Chapter 30
2 years ago
April 2015
Greenbelt, MD
Damn it.
Damn it.
Damn it.
These are the only two words that Emily has been repeating in her mind as she storms off to her car.
She came back from a case in Georgia just last night. She thought that it was a good idea to visit Daniela in her current foster home to check up on her.
She had promised the girl that she would look out for her to see how she was doing the last time she saw her.
That's been a little over two weeks ago. During that time, Emily has been in contact with both Daniela's caseworker and the contact she has in D.C. Family Services.
She has been exploring her viable options when it comes to taking in the girl. Her chances are good but it could be better.
There are two main hoops she has to jump for Daniela to be placed with her.
One is approval from a Maryland judge to transfer the girl to another district.
Emily would have to prove that she is more than competent in taking care of the girl. That includes taking the necessary classes as well as having her work schedule approved.
The second obstacle would be Daniela's caseworker's approval of this transfer as well.
This means that the caseworker would give up Daniela's case and hand it over to a caseworker in the D.C. district that would have all authority over Daniela's well-being.
The thing is, it doesn't appear that her caseworker wants to give her up. Which in all honesty was a surprise to the woman.
From the way Bryant was treating the girl last time, she assumed that Bryant handing her case over would be a no-brainer for him.
He said it himself. Daniela was too much hassle for him. Yet, he doesn't want to give her over.
She needs his approval to take her case over to the Maryland judge.
The only way she can skip over this is if the judge deems that Daniela's current custody jeopardizes her well-being.
But now it looks like there is a chance for this to happen.
All for the wrong reasons.
"I told you. The girl just didn't come back from practice. The coach said that she didn't see anything or anyone with her," Mr. Novak explains.
"You're telling me she's been gone for three days?! Three days and no one is doing anything about it?" Emily fumed in anger.
"I searched for her around the area. I don't know where the hell she went. I just assumed she would come back."
"You assumed? Have you forgotten that Daniela was kidnapped just a few weeks ago? What if something happened to her?" Emily interjects.
"Listen, agent. The girl is a runner. She is known to just run away from her foster homes. At least three of them if I remember correctly," Novak states.
"She left on her own. A lot of kids like her do. It is what it is. There is nothing I can do about it."
Emily scoffed, her anger boiling.
"There is so much more you could have done. Did you tell her caseworker? Did you tell the police?"
"I haven't told Bryant. He just came back to the state after a family emergency," he responds.
"I can't just go and tell the police. It will only make matters worst for her."
"How?" Emily questions.
"That girl has two strikes for running away. One more reported incident and off she goes to a juvenile detention center," Novak tells her with a sigh.
"Once that kid goes in there, her fate is sealed. She will follow in her father's footsteps and become a criminal. That place will mark her for good."
"Well, I'm not just going to stand here and wait," Emily huffed as she walks towards the door.
"Good luck with that. The girl left and doesn't want to be found," she hears Novak comment.
"Good thing I'm an FBI agent. I have my assets."
Emily is now sitting in her car, figuring out what her next step is to find the girl.
She would treat her as any other missing person case. She would have to profile her.
Normally there is no issue in doing so. At this point, profiling comes as naturally as breathing to the agent. She has done it for years.
But now she has a conflict. A moral conflict in profiling the girl. To do so, she would have to know about her.
She would have to know about her history. Her past.
And all of that information is in a file. That file is at the reach of her fingertips. The tan folder is neatly placed on the passenger seat.
She was given that file just a few days ago when she met with her contact in D.C. Family Services.
It wasn't particularly hard to obtain this information. Daniela's records are in the system after all.
But going through the girl's life like that. Reading about her childhood background, her family, her living situation, and so much more doesn't feel right.
At least, not without the girl's consent to do so.
But right now she has to even if it doesn't feel right. It's the only way she has a chance in finding her.
Emily reaches for the file in the passenger seat. She has not seen any of the information inside the file. She was only given a summary of what it contained.
The agent takes a deep breath as she opens it. She is met with a file containing the teenager's identifying information.
Daniela Sofia Hernandez
DOB: 07/30/2002
Birthplace: Prince George's County, MD
Hometown: Riverdale, MD
Name of Birth Mother: Sofia Hernandez (deceased)
Name of Birth Father: Marcus Rivera (incarcerated)
Custody: Ward of the state
But what catches Emily's attention the most is the two pictures attached to the file.
