Episode: 5.3

--- Emberlynn O’Neil ---

She tapped her foot, trying very hard not to think about… things.

Of course, with her case worker leaving her alone in the car, and said car’s radio being busted, there wasn’t much else for her to do.

Her head was still spinning, trying to understand how everything went sideways, so fast.

Just last week she and her mother had been enjoying their days reading books together, watching mystery shows, and just living life with the family they loved, no matter how small.

Now… her mother was in the hospital, and she was being shipped off to some stranger she’d never met, but who apparently her Mom thought would be a better caretaker than anyone she actually knew.

(Why would mom do something like that?)

There was an aching in her chest, and a watery feeling in the corner of her eyes. She let out a shaky breath and wiped away her unshed tears before turning to the bar her caseworker had gone inside, (which is just a lovely sign.)

It was two story building, with a number of windows that would’ve shown the bar’s interior if it wasn’t for each having their blinds down. The only signs she had of what kind of place it actually was, were the bar’s name of ‘The Devil’s Kiss’ and the sign bearing the waist-up image of a long-haired woman with horns giving a kiss, while shrouded in flames.

She was kind of curious what all of that said about this, ‘Aiden Caine’ she was going to be staying with.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she nearly jumped when her caseworker knocked on the car door window, before gesturing for her to follow.

Nodding back, she grabbed her backpack that was loaded down with whatever she could stuff it with from her house, just in case this Caine guy didn’t feel like taking her on a trip back to her home anytime soon, before stepping out of the car into the chilled autumn air and following her caseworker to the bar door.

“Try to make a good first impression, it’ll make your life easier for the foreseeable future.” Her caseworker advised in a professional tone, that left Ember feeling like she’d said the same thing to a number of kids in a similar position to her.

Her caseworker opened the door and gestured for her to go in first, which she reluctantly did, giving herself a front row seat to an argument between a blonde woman in a t-shirt and an auburn-haired man in a white button up and black vest.

“What the fuck do you mean?!” A woman practically hissed.

(I feel wanted already.) She thought sarcastically.

“I mean there’s a fucking kid outside, that I’m apparently supposed to take custody of!” A man, Aiden if she had to guess, explained, though from the sound of it he hadn’t known he was her godfather either.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting them to just bring her here without calling first!” Aiden growled quietly, something that made her glance at her case worker, because that did sound like an irresponsible thing to do on her part.

“Ahem.” Her caseworker coughed into her hand.

Both the man and the woman jumped, finally noticing them.

“H-hey there…” Aiden, a man with auburn hair and pale green eyes, waved nervously. “You, uh, you must be Emberlynn…”

“Ember.” She told him bluntly, not sure of what to think of the unknown man and his mismatched attire of a white button up, a black vest, worn blue jeans, and black work boots with a number of unidentifible brown stains on them.

(Don’t think I was the one who had to worry about first impressions…)

“Right, right…” Aiden nodded, seemingly put off by something as he glanced towards the woman, visibly asking for help with his eyes.

The woman, a blonde with her hair in a ponytail, sighed, before turning to her with a smile, that was only half-forced. “Hi there, Ember, my name’s Amelia Steele, and this,” She gave the man a rather rough love tap to the shoulder. “is Aiden Caine.”

Ember nodded, deciding it was better to keep quiet and watch.

The woman, Amelia’s, smile twitched after a minute, before she gave an awkward chuckle. “I’m going to be honest, we weren’t quite expecting you, so we’re going to have to clear out one of the rooms before we can get you settled properly.”

She nodded again, and then hid her amusement as Amelia now turned a pleading look on Aiden, because it really was obvious neither of these two had any experience with kids.

(Why would mom make these people my guardians? Why not uncle Jer?)

That was a thought that had been plaguing her since she found out she was going to be living with someone she’d never met before, and she just knew those questions would continue to haunt her until she found out why.

“Since everything has been taken care of, I’ll be off.” Her caseworker informed them, effectively pulling Ember out of her thoughts.

“Wait, you’re leaving already?” Aiden cut in before the caseworker could leave. “Shouldn’t you do like a, a home inspection or something?”

(He’s really overestimating social services…)

Her caseworker rolled her eyes. “Both of you are small business owners, neither of you have a record, and you, Mr. Caine are frequently contracted by law enforcement agents.”

(He works with the cops?) That was interesting.

“We live in a literal bar!” Aiden practically yelled, while gesturing to the bar counter and numerous bottles of alcohol behind it. “Isn’t there like a rule against that, or something?”

Her caseworker gave an exasperated sigh. “Mr. Caine, do you want custody of Ms. O’Neil or not?”

Aiden frowned. “Of course, I do, but isn’t it your job to make sure she’s in a safe environment?”

(Her job is to monitor the dozen or so cases she’s in charge of.)

“The fact that you’re trying to argue this means that you are the ideal candidate to take custody of her.”

She gave her case worker a look. (I don’t quite agree with that…)

After all Aiden could very easily be a serial killer trying to pretend, he was a nice guy by acting like he wanted custody of her, when in reality he’d rather, her be in an entirely separate city.

She paused.

(That might explain why I’ve never met him actually…)

She shook her head, deciding to sidestep that rabbit hole.

“Look, if it makes you feel better, I will be making weekly visits to make sure Ms. O’Neil is settling in properly.” Something about the woman’s tone irritated her as if this whole mess was a waste of her time rather than her actual job, a sentiment she seemed to share with this ‘Aiden Caine’, if his expression was anything to go off of.

She very much doubted she was the only one happy to see the woman out the door.

And so, alone with what were essentially two strangers, she turned back to the two adults who seemed unsure of what to do now. The three of them glanced between each other, before she decided to break the awkward silence before it started to eat at her, while also remembering her caseworker’s advice on making a first impression.

“Well, glad that that bitch is gone.”