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Vic’s POV
Today is the day I either get him back or I lose him forever. It’s been nearly a month since I lost him and two weeks since I’ve seen him.
I’m grateful Tay pulled him out of there sooner than she intended. Something I said must have changed her mind.
But every time I ask if I can see him, I’m told that he doesn’t want to see me, which is both confusing and heartbreaking. Did I do something wrong?
I get to see him now though, the hearing is about to start. I’m glad I can be here for this one. I just wish I was able to comfort him before hand. No doubt he’s terrified.
I sit up the front of the courtroom with the lawyer, Tay, Mama and Papa and wait for it to start.
The judge asks everyone to rise, announces the case then the hearing begins.
“Can you state why Kellin was removed from the Fuentes home?” The judge asks Tay who’s speaking as his caseworker today.
“There was a report of bruises spotted on Kellin.” Tay answers.
“Were the bruises proven to be a subject of abuse or neglect?” the judge questions.
“No. The bruises had come from an incident at school. Kellin had been beaten up by a classmate.” Tay answers.
I feel sick as she mentions it. I’ll never forgive myself for that.
“What procedures were taken after the incident happened by Kellin’s foster parents?” he asks.
“A doctor was called to attend to Kellin’s wounds. Emotional support was provided. Kellin was pulled out of the school with the intention of finding another one where he would feel safer and a restraining order was taken out on the student who hurt Kellin.” Tay explains.
“Why was Kellin removed from the group home?” The judge asks.
“There was continuous verbal, physical and psychological abuse from the other boys who lived in the home, as well as sexual abuse. And neglect from the owner of the establishment.” Tay explains.
I’m confused. Sexual abuse? I must have heard wrong.
“Did she say sexual abuse?” I ask Mama who looks saddened but just shushes me.
I feel instantly sick. Surely not. Surely he didn’t have to suffer through that. Surely no one would hurt him like that.
I slump back in my chair and just listen. Maybe I did hear wrong.
“Were any measures taken by the home to help Kellin heal from the damages that were inflicted upon him?”
“No.” Tay answers.
They call Kellin to the stand and he comes out looking very cute in his suit and tie. But he looks nervous. Or more so anxious. I’ve never seen him look more terrified.
He locks eyes with me as he sits down and gives me a little wave but doesn’t smile, not even a little. I blow him a kiss and he grabs the locket from around his neck, just holding it in his hand.
“Kellin, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?” the judge asks him.
“With Mama and Papa and Vic.” he answers. His voice is quiet and soft. He seems so timid. I’m not used to seeing him like this.
“Mama and Papa refers to…” the judge questions.
“Mr and Mrs Fuentes.” he murmurs.
“Why do you want to live with them?”
“They’re nice to me and they look after me and they love me. And I love them. They feel like my real family.” Kellin blushes and I can’t help but to swoon at his cuteness.
“But you got hurt when you were living with them.” the judge states.
“It wasn’t their fault.” Kellin mumbles as he looks at me.
He’s sweet but it was my fault. I made a promise and I broke it.
“Can you tell me about the physical and verbal abuse you endured when living at the group home?”
Kellin looks down at his hands and nods.
“Um, the boys would beat me up daily. They wouldn’t let me eat. They’d make me do their chores. They scared me. They called me mean things. They told me Vic wasn’t real until I believed them.” Kellin explains softly and my chest aches.
He deserved none of that. If I ever find out who these kids are, I’m going to kill them.
“Who is Vic?” the judge questions and I feel my cheeks heat up.
“My boyfriend.” Kellin answers.
“And can you describe the sexual abuse you endured while living in the home?” the judge asks and my breathing stops.
Kellin looks directly at me and doesn’t answer the question. Tay stands up and grabs my arm, pulling me up as well.
“What are you doing?” I whisper yell as she tries to pull me away from the table.
“He’s not going to answer while you’re in the room.” she whispers.
She pulls me along and I look back at Kellin who seems to be on the verge of crying before I’m pulled completely out of the room.
“Tay, what the fuck? What did they do to him?” I snap but my voice wobbles.
