CAGED - A prisoner to their obsession

CHAPTER 30

"How long it will be cute? All this crying in the room"

- Taylor Swift

August woke to the sound of soft whimpers slicing through the darkness. Her heart clenched as she recognized the source—Aiden.

"Aidy, honey, it's okay. I'm here," she murmured as she knelt beside his bed, her hand brushing against his damp forehead. His small body trembled under her touch, his sobs breaking her heart all over again. "Shh, Aidy, you're safe. I've got you."

His eyes fluttered open, glazed with the remnants of whatever horrors had haunted his dreams. For a moment, he seemed lost, disoriented, before recognition dawned, and he flung himself into her arms, clutching her as though she were his lifeline. August wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close, and began stroking his hair, her fingers moving gently through the dark curls.

"It was just a bad dream," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Nothing can hurt you now."

Aiden's tiny frame shook with the force of his sobs, but he clung to her, his head buried in the crook of her neck. She could feel his breath, warm and uneven, against her skin. August held him tighter, as though by sheer will she could transfer some of her strength to him.

"Are you hungry, Aidy?" she asked after a few moments, though she knew the answer before he gave it. His lips parted, but no sound came out, only a shaky exhale. Aiden tried speaking something but realized that his voice had been stolen from him, silenced by the trauma he had endured.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, willing herself not to cry. Aiden needed her to be strong, and she had no choice but to rise to the occasion.

"Let's get you cleaned up, okay?" she suggested softly, easing him out of her arms and onto his feet. He nodded, a faint glimmer of trust in his eyes as he looked up at her. August guided him to the small bathroom adjoining his room, her hand never leaving his.

The bath was quick and quiet, the silence between them heavy with unspoken fears.

August washed him with the gentleness of a mother tending to her child, her hands careful not to linger too long on the bruises that marred his delicate skin. She could feel the rage simmering beneath her calm exterior, a storm waiting to be unleashed, but she kept it at bay for Aiden's sake.

When she reached for a fresh set of clothes, her heart sank. The drawers were nearly empty, save for a single pair of underwear. Aiden's wardrobe had been stripped down to nothing, just like his innocence. August took a deep breath, her fists clenching at her sides as she fought to keep her composure.

"They're not even giving him clothes now?" she muttered under her breath, the anger bubbling up despite her best efforts to suppress it.

"Depriving a child of basic necessities—monsters."

She turned to Aiden, who was watching her with wide, apprehensive eyes. Forcing a smile, she knelt down to his level. "Sweetheart, can you change into these for me?" she asked, holding up the underwear. He nodded again, his movements slow and deliberate as he dressed himself.

August's heart ached as she watched him. This was a child who had known comfort and security, who had once been surrounded by love and warmth. Now, he was reduced to this—left with nothing but the remnants of a life that had been violently torn away from him.

"I'm so sorry, Aiden," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "I'm sorry for everything."

She wrapped him in a towel and lifted him into her arms, carrying him to her room. There, she rummaged through her closet until she found one of her oversized T-shirts. It was far too big for him, but it would have to do. She slipped it over his head, the fabric pooling around his small frame, and then pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"There, all better now," she said, guiding him to sit on her bed. "Just wait here for a few minutes while I freshen up, okay?"

Aiden nodded once more, his gaze never leaving her. August hurried to the bathroom, washing away the remnants of her own exhaustion as quickly as she could. She didn't want to leave him alone for too long; he was too fragile, too scared. As she dressed, she couldn't help but think of what she needed to do next.

She had to talk to the Rivera brothers. At least until she found a way to escape this hell, she had to make sure Aiden was cared for properly. She wouldn't let them strip him of his dignity, not any more than they already had.

When she returned to the bedroom, Aiden was sitting exactly where she'd left him, his eyes downcast, his small hands clutching the edge of the bed. The sight of him so defeated nearly broke her, but she steeled herself. She had to be strong—for him.

"Let's get you some breakfast, love," she said, offering her hand. He took it, his grip tight and desperate, and together they walked to the kitchen. August kept her movements calm and deliberate, trying to create an air of normalcy in a world that had long since abandoned it.

Aiden was too scared to let go of her, his gaze fixed on the floor as she cooked. She made something simple—eggs and toast, with a glass of milk on the side. Placing the plate in front of him, she sat beside him and watched as he picked at the food, his appetite clearly diminished.

"Take your time," she encouraged softly, brushing a lock of hair from his face. He looked up at her, his eyes wide and full of unshed tears, but he said nothing. Instead, he took a small bite, chewing slowly as though each mouthful was a monumental effort.

When he had eaten enough to satisfy her, August handed him the medicine the doctor had prescribed. He took it obediently, the bitter taste making him wrinkle his nose, but he didn't complain. Within minutes, the medication began to take effect, and she could see the drowsiness creeping into his eyes.

"Come here, sweetheart," she whispered, lifting him into her arms once more. She carried him back to his room, laying him down on the bed and tucking the blankets around him. He looked so small, so vulnerable, that she couldn't resist leaning down to kiss his forehead once more.

"Sleep, Aidy," she murmured, her fingers gently caressing his head. "I'll be right here if you need me."

He closed his eyes, the tension in his body slowly melting away as sleep claimed him. August waited until his breathing had evened out before she stood, her heart heavy with a mix of sorrow and resolve. She quietly closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as she took a deep breath.

She had to face them. If she was going to survive this nightmare and protect Aiden, she needed to ensure that they didn't treat him like a prisoner. He deserved better, and she was determined to get it for him, even if it meant confronting the most dangerous of them all.

Date Published - 08/16/2024

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