kind — nothing. “I’m sorry about your dad, and I know you saw something that night, something scary. You tried to tell the police about it and they didn’t believe you, did they?” I paused, hoping for a miracle and some sign that I was correct about him knowing more than he’d first let on.
He blinked once, twice — the third time his eyes stayed opened.
They locked on me.
All I could do was stare back. I hadn’t expected him to respond, yet, here he was, clear-eyed and waiting for me to continue.
“Joshua, can you understand me?” The question slipped out before I realized how demeaning it might sound. The kid was traumatized not an idiot. “Sorry. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
He scooted to the edge of his bed and grinned, a boy-smile that warmed my heart. I let my mask of concern drop and replaced it with my brightest smile. “It’s great to see you smile.”
Curious, he looked at me. “Chloe?”
I kept smiling, not sure where to start now that I had his undivided attention.
“You’re the first person to talk to me like you believe me. I’m not crazy like my mom thinks I am. She won’t even visit.” His gaze dropped to his lap where he twisted his hands.
“I’m sorry to hear that, and I’m sorry to rush you, but I don’t have much time. Can you tell me what you saw that night?” I doubted he needed me to verify which night I was referring to.
He looked up. “Sure. I’ll never forget it. I got home after my game. When I walked in the door, I smelled something awful. Like wet dog, urine, and a pot full of pennies.”
Blood and mutant body odor; smells I’d prefer to avoid in the future.
“Did you see a woman?” I pressed, growing more anxious about the time.
“I found my dad …” he gulped. “I guess I was in shock, because after finding him, I started to think I was in a nightmare. I thought I was dreaming.
The sliding door off dad’s bedroom was knocked out, into the backyard. When I looked, this is the weird part — I saw what looked like a wolfman from the old horror movies, and the back of a woman disappearing into the trees. She had pretty red hair. I don’t know why I noticed that. My dad’s all torn up and I’m admiring some lady’s hair.” He hung his head again.
I wasn’t sure what to say, but I couldn’t just let him shoulder all that shame. “You know shock does mess with a person’s mind. Believe me, I know. The red hair was the one pretty thing in the picture. It’s not surprising you noticed it.”
His eyes met mine and he gave me the sweetest smile. It was obvious our conversation was doing wonders for his mental health, far more than the psychiatrists and their medications had accomplished. He just needed someone to listen to his story and believe it.
Like Joshua, I understood how hard it was not to blurt out the truth to anyone willing to listen. I was also aware that if I decided to open up about my own supernatural situation, I’d be in a room just like Joshua’s in some comparable adult facility.
Society didn’t take kindly to people who spouted off about vampires, werewolves, and witches. On the other hand, vampires, werewolves, and witches didn’t appreciate blabbering humans spilling their secrets. Talk about feeling nuts with no one to tell.
“Why won’t my mom see me? She acted so weird after dad’s murder. Not sad, just strange. Like she knew I was telling the truth but didn’t want to hear it.”
I felt like kicking his mom’s ass. I’d already added finding out what her problem was to my list of things to accomplish. This kid didn’t belong here, nor did he deserve to be left alone like this.
Not used to playing the mother role, I forced myself to get up and walk the few short steps to Joshua’s bed. I surrounded his small frame with my arms. He stiffened at first, and then collapsed against me. He did what I’d expect any kid in his position to do: he cried.
For one brief moment, I considered taking him with me, but wasn’t sure that would be the safest option. If his mom was somehow involved, maybe he was better off here.
“Joshua, I want to bring you with me, but it might be best for you stay here, just for awhile. I promise I’ll