**Chapter 14: Uncharted Territory**

As they entered the community center, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile stepped out of a nearby office and approached them. "Hi, Officer Jenkins, I see you've brought Ashley and Ender in," she said, her eyes scanning the group before settling on Ashley. "I'm Karen, the social worker who's going to be helping you today." Officer Jenkins nodded at Karen, who then turned to Ashley and Ender. "Don't worry, Ashley, we're here to help you and your son. Let's get Ender settled in for a bit, okay?" Karen gently took Ender's hand, leading him away from Ashley and Officer Jenkins. "Where are you taking him?" Ashley asked, feeling a pang of worry. "We just need to get him checked out and make sure he's okay," Karen explained. "We'll need to talk to him for a few minutes and make sure he's not showing any signs of neglect or abuse. It's all just routine, I assure you." Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. She watched as Karen led Ender into a nearby room, closing the door behind them. Officer Jenkins placed a reassuring hand on Ashley's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ashley," Officer Jenkins said. "We're doing this to help you and Ender. We just need to make sure everyone is safe and okay." A few minutes passed, and then Karen emerged from the room with Ender in tow. Ender looked a bit shaken but otherwise okay. Karen smiled at him and handed him a juice box and a small bag of Goldfish crackers. "Hey, buddy, why don't you sit over there and have a snack while we talk to your mom, okay?" Ender nodded and made his way to a nearby table, where he began to quietly munch on his snack. Karen turned to Ashley and Officer Jenkins. "Okay, let's get started. Officer Jenkins, would you mind stepping outside for a minute? I need to talk to Ashley privately." Officer Jenkins nodded and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her. Karen turned to Ashley, her expression sympathetic. "Ashley, I know this is a difficult time for you, but I need to ask you some questions. Can you tell me about your mom's condition and how you've been taking care of Ender lately?" Ashley took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. She began to explain, telling Karen about her mom's illness and how she had been struggling to care for Ender on her own. Karen listened attentively, her expression growing more concerned with each passing minute. As Ashley talked, Karen took notes on a pad of paper, her eyes occasionally flicking up to meet Ashley's. When Ashley finished, Karen set the pad down and leaned forward. "Ashley, I think we need to talk about getting you some help. Not just for Ender, but for you too. You're clearly overwhelmed, and we need to make sure you have the support you need to care for your son." Ashley felt a lump form in her throat as she nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. But then Karen's expression turned serious. "Ashley, I also need to ask you some harder questions. Can you tell me about your living situation and how you've been providing for Ender's needs? We need to make sure he's safe and okay." Ashley's heart sank, and she felt a sense of trepidation. She knew she had been struggling to make ends meet, and she worried about what Karen and the authorities would think. She took a deep breath and began to answer, hoping that she could get the help she needed to take care of Ender and her mom.