The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 29

Lauren.

"Now the young girl I'm going to start you with is four years old. She was brutially beaten by her father and her mother brought her here a few days ago. She's scared and I want you to interact with her," my boss says, my head nodding.

I step into the room and the young girl immediately runs to a corner, the door shutting behind me.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise," I say, crouching a distance away from her. Her arms are covered in bruises and her cheeks are dark pink, indicating her pain.

"My name is Lauren. I'm nice, I won't hurt you," I tell the scared girl, her body turning towards me. She has bright blonde hair and it currently knots around her head.

"It's okay. You can come here," I say, holding my hands out. Her feet hesitantly walk towards me and she takes my hands, my body remaining small for less intimidation.

"What's your name?" I ask, her eyes a bright blue.

"Renee," she whispers, my head nodding.

"Renee, I'm going to take care of you today and be here for you. Okay?" I say, her head nodding.

The first thing on the list my boss gave me was to allow her to wash herself and change her clothes for the first time in days. I draw the little girl a bath and I allow her to clean herself, her voice calling me when she is out of the tub. My directions for her to put her clothes on is successful and she walks out of the bathroom, walking to me immediately. She raises her arms and I lift her into my arms, holding her carefully.

"What would you like to do today?" I ask, my boss explaining I need to do anything to get her to tell me what happened.

"Can we go to the park?" she asks, my head nodding.

"Of course. But first, can I ask you a few questions?" I ask, her head nodding.

I sit on the little bed in her room and she shifts in my lap, looking as I grab the clipboard.

"Okay, Renee, can I ask how old you are?" I ask, her voice telling me she's four.

"When is your birthday?" I ask, her answer May 2.

"Do you have any brothers and sisters?" She shakes her head.

"What hurts right now?" I ask, her fingers pointing to her arms and cheeks.

"How did this happen?"

"Daddy."

"Do you know why daddy did this?" I wonder, her fingers playing with the cross necklace around my neck.

"He was stinky. It was yucky. Mommy says he's angry," she tells me, my questioning done.

"Okay. Now, what is your favorite thing to do at the park?" I ask, her face lighting up.

"I love the slide!" she cheers, my lips curving.

I take her into my arms and I form her hair into a bun on the top of her head. Her fingers put her shoes on her feet and I grab her hand after, leading her outside the hospital room. She's not hurt or sick; she just had no where else to go.

As soon as she sees other people, she clings onto me and I carry her out to the park across the street.

"These people won't hurt you," I whisper in her ear, my hand setting on her back.

"Yes," she whispers, but I shake my head.

"No, no Renee. They are nice people," I assure her, her fingers holding my shirt tightly.