Unchangeable

Chapter 17

The little boy sits bold up in his bed. His blue eyes wide open in terror. He had seen, again, in his dream, his daddy hurting his sister. The axe coming down, the red on her white dress.  He places his thumb in his mouth, a habit he has long outgrown and feels his bladder let go. 

His foster mom comes in, responding to his cry before terror made him mute. Her heart breaks at seeing him. She walks up and lifts him, not worrying about the urine. She holds him to herself as he stares over her shoulder, seeing it again. The vision, now back in his head, will be hard to get rid of.

“It is okay Hank. It is over now. You are safe.” She keeps repeating it as she gets him cleaned up, as she places him in the chair by the bed so she can change it.  As she tucks him back in. The child remains mute, the thumb never leaving his mouth. The only sounds he makes are whimpers that tear at her heart. How is a child to get over witnessing the murder of their sister and the attempted murder of themselves? Especially by their own father. 

“You can be mad at him. Anything you feel is fine. It really is. I am mad at him, sad for Dena, relieved that you are here safe. I feel all that. What do you feel Hank?” She sits beside him on the bed. 

“Scared,” he whispers around his thumb, “Scared he gonna get me.”

“He won’t. He is locked up. But, I understand that fear. Mr. Tenney and I are hear to make sure that you are safe. The police are also keeping Hank safe. The people that have him locked up.”

“And my angel. He keep Hank safe?” 

She had heard the story of Saul and how his strange ability kept that man from hurting the little boy cuddled against her side. It was incredible, a miracle. “Yes, He does too. I will be right here if you can sleep.” 

“Stay. Promise.”

“I promise.” He closes his eyes and buries his head in her belly. He is soon sleeping as she stays by his side, whispering prayers over him.