EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING | AV

[8] Hope

Mickey was laying on her bunk, her back facing the room and her eyes laser focused on the wall in front of her. It had a few lines scratched into the paint, like a day count. There was fifteen of them in total. Her own count would be twice that, if not more. She wasn't exactly sure. Now that she thought about it, a day count would've been a good idea.

She was laying there, waiting. Tyler was supposed to call her when he was close, but her phone was dead again and she didn't have a contact anywhere near her bed. And she didn't want to leave the bed that's been assigned to her. She liked having the wall there, it was like an anchor.

Mickey had her headphones on her head, and although it was uncomfortable, she didn't want to take them off. Usually, the friendlier girls didn't bother her when she had them on. And Mickey was in no mood to talk to anyone but Tyler.

Before her phone died, she'd heard no word from Ant or the others. Ant was upset, he wouldn't contact her anytime soon, if ever. And the trio were busy hunting down Bird Psycho no doubt. So, all she could do was stare at the wall and wait.

The women running the home have been keeping a close eye on her. They didn't want her disappearing again. But they had to let her out to go to school and to see Tyler, so long as he picked her up and at least one of them saw him do it. The home had become more like a prison lately. She wasn't allowed to leave in her free time, wasn't allowed to do pretty much anything without the Warden right behind her back.

Speaking of the Warden. Mickey spun around before the woman could touch her. She liked touching her, even after Mickey made it clear she wouldn't let it happen.

"Your brother is here, Mikayla," the little woman said, standing with her hands now clasped in front of her.

Mickey stood up and looked down at the woman. Mickey wasn't that tall herself, but compared to the Warden's solid 4'11, she was a giant. Without a word, she followed the woman through the building and towards the tiny conference room. The Warden knocked and then pushed the door open, gesturing her through. That was unusual, they never knocked. But when Mickey stepped inside, she realised why she had.

Tyler wasn't alone.

The door closed behind her and Mickey slowly approached the table and the empty chair left for her. She was hesitant. The woman sitting beside Tyler was not only unfamiliar, but she had an air of ruthlessness about her.

"Mick, this is Sarah Jones," Tyler introduced, gesturing towards the young woman.

"It's nice to meet you, Mickey," she said, putting out her hand. Mick took it and then sat down in front of them, wondering who this woman was exactly and why she needed to meet her. Sarah looked at Tyler, as if asking for permission, and once he nodded his head she turned to Mickey.

"The way I see it, you've got two options," she began. "You can go forward with the fight for full custody and have Tyler become your legal guardian, but that's a big unknown. He would need to change his whole life in order to prove to the court that he can provide a safe and healthy environment for you. And even then, the court might not rule in your favor."

"That's bullshit," Mickey muttered, speaking for the first time since she walked through the door.

"And the second option?" Tyler prompted.

"You can emancipate. You have a good case going for you already and I have no doubt that with my help you can get emancipated from your mother."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"It means you'll be considered legally an adult. You're seventeen today, if I'm not mistaken?"

Mickey nodded her head.