She sighs and sits down on a bench and taps the spot next to her so I sit down too.
“There’s a reason he hasn’t wanted to see you.” she begins.
“What is it? What happened?” I ask eagerly.
She sighs again and looks stressed.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” she asks softly.
“Tay, just tell me.” I plead.
“A few boys at the group home gagged and blindfolded Kellin before they pinned him down and gang raped him.” she murmurs.
Her words bring tears to my eyes. How could I let this happen? I should have just taken him home with me that night.
“He doesn’t want to see you because he thinks you’ll hate him for having sex with someone else.” Tay murmurs.
“He should hate me.” I choke out. “This is my fault. If I had kept my promise, if I had kept him safe, none of this would have happened.”
Tay wrap her arms around me and shushes me softly.
“No, this is my fault. I should have taken him out of there when you told me to. He wasn’t safe and I left him there. This is on me.” she whispers, wiping away her own tears as she holds me.
“Are they going to be prosecuted for what they did?” I ask her.
“Kellin doesn’t want to press charges, he doesn’t want to name them and he says he’s not even completely sure who did it.” she explains to me.
“He doesn’t understand. We have to convince him. They need to be punished.” I choke out.
“Vic, he understands. He’s made up his mind and he’s decided to just move on. And I think that’s best for him, you know? That way he doesn’t have to go back to court and he doesn’t have to draw it out. And he’s okay, he really is. He’s just feeling guilty and a little confused. All he needs is comfort and support, I’m sure you can provide that for him.” Tay explains but it doesn’t feel like its enough.
I want those disgusting assholes to pay for what they did to him. They took advantage of his vulnerability and used it to satisfy their own desires. He was not human to them, he was an object.
And no doubt he wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last.
We sit on the chair for a long time, a really long time before Papa comes and collects us. We go back into the room and it seems like the judge has made a decision.
I sit down next to Mama, and Tay sits next to me then we wait for the judge to reveal his conclusion.
“Kellin will not being returning to the group home and a thorough investigation will be done on the establishment regarding means of neglect and abuse. As for Kellin’s placement, he will continue as a priority for the next foster home that comes available.” the judge says.
I stand up, outraged by this decision.
“Kellin was never caused harm from our family. Why can’t my parents be granted custody?” I yell.
“Although, there was no safety issues found regarding your residence, I just can’t grant custody without any legal ties to the family.” the judge says.
I turn to Mama and Papa, desperate.
“Can’t you just adopt him?” I ask them.
Mama looks saddened and shakes her head.
“We can’t. If we adopt him, by law he’s your brother.” she sighs. “You’ll never be able to have children or get married.”
I feel defeated but then have a sudden realisation. I waste no time and jump over the bench. The whole room gasps but I don’t care. There’s one thing that’s important to me and that’s getting Kellin back home.
I ignore the judges instructions to take my seat and stand in front of the stand before getting down on one knee.
I look up at Kellin who’s staring at me with wide eyes.
“Kellin, I love you, with every ounce of my being, my mind, my body, my soul. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?” I ask him, hopefully.
I wait anxiously for an answer and the entire room is silent. Kellin’s eyes are sparkling and his face is painted with both awe and shock.
“Yes.” he giggles. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
There’s a small applause and I grin up at Kellin as I get back onto my feet. I wish I could kiss him right now but that’ll have to wait.
I turn to the judge who’s smiling a little.
“If we marry, he’s legally bound to me and my family.” I state hoping that it’s enough.
“Seeing as you’re both under the age of eighteen, you need guardian consent.” he says.
I look back to my parents and Mama is in tears.
“You have our permission.” Papa beams.
Tay then stands up.
“As Kellin’s temporary guardian, I give consent.” She smiles.
“Alright, we’ll organise the appropriate documentation then custody shall go to Kellin’s in-laws.” The judge concludes then hits his hammer, dismissing the case.
Kellin immediately climbs down from the stand and rushes over to me before throwing himself in my arms. I hold him back tightly, tears in my eyes as I do so. After a while, he looks up at me, a wide grin on his face as he does so and I stare back down at my fiancé, soon-to-be husband.
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