The first picture shows a seven-year-old Daniela, with a shy smile on her face. She had two cute ponytails on both sides of her shoulders.
She was wearing a baby blue tee shirt with a unicorn design on the front.
Her piercing hazel eyes are looking away from the camera but enough is captured to show the beautiful color.
Emily is in awe while looking at the picture. The smile, the hair, everything made the girl look adorable.
For a second she wonders how this version of Daniela was. Was she an introverted child? Or was she one that caused innocent trouble?
One thing is for sure. 7-year-old Daniela was one to steal hearts with her cuteness.
She then looks at the picture right next to the first. The image is Daniela, with the number 12 marked on the corner of the picture.
The girl is older in this picture. Her hair is tied in a messy bun and she is wearing a plain black tee.
Her facial expression showed one of tiredness. Her eyes were low and didn't look like she rested well.
Though she is only 12 in the picture, she has visible eye bags that made her look older.
She no longer has a timid smile. Her face is stoic yet distant. But one thing is certain. She looks exhausted.
Her eyes reflect the same beautiful hazel hue but one thing is missing.
That magical sparkle that was reflecting off the seven-year-old self is no longer present. Her eyes are now void of any happiness.
Emily stares at the picture for a moment before diverting her attention back to the documents.
She skims through the files, trying to find any helpful information that will lead her to the girl.
For the most part, the file contains background history of Daniela.
From the time she was living with her mother to the time she was placed in the system. Everything from that period is written down.
Emily continues to go through the files, quickly reading over the information. That is one something that catches her eye.
Incident Report #121
Incident: Runaway
Date: 03/08/2014
Description of incident: Youth (Daniela Hernandez) ran away from her current placement. It is reported that she snuck out in the middle of the night.
Guardians took notice of it the next morning. After filing a report, Daniela was found 30 hours after with her biological mother.
Actions taken: Report was filed with CPS as well as local authorities. The youth will be moved to another placement.
Emily finishes reading this report, but not before noticing something at the bottom of the page.
Daniela Hernandez: Classification- Runaway (strike 1)
The woman flips over the page and finds the second report.
Incident Report #121
Incident: Runaway
Date: 08/20/2014
Description of incident: Youth (Daniela Hernandez) was reported to be in a heated argument with her current foster parent. Daniela walked out of the house despite attempts in stopping her.
Daniela was located approximately 12 hours after walking out. She was with her biological mother.
Actions taken: Report was filed with CPS as well as local authorities. The youth will be moved to another placement.
Sanctions: Less frequent supervised visits with biological mother.
Runaway (strike 2)
Emily stares at the file for a moment, her eyes set on the word runaway.
Mr. Novak is most likely right. Daniela could have simply run away again. Just like she has done before.
And now the teenager is out somewhere. For all Emily knows, the girl could be out in the streets, wandering around without a secure place to stay.
A young teenage girl out in the streets by herself is enough to make anyone feel on edge but for Emily, the feeling is more than that.
Emily has seen how vulnerable people can be when they have nowhere to go and no one to go to.
It makes them potentially high-risk victims.
The vilest and most dangerous people prey on them. They are the easiest target for them.
Emily has seen it far too many times. Runaways fall in the hands of merciless murderers.
All because they were out alone. No one was in search of them since no one cared.
No one saw them. No one heard them. Then they are found lifeless in a body bag days, weeks, or even years later.
Emily hates the fact that her mind jumped directly to the worst-case scenario. One that most people don't regularly think about.
But yet, most people don't work at a job in which you hunt down people with the sickest mindset. People who enjoy the pain and suffering of others.
Emily has seen it. She has seen what a person is capable of.
That is why she cannot stop her mind from thinking about what could happen to Daniela if she continues to be on her own.
Emily tries her best to push her fear aside. Her worries aren't going to help in finding the teenager but her skills and assets will.
She thinks back to the reports. According to them, Daniela was always found somewhere that she is familiar with.
Her hometown.
Yet again, Mr. Novak's statement crosses her mind.
The girl left and doesn't want to be found
He could be right. The idea of Daniela wanting to completely disappear isn't out of reach.
The girl said it herself. She has no one. She has nothing to keep her here anymore. It would make sense for her to just go off somewhere new and never return.
