Morning came, and Finn was still in bed. He was having one of his bad days again, but he knew he’d have to go out eventually. For now though, he’d rest as much as possible.
However, his nap was disturbed by the main staff, Mrs. John. Finn sighed. “Morning…can I sleep a little longer?”
Mrs. John had a big, goofy smile on her face. “Nope! Today is a good day! You’re getting adopted!” She clapped her hands together. “Get up! Get up! Get your things!”
Finn blinked, “What?!” He shoots up. “No! I mean that’s cool and all and I’m glad but- what about-“
“The kids will be fine! They’re even gonna see you off!” Mrs. John started grabbing Finns things. Well…the few pairs of clothes and a few other belongings. Everything Finn had fit in a backpack. Which was honestly kinda sad, but Finn didn’t know that.
The boy sighs and gets up, rubbing his eyes and neck. “Ok…” he murmurs. Now he wondered, who would possibly want him?
Carson was up the next morning, pacing the floor. Should he go get him alone? or should he send someone?
Did it matter?
Finally he decided that he would go himself. The limousine pulled up to the orphanage and he stepped out. Not knowing what to expect, and only knowing that he had skipped several steps in the adoption process.
He was met by a kind-looking woman who he had seen greet Finn last night.
“Hullo ma’am.” He started. “I’m here to get f-”
“Oh you must be Carson!” she interrupted. “I’ll go get him… but you have to sign this.” She said dropping a pile of papers into his arms and directing him to a sitting aria.
“Oh, um, ok.” He was hesitant to sign things because of the power his signature held, but he signed them anyway. And he was still signing when Finn returned.
The orphanage was nice-ish. But it wasn’t anything amazing. Stone walls with wood flooring. Cozy…but in a ‘you’re not home’ kinda way.
When Finn saw Carson, he gasped. “No-“ he whispered. He looked at Mrs. John with a pleading look, but the woman was too excited to notice. She simply patted his head and handed him his already packed backpack. “I told you so!” She squeals.
The boy rubs his neck, staring at Carson.
Carson finished signing and looked up when he heard Finn say "No-"
"Yes." he said with a wink and handed the stack of papers to Mrs. John.
He stood up and readjusted his white suit, the color contrasting with the red and blue tattoos covering his face and neck. All together, his appearance could only be described as intimidating.
"How are you my boy? Not staying out too long are you?"
Mrs. John instantly interrupted Finn before he could say anything. “She’s been out past dark several times. So id keep an eye on her.”
“Him.” The young boy grumbles, looking down at his backpack.
Mrs. John simply ignores him, smiling. “Well. She’s all yours!” She turns to Finn. “Be good.”
Finn ignores her, staring at his stuffed tiger poking out from his bag.
"Well, shall we?" Carson asked, not paying Mrs. John another second of his time. She didn't deserve another second anyway.
He led the way outside, holding the door to the limo open for Finn.
Finn stood there, looking up to the door. He rubs his neck again, looking uncomfortable.
Mrs. John pulls Finns hand from his neck. “Stop that. There’s no need.” She scolds.
Finn pulls away from her and walks to the door, knowing he had no other choice in the matter.
"Well? What do you think?" he didn't know what 10 year olds liked, so he had basically had the inside decorated with fluffy things like blankets and pillows, and candy.
Carson looked uncomfortable for a while after they had both gotten into the car and gotten situated. So he pulled out a glass and a bottle of whisky.
"I'd offer you some, but you know… laws." He said while poring himself a full glass.
Finn made a disgusted face at the whisky. “That stuff tastes gross. I don’t know why you grown ups drink it.” He sticks out his tongue slightly, as it to attempt to get that phantom taste out of his mouth.
Carson drained his glass and refilled it.
"You've tasted it?" he asked.
Finn pauses, then nods slightly, looking like he was about to get yelled at.
“Yeah…once…I thought it was juice-“ he looks down.
Carson watched as Finn sunk into himself, almost as is he was bracing for something.
"Would you like some juice?" He pointed to a cooler in the corner.
"There are some boxes in there if you would like."
Finn blinks and looks at him, a confused look in his eyes. He then pauses, staring at the cooler. He hadn’t really had anything to eat or drink since yesterday. Mainly cause his throat hurt too much. He then hesitantly reaches for the cooler and pulls out an apple juice, staring at it.
(His thought process would make u cry-)
"D- Do you need something else?" he asked slowly.
Something was wrong, but he just couldn't place his finger on what.
Finn quickly shook his head. “No thank you. This is fine.” He opens the juice and drinks it slowly, looking away. he’s being nice now…I thought he wanted me dead…that’s what he kept saying before all this…what changed? Ow my throat hurts…
The boy squeezes his eyes shut, facing the window. He was trying his best to hide his pained expression.
Carson set his glass down and carefully took Finn's arm to turn him around.
"What's wrong. I can clearly see that you are in pain, but i can't help you if you don't tell me what you need."
Finn squeaks at the physical contact, looking up at the giant sitting next to him. He rasps out, “I’m fine…don’t worry…” He then gives a little smile.
Carson debated internally about wether to use a shadow.
"I'm going to worry wether you like it or not." he decided it was ok.
A the tiniest of shadows slipped into Finn's head, compiling him to tell the truth. It wouldn't hurt him, and Finn won't feel it. Completely ethical.
Finn bites his lip, murmuring softly. “I just…my throat hurts…” He whispers. He looked almost…sad. “And I’m parinoi- par- paranoid.” He struggled for a moment to pronounce the word.
"Is that all?" Carson prompted, pushing slightly harder.
Finn seemed to try to resist, but then quietly murmured. “No…I…have cancer…” he bites his lip and touched his throat. “In here.” He looks away. “I was diagnosed as a baby…but…that orphanage I was at burned down…and when I was taken to a new one, no one knew about it…and I kept it a secret…”
Carson let go of his arm and turned to the glass separating them and the driver. He taped on it and as it rolled down, he told the driver "10-33" not loud so that only he could hear.
He turned back to Finn. "Have you had any sort of treatment?"
"are you ok?" his voice striped with worry.
Finn bites his lip, shaking his head at the first question. “No…but I’m ok…I only sometimes have bad days. It’s ok. Plus I can still fight! So obviously I’m fine.” He smiles slightly.
"No you can't!" He looked at him. He had been fighting this poor kid. "you wont be fighting anything until this is better."
