Wenesday, July 1, 2009 (cont.)

"Patti, I-I can't believe it." Their father breathed, stepping closer. Liz grabbed her sister's arm. She was grateful that Kidd was somewhat sheilding her. Their father stopped about a foot away from their meister.

"Sir, please step back from my weapons." Kidd's voice was calm.

"What do you mean 'your weapons?' They're my daughters!" His wrinlked face began to turn red. Tara stepped forward.

"Sam, honey, we should leave." She breathed against his ear. Liz was never so happy to hear the woman speak. Tara turned her gaze to the eldest Thompson sister. "If you don't want to return to your mother, listen to your father." She left, pulling Samuel Thompson behind her.

Kidd turned to look at Liz. There were tears in her navy eyes, threatening to spill. Her nails were digging into her palms. Kidd gently uncurled her fingers. Cresent moons were etched into the pale skin of her palm. He heard her sniffle, and he knew he had better get his weapons home.

He placed a hand on Patti's shoulder. Patti reached for her big sister's hand. Kidd gently led his weapons home.

Wenesday, July 1, 2009 (cont.)

Kidd and Patti settled Liz down on the couch. Patti flung a blanket around her shoulders. Kidd brewed her a cup of coffee. When her sniffling finally stopped, she was ready to explain.

"Our mom slept around for money. That's why Dad left her. But the people in divorce court seemed to think our mom was the most competent parent, so we were stuck in hell. Eventually, she couldn't make rent. The landlady gave her an extension. To make up the money, she, uh, took me to work." Kidd's golden eyes grew hard and angry.

"She made you-" He couldn't say the words.

"I was eight." Liz's voice was thick with emotion. "And it didn't stop there. She kept making me work, and if she wasn't happy with the results, she would-" Her words were cut off by a sob, but Kidd had a good idea of what she was going to say. Patti leaned into her sister.

"And then, Patti saw Mom hit me. She called the landlady, who went to get the police. That's when Mom locked us in a warehouse alone." She sniffled. "You know the rest."

Kidd wasn't sure how to respond. He was mad, beyond mad, but he knew his anger wouldn't comfort Liz. So he reached forward and pulled Liz against his chest. She let out a noise at the movement, and began to sob. Patti rested her head on her meister's shoulder as Liz cried. He pulled one arm away from Liz and grabbed Patti's hand.

"You two are safe now. I promise, you are safe." he whispered.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

As the trio ate their breakfast, there was a knock on the door. Liz stiffened.

"I'll get it." Kidd said, placing his napkin next to his plate. He walked to the front door, undoing the locks and turning the knob. It wasn't really a suprise that the father of his weapons and the short woman stood on his doormat.

Kidd stepped outside, quietly shutting the door behind him. "What do you want?" He asked.

"You must be Kidd. Liz was insistent that we never met." He said. "I'm their father, Samuel. This is Tara, my fiancee." He stuck out his hand. Kidd looked down at it with disdain.

"Why are you here?" Kidd asked.

"I'm not sure you understand the situation." Tara said, stepping forward. Her tight, pale green dress looked out of place among the black and white of their surroundings.

"Liz and Patti's mother abused them. She did horrible, unspeakable things to those children. She was arrested, naturally, but was released on house arrest to make room for some gang two years ago." Kidd felt a twinge of pride. He put that gang in prison.

"Linda, their mother, found some rich boyfriend who bribed the court into releasing Linda. There were still cameras, but Linda was free to come and go as she pleased. The cameras found evidence that Linda was trying to find the girls." Kidd's anger spiked. That woman wasn't coming anywhere near his weapons.

"Sam was called to take them into custody before that could happen." Tara finished.

"Liz will be eighteen this November. Then she can legally be considered Patti's guardian."

"Yes, but Linda could find them anywhere between those four months." Sam protested.

"Three and a half." Kidd corrected.

"It doesn't matter. Liz and Patti need to come live with us." Tara cut in.

"What if they don't want to?"

"It's either me or their mother."