Especially adding in the fact that if Daniela is found that would be her third offense. She would be facing time in a detention center.
The teenager wouldn't want to risk getting caught and being sent there. In her mind, she has nothing to lose if she isn't caught.
So now the question is, did Daniela choose to go and stay in her hometown? Somewhere in which she feels more comfortable.
Or did she decide to go out of her way and move to somewhere unknown to shake off the chance of her getting caught?
Emily thinks for a moment. The girl would always go back to her hometown despite her getting caught.
Emily believes that the teenager did this to feel control over her life.
It makes sense. Daniela is a foster child who was moved around often. She was moved not because she wanted to but because she was forced to.
Daniela can have more control over herself if she goes somewhere familiar. Somewhere in which she knows well enough to be comfortable.
That would be her hometown. She grew up in it and is very familiar with the surrounding.
The girl can find comfort in the place where she grew up with her family. That is where she most likely went.
Emily looks back at the files' front page and sees that Daniela's hometown is located in Riverdale.
The agent isn't quite sure where that is so she pulls out her phone and opens google maps to search where that city is located.
She sees it isn't far from where she is right now. Emily is currently in Greenbelt where Daniela's foster home is.
Her drive from Greenbelt to Riverdale should take no more than 20 minutes with traffic.
But the thing is, where exactly is the girl?
Riverdale is a relatively small town but not small enough to easily find her.
She needs an exact coordinate to locate the teen faster. The last thing she wants to do is lose any more time searching for her.
It's already been three days. She can't afford to lose any more time.
Fortunately for Emily, there is one person she knows who can find anyone and everyone with at least a crumb of digital footprint.
Penelope Garcia, the BAU's official technical analyst will be a great asset in this matter.
Emily pulls out her phone and dials Penelope. From what the woman is aware, Penelope should be at the office since she had work to do.
The phone rings no more than twice when Penelope answer.
"Good morning my fine and gorgeous boss lady! Is there anything your humble tech wiz can do for you this fine day?"
Emily can't help but let out a smile when hearing the blonde's introduction.
"Morning Garcia. I do need a favor if you don't mind. Are you in your office right now?"
"Yes, I am. I'm currently inside my lair and ready for your orders, captain," Penelope chirps.
"Great. I need you to locate someone for me. I need an exact location of where they are right now so I need you to ping a phone," Emily explains.
"Ooo. This sounds mysteriously interesting," Penelope sang.
"Are we stalking an ex of yours? Or did you meet a handsome guy somewhere and you want to take the next step."
"What? No. None of that," the brunette denies immediately.
Why would Penelope assume that she would stalk an ex? That sounds like something Penelope does in her free time.
That is something Emily would have to address another day.
"I need you to help me look for a girl. Her name is Daniela Sofia Hernandez. She's 13 and is currently a ward of the state of Maryland."
"Daniela Sofia Hernandez," Penelope repeats as she types on her computer.
"Wait a sec. Is that the girl from the case we had a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, it's her. It's a long story. I just need you to locate her," Emily answers.
"Please," she adds.
"All right then. No questions just results. Got it," she hears the blonde say as she is typing.
"I do see she has a phone number registered under her name," Penelope tells the woman.
"The good thing for us is that one thing teenagers will always take with them is their phone. I should be able to ping a location just about... now!"
"Is it in Riverdale?" Emily asks as she starts her car.
"Indeed. I'm sending the location as we speak."
00000000000000000000000000000000000
Riverdale, MD
Daniela's POV
Run.
Run!
RUN!
I tell myself as I sprint down the street, pushing anyone who is in my way.
"Rápido cabrones! She's escaping!" I hear them scream.
I pace through the neighborhood, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I continue pushing my body to go faster.
I can hear the stomping and yelling of the dudes behind me. I can't afford to have them catch me. I need to go back to the east side.
I need to go there fast!
Running down to the end of the block, I change directions as I turn to the right. I hope to greaten the distance between them.
God, I just hope to lose them completely. If not, I'm so screwed.
The chaos behind me doesn't seem to lower down. These fools are still after me no matter how hard I try to get out.
"You're not gonna make it out of here! Your ass is dead!"
I know the east side is just a few more blocks. Just a few more until I'm in a safe zone where they can't touch me.
