Shattered Innocence

Chapter 1

Scattered across the carpet showed the young boy's nervousness and excitement about packing his school backpack for the very first time. Shopping bags lay empty and forgotten, supply packaging littered around a blue trash can. A sweet dog lay on the bed, keeping a watchful eye over his human.

The first day of school was tomorrow and six-year-old Raiden was anxious. Not only would he be at the mercy of peers and scary new teachers, but he wouldn't have Richie or Ava to help him. Thankfully the school had approved Murray attending as his Service Dog and were made aware of the reasons Raiden needed to have him at his side around the clock.

Two years had passed since his mother, Natalie, was murdered and his father, David, had been found guilty of rape, assault, child endangerment, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Raiden had remembered being checked out of his daycare by David and flying high over puffy white clouds.

He remembered the good and bad. Collecting seashells with his brother and sisters, with David keeping a close eye on all four children. Then, how he had sent the eldest three kids back for school...and turned on Raiden that night.

Most of it was cloudy after Raiden was knocked out from hitting his head. If the police hadn't found them on David's boat....

He swallowed thickly, hating to think about what would've happened. Richie and Jon had attempted to shield Raiden upon his arrival back to the States, but it only caused more issues. David would crop up in nightmares and send Raiden into panic attacks, his screaming waking Richie in the dead of night.

At the tender age of four, Raiden started therapy and was put on anxiety and sedative medication. Otherwise, he'd stay up all night staring at his ceiling, his eyes red and bloodshot the next morning. Richie had halted his traveling to take care of the traumatised Raiden but there was always music in the house, music that helped soothe his soul.

But the little boy needed a steady, affectionate companion. Murray, a three-year-old golden labradoodle, had been trained and certified to respond to Raiden's panic attacks, dissociative episodes, nightmares or even his being upset. Murray went where Raiden went.

When his nightmares would get too real, Murray would jump up and lick Raiden's face, forcing the boy awake. The pup had been his savior since his adoption. With the help of a trainer friend of Jon's, Murray learned his tasks to assist the little boy.

These days, Raiden was a splitting image of David. Bright blue eyes, blonde hair that hung in loose curls, his facial expressions...but his smile...his smile was that of his mom. Sweet, sincere and gentle. The subtle way the corner of his lips would pull up when he was feeling mischievous.

He glanced around before setting his backpack next to the door. He climbed onto his bed and picked up the black picture frame on the table. Gone was the photo of his mom and father. Now it held a photo of just him and his mom, both smiling wide at the camera.

Raiden traced a finger over Natalie's smile and sniffled softly. "I miss you, mama," he whispered. "Mookie and Ava had a big party today with my friends. We played games and had pizza and cake. Uncle Jon and Auntie Heather were here. But I just miss you more."

A tear slid down his temple, but Raiden wiped it away. "And today," he continued, "Mookie showed me your guitar and that he got it for you and you were an angel. Mookie said you loved music."

He wiped his cheek with his sleeve and gave a watery smile. A quiet knock came at the door and Richie stuck his head in. "Whoa, kid! I'd ask if you're ready for tomorrow but judging from your floor, the answer would be obvious."

When his lame joke was met with silence, Richie moved into the room and sat on the edge of Raiden's bed. He studied the little boy's face, so reminiscent of David, yet soft and full of emotion like Natalie.