Jane's Innocence

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Wesley's POV

After I ensured that Jane was bundled I went out to start my old pickup truck. I knew it would take some time to get warm. So I went back inside to make sure that I was layered and had boots on to go searching for her family. After about twenty minutes I went out to check and see if it was warm. I'm glad I have this old truck. I went back in to get Jane. I picked her up and carried her out to the truck. Placing her gently into the seat I reached across and buckled her seatbelt. I walked around and climbed into the driver's seat. I buckled up and put the truck in reverse.

I backed down the driveway and headed towards town. I had to get Jane some clothes that fit her if we were going to be in the elements looking for her family. I pulled into the downtown parking lot and parked the truck. Jane just looked at me curiously. I told her that if we were going to look for her family we needed to get her in clothes that fit. She only nodded her head. I turned off the truck and got out. I walked around the truck and opened the door. Jane unbuckled her seatbelt and I picked her up to carry her. We went across the parking lot and entered a local clothing store. The lady behind the counter looked at us like we were crazy. I didn't care though. I needed to get Jane some clothes. The lady plastered a fake smile on her face and walked towards us. She asked, "How can I be of assistance today?" I looked at her and said,"I need clothes for her." The lady nodded her head and I followed her to the children's section. I let Jane pick out a couple of outfits before we moved to the coat section. It gets rather cold and I want her to stay as warm as possible. After finding a coat that fit I asked the lady helping us where the boots were at. She pointed her finger and led the way. Jane was very insistent on pink boots. We tried many pairs on until we found a pair that she liked. I followed the young lady to the register where I paid for them with my credit card.

Once she was properly dressed we headed back to the truck. After I ensured that she was buckled up I started the engine. I asked Jane for her address, but she did not know it. We sat there for a while till I got out my cell phone and called the school to get an address. The school was reluctant at first. I had to explain why I needed it and let them speak to Jane before they would tell me. The principal finally caved and gave me the address 624 Hollow Brook Lane. Sheesh she really does live out far. No wonder she is covered in bruises and cuts. She had traveled many miles before I had come in contact with her. I backed out of the parking spot and put the car in drive. looking down at the dash I realized to make this trip I would have to fill up the gas tank. I pulled into the station and asked Jane if she wanted anything from inside. She replied softly, "No. Ma never let us get junk food".

I nodded my head and climbed out of the truck. I told her to stay there and I would be right back that I had to pay for some gas. I walked into the store grabbed a couple of bottles of water and went to the counter. I sat the waters on the counter and paid for them and the gas. I walked out to the truck and placed the bag in the truck before I began pumping gas. I finished and climbed back in the truck. Putting the car in drive we headed towards the address given to me by the principal. Once we turned onto Hollow Brook Lane Janes demeanor changed.

She started running her hands up and down her legs and her eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head. We traveled slowly up the road because I didn't know just how far we would have to go. Jane started to get really antsy so I knew we were close. As we pulled up to her home I was in utter disbelief. The horror that was laid out was something that I wouldn't wish upon even my enemies. Out front there was a fence. Beyond the fence is where a home once stood. Everything that was left was tarnished with soot. Jane jumped out of the truck and took off through the fence. I slowly climbed out and walked through the gate thinking who would do this? Jane started climbing on the rubble hollering "Ma! Pa! Sammy!" I walked over to where she was at helping move whatever I could. I knew I needed to call the police. There needed to be an investigation into what really happened here. As Jane sat down and sobbed I grabbed my cellphone and called 911. I told them what I saw in front of my eyes. Soon enough we heard sirens in the distance. The first officer that arrived was shocked at the damage. He asked if we could go to the station and wait to answer some questions. I picked Jane up out of the rubble and started walking back towards the truck. Placing Jane in her seat and buckling her up I walked around and climbed in. I didn't know what to say. Everything that she had told me was true. I'm grateful that whoever that guy was didn't see that she survived, and made it away from him. We were there for a good while. The officers there put us in two different rooms.

The rooms were small with only two chairs and a small table in it. The room itself was a pale yellow in color. There were no windows either so I couldn't really tell what time of day it was. I wondered what kind of room they had put Jane in. If they were treating her well. That poor little girl has already been through so much.

Finally an officer came in. He looked so professional with his black dress pants, white collared shirt, and tie. He had a spiral notepad in his hand along with a pen. He sat down across from me and introduced himself as Detective Finn. Detective I thought there definitely is more to this than I had originally thought. I shook his hand and said Wesley, my name is Wesley. He began asking me questions about how I came across the little girl and if I knew anything about the fire or her family. I answered him with what I saw and what Jane had told me that happened. He took notes and periodically asked me to repeat something so he wrote it down correctly. After all the questions were answered detective Finn advised me that when going through the rubble they had found three bodies. Oh no, that's probably Jane's family they found. He advised me that autopsies would have to be done to find out exactly what had happened to them. Detective Finn also told me that Jane wouldn't be allowed to stay with me as I was not family. Jane would have to go to the orphanage in town. The detective had me follow him to the room they were keeping Jane in so I could say goodbye. We hugged for a while till the lady from Child Protective Services arrived to take her away. I watched as they left Jane had tears in her eyes.