Because if they do, they are as good as dead.
Moving my hands back and forth, matching the rhythm of my steps I continue to dash down the street.
I was passing through houses and their fences. I hear dogs barking left and right as I continue my way.
Damn the day I decided to step out of my zone. Damn these people that are after me.
Damn everything and everyone!
My heart is pumping at 100 miles an hour. I'm running, practically flying, as fast as I can to the point I can't feel my legs.
I'm getting tired. All this running is catching up with my body at the worst time.
Shit!
I need to make it past the train tracks. Just got to run a few more blocks to get there.
Oh mamá, if you're looking after me. Please. Please help me get out of this one.
I need a shortcut somewhere. I know the main way out is to go around the rest of the neighborhood and go through the train tunnel.
On the other side of the tunnel is my zone.
But it's too much of a run. I'm barely keeping it together. I don't think I can pull the run all the way through.
Without thinking, I run directly to a large fence. Using all my power, I jump up and start to climb quickly to hop over.
My anxiety kicks in with force when I hear the group approaching me. I quickly get on top of the fence, positioning my feet on the other side.
My worst fear is that they somehow get a hold of my leg and drag me down to them.
I see the group of three of them making it near the fence. Three teenagers, all older than me but no more than 18.
Normally I wouldn't run away like this but this isn't my turf. This is theirs.
I jump down, my feet landing on the concrete floor, making a run for it once more.
This is a last-minute shortcut. I've never been to this part of town but I know that the tracks are right ahead.
The rattling from the fence catches my attention as I sprint forward. I can hear them hopping on the other side and starting to run once more.
They sound like a stampede of wild animals, stomping their way toward me and all I can do is try to escape their furry.
As I said, I'm not familiar with the area. It's some sort of abandoned industrial place. There aren't even roads anymore.
Just dirt as I'm running at full speed. My shoes pounded heavily across the ground causing dust to lift from up the floor.
"Go! Go! Don't let her get out of here!"
Jesus Christ! What the hell did I do to make these people so mad?
I continue through, my heart pumping strong, calves burning, and breathing in short but strong gasps.
I think I'm close. I hope so. I just know that the tracks are upfront.
I don't even know what's running faster at this point. My feet flying through the zone or my mind racing with a million thoughts.
My anxiety, my fear, my need to rest, and my need for oxygen are making it hard for me to continue.
The corner of my eyes is becoming blurry.
I make it down a long stretch of an alleyway, giving the last of my energy to make it down.
Then my heart stops.
And I force my feet firm on the floor, immediately stopping my tracks.
I can see the train tracks right in front.
It's just right in front of me.
But there is one problem.
One BIG problem.
There is a 10-foot fence blocking my way to get to the tracks.
And to top it off, it's a barbed wire fence.
A barbed fucking wire fence!
Mierda!
I look back to see if there is some other way out of this alley but nothing. There is no other way.
With this barbed fence in front of me, I'm stuck in a one-way alley with no other way out other than where I entered from.
I kick the fence in frustration before my body gives up on me.
Then I see them. I see the three dudes arriving at the entrance of the alley, blocking my only way out.
That's it. I'm screwed.
I crouch down and rest my hands on my knees, catching my breath from all the running.
My lungs feel like they could collapse at any moment. Sweat is dripping down from my face.
But what is killing me right now is the thought of what is about to happen to me.
I just know it's anything but good.
They stop their fast pace as they see me cornered. Suddenly I hear them laugh, celebrating with each other that they ultimately won.
They make their way toward me, no longer needing to run.
All three of them are dudes. One looked about 18 while the other two looked younger. Maybe 15 at most.
They are all wearing similar clothing. All-black tank tops with khaki cargo shorts. They are in some sort of clika.
But in all honesty, it makes them look like puny little high school kids.
As I hear them step closer, all I can do is catch my breath.
Maybe there is no higher divine power after all. All I wanted to have was a chance to escape and I couldn't get that.
Now I am under their mercy. Not even a miracle can save me now.
"You made us work out there!" One of the guys exclaims as he steps in front of me.
I look up at him and frown.
"I never asked you to chase me all around the block," I snapped.
"You know the rules around here. You're a dead person once you step on someone else's turf," the guy growls.
