I Did Not Abandon You "MaxNat"

Episode 4

Nat narrates:

At first, I thought my mother would kill me, I was actually so scared of her reaction to my diary, and it still hurts that she burned it. He stopped near a hospital, took everything off my body, including my clothes; he left and I couldn't escape because he was naked.

- What did you do mom?

- It does not matter anymore; because Max will never find you.

So he took me to a very distant town, there was nothing there, it seemed like a deserted town, with very few people living there. She gave me clothes to get out of the car, we went into one of the houses, only my mom's appearance was completely different.

Even if someone here knew Max, they would never recognize her, because she changed the color of her hair and cut it short. No one saw me get out of the car, or leave the house, I think she doesn't want anyone to know that a child lives there and that's when my nightmares started.

The first thing he did was give me a good beating, my whole body hurt very intensely and I could only cry. I called Max several times; but the more he called him, the more he hit me and I felt completely powerless.

- I present your new room.

- Don't leave me here mom, it's dark!

I begged him not to leave me in the basement; but to no avail, she even locked me up and took the key with her. I spent three years calling Max in the dark of that place; I dreamed that one day he would come and take me with him forever.

But all that was just a ridiculous illusion, he never came for me; By the time I turned 14, I was used to being mistreated. I no longer did anything to defend myself, I didn't even call him, I just wanted to forget him; If I hadn't set my eyes on Max, this wouldn't have happened.

My mother deprived me of everything, freedom, health, education and the only thing I thank her for is that she never stopped feeding me. At least there was something good about being locked up there; I didn't know what date it was, not even if it was day or night, because it only had a dim light.

I looked at my body, there were many marks of all the mistreatment of my mother throughout these years and she cried again. I knew that she was already 17 years old; but not when he had fulfilled them; One day, she didn't make it to the basement, she was starving, so I went to the door.

I thought she might be electrified, but she wasn't and not only that; the door wasn't locked, so I was able to get out. I looked everywhere, afraid it was a trap, until the door was flung open and a policeman looked at me in surprise.

- Impossible! Who are you? - I take a few steps away.

- Stay away...

- Calm! I won't hurt you; are you okay?

- My name is Nat, I live here. -He covered his nose when he approached me.

- Nat, when was the last time you took a shower?

- I don't know, I don't remember.

- Have you been to school?

- I was 11 years old the last time I went.

- I will ask you a series of questions and try to answer them all.

- It's okay.

- How old are you? Have you eaten something? Do you have any close relatives? Do you know this woman?

- I think I'm 17 years old, the truth is that I don't even know what day it is; no, I haven't eaten anything since yesterday and I'm starving; my father died when he was six and I don't know any relatives; The woman in the photo is my mother.

- Nat, your mom died yesterday in a car accident. Come with me! Take a shower, while I ask someone to give me clothes that fit you and I'll take you to a barbershop before lunch.

- No please, don't leave me alone!

- Well, I'll stay, but let me take some pictures.

After taking the pictures, he radioed his partner to get some clothes for me and to wait for him at my house. He showered me, just as he asked me to; but the sensation of the water on my body felt strange, so much so that I cleaned myself four times.

After the last one, I felt more comfortable, I got out of the shower and the policeman was still there, waiting to deliver my clothes. My tears came out uncontrollably, for the first time in years, I feel safe and secure; after changing, he took me out of the house.

I covered my face when I saw the bright light of the sun, it had been a long time since I had seen it and it was really very bright. The other policeman also saw me shocked, it seemed that I came from another planet; although the first thing he saw were the marks on my body.

- What happened to this child? We must take him to the police station!

- No, I already took the corresponding photos; he is hungry.

- They said that only the woman lived in this house.

- What a surprise! TRUE?

- How long has it been since you cut your hair?

- I... I don't remember.

He opened the door of the patrol car for me, they said they would take me to a barbershop and that was it, they cut my hair completely. I don't remember the last time I saw my own face; although it seems to me that it is very different from what it was before, when it was over, they took me to eat.

They bought three burger combos just for me; and my stomach hurt, since I ate too fast. The officers were surprised with me, however, they did not make me feel bad; then they took me to the Child Protection System.

There they investigated everything about me, the name of my parents and my entire past, it seemed that they were shocked to learn my identity. Soon, a lawyer enters the room where they had me, he also asked several questions and in the end, he showed me a photo of Max.

- Do you know him?

- My mom married him when I was 11 years old.

- Listen Nathan! We cannot take you to a foster home; because a judge declared him your legal guardian, he does...

- I'M NOT GOING WITH HIM! I DON'T WANT TO!

- Listen to me, if you don't want to go with him, I must appeal the judge's decision; but you can't stay today, until he says he gives your guardianship to the state.

The lawyer explained to me several situations to which I am subjected, if I don't go with Max, and seeing myself cornered, I accepted. He was crying, I don't want this anymore, but that's when he came in and was surprised to see me, he said he would take me; I did not accept, I asked the lawyer to take me.

We arrive at Max's house, it seems that he lives alone, because it is small, but quite spacious; and the lawyer asked to speak with him. They came out, I still don't believe that I came out of one hell, to enter another; Suddenly my thoughts are interrupted when Max walks in again.

- Nathan! He-he tried to hug me.

- Do not touch me! Just tell me where will I sleep?

- But Nathan, I...

- What's going on? Will you put me in the basement too so no one sees me?

- You know that I would be incapable of doing that to you! He says with tears in his eyes. - You will sleep in that room. He pointed to the first door in the hall.

- I will live here because they left me no choice; As soon as I'm older I'll go. I hate you Max! And I will never forgive you for abandoning me!...