

"They have to go through the bitter waters too, don't they?"

"That they do, my boy. I just hope they too find the sweet waters."

"Me too." James paused as a thought struck him. "Mr. Grasshopper, do you think otters would like sweet waters?"

"Hmmm? Well now, I don't see why not."

"What about trucks?"

"Provided they don't rust, certainly. Why do you, James?" the elder insect inquired with a smile.

"It's for a game Tessa and I are working on."

"Ahhh. Well, once this game is finished, I would very much like to see it. I'm guessing your otter and truck are going to play a part in it?"

"Yes. And not just them."

"Then that's something I can look forward to and goodness knows we need more of that. Well, shall we head home, dear boy?"

"Yes," James said with a final look back at the bus that would take Dylan back to the juvenile detention center. "I'm ready to go."