He's the oldest of the three stooges. Out of all of them, he looks to be the most pissed off. His face is red, he's practically boiling.
It's probably his anger mixed with his exhaustion-all compliments to me.
"Last time I checked, this part belonged to no one. This is a free zone."
"Not anymore it ain't. It's ours now," the guy responds.
I can't help but let out a dry chuckle.
"It's yours? Since when is this your hood?" I ask.
"Just because you have 2 other clowns in a group and tag up some wall with paint does not make this place yours. That's not how it works, ese."
"You think I give a shit about what you are sayin'?" He asks as he steps closer to me.
"It doesn't matter what you say cuz one thing is for sure. This ain't Los Reyes turf either. None of you are welcome here."
"Ay verga! I already told you all. I'm not a fucking Reyes! I don't work for them or anything."
"Que te la crea tú madre! Of course, you are a Reyes! Your pops is the one and only Marcus Rivera."
"I don't even know that foo! I was only passing by. I ain't got anything to do with him or his business!"
"Oh yeah? Do you think we're stupid or what? You probably came here to deal on our side," he said, inching his way closer.
I take a step back as I feel the fence touch my back.
They have me cornered. I'm in the worst position I can be right now.
Shit.
"What's that in your book bag? Weed? Xanny? Oxy? What the hell are you trying to sell on our turf?"
"Nothing! Nada! In what language do I have to tell you I ain't got shit on me! I'm not selling for them!"
" Esa es pura mierda! Tell me! Show me what they gave you!" He exclaims in anger.
"Estás pendejo o qué? I'm not gonna show you anything cuz I don't have s-"
Before I can finish my sentence, I feel the strong force of his fist land directly at my jaw. I stumble back, completely caught off guard by his hit.
As I regain my balance, I feel two people grabbing a hold of my arms. I'm practically restrained now, with each person holding my arms with force.
I try my best to escape from their grip. Pulling my arms away, trying to loosen their hold.
There's no use in doing so. Their hold is firm and refuses to let go.
"Now tell me. What do the Reyes want? Why did they send you here?"
"Carajo hombre! They didn't send me! No one sent me!" I shout.
Then I feel it. I feel the full force of his punch landing right on my abdomen. Letting out a painful grunt before he lands a second one, practically knocking the air out of me.
I stumble in place as I'm still being held. These assholes are keeping me in place, making sure I get hit.
The guy bends down and lifts my chin, making sure I look at him.
"Make this a lesson for you and the rest of your homies. Los Reyes ain't welcome here."
"Fuck you!" I spit out in anger.
I see him raise his fist once more with anger. I close my eyes and brace myself expecting a strike.
"Hey! All of you! Let her go!"
I can't see who just yelled that. The guy is standing right in front of me, blocking my view.
He turns around and faces the person who yelled at him. The other two are still holding me though they look confused.
"Who the hell do think you are, Mamacita? Do yourself a favor and mind your damn business," he teased.
"I'm an FBI agent! I think you all should do yourselves a favor and get out of here before things get ugly and I mean ugly," I hear a female voice say.
"FBI?!" They all gasp at once.
The guy turns around and looks at me, his smugness no longer present. Now all I see is confusion and fear.
"What the hell do you have to do with the feds?" He asks.
Yeah... what do I got to do with the feds?
Before I can respond, the woman speaks up once more.
"I mean it! Let her go and get the hell out of here!"
The two other guys quickly let go of my arms. Unfortunately, their quick action caught me off guard. I immediately plummeted to the floor, my back hitting the metal fence.
"Vámonos! I don't want shit to do with the feds!" I hear the oldest blurt out to the rest.
They quickly run out of the alleyway, squirming like a group of fumigated cockroaches.
Fucking pendejos.
Taking a deep breath, I slump my body on the fence. God, I'm so tired. I ran like my life depended on it.
Well... because it did.
Now all of the energy and adrenaline are crashing down, leaving my body with nothing to spare. Staring down at the floor, all I can do is sit and catch my breath.
Damn. I really need to work out more.
I hear footsteps approaching my way. I forgot another person besides me is still here in the alleyway.
That person is the one who told the assholes to back off.
I didn't see who it was. All I know was the voice of a woman. In my defense, the guy was in front of me and I was more focused on the fact that I was getting hit.
As I hear the footsteps getting closer, I look up to see who it is.
