I Unintentionally Became Her Kitten

Chapter 50: In the Face

I didn't really sleep. A little bit here and there but every movement in the house sent me into panic-mode. It was getting old. I was exhausted and Sophia was trying to help me but there wasn't much she could do between classes. She didn't have the phone number for the burner phone and I had a feeling that should be kept that way, despite her asking for it. I appreciated that she didn't ask questions about why. It might have sunk in a little that Alisha had certain connections. She had watched Tye split open the window screen with a practiced precision most people wouldn't have. Despite this, it was pretty clear being with Alisha was a healthier environment for me. My father and mother didn't speak to me often and I avoided them as much as I could but when our paths crossed it wasn't pleasant. I had forgotten how badly the quips affected my mental state. All of the comments about my genitals and my body and how I was disgracing God by existing wore down my mental strength until it was hard to think through the brain fog.

But I managed. I had an eye on my father's phone whenever I could. He carried it with him almost everywhere except when he went to bed. He plugged it in on the kitchen counter at that time and left it there overnight. My first attempt at downloading whatever file Alisha needed failed quickly as I ran into his passcode and I knew better than to blindly guess.

I wondered if Sophia happened to know it. But it would be hard to explain why I needed it. ‘I need to download malware,’ would not be condoned by her, as miserable as my relationship with my father was.

I told Alisha this, and she simply stated ‘do what you can. See if there’s an alternate unlock method.’

I was still on my own to get this task done, but I was stumped.

For a few days, I simply existed, observing their routines. After a couple nights, I learned my father tended to fall asleep on the couch while watching TV and my mother went to bed before him. That left me with a few minutes where he and his phone were in the same room. Even without a passcode, there was one other way to unlock his phone. He had the face recognition option turned on, I'd seen him use it a couple times. As long as it didn't reject him because his eyes were closed, I could try it.

Sophia saw me creep out into the hallway, she frowned at me but I put a finger to my lips.

She nodded and let it go, probably assuming I was just trying not to have a run in with my father.

He was out on the couch, head tilted back and out cold with his mouth hanging open.

I looked around a little more. There was a second couch in the living room on the opposite side and a coffee table between. My mother was in their bedroom, trying to get some early sleep.

The TV wasn’t super loud and the floorboards creaked a lot as I walked across them. Years of experience made it easier for me to step where there was the least noise but it wasn't perfect.

His phone was on the coffee table and with another awkward, somewhat unbalanced step I picked it up. I could see my shadow inching closer to his eyes as I did so but it never passed over.

I took a few very controlled breaths, feeling the strain on my body to move this slowly and exactly.

But I had his phone then.

I pointed it at him and hit the side button so it woke up, but after turning the screen around found it still locked with a ‘get closer' notice.

I swallowed and inched my feet closer, feeling the floor boards bend and strain before the pops and creaks happened.

My father snored on, unaware.

I brought the phone closer, the angle hurting my wrist and after a moment turned it toward me again just to fumble with it and scrambled to catch it.

I tried to grab it once and smacked it higher in the air in the process and it went spinning toward my father's face.

It was with two fingers on the corner that I managed to grab it.

My heart pounded as I carefully pulled the weight back and rearranged my fingers to hold it securely this time and tried one more time. It was going to be the last since I couldn't keep doing this. He was going to wake up sooner or later. His phone vibrated gently in my hand and I let out a tense breath in relief.

The home screen stared back at me this time and I backed away carefully before hurrying to my room. I needed Alisha’s number to do this and opened a new message log and copied the number over.

I sent her a simple message of ‘got it' on both devices so she could understand.

I then spent the next two minutes scrolling back and forth between a couple different screens so his phone wouldn't go to sleep. Then the message came in. It was a sketchy looking thing that I would absolutely never click on if it came in unexpectedly. But I tapped it and watched it go through a file opening process that then made a spinning circle icon in the middle of the screen for several moments. It was tense. I didn't like feeling stuck here simply waiting.

When it finally finished, the phone’s software prompted for file permissions and I hit ‘allow all' so whatever virus I just installed had full access. There was a notable lagginess to the device for the next minute as Alisha said ‘delete the messages. Thank you.’

I went through and held my thumb over them until the delete option came up. And then deleted the conversation from his history as well.

There was no immediately visible sign that something had been installed. Surely if he dug through his app settings he'd see it, but I imagined it wasn't literally named ‘malware’ in there.

I watched as the phone went to sleep in my hand. That was done. I felt dirty now, in an unpleasant way. When had I gotten so willing to cooperate with the most definitely illegal processes Alisha used? I hadn't even thought about calling the police when I saw the dead man, simply aware he was a thing that needed to be swept under the rug for no one to see.

Was I becoming a bad person? Or had I always been a bad person?

Either way, I got up again and shoved the burner phone under my boob. It dug in a little uncomfortably but it was reassuring to know it was there. I wasn't really alone here even if Alisha was miles away.

I crept out to the living room again and Sophia glanced up from her desk in her room. We made eye contact but I made no indication I was doing anything out of the ordinary.

