It's Late 2019

Officer Dela Cruz and Officer O'Neill returned looking sombre.

Officer O'Neill addressed Ed together with Idris and Kirsty. "I have discussed this with my partner and there are obviously a number of factors at play here."

"I don't see how, I grew up here" Ed stated.

Officer O'Neill sighed "be that as it may the law states that you do not have an automatic right to the property in question. That's for the lawyers to decide. Given the serious nature of the allegations of historic **** as well as two witnesses accusing of what at best can be described as voyeurism" the Officer paused "We think it's best that you vacate the property until the courts can make an appropriate judgement."

"You have got to be kidding me!" Ed argued.

Officer Dela Cruz interjected "I'm sorry Sir, we have to be cautious and ensure all parties are being treated fairly. Given the claims made by Idris of the potential for **** we need to deescalate the situation. In this particular situation to ensure there's no one in danger we require you to leave the premises."

Ed slouched "This is... unfair..."

Officer Dela Cruz looked at Ed with sympathy "I understand you feel that way but we have to respect everyone's rights and Idris here has rights too." Idris grinned and gave a little wave to Ed.

"I'm sorry Sir there's nothing further we can do. Officer Dela Cruz can help can escort you to ensure you can gather up what you need" Officer O'Neill requested.

Defeated, uncertain of his legal rights beyond what the cops had told him Ed nodded his capitulation to their request.

Officer Dela Cruz followed Ed upstairs "This wasn't easy for us to make a decision on and there's no correct answers in cases like this. I appreciate that you are willing to allow the courts to decide."

"How long will that take?" Ed asked as they approached his bedroom.

Officer Dela Cruz looked slightly guilty "It's hard to say... but they're the only ones who can make a formal decision as to homeownership." Ed fumed "Do you have somewhere to stay?" Officer Dela Cruz asked the teenager.

Ed hesitated "No, not really."

Officer Dela Cruz "no family or friends close by?"

"Maybe..." Ed pondered whether he should call Cory or seek refugee at Mason's house. He knew she would welcome him in at least short term. Preeti was obviously out of the question as long as her husband who Ed had cuckolded might be around.

They entered his bedroom, Officer Dela Cruz waited as he gathered some clothes and underwear into a bag. He grabbed a couple of childhood mementos and stuffed them into the bag.

"Nice room" Officer Dela Cruz offered as she looked about.

"It was..." Ed replied sullenly.

Officer Dela Cruz picked up a framed picture of Ed as a child with his parents from the distant past when they had gone to a theme park. Their last trip as a complete family. They were smiling and holding up pink cotton candy to the lens. "I can see where you get your good looks from" Officer Dela Cruz commented "Your parents must have cared from you, you look happy"

Ed took the picture from her and looked at it. It was a picture which had been on display for about ten years but it felt as though he was looking at it for the first time. "Yeah, it had been good day..." He wrapped a shirt around it and packed it into his bag.

Officer Dela Cruz waited in the hall for Ed to finish grabbing the last couple of items.

As he left his bedroom he stopped and turned in the doorway looking into the room that had represented all of his childhood. Memories of a happy childhood flitted through his mind. He traced some marks on the door frame where his dad had measured Ed's height as he grew.

As Ed closed his bedroom door the memory of his childhood and parents seemed to grow dimmer. He paused wondering whether he would ever open the door again.

"It gets easier," Officer Dela Cruz offered "I've seen a lot of people who are in worse situations and never had a chance. You seem like a guy who just needs to find his feet again."

Ed looked back at his bedroom door "I guess it's just one day at a time"

Officer Dela Cruz nodded "Yes, Sir, one day at a time."

They returned to the living room where Officer O'Neill had been waiting, Idris was sitting on the couch with Kirsty sitting on his lap. He looked overjoyed at the outcome and grinned wolfishly.

"Let me walk you out of my house" Idris offered.

"That won't be necessary Sir" Officer O'Neill replied.

Officers O'Neill and Dela Cruz escorted Ed outside and exchanged contact details. Officer Dela Cruz reassured Ed that they'd be in touch and gave him the details of a lawyer she claimed to know. Ed smiled politely and thanked him.

"Have you decided where you will go? Can we give you lift somewhere?" Officer Dela Cruz asked