We ran to the car and raced to the police station. My heart was racing the car and beating it the entire way down. What could he possibly have to tell me and make me skip school for it? I threw the door open and wheeled up the ramp as if I was running into the entry way of the station. The attending officer drew his gun as soon as Delsin walked in, thinking I was running from him. “Freeze mister” He yelled. “It’s ok, I’m with her” He said not making any motions toward me, I nodded at the officer. “Oh, well I’m sorry. What can I do for you two today?” He asked in a pleasing tone. “I need to speak with Charles Barton” I said quickly. Delsin put his hand on my shoulder to calm me down. “Oh, uh, right this way.” He led us to a room filled with rows of seats separated by a glass window with phones on both sides. “Here you go miss, He will be right out” He said softly.  He left me and Delsin in the room with only a few other people visiting friends and family. My dad was led out in an orange convict suit. I picked up the phone on my side. “Dad!” I screamed into the phone. “Hi, Sora” He sighed. “What’s wrong?”

“Well I went to trial a few days ago”

“Ya, I know. You never told me the outcome”

“They said I was guilty of first degree murder and that the punishment was the death penalty. Sora, I am dying today. They said when the clock strikes three this afternoon; I am going to be dead.” My ears could not ever comprehend what he was telling me. “You’re joking right?” I stammered. There’s no way he could be dying. “No, unfortunately I’m not. I’m sorry” He said. It was already noon. They would be strapping him up soon. “No, dad. You can’t leave me” I cried putting my palm to the glass separating us. Delsin put his hand on my shoulder supportively. I looked up at him. “Oh, Delsin. This is for you.” My father handed the officer a note to give to Delsin “Read it when she is not around. I think you will know what to do with it” He said winking. How could he have a sense of humor at this time? Delsin nodded and walked out of the room. “Officer. May I see my father outside of this glass one last time?” I asked the officer behind me. “Um, well. I guess so” He said nodding to the attending officer on my father’s side. He led me to another room. “Dad” I cried when I really saw him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. “Sora” He said. “I love you” He said kissing the top of my head. “I love you too dad” I squeezed tighter. “I would love it if you could be in the room with me as I die” He asked. “N-no, I can’t I would kill myself for watching that” I cried. “Sora, you don’t have to watch. Please. Just be there for me”

“I will”

            I didn’t realize how hard that commitment would be to keep. I sat in the lobby while Delsin watched me. I stared at the wall with no emotion on my face at all. They were preparing my father for his death sentence. “Viewers are welcome to enter now” The officer said. He made it sound like we were going to watch a movie more that a killing. Delsin put his hand on my neck as he pushed me in to the room. “Just take slow deep breaths” he advised. I nodded and sat down in the front row. He sat next to me squeezing my hand. The curtains that blocked the window flew to the side. I gasped as I saw my dad lying on the table with a needle going into his arm. It was two fifty seven, almost three, the scheduled time for his last breath. I buried my face into Delsin’s arm. He put his hand on the back of my head accompanied by his own head. How could my father want me to watch him die! I looked up momentarily to see my father squirming in discomfort on the table. I couldn’t bear to watch this. I stood up and raced out the door. I stood up and leaned against a pillar on the edge of the room. I rolled off of it and leaned into the wall. Tears streamed out of my eyes. I pounded on the wall under my head. I sunk down to the ground with my knees pulled to my chest. A hand rested on my shoulder. “I lost my father when I was about your age also” the attending officer said gently. I turned around to look at him. “I lost both my parents now” I admitted. “Oh, that’s much worse. Hon, I’m so sorry. If there is anything I can do, I will do my best to help. I have already called CPS” He said helping me stand up and back into my chair. “Its ok, I can just go live with my boyfriend. Really no big deal” I tried to sound brave. “Unless your boyfriend is over 18, then I’m sorry, you have to go live with an adult” He admitted and walked away. My mouth gapped open. I have to leave Delsin! This was absurd. He walked out and walked over to me. “I’m sorry. Sora lets go home” He took my chair and started walking to the car. I slammed on the brakes and shook my head. I wheeled  over to the benches. “I thought you would want to leave” He said following me. “I can’t”

“Sure you can. You just put one foot in front of the other”

“No, CPS is coming for me”

“Ok, Well, then you can come stay with me. Just tell them you are living with your boyfriend’s family.”

“I still have living relatives” My head sunk to my knees. “What? Who?” He stammered. “My aunt in New York. She is still living and would kill to get me back to her place where everything is Victorian era.” I said, letting more tears pour out of my eyes. “No! You are not leaving me!” He said sternly setting me on his lap. I looked up at him. “How can I change that?” I looked at the floor. His arms wrapped around me pulling me to him more. “I still love you!” He said tilting my chin up and letting his lips hit mine. He let me head go free, but not my body when a women called my name. “Sora Barton” she asked. “That’s me” I said from his lap. “Oh, I see. A prostitute? Oh dear” She scolded. “No, this is my boyfriend. I am not a prostitute” I defended myself. “Oh well what a sight. Come along dear. Time to go.”

“I’m not leaving him:

“We have found-”

“Ya, my aunt, I know. I refuse to go though.”

“Too darn bad. Come on!” She said sternly. “Sora, you can’t” He pleaded. “I’m sorry. I will miss you” I cried as I wheeled my self to follow her out the door.

            When I was at the bottom of the ramp, Delsin came bursting out the door. “MIA! WAIT” He yelled as he bounded down the ramp maze. I spun around to find him running at me. He grabbed me and pulled me to him in a fierce kiss. His tears mixing with mine. He pulled away and searched my eyes for something. “Do you love me Mia?” He pleaded. “Yes, I do!” I cried as he let go. “Just as I thought. Still, even though you are leaving me you can’t say it.” He said angrily. His tears dripped down his face more now. I reached up to wipe one away but he slapped my hand down. “Go live in your stupid New York. I don’t care if you die now” He said pushing me away. “Delsin, what is wrong with you!” I cried. “JUST GO” he yelled scaring me into the car. As we were driving away I looked back to see him hanging his head frustrated with himself.