Clarissa eye'd Kayla, "As soon as we walk out of here you start calling him Dad, you understand? Not Jeff, not bro, not sibling, not brother... As soon as we walk out of earshot of anyone who knows different, you are an only child. You got that."
"Okay, but he..." Kayla started.
"Do you understand the instructions?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. You will be filled in on the details along the way, but time is short." She turned to Jeff. "These papers are a formality to get out of here but it's the fastest way. This emancipates you, this puts Kayla into your custody, this ... Just sign and don't stop till you're done. We should be out of here in three minutes." Jeff began furiously searching and scribbling, Clarissa turned back to Kayla. "We have some very important secrets to share with you, but you need to promise not to tell anyone first. It's so secret, and such a big promise that you need to sign paperwork never to tell anyone. Your Dad over here has singed one, and he's going to cosign, promising that if you mess up, he's going to take responsibility for it."
Jeff sighed heavily as Clarissa slid the new document in front of him. after a worried glance at Kayla he signed where instructed and went back to his pile. "So once you sign this, and we all get on our way, you will be told everything that's happening."
Kayla's curiosity got the better of her and she signed. "Okay, 'Dad'... but I expect to know everything."
As soon as Jeff signed the last page Clarissa had already collected her things, took the page, and was out the door, beconing the children to follow.
By the time the kids reached the door to the office Clarissa was already engaging one of the officers and shoving a mass of paperwork into their hands. "The boy's been emancipated, the girl's in his custody now, Their signatures, judge... we're leaving now... C'mon guys, we've all got places to be! Oh, and please pass my thanks on to Officer Davidson for being so accommodating." With that, she continued walking.
The officer with the paperwork rifled through it quickly and as the children walked by she gave Jeff a conflicted look but said nothing. The system isn't great but it's better than the streets, she hoped the boy had a plan and was making the right choice but it wasn't her place to say anything. They exited the building a moment later.