I was faster and more confident this time around as I gently reached over to set his phone down on the coffee table, and watched in horror as it slid free of my grip and landed with a loud clunk.

My father snorted awake and blinked his eyes open at me, seeing me reaching toward his phone.

He gave me a shove, sending me reeling to the floor and stood, towering over me.

I instinctively shielded my face, cradling my head with both arms.

There was no strike. He simply glared and snatched his phone off the table to put in his pocket and walked away.

My heart thudded. I expected a good smack across my face for that… but he was ignoring me now. 

I uncurled myself and stood, still listening intently for any sign he was about to come back but there was nothing. Just low grumbling in their bedroom before he went to the kitchen and got his charger from there to plug it in somewhere else.

I had done it. For once I had actually done something for Alisha beyond basic emotional support.

It wasn’t long before Alisha sent a message to the burner phone. 

We’re in the clear. I’ll call the police and they’ll be there to pick you up.

What should I tell them? I asked.

I trust your judgement, was all she answered me with.

I felt the anxious prickle in my skin. But also… so much excitement. I’d be going back to Alisha, and soon. I just needed to keep things together until then.

I couldn’t be sure what she’d tell the police. Or if they’d be willing to listen to her. A phone conversation wasn’t necessarily the strongest evidence of a crime and could be easily faked… but they had come to talk to me from a single message so surely the conversation about me coming home ‘or else’ would hold some weight. Especially since I told them before I didn’t want to be here.

I found myself chewing on the quicks of my nails and pacing the four steps from one side of my room to the other, and then back again. My bedroom door opened, making me whirl to see my father standing there.

“Bailey,” he acknowledged. “Let's chat.”

He came in my room and gestured to the bed. I hesitated but sat down next to him, keeping about an arms length between us.

“I know things have been bad between us.”

I nodded, wanting nothing more than for the police to be here already. It was late as it was.

“We can't undo the things that have been done but I still want you in our lives. Even if that means adapting to your new gender role. I mean, God does forgive sin… so he could forgive you for doing this to yourself too.”

I nodded. Was my father… trying to make amends?

“Would you be willing to bury the hatchet?” He asked. “And try this again as my daughter?”

I hesitated to answer. “I don't belong to you,” I said carefully. “If I'm allowed any freedom, it'll be used to go back to Alisha.”

My father wasn't pleased, I could tell that much. “But I want you in my life,” he said. “I’m your father, I should be helping you navigate your choices.”

“They're my choices, though,” I told him. “For me to make, good or bad. I'll deal with the consequences without being a burden to you and Mom. You just have to let go.”

He didn't say anything for a long moment, instead staring angrily at my dresser. “I see.” He stood and I flinched away but he didn't even look back as he left and slammed my door shut behind him.

My heart was pounding again, and physical pain was starting to prickle behind my ribcage from the constant strain.

I waited until he was down the hall before fishing the phone from my bra. I stared at it, wondering if it would be okay for me to call Alisha just to talk to her. I didn't even know if this phone had that capacity.

There was a knock on my door and I shoved the phone under my thigh, expecting my father or mother but at the silence, I realized it was Sophia.

“Come in,” I told her.

She opened the door and slid in before closing it behind her.

I scooted over a little so it was clear she was welcome to sit on my bed. She did so and put her hand on my shoulder again.

“I heard Dad in here. Are you doing okay?” she asked.

I nodded. “I'm going to be leaving soon,” I told her.

“That's good. You and Alisha worked something out to keep you safe?”

I nodded again. “Are you sure you're okay staying here?” I asked. “I know it's not as bad between you and them but… it's still not good, right?”

“I mean…” she started. “It's not good, no. But it's not completely intolerable and I can't afford to go to school and live on my own so… if it's just a couple more years I can bear through it.”

“But if it gets worse, you'd tell me, right?” I asked. “You know I'd do what I can to help you.”

“I know, Kit. But you're dealing with enough of your own stuff as it is. I don't imagine your relationship with Mom and Dad is going to improve anytime soon.”

I stared at the familiar wood grain in the floor. “Is that my fault?” I asked. “Since I've refused to see things their way?”

She shook her head. “You had to be you. It wasn't a choice you made, it's who you are. If choosing to be who you are is so ungodly then I guess most people are devils.”

“I guess… I just don't think I could ever make them understand.” I felt the familiar pain again of having to leave this place and this family. There were a lot of bad memories, for sure. But it hadn't always been so hostile.

“I know,” Sophia said. She pulled me into a side hug as the sound of a few cars approaching came from outside. 

Sophia blinked at the familiar sound of a car pulling into the driveway, then the light flashed red and blue.

“Kit?” she asked. “Did you call the police?”

“Uhm… no but Alisha probably did,” I explained. “Since… you know. Dad is kind of holding me here against my will.”

Sophia snapped her gaze at me. “What do you mean? Wait. What are they gonna do?”

“I don't really know,” I told her honestly but stood and slid the phone into my bra strap where it wasn't so visible. I also grabbed the credit card from my drawer. I hadn't needed it but I sure the heck wasn't going to leave it behind.

