Addicted to Redemption

No Roots

Kate

I thought the morning incident won't cause more trouble but I was wrong. Somehow I managed to survive till lunch which made me feel oddly proud of myself. I sat at a table next to the window and unwrapped the delicious sandwich Donna prepared for me. Some nice fresh provolone cheese, with herbs and vegetables along grilled chicken. She even hid a chocolate bar in my bag for dessert. I took a big bite enjoying the view of the colorful trees on the other side of the huge windows and didn't care about my surroundings. Until someone poured a box of orange juice on top of my head. As the sticky liquid dropped slowly to the table I heard their laughter.

- I told you she just dressed up! Under this nicely created facade it's just the plane old Kate! - Silvia said. Bethany sat on the table in front of me and tossed my food to the ground like a lazy house cat.

- Ops... Were you still eating? - she asked and her friends laughed.

- Have you seen the car she arrived with today? - Emmy asked and I felt my blood boil.

- Yeah! - Bethany grabbed my hair and forces me to look up at her.

- She got a new Daddy! - Emmy said and I hated where this conversation was heading.

- I bet this little slut is sleeping with that old f**k and he is her Sugar Daddy! - I stood up not caring about my hair being ripped off of my skull. She is insulting Grim.. The most loyal and kindest soul I've met so far. Grim, the Grim who adores his wife and waited centuries to meet her again! The Grim who helped me and took me in. My anger couldn't been measured at that moment. I lifted my hand and slapped Bethany. She gasped and Emmy screamed while Silvia started hitting me like a maniac.

- You dirty b***h! - Silvia screamed and hit my side and face. My jaw clenched and I felt my mouth curve into a smile as I saw Bethany's nose bleed. She cried and Emmy took her to the nurse while Silvia kicked me one more time and ran to the director. I stood up and looked around. No one cared.

Dean

- Yeah... I understand. I'll pick her up. - Dad said and hang up the phone. He grabbed his coat and rushed to the door. Mom from the kitchen called after him.

- Love! What's going on? - He jist shook his head and sighed.

- The director called, Kate got into trouble. - I jumped up from the armchair and appeared immediately by my father's side getting into my boots.

- Where do you think you are going Dean Reaper? - mom asked and it was difficult to take her seriously with icing sugar all over her face and with flour in her hair.

- I'm going with dad.

- Not a chance my baby death. You'll sit here nicely and wait. - Mom said and before I could've argued I saw the sparkle in her eyes. I took my jacket off and walked to her.

- Sorcery... - Dad whispered and mom pointed at him with the wooden spoon in her hand.

- Did you say something? - Dad grinned.

- I love you! - he left quickly and mom just rolled her eyes. I sat in front of her and watched how she decorated the cookies.

- How can you be so calm? - I asked and she showed me a cookie. It was black with blood dripping pattern saying "Die" and she shrugged with a sweet smile.

- Baking is really relaxing, and I have a plan.

- Care to share with me? - she gave me a bag with icing and nodded towards the still plain cookies.

- Move your hands instead of your mouth.

- Yes mom captain! - I hit my heels together and saluted. She just put a dot of icing on the tip of my nose and we returned to the decorations.

Grim

I drove to the school and stopped the car at the parking lot. Nothing that I wouldn't expect happened, but I hoped it won't be like this on her first day. I walked through the corridors and my footsteps echoed even with so many kids around me. The girls whispered and blushed as I passed by and the boys looked curious. I was dressed in my black three piece suit, with red necktie and black leather shoes, with red heels. As I arrived to the director's office I knocked. The assistant opened the door and the tiny old lady just smiled at me warmly.

- Long time no see. - she said and I smiled back.

- We won't meet for a while Gertrude sweetheart. - she blushed and left. The director looked like a caricature that a little kid drew. Fat, rounded, with mustache, bald on the middle of his head and with few strings of hair on both sides. Kate was sitting on a chair, her hair stuck together, her dress wrinkled. Her right eye was red and there was a cut on her bottom lip. There was an empty chair by her side. I sat there and turned to her.

- Are you alright? - she shivered and pulled her neck in like a turtle in danger.

- I see Mr Repper that you are still inexperienced with troubled kids. - I turned to the caricature and said in a calm voice.

- Reaper, not Repper.

- Seriously?! Is this all you have to say? Your stray hit my precious angel! That feral girl broke Bethany's nose. - I looked at the other girl, her eyes were in tears and her nose was indeed broken.

- Let's go Kate. - I said and stood up when the director shouted.

- Where do you think you are going Mr. Reaper?! The foster girl you raise hurt her classmate! - I sighed and took a deep breath before talking.

- I don't know who you are talking about. There's only Kate in this room. She is neither feral, nor, troubled and for heavens, not a stray! She is my daughter. Did she broke Bethany's nose? Okay, she'll apologize, but who is going to apologize for her destroyed dress, her messy hair, cut up lips or red eye?! Mr Director, should I remind you that the coin has two sides? Why are you defending that girl and blame it all on my daughter when she is clearly more injured?

- Mr. Reaper... - the director tried to speak but I turned to Kate.

- Let's go to the hospital. They'll check out if you have any other injuries. - Kate stood up trembling and the girl, Bethany just stared at her with hatred. I looked at her mother.

- Don't worry we aren't done yet. But I'll take care of my daughter first and then, we will discuss this, because I won't let it slide. Neither the abuse, nor the attitude of the direction of this school. Have a pleasant day, both of you. - I put my hand on Kate's back and walked her out of the room. We heard them screaming her name and she halted for a moment, but I gently pushed her to keep going. I leaned to her ear and whispered.

- Keep going. They are background noise. Also, Donna baked cookies. Let's get you treated and quickly get home to try them! - Kate suddenly held my hand when we stepped out of the school. She looked into my eyes and cried.

- Thank you for protecting me... - she mumbled in a low voice. I turned her to face me and gave her a handkerchief. Kate took it and dried her eyes. Her nose got red and her eyes puffed from crying. Those unique eyes stared into mine.

- Don't be silly, we are a family. This is the least.

- But... No one ever did this for me before. - she whispered.

- Well, get used to it. Things are going to change drastically. - I said imagining my son's face when he'll see his little girl. I have to hide the scythe tonight.