The Shocking Truth
Charney Manendez stood frozen, her mind reeling as the police officer laid out the shocking truth. Every word felt heavier than the last, and she struggled to process the nightmare unfolding in front of her. How had things gone so terribly wrong?
She was only a child, yet here she was, watching her guardian being taken away in handcuffs. It all started with the uneasy feeling she had when the baby was first placed in her arms. She never imagined her instincts would lead to something this devastating.
Disliking Hank
Charney had disliked Hank Flounder from the start. The day her mother introduced him, something about him felt off. She didn’t trust him, but there was little she could do—he was part of her life whether she liked it or not.
When her mother passed away two years ago, Hank became her legal guardian. That’s when things truly began to spiral. Living under the same roof became a daily struggle, and Charney found herself trapped in a situation she never imagined could get this unbearable.
His Behaviour Was Out Of Line
Charney was just fourteen when it all happened—young enough to be stuck under Hank’s thumb and old enough to know his behavior was out of line. She had endured his nonsense before, brushing off his odd demands and wild behavior as best she could.
But this time, Hank went too far. His latest request crossed a line, testing Charney’s patience like never before. She couldn’t walk away, not yet—but she wasn’t going to take it lying down either. If she had to stay, she’d make sure he paid for it.
Reminding Herself
Charney kept reminding herself that she only had to endure Hank for four more years. Once she turned eighteen, she could walk away for good and finally reclaim her freedom. It was the one thing that kept her going—just hold on a little longer.
But that year, everything changed. A single moment shattered the path she’d carefully mapped out, throwing her life into chaos. The future she clung to suddenly vanished, and Charney knew one thing for sure—she wouldn’t let it end like this.
Everything Changed
Before everything changed, Charney believed she could survive the next four years as long as she kept her head down and followed the rules. She convinced herself that staying silent and going along with things was the safest path forward.
But then Hank made a request that shattered her illusion of control. It crossed a line she hadn’t prepared for, forcing her to question her choices and the life she was trying to protect. This time, it felt like too much—and it was starting to unravel everything.
Calm And Predictable
The day began like any other, calm and predictable. But everything shifted the moment Charney returned home from school and found Hank on her doorstep. He was panting, jittery, and clearly on edge—but what truly caught her off guard was the tiny baby he clutched tightly in his arms.
Charney’s eyes narrowed, questions forming in her mind, but before she could speak, Hank pushed the infant into her hands. “Take care of that,” he muttered hastily, then turned and disappeared without another word.
Initial Suspicion
Charney stared down at the baby, her initial suspicion quickly turning into bewilderment. All she had planned was to finish her homework, but instead, she found herself holding a stranger’s child, completely unsure of what to do next.
Days passed without a sign of Hank, and Charney slowly came to a troubling realization—the little girl wasn’t just a temporary inconvenience. She was now Charney’s responsibility, whether she liked it or not.
An Entire Week Gone By
An entire week had gone by. Charney hadn’t been to school, using her own money to care for the tiny baby. But this wasn’t simply a matter of following instructions—there was more to it than that.
Though she often acted naive, Charney was far from foolish. The longer she stayed in the situation, the more questions filled her mind. Something didn’t add up, and she was beginning to suspect there was more going on than anyone was letting on.
Circling In Her Mind
Charney couldn't shake the questions circling in her mind. Whose baby was this? Why had she been left to care for a child that clearly wasn’t hers? And where on earth were the baby’s parents?
One thing she was certain of—it wasn’t Hank’s. That much she knew. So how had he ended up with the baby? The next time he came by the house, she didn’t waste any time. She demanded answers, asking him straight out where the child had come from.
More Questions
Charney was left with more questions than answers. When Hank showed up, he was clearly intoxicated, and the moment she began pressing him for information, his demeanor shifted from indifferent to hostile.
“Mind your own business!” he snapped. “Just follow orders!” His outburst only deepened Charney’s suspicion. Instead of backing off, she became more determined—one way or another, she was going to uncover the truth.
A Few Days Pass
After a heated argument, Hank left again, and Charney spent the next week alone with the baby. That was the one part of the situation that she didn’t mind.
She Had To Give Up Everything
Charney had to give everything up to take care of the baby. She couldn’t attend school. She had missed her final exams. She had to give up her part-time job. And she hadn’t seen her friends in weeks.
Those were the things that bothered her the most. How could she leave if she couldn’t even finish the school year?
Couldn’t Do It
After a month of taking care of the baby, Charney realized that she couldn’t do it anymore. She had plans of her own. She needed to get money and experience so she could leave when she came of age.
But at that point in time, she couldn’t do any of that. And she was nowhere near ready to be a mother.
She Had Her Own Life
Charney might’ve been young, but she still had a life of her own. She had dreams and aspirations of a bright future away from all this.