Then I see her, recognizing her brunette-colored hair almost immediately.
It's Emily Prentiss. FBI agent Emily Prentiss.
"Shit."
3rd Person POV
"Shit," Daniela sighs as she looks down once more.
"That's one way of saying thank you," Emily says as she extends her hand, offering the teenager to help her up.
"I never asked for your help," Daniela huffs.
She ignores the agent's hand, opting to stand up on her own. Her body aches but she refuses to show that in front of the agent.
"Really? Because by the looks of it, you were getting a real good beating?" Emily dryly states as she looks at the girl dusting off the dirt from her clothes.
"It's nothing I couldn't handle," the teen responds with a frown.
"What are you doing here anyway? How did you know I was here?" The girl asks.
"I should ask you the same thing. Why are you here in this part of town?" Emily asks while crossing her arms.
"What? Is it illegal for me to go to a different neighborhood or something?"
"No, it's not," the woman shakes her head.
"What is illegal is running away from your foster home," the woman says, her tone serious.
Daniela visibly tenses as soon as the agent finishes her sentence. She knows running away is illegal. She's done it twice already and both times the police were involved.
And now this is her third strike. It's not only having a written report in her records. This time she was going to be sent to a correctional center or a boarding school.
Either way, she would be put away.
The last thing she wants is to be stripped away of her freedom. It's the only thing she has left.
"Are you here to take me back? Did Bryant tell you or something? Because I am not going back," she tells the agent, taking a step back.
"I'm not here to turn you in or make you go back. I'm here because I was worried," Emily tells the girl.
"Listen, Daniela, you know my line of work. I've seen what the streets can do to kids who are out alone." she goes on to explain.
"It's dangerous. You've already encountered a person who nearly killed you."
"It's not like I'm going to encounter another psycho murderer again," the teenager grumbles.
"But the streets aren't safe. I think what just happened to you proves it."
"They were just some assholes who were trying to look tough," Daniela claims.
"And they outnumbered you. Look how they left you," the agent points out.
She can a bruise forming on the side of the girl's face as well as her lip being partially split.
"Doesn't even hurt," Daniela mumbles.
"You're hurt. All I want to do is help you," Emily expressed.
"Let's go to a nearby pharmacy and patch you up. If you're up to it, we can go eat somewhere afterward," the woman offers.
Daniela looks at the agent, doubt clearly present on her face.
"Is this... some sort of setup? I told you I'm not going back with Novak or Bryant. I don't want to be sent out to God knows where," Daniela said defensively.
"I told you, I'm not here because of them. I'm here because of you," Emily replies.
"All I want is to make sure you're okay. I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want but I also don't want you to be here all alone."
"So... you're not going to make me go back?" Daniela questions the agent.
"I won't. I promise," Emily replies, raising her right hand in an oath.
"C'mon. The car is parked out front. Well go to the pharmacy and get bandaids as well as some antibiotics."
"We don't want that slit on your lip to be infected," Emily informs the girl, gesturing for Daniela to walk in front of her.
Daniela isn't exactly sure whether to trust the agent or not. It's weird how the agent is offering her help.
She hardly knows her and yet seems willing to help her. Is it because she really wants to?
Why would a person like agent Prentiss take her time to do this? She surely has more important things to do than to be out here with her.
What exactly does agent Prentiss want?
"You're not going to kidnap me or something, right?" She questions, with a hint of a joke but mostly worries.
Emily can't help but crack a small smile when hearing the girl ask this.
"Oh trust me, kidnapping you are not a part of my plans today. I had that scheduled for another time," she said with a smirk as she sees Daniela's eyes widen.
"C'mon let's get out of here," Emily tells the girl.
They both start to walk out of the alleyway in silence. Daniela is still uncertain about this. She normally wouldn't do this but it seems that Emily has good intentions.
She just doesn't understand why.
They arrive at Emily's car, Daniela's eyes sparking as she admires the vehicle. A four-door silver Mercedes. It is practically spotless from the outside.
"Nice whip," Daniela comments as Emily unlocks her car.
"Thanks," Emily replies with a smile as she opens her door.
"You know, a quicker way to convince me to go with you was if you would've told me your Benz was out here," Daniela said as she enters the passenger side of the vehicle.
