Tina: Come in. So what is the news?

Deputy: I’m afraid it’s what we hoped not to have found. About an hour in the search we found evidence of human’s parts…

Tina: Oh my God no.

Tina covered her mouth.

Deputy: and as we followed the blood trail, it lead us to the rest of the body parts of a man and woman. An African-American male and Caucasian woman judging by what was left of them, they appeared to be around their late thirties. Of course we have to do a DNA match, but they did seem to be attacked by an animal and if what Angelica told me is true, I’m almost 100% those are her parents.

Tears were running down Tina’s face.

Tina: God no. So what happens to Angelica now?

Deputy: Well that’s what I’m here for, we need to take her with us down to the station to get a sample from her then from there she will be placed with Child Protective Services for the night.

Tina: No!

Deputy: and if the DNA comes back positive we will have to leave her there until we can try and contact any relatives of hers.

Tina: No deputy, look what about my wife and I, I mean can we just take care of her here until you find her relatives? I mean you said it yourself that she’s comfortable here.

Deputy: I’m afraid that’s out of the question. Look we appreciate all you and your wife have done for her so far but this is where we take over, truth be told you are strangers to that child and no judge would sign off to let you keep her until then. I’m sorry.

The deputy nodded to the other police officer and he walked past Tina to look for Angelica.

Deputy: Where is she?

Tina: The bedroom.

Tina whispered and began sobbing.

The other officer walked in the bedroom where Angelica was still asleep and lightly picked her up and over his shoulders then back to the front door. Angelica begins to stir and opened her eyes to see a tall man carrying her and Tina crying which scared her and instantly she began sobbing too.

Tina: Wait my wife went to get her some clothes, she should be back any minute now, can you please just wait to then?

Deputy: I’m sorry we can’t.

Tina began sobbing loudly.

Tina: For Christ sake, she has nothing on but a t-shirt, please just let me put back on the clothes she had on before.

Deputy: We will make sure she’s warm, good day ma’am.

The deputy and the officer quickly started walking to the patrol car as Angelica cries were getting louder the more she looked at Tina being left without her.

Angelica: Come with me!

Angelica said to Tina sobbing.

Tina: It’s okay sweetie everything is going to be just fine, I will come back and get you I promise.

Angelica: Nooo come now!

Deputy: Quickly get her in the car!

The deputy said to the officer. Tina watched as they rushed Angelica inside.

Tina: You assholes!

Tina was crying uncontrollably and as the police car drove off, she slumped down on the porch in a ball. Fifteen minutes later Bette pulled up and immediately saw Tina sitting on the porch with the door wide open, she hurried out the car and saw the emotional state Tina was in, it was the same state as she found her the day of the miscarriage and she knew the worst scenario had come to them.

Bette: Tina! Tina! what’s wrong baby?

Tina: Oh Bette.

Tina threw herself in Bette’s arms, almost knocking them over.

Bette: Baby you are scaring me, what happened? Where is Angelica?

Tina: Sshe’s goonee.

Tina could barely speak between sobs.

Bette: What do you mean she’s gone?

Tina: They found her parents dead Bette. They took her!!!

Bette froze as she continued to hang on to Tina, she closed her eyes and began to cry.