Rachel Shore's Answers

12: You Can Trust Us

The boy Chris and Charlie brought back seemed to be very wary of us. I could tell he didn't trust them at all. He was riding on Charlie's shoulders which meant something was probably wrong with his leg or foot. When they got inside Charlie gently lifted him up and over his head placing him on the coach. I was suprised that he was strong enough to do that. The boy continued to look at us as if we were threats.

"Hello, my name is Rachel. What is yours?" I asked hoping to make him feel more comfortable.

The boy thought for a moment then said "Leon"

I could tell that wasn't his name but fully understood the hesitancy. It's not like I lied the first time or anything.

"It is really nice to meet you, Leon."

"His ankle is hurting him pretty badly. I am not sure if it is broken or if it is just sprained. We definitely need to do something about it."

...

"Which ankle is it?" I asked turning back to the boy.

He wordlessly pointed to his left ankle.

"Can you roll the end of your pant leg up for me please?"

He nodded and rolled it up. It was slightly bruised looking and fairly swollen. I couldn't tell if it was broken because his shoe was in the way.

"Does it hurt too bad to take the shoe off?

He again refused to answer and started to untie his shoe. He fully removed the laces and pulled the tongue out. He then carefully slid the shoe off his foot. The position of his foot seemed completely normal so I really don't think it's broken. I am guessing it's just sprained.

"May I feel for broken bones?"

"Ok"

Apparently he isn't much of a talker.

I didn't feel anything that seemed wrong so I wasn't too concerned.

"I'm just going to wrap it if that's ok"

Since he didn't protest I took that as a yes. I rifled through their supplies for a while before finding a bandage that seemed like it would work.

When I had finished wrapping his ankle he tried to walk on it again. It still hurt too bad for him to walk very far. He decided to hop wherever he needed to go.

"Leon," I started.

He looked at me.

"If you need anything just tell me. I won't mind." I handed him a bell "Shake this hard if you need anything. I will listen for it. Ok?"

He nodded. I could tell he was starting to soften up.

"Can you give me a ride to wherever I'm supposed to sleep? My ankle hurts."

"Of course." I smiled at him but he wasn't looking.

...

I was finally started to doze off when I heard a noise. It was the creak of a door. There were some soft thuds making their way down the hall. When they passed my room I snuck a peak out my door and there was Leon, sneaking down the stairs. It looked like every step hurt immensely.