My parents were shuffling out to the living room, summoned by the emergency lights and later on the pounding on the door.

My father was the one to answer as I hung back.

I swallowed hearing the officer, the same officer who had talked to me at Alisha’s, say, “were looking for a Kit Bauer, we were told she would be here.”

My father went to say something but I stepped out of the hallway and within view.

The officer made eye contact and stepped aside from the doorway as an invitation to leave. This was so much more intense than the first time, slipping out in the middle of the night.

I approached just to hear my father say, “wait, wait, wait. I didn't consent to you coming onto mt property. And I see no reason for my child to get taken away by you.”

“Kit Bauer is a legal adult and an order of protection has been issued by the court. From now on you are not to contact Kit Bauer through any means, digital or physical.”

“A what?” my father boomed.

“The bitch got a restraining order?” my mother whined.

“The court issued a restraining order,” the officer clarified. He took a step closer to them, being very intimidating with the utility belt of various unpleasant items on it. I didn't know what they all were other than the gun and the handcuffs but I was sure they all had their purposes to ‘protect’ people… by hurting other people.

I stepped toward the door.

“But I didn't consent to this,” my father repeated.

“Doesn't matter.” He held a paper out to my father with quite a fine print on it. “The order of protection is valid until your hearing. Until then, any violation will be considered contempt of court and punishable by fines and jail time.”

I was free, I realized. My parents could do nothing to me anymore. Sophia was standing in the hallway and I turned and gave her a goodbye wave, which she returned with a sad expression.

“Do you have any personal possessions you need to gather?” The officer asked me.

“No,” I shook my head.

He made a gesture toward the door, indicating I was free to go.

I gave him a grateful nod and stepped into my shoes, not bothering pulling them on properly before stepping outside.

There were more officers there, observing carefully as I came out. It felt like a lot to send four men to get me away from my father. I supposed they could never know how quickly something could escalate. The officer behind me was explaining some more details to my father as another offered me a seat in the back of a cruiser. I hesitated to get in, my instinct to not get in a stranger's car flaring.

But there were four of them here. I'd believe one or two might lure a woman into a vehicle for nefarious reasons but four was a lot to get on board with that.

I sat inside and did my best to discreetly get the phone from my bra so if there was trouble I had it in hand.

My door was shut and I watched as the officer argued with my father for a few minutes before leaving, the door slamming on his heels as he came out.

I looked at the floor as he came around to the driver's side and he and his partner entered the vehicle.

“Are you alright Ms Bauer?” he asked.

“Yes, I'm fine.”

“He didn't hit you or anything?” he asked.

I was unsure if getting dragged around by my hair counted but ended up shaking my head. “Thank you,” I told him.

This officer let out a sigh. “It's what we're here for. You understand if he makes any form of contact you should call us immediately, correct?”

I nodded. “Because of the restraining order?” I guessed.

“Yes. Your mother has one as well.”

“I mean… I didn't order one…”

“In cases like this where it's evident someone's being held against their will, the court will issue one for you while the investigation is ongoing. I can't promise it won't be lifted but it's a pretty straightforward case.”

“I see… thank you.”

I shifted uncomfortably on the seat as they finally turned the cruiser's lights off and backed out of the driveway. The other car was quick to follow suit, pulling away from Sophia’s car.

“Im assuming we're dropping you off at the Takeno property?” he asked.

“Yes, please,” I answered immediately.

“Alright.” I was silent the rest of the trip, though I felt his eyes glancing at me from time to time. 

The car bumbled a bit turning off the public road and I got ready to get out as Alisha’s house came into view. He stopped the vehicle pretty far back though and I went to open the door just to find the handle did nothing.

I looked at the front seat.

“We’ll let you out in a moment,” he told me. “We need some signatures from you but more importantly I wanted to talk off the record.”

“Off the record?” I asked.

“If you ever need help, don't be afraid to call us. We have resources available to deal with difficult situations including those where you might be endangered.”

I nodded. “I appreciate it but I don't think I'll need it.”

“I know you don't believe she'd ever hurt you but there may come a day where that changes.”

“I-I understand.” It was no secret to me that was a very real possibility. “I'm aware of the risks.”

He hesitated before pulling the car forward more. Once it was in park he came around to open my door and let me out.

I signed a couple documents after skimming over them to be sure I wasn't unintentionally getting Alisha involved in something that would have cops sticking their fingers in her business. They were pretty strictly about me and my father with a couple brief mentions of my mother.

Alisha approached the car eventually, arms crossed and eyeing the officers warily. The driver’s partner returned the favor and once I was released, I hurried over to throw a hug around her.

She patted my head as the officers started to go back to their car.

“Thank you,” she told the evidently more senior one who had been handling everything.

There was silence on the other side. I picked my head up to see him staring at us. “I disagree with doing any favors for you but…” he focused on me. “I suppose an environment like that is even worse than whatever's going on here.”

I held Alisha a little tighter.

“I still appreciate it,” Alisha said. “Differences aside.”

The officer scowled but got in the car to drive off.