Hannah turned the TV off, "Time for bed Alex."
The girl jumped off the couch and ran to her room, surprising Hannah. She figured Alex would at least try to stay up longer. That's what kids do, right?
When Hannah got to the room herself, Alex was already struggling her sweater off.
"Hey, slow down," Hannah said, helping Alex out off her sweater.
Alex ignored her, quickly pulling her pants down and almost falling over in the process.
"Okay, stop," Hannah interrupted her, "Sit on the bed."
The little girl did as she was told. Hannah saw she was getting anxious.
"Don't worry sweetheart," Hannah soothed, "I'm just going to help you."
She lifted Alex's t-shirt up over her head.
Hannah gasped. Alex's tiny body was covered in scars.
Alex quickly grabbed her pajama shirt and put it on, clearly ashamed.
Hannah decided not to ask, she didn't want to upset the kid any further.
"Go brush your teeth," Hannah whispered, not really trusting her voice, "I'll read a story when you come back."
Alex scurried off, and Hannah was left wondering what had happened to the little girl.
Sure, her file said that her father was a horrible man, but it didn't mention abuse. Those scars were cigarette burns, Hannah could tell. No wonder Alessandra was so anxious all the time.
Hannah wiped her eyes when she heard Alex return, "Ready?". Alex nodded, getting in her bed and grabbing her stuffed rabbit.
Hannah gently tucked her in, "I have Winnie The Pooh, or Horton Hears A Who. Which one do you want?"
Alex pointed at Horton.
Hannah smiled, "You're a real Dr. Seuss fan, huh?"
***
Hannah jolted awake when she heard a scream. It took her a second to realize that she wasn't alone in her house. Alex!
She shot out off her bed, and ran to the girls' room.
Alex was still asleep, obviously trapped in nightmare. She was trashing and kicking at the sheets.
"Alex, baby," Hannah knelt down next to her, "Wake up. It's just a bad dream."
She gently reached out and combed her fingers through the kid's hair, thinking she could relax her. Alex kept crying though.
"Wake up!" Hannah yelled, squeezing the girls' shoulder softly.
Alex's eyes shot open. She looked around, trying to remember where she was. As soon as she saw Hannah's worried look, the girl burst out in tears, launching herself in Hannah's arms.
The action surprised Hannah, Alex would always shy away from being touched.
"Hey, it's okay baby," Hannah whispered softly, "I'm right here."
She wrapped her arms tight around Alex, "You want to come sleep in my bed?" Hannah questioned.
Alex didn't respond, she just buried herself deeper in Hannah's embrace, sniffling loud.
"Okay, let's go." Hannah stood up, easily lifting the tiny girl in the air.
Hannah laid her down in her bed, and gently tucked her in.
"Bun-Bun..." The girl whispered, hands reaching up.
"Oh," Hannah remembered the stuffed toy, "I'll go get your bunny."
By the time Hannah returned with Bun-Bun, Alex was already fast asleep again.
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