“I’m-“
“I know. But he was doing better under your care than he is here. Two days, Allister.” She droppedher eyes, shaking her head. “You’ll understand when you see him.”
I didn’t want to see, yet at the same time I did, and I wanted to run up every step and be there beside the boy already.
Thirteen steps up, we were in a hallway, then down a few doors, and soon, April stepped back, pointing to the room.
“I’ll check on your car.” I didn’t think as I handed over the keys, my eyes trying to find the boy.
I couldn’t see through a younger boy who sat on the edge of the bed. He was murmuring something, but it was too low for me to hear.
Walking closer, I made sure my steps were heavy so as not to frighten anyone. At my actions, the younger kid looked up, eyes red.
“Who are you?” He moved to hide Dakota from my view even more.
“Allister. April’s….uh…A friend?”
The boy’s look ran up and down me, probably trying to figure out if I was a threat or not. I had no idea what he saw in me because, on the inside, I was a mess.
Slowly, I stepped closer. I wasn’t frightened over a kid. I kept my expression calm and collected. Whatever was going on would get sorted out.
When I was closer, I saw Dakota. His face was pale, and he breathed shallowly. His back to the headboard, eyes were closed, tears falling.
His fucking tears hurt me.
“Dakota?” I called his name just above a whisper.
He cracked his eyes open enough to see. Then, when he saw me he closed them just as tightly.
“Oh, sweet boy.” The tender words were spoken before I could stop them.
Carefully, I sat on the edge of the bed, facing the other boy partway. “I got it from here.”
“No offense, dude, but I’m not going anywhere.”
Whatever. I turned my attention back to Dakota, waiting for anything from him. All he did was breathe and cry silent tears.
“It’s all okay now,” I spoke, laying a hand on one of his bent knees.
Either Dakota was too far gone in his mind, or he just didn’t care. He didn’t jerk away from my touch, nor did he move at all.
“What happened?” I asked, not caring who really answered.
“Heath hurt him.”
“Who?”
“He’s one of the others who stays here. Well, he was. He was removed. But…I don’t know. Heath was never…he’d never….”
“Come on, Nathen,” an older lady said kindly. “Let the man try to talk to your friend, okay.”
“I’m staying.” He glared at her, then turned his heated gaze to mine. “He won’t let anyone touch him. But something hurts. I don’t know what. Mr. Meyer tried to look, but he freaked out. And-“
“Nathen.”
“He can stay,” if it kept Dakota calm, I didn’t give a flying rat’s ass. Then gently I spread my fingers up his knee, towards where the boy’s hand was in reach. “I’m going to touch you. To check you.”
Dakota’s breath hitched, but otherwise, he didn’t move.
