Editing Getting the Band Together (section)

===Necessities===

The squat is cramped with the 6 people in it but warmer as they kept the little stove burning.  Cali slept hard the first day but Gadget wasn't sure she was recovering.  Jax never left her side and worried constantly. Gadget went and got Pizza again though only two pies, suggesting that her money was drying up.

The group fervently refused to take her to the hospital.  Eddie explained, “Cali's home life was little better then the way Wart's people treated her. Her mother and a stepsister beat her regularly enough that she let her stepfather and two step brothers and a couple of their friends treated her like a sex toy so they would defend her.  If she turns up at an ER the best she can hope for is to go into foster care.  The worse is being sent home.  That happened once before.”

Jax, who Gadget had heard speak in single words till now, said, “She and I run off together first time.  I had to go back and get her that time.  Her idiot brothers kept her in one of their beds every night.  Hard to sneak her out.  “

Gadget asked, "how did you manage it?"

Looks around the room showed it was a sore subject.  Jax returned to Cali and his silence.  Tiffy put her head down.  Eddie look at Gadget as if to convey that it was none of her business.  Holden smiled, and with a nod from Jax he told the tale.

“Jax lit the house on fire then called 911.   In the confusion of police, firefighters, and ambulances Jax stole an ambulance they put Cali in.  Drove it for an hour then stole a car so he could ditch the ambulance.  He stripped the thing of meds and supplies.  Blankets, and stuff.  He drove a couple days, swapped cars and drove here.  Dropped off Cali and the swag, then drove the car another day to ditch it. Good chance that the police are looking for them.”

Jax looked embarrassed but kept next to Cali.  

Gadget commented, “Resourceful.  Decisive.  I respect that.”   Jax looked up, with a hint of a smile. 

Gadget stands, “I'm going to stretch my legs.”

Walking out to the front she is confronted by a large beefy cat with a mouse in its sights

Gadget froze momentarily, her eyes widening at the sight of the large beefy cat perched atop the windowsill, its amber eyes fixed intently on the tiny mouse scurrying across the ledge. The cat’s fur was a patchy mix of brown and black, giving it a rugged, almost untamed appearance that contrasted sharply with the orderly chaos inside the squat.

“Hey there, big fella,” Gadget whispered softly, taking a cautious step forward. The cat didn’t seem threatened; instead, it watched her with an air of quiet curiosity, perhaps fear at Gadget's canine nature. The mouse, sensing the tension, darted towards the edge of the window, where it paused, twitching its nose before making a desperate leap for the safety of a nearby drainpipe.

As Gadget reached the window, she noticed a small tag hanging from the cat’s collar: “Shadow – Rescued”. A surge of empathy washed over her. Despite the rough exterior, Shadow clearly had a story of his own.

“Looks like Shadow’s been with you for a while,” Gadget remarked, hoping to break the ice.

Eddie stepped forward, his expression softening. “He’s a survivor, just like Cali. Came into our lives a few months back. Helps keep the rat population down around here.”

Tiffy glanced up from her corner. “Shadow’s more than just a cat. He’s a bit of a guardian for us.”

Holden nodded in agreement. “Yeah, he senses when things are off. Last week, he kept me awake all night when we had that break-in attempt.”

Gadget smiled, feeling a connection not just with the people but with their silent protector. “He’s a good cat. Reminds me that even in the darkest places, there’s still something worth protecting.”

Before anyone could respond, Shadow leapt gracefully down from the windowsill, landing softly on the floor. He approached Cali cautiously, circling her before settling beside her side. Cali reached out a tentative hand, and Shadow rubbed his head against her palm, purring softly.

Jax watched the interaction with a mix of relief and lingering worry. “Shadow’s got a good heart. Just like Cali.”

Gadget felt a pang of admiration for Jax. Despite his rough methods, his intentions were clear. “You all are handling things better than I expected.”  

Eddie shook his head. “We’re just trying to keep Cali safe and give her a chance to heal. She deserves a second chance.”

As Gadget turned to leave the room, a sense of camaraderie filled the space. The squat, though cramped and imperfect, was a haven for those who had nowhere else to go. She felt a renewed sense of purpose, understanding that their struggles were intertwined, each supporting the other in their own ways.

Stepping out into the chilly evening air, Gadget took a deep breath, the scent of rain lingering in the air. She glanced back at the squat.

Walking away she considered her options.  She didn't want to involve her police contact in this but he was her first call any way.

Calling, "Gadget.  Wants and Warrants. Names. Photos coming. out."

Lighting a cigarette she wanders off a block, looking around.  She ponders.  She can't involve her police contact more then absolutely necessary.  But she needed to know if anyone was looking for those in the squat. They didn't want to take Cali to the hospital. She couldn't call home without getting a ton of judgment and in the end only getting medical help with strings on it.  There was another option though.