Only You (Slow Updates)

13

Alex’s POV

Dom made me face him and cupped my face. This made me look into his deep eyes. “Alex you could have never known that that kid was being physically abused. Even if you had saw the signs of trouble you could have never guessed that it would be this bad. So listen carefully you helped him. I know you had given him a phone with your number. I saw it. So you did everything you could. Stop blaming yourself.” Dom said all the while looking in my eyes. He wiped the tears from my cheeks. I looked at him and threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

“He is a strong kid and he will be fine.” Dom whispered in my ears. I hope so too. Amber and Noah came at the same time doctor exited the ICU door. I stood up with Dom right beside me. “Doctor, how is Ryan?” I asked with a hopeful look. Please God let him be ok. “He is doing really good. Thankfully his had wasn’t very badly hurt. But he has fractured his ribs and has bruises. Other than that he is safe. Due to staying out for a long time he might have a fever. We have to keep him for here for observation though.” Doctor explained. I let out a sigh if relief. Thank god he is safe.

“Can we see him?” Amber asked. “He will be awake in a few hours then you can talk to him. By the time you are waiting you should inform the police about what happened.” Doctor said gesturing behind us. We all turned around and say a man and a woman in police uniform. The man was very build with a moustache and woman had a pale skin and had a notepad in the hand. “Hello I’m Cody Brown and this is Miss Bella Reynolds. We were informed that you guys found a kid beaten and bruised.” The man said. We all nodded. “I saw him while we were driving back to our home. We was on the stairs lying down. We had met him at the arcade on Friday.” I explained. “I’m sorry you are…” He asked. “I’m Alexandria Johnson, this Dominic Russler, Amber Stone and Noah Woodward. “ I saw the woman note everything down.

“And the kid’s name?” He asked. “Ryan, we don’t know his surname.” I answered. “Do you know any of his family members?” “I know he has an older brother but I don’t know his name.” I answered honestly. “When you had met him on Friday did you see any bruises or anything that could give that he was I’ll treated?” I gulped and answered. “No I didn’t see any bruises but I did notice his brother glaring at him and Ryan being scared of him.” Mr. Brown nodded and looked at Miss. Reynolds. “That’s all for now. We will get in touch with you guys soon. Would you all kindly give Miss Reynolds your contact details and addresses.” We all nodded and did as asked. After that he and Miss Reynolds left saying they’ll contact his parents and see what’s going on.

We sat in the waiting area for a few minutes after the police left. Then Amber and Noah left. “I’ll be one call away if you need me remember that.” Amber had said. Noah took Amber to my house as she said she would be staying there. I was going to stay the night at the hospital. I no way in hell am gonna leave him alone here. We both went into the room in which Ryan was. We have been sitting in silence for an hour or so when Mr. Brown came back again. I looked at Dom and gave me reassuring smile.

I stood up and so did Dom. “Hello officer. Did you contacted his parents?” I asked in hush voice scared that Ryan would wake up. “Yeah I’m hear to talk about that. He was adopted by The Gilbert. They have an elder son whose name is Rocky. Both the parents are drug addict and alcoholic along with their older son.” I looked at Ryan’s peaceful state and wondered how could someone be so cruel. “This is Miss Rose. She was his social worker.” Mr. Brown introduced to a lady in her mid thirties. She had a brown hair in perfect bun and had worn a gray suit with white shirt and gray pants. “Hello Miss Johnson. I believe you are the one who found about Ryan. I am deeply sorry on the behalf of the system. We should have checked their background more thoroughly.” Miss Rose said. I just nodded. “Where is his biological parents?” I asked.

“They died in the car crash when he was 2 years old. Since then had shuffled from foster care to foster care.” She said. “So what’s going to happen now?” I asked looking at Ryan. Would he go back to orphanage? What if he gets adopted by someone worst? What if they neglect him more and make it worse? No I can’t let that happen. “Well we have already taken his adopted parents and brother at the station and if you file a case they would be locked up for a long time as the child service will be on their case too.” Mr. Brown said. “As for Ryan, he would be back to orphanage till someone else wants him.” Miss Rose said.

“I want him.” I stated still looking at Ryan. Dom looked at me with no emotion but he didn’t looked upset. “Miss you are not 18 yet we can’t have you as his guardian.” Miss Rose stated. “I know that. But I also know that if the person is able to after himself and has a stable job can take guardianship of anyone even if he is not an adult.” I said matter of fact looking at her now. She looked at me while I did the same. After a few minutes she sighed and I knew I won. “Okay but we will have to do some background check as well as we need you to answer some questions before we decide if you are fit to be a guardian or not.” Miss Rose informed. I smiled and nodded.

With that Miss Rose left to get some papers ready and do some background check while Mr. Brown made the case on the Gilbert. Dom looked at me and asked, “Are you sure about this?” I looked at him with utmost sincerity and said, “I have never been more sure about anything else.”