"A car like this shouldn't be in this part of town. It will end up with no tires and rims."
"Just another reason why you shouldn't be here," Emily replies as she turns on a car.
The drive to the pharmacy is silent, with the radio station playing at a low volume.
No one in the car talked, with Emily focused on the road while Daniela is staring out of the side window, watching the buildings pass by.
It wasn't an uncomfortable drive, it was just that both Emily and Daniela had a lot of things running through their minds.
Emily is glad to have found the girl, she really is. She is especially grateful for finding her right on time before things escalated.
She could have found the girl seriously injured or worse.
Now she just has to convince Daniela to stay out of the streets. To stay out of there permanently.
They arrive at a pharmacy, Emil taking the lead in gathering the necessary medications. Daniela simply shadowed the woman as she was getting the medication.
The agent purchased a small first aid kit, knowing it contained all the necessities required to cure the girl's injuries.
She asked the teenager if she had any other injuries that are not visible to the woman and Daniela said no.
Emily is certain about her answer, knowing that the girl got hit in her abdominal area. Nonetheless, she accepts Daniela's response.
Once the woman is done purchasing the first aid kit, both she and the teenager head back to the parking lot.
"Here, we can use this in order to disinfect that slit on your lip," Emily said as she scrummages through the first aid kit.
"Is this really necessary? It's just a slit, not a stab wound," the girl said as she waits for the agent.
"Trust me when I tell you that wound infections are no joke, especially if it's in an exposed area," Emily explains as she takes out a cotton ball.
"Guess I can't argue with that," Dani mumbles.
She sees how the woman places some sort of liquid on the cotton, careful not to put a lot on it.
"This is hydrogen peroxide, it'll help disinfect your wound. It may sting but just a little," Emily said as she closed the bottle cap.
"C'mere," Emily tells the girl as she holds the cotton ball.
"I can put that myself," Daniela responds as she glances at the cotton, looking uneasy at the woman's request.
Emily looks down and sighs.
"It's best if I do it. I can see exactly where the slit is to treat it better. Let me do this. I promise I won't bite."
Daniela contemplates what she should do for a few moments before nodding slowly, and taking a few hesitant steps toward the agent.
Emily gently tilts Daniela's head to the side, getting a better angle at the wound.
Daniela practically stiffens as she feels the woman's touch but allows her to continue. She stands there awkwardly as her eyes look everywhere but at the agent.
She feels... uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable in a bad way but nervous in the sense that she is up close to the woman like this.
She has rarely had another person tend to her injuries. Only her mother would do that. She was the only one who cared enough to do so.
That is why it is particularly awkward for her to have the agent do this. Someone who she hardly knows.
Emily applies the cotton ball lightly on the cut, making Daniela flinch in discomfort.
"Ouch. That thing stings," the girl complains, moving her head back with a frown.
"I'm almost done," Emily tells her.
"Plus, you said it didn't hurt."
"That was before you put that stinging alcohol or whatever," Dani noted, letting Emily continue cleaning her wound.
Emil finishes disinfecting the would and discards the cotton. She then goes on and gets a small bandage, carefully putting it over the cut.
"All done!" Emily announced with a smile as she takes a step back from the teen, taking a better look at her.
Daniela moves her mouth slowly, making sure the band-aid doesn't easily peel off.
"Thanks," the girl says, glancing up at the agent.
"No problem. I hope you're still not mad at me about the stinging peroxide," Emily said.
Daniela shakes her head in response.
"Feels a little weird but it's not hurting anymore," the teenager replies.
"That's good," Emily said with a smile.
"The good thing is that you only got minor injuries but you have to know that you were lucky. You could've ended up much worst," she states, her tone more serious.
Daniela looks down when hearing this.
"I was dumb and entered a neighborhood that's not mine. I won't do that again," the girl responds.
"It's not just about that, Daniela. You shouldn't be out in the streets in general. It's not safe and you know it," the agent begins.
"It's bad enough that you ran away twice already and faced repercussions. What made you think it was a good idea to run away again?"
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Don't come to me and tell me things that you don't understand," Daniela warned.
Who does the agent think she is in telling her this? She has no idea what it's like for her.
"Then help me understand, Daniela. Because from where I stand, it looks like you don't care about the consequences of your actions," Emily held.
