Bernie was locked in a cell specifically for delinquents. While the other wayward teens raged and trashed around like trapped gorillas, she sat in a corner, regretting her past actions.
The other teens probably had parents who would come and bail them out, but she had no one. She was also a minor, and it meant they would put her in a foster care system. At 17, she already was almost a legal adult. No one would care about her. She regretted not knowing her boss's name.
The store owner and his wife never left. They were clamouring to have her punished by the law, especially when they knew she couldn't pay back all the things she had stolen. She couldn't return them as well, as the items were already eaten or broken.
The policemen were desperately trying to persuade them that she was a minor and that whatever she took could be refunded gradually. The couple wouldn't have it. They made so much noise that onlookers began to gather.
After the ruckus the couple caused, the police officers approached Bernie.
"Where are your parents, kid? We don't know what you did to these people, but they want your blood." One of them said.
"I don't have parents. " Bernie replied. Her voice had cracked with grief and regret. She shifted uncomfortably. She could tell where the conversation was headed.
"Poor kid. You don't have any guardians, too? How long have you been out in the streets?" He asked again. The other officers expressed pity, one of them squinting as if about to cry. Bernie didn't know what to make of that, but she didn't respond.
"At this rate, you might end up in juvie, kid. If you have someone who could help you pay for the things you took from those people, we could let you off with a warning. Do you have someone you can call? I could give you my phone." The policeman offered. He genuinely didn't want her to get punished because she wasn't behaving like a criminal at all.
Bernie wanted to say something, but she stopped. She shook her head to the dismay of the police officers.
The policeman sighed and moved to leave, then waited.
"I'll see what I can do." He finally said. The police officers left the cell and discussed the problem amongst themselves. The delinquents in the cell figured that Bernie was some sort of goody-goody two-shoes when they saw her converse with the police officers sensibly. They began to transfer their hormonal aggression in her direction.
***
A well-built man walked into the police station and quickly attracted the attention of everyone in it. He was dressed casually in a t-shirt and black slacks. What stood out about him was his large muscular arms that were covered in scars of different kinds, burns, cuts, and bruises. He looked down-to-earth and regal at the same time. It was Bernie's boss.
He walked up to the counter, where the store owner and his wife were still arguing with the police officers. When the couple saw his scarred arms, they both involuntarily gulped. They fell silent and shifted to one side, allowing him access to the police officer.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, officers. I'm looking for my sister, I heard she was taken into custody here." He said.
"That's fine. What is her name?" A policewoman answered him.
"Her name is Bernice Sanders, ma'am. " He replied.
The couple heard and were shocked. They didn't wait for him to finish his conversation with the policewoman before they pounced in his direction, their spit flying everywhere as they began to berate him. The wife was louder this time.
"You're the brother of that filthy whore! I knew thieving must have been a family trait! Look at you, useless fellow! Your sister has stolen goods worth eight hundred dollars from us and you are going to pay for it, or else we'll sue you for all the damages!" Her shrill scream nearly shook the building. The onlookers around concluded that fat people are really powerful.
Bernie's boss didn't even pay her any heed. He was waiting for the policewoman to respond. Even the policewoman was stunned by the sudden squawking that happened, so she fumbled for a second before regaining the initiative.
"Oh... um, Bernice claimed not to have any guardian. Could it be another person?" The policewoman asked politely.
"Oh, no, it's her. My family was supposed to sign for her adoption next week, and we wanted it to be a surprise. We didn't know she would get into trouble. Sorry for all the trouble, ma'am." He explained gently.
The couple realized that he wasn't related to their nemesis by blood, so their rage decreased a little. The store owner had fallen silent, already discerning that the man before him was not a normal man. The fat wife, however, couldn't discern anything, so she continued.
"Still! Someone has to pay for the damages! She robbed us! She can't just get away with it! That whore must pay." She yelled again, all the flaps on her face and body were trembling rhythmically, following her gestures faithfully.
Bernie's boss finally turned to her. He scanned her up to down with a very calm look, then smiled. He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the largest wad of cash the couple had ever seen. All the notes were at the highest denominations. The onlookers clamoured in amazement. The store owner and his wife were dumbfounded.
"I'm sure this would not only pay for all she did, but it'll help expand your business further. Take this and leave. Now." He said with a voice filled with authority. Stretched out his hand to the store owner, not the wife.
The store owner took the money gingerly, swiftly turning to leave. The wife saw that the debt had been paid and no longer had any right to complain. She turned to face her husband, only to discover that he had begun to run, as though something was pursuing him. She began to yell and charged straight for him like a wild boar. Amazingly, despite her weight, she caught up with her husband and dived at him.
Another scuffle entailed, but it had nothing to do with Bernie's boss, so the policewoman resumed processing Bernie's release, leaving other police officers who reluctantly went in to separate the couple.
***
The hormonal teens seemed to have exhausted their blood sugar because they no longer troubled Bernie. Some had even fallen asleep. She was still in the corner, lost in thought.
She heard the doors open, and two policemen came in, still discussing what had happened outside. There was a tinge of relief in their voices and Bernie could hear it. They walked up to her cell.
"You are the luckiest kid in the world, you know that?" The previous officer said. She didn't understand what was going on. The policemen chuckled amongst themselves. Their expressions were light and happy.
"We'll keep the surprise." He said as he unlocked the gate and let her out. Some brave delinquents tried to stage a breakout, but upon the swing of a baton, the rebellion was quelled. Bernie walked out of the detention section and through the corridor.
She saw him. Emotions came flooding as she broke down in tears, unable to hold herself back. Her boss had also noticed her. She jumped into his embrace, unconcerned about the eyes on her. They were the spectacle of the day. Amongst the tears, she mumbled something. Her boss didn't hear it.
"What did you say, Bernie?" He asked.
"What is your name?" She asked tearfully. She looked into those shining blue eyes that were filled with love and happiness.
"My name is Joshua, and I'm your brother, Bernie." He said. His answer made her cry even harder. The hearts of the onlookers melted as the occasional 'aww' could be heard. Joshua led the weakened Bernie out of the police station.
There was an entourage of expensive cars and bodyguards waiting for them outside. Bernie was so confused and so overwhelmed that she stopped him. Though she was still crying. She asked, "Why me?"
"Because I love you, Bernice Sanders. Please come with me to meet my father. He's been waiting for you for a long time now." Joshua said.
They entered one of the luxurious vehicles and left the police station.
****
Six months later.
Bernie was cleaning the display case of a very expensive-looking jewellery. She had been given the goldsmith shop as a gift from her father. Joshua had gone on a trip, so she was feeling alone and bored.
She heard a knock at the door of the shop. The door opened, revealing a short girl who had a cunning glint in her eyes. Bernie rolled her eyes as she saw that and laughed. She found that glint very familiar.
"Oh boy, here we go..."
End.
Ephesians 2:12-14
12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Author's Note: Hi! Hope you enjoyed the story! Please like and comment what you understood from the story! You could also subscribe to be updated when a new story comes out. Hope to see you then, Thank you for reading!
Heartwarming