She had friends who wanted to help her achieve her goals. And she was well on her way to achieving them. But she couldn’t do that with a baby.
Asking Questions
So the next time Hank came around, she started asking more questions. And this time, she wasn’t backing down.
She wanted to know what she was giving her life up for. And she wanted to determine whether or not it was worth it. That was when Hank said something that would change everything she thought she knew.
Getting Suspicious
“I’ll get the ransom soon enough,” Hank mumbled before passing out. The hair on the back of Charney’s neck stood up. What ransom was he talking about?
Charney knew he was drunk, and he often spoke nonsense when he was. But his statement still raised her suspicions, and she decided to investigate the matter further.
Following Him Around
Charney started following Hank around, thinking that she might uncover the truth that way. But sneaking around wasn’t as easy with a baby strapped to her chest.
People often stopped her to make comments, and because of that, she would lose track of Hank. But one night, she had him in her sights, and she felt that this would be the day she got her answers.
Couldn’t Find Anything
He went into a sleazy building, and Charney followed. But she soon realized that it was the underbelly of the city. This was no place for a fourteen-year-old with a baby.
However, Charney stuck to her decision and waited it out. Unfortunately, she just wasted her night because there was no sign of Hank doing anything but drinking.
What Was He Hiding?
In the early hours of the morning, Charney stumbled home. She felt defeated and lost, thinking that she was on a wild goose chase with no end in sight. But that was where she was wrong.
Things were about to take a drastic turn, and she would find the truth. But what was it that Hank was hiding? And what would the consequences of his actions be?
A Check-Up
When Charney woke up later that day, she heard the baby screaming. She rushed to her bedside and saw that the child’s face was bright red.
When she tried to pick the baby up, she also felt that the child had a fever. She knew it must’ve been brought on by the cold. But she also knew that fever could be deadly to a child that age. So she did the only thing she could. She called Hank.
Not Easy
Convincing him to take the child to the doctor was no easy feat. He was convinced that the illness would blow over without medical attention. But Charney wasn’t so sure.
The two of them got into a heated argument, with Charney acting like a ferocious bear that was trying to protect her cub. But then she thought of something that was sure to change his mind.
He Finally Gave In
“If this child dies, you won’t be getting any ransom!” Charney snapped. The blood drained from Hank’s face as she said the words. But they instantly calmed him down.
“Fine!” he scoffed. “We’ll take the thing to a doctor.” Charney felt a sense of relief wash over her. But she had no idea what this trip would ultimately end up costing her.
On The Way
It was only when they were on the road that Charney realized her mistake. The doctor will want information. Information that she didn’t have.
“What name do we give the doctor?” she asked, feeling ashamed. “Just tell them her name is Flora Manendez. Tell them it's your kid,” Hank mumbled, not knowing that he had just piqued Charney’s interest.
Stopping For Gas
They were about halfway through their journey across the state when Hank decided to stop for gas. And that was when everything changed.
The one place Charney never had access to was his car. And she was sure that she would find the answers she was looking for in it. Was she right? And what would she find?
He Went To The Store
While filling up the car, Hank decided to get something to eat. This was Charney’s chance. She could search the car while he was away.
She started in the cabby holder and swiftly made her way to the trunk. That was where she hit the jackpot. It was the place Hank used to store all his secrets.
She Saw Something
The moment Charney opened the trunk, she saw something. Files upon files of information were stored back there. And the name Flora popped up once more. But this time, it was accompanied by a surname.
“Flora Windchester,” Charney mumbled to herself. That was the baby’s real name. And Charney had the evidence to prove it.
Keeping Shut
Before getting back into the passenger seat, Charney checked up on the baby. Or at least that was what it looked like. But she had an ulterior motive for doing what she did.
Hank got back in, and they hit the road once more. But Charney didn’t say anything. There was no point in talking to the man. She’d have to find another way to expose him.
Coming Back
The visit to the doctor was a success. They got the medication they needed to treat the baby and made their way back home.
Charney spent the trip examining her options. She was completely unaware of the fact that an opportunity was waiting for her around the next bend. Would she take it? Or just let it slip?
Pulled Over
Hank had already started drinking, and he was speeding down the road. But this time, he wouldn’t get away with it. He got flagged down by a police officer and had no choice but to stop.
Charney felt her heart beating against the walls of her chest as the officer approached. This was the best thing she could’ve asked for.
Her Only Chance
“License and registration, please,” the officer said when he got to the car. But Charney wasn’t going to miss her window of opportunity. “I think you should check the trunk, officer,” she said before glancing at Hank.
Hank was pale as a sheet, and the officer was confused. But he did follow her advice. “Please pop the trunk, sir.”