"Warnings, strikes, everything was used in order to show you what not to do. Even after you were kidnapped a few weeks ago, you still decide to run away."
"So what? So what, agent?! Do you think I run away because I think it was fun or something? Cuz if you do, you have it all wrong," the girl snapped.
"I ran away because I hate being considered some type of state property! I hate the fact that I am told what I am and where to go," she continues, her anger clearly evident.
"I don't belong in those houses with some strangers who care less about me! I belonged being with my mom. The only reason I would always leave is to be with her. To be with the one person I loved."
Daniela practically blurts out her words, with anger and a hint of hurt present.
She is tired. Tired of adults telling her what to do. Adults criticize her every action. The worst part is they never want to hear her reasons. They don't want any explanations.
They just jump right to conclusions.
Agent Prentiss is one of them.
"I didn't see it that way," Emily admits, feeling bad about her assumptions.
"Of course, you didn't! No one does! You all just see me as a messed up rebellious teen. A person is bound to be trouble because that is all I know. That is all I'll be."
"That's not true. You're not messed up, you're just hurting," Emily shared, looking right at the teenager.
"I'm sorry for saying that you are reckless. It wasn't fair for me to say something like that without knowing you. Without understanding you."
Daniela keeps her eyes low, not wanting to look at the woman.
"It must be hard having people jump into assumptions without hearing your side. I understand that" the agent continues, taking a few tentative steps closer to the teen.
"Please know that I'm not here to judge you. All I want is for you to be safe. The best way for you to do so is if you're under adequate care."
"If I go back, I will be placed in juvie or in some sort of troubled teen program. I'll practically be locked up," Daniela said, expressing defeat.
Just like him, she thinks to himself.
"It's true, you are down to your final strike," Emily acknowledged.
"But there is a way where you can return and not be placed in one of those institutions."
"How?" Daniela asks.
"You can be requested and placed in a different district, preferably one outside of Maryland. Your transfer must be approved by a Maryland judge in which you must prove that the change of district will better help you."
"Why would an outside district request me?" The girl questions.
"This can happen if someone petitions on your behalf to have temporary custody of you. Basically, someone from another district requesting and being able to foster you," the agent responds.
Daniela scoffed once the woman finished her sentence.
"And who exactly would want to foster me from a different district? The agency I'm in right now already has enough trouble in finding a placement for me, that's why I'm still with Novak."
"Well, lucky for you there is one person interested in taking you in," Emily says.
Daniela looks up at her, her brows raised in confusion.
"It's me," Emily finishes her statement, a hint of nervousness attached to her voice.
"You?" Daniela questions.
"Yep," Emily answers with a nod.
"Is that a bad thing?" The agent adds, doubt lingering in the back of her mind.
"Yea- no. I mean... I don't know," the teen stumbles over her words.
"You don't have to do this. You don't have to do any of this. Checking up on me and now taking me in? You've already done so much for me by saving my life. Twice."
"You're right. I don't have to but I want to. You're also right that people jump to assumptions about you. I think you deserve a second chance in showing them otherwise," Emily states.
"If you take this deal, there is a strong chance you wont end up in a correction center."
Daniela lets Emily's words sink in for a few moments before she speaks up.
"What will be the rules if I stay with you? What do I have to do so I won't be sent to a center?"
"There is only one main rule which is for you to not run away. You're on thin ice, Daniela. If you decide to take this opportunity, you have to make it right. Do it for you," the woman advises.
Daniela simply nods at this statement.
"So, what do say? Do you want to give a shot at staying with me? At least until they find a more fit placement?"
Daniela stops to think about the woman's proposal. At first glance, it doesn't sound bad at all.
Having her strikes basically pardoned by moving to a different district doesn't sound bad at all. Especially adding the fact that she wouldn't be going to a detention facility.
It's an easy no-brainer.
But... having to live with agent Prentiss? A person who she hardly knows and apparently wants to help her.
Why would she do all of this for her? It makes no sense. From what Daniela sees, agent Prentiss gains nothing from this.
She is already good financially. It's more than obvious so the girl knows she isn't in for the money.
The agent must want something in return. They all do. No one does good deeds for free, at least none that she knows.
Now that she thinks about it. Does she really have another choice?
Daniela looks up at the agent and nods with hesitation.
"Sure. It's not like I have a person to run to anymore."