The Boy Who Cried Help

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Aiden's POV

I sighed as I flopped down on my bed. Dinner at Scarlett's house had been very interesting. Her family was interesting and funny. It was different than the somber dinners at my house and as much as I am reluctant to say it, it was a nice change. The atmosphere was livelier and honestly, it was the ideal environment that most children would want to grow up in.

The only downside was Scarlett. It was like we called a truce but nothing more. It was obviously a burden on her to have me there which is why it wouldn't happen again. I sighed again closing my eyes waiting for the morning to come.

I got up and got ready to go to the gym. For some reason today I felt energized. I was excited for the first time in three years and I couldn't figure out why. When I got there and was running on the treadmill, instead of running from something, I felt like I was running to something. I felt like there was something in the future to look forward to and not something in the past to get away from. It was almost a freeing feeling and I couldn't welcome it more.

When I got home afterwards, I showered and then headed to the kitchen for breakfast. I was planning on having a lazy day to do whatever since today is Sunday. I didn't really want to stay indoors so I went out for a walk. Again I got to see the city in all its glory and was grateful that I got out of the my old town.

After I was walking around for a while, ended up in the park. I lazily sat on the swings thinking about my future. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with my life. I had the grades to get into a good school and have a pretty decent scholarship to go along with it. But I don't really know what it is that I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I guess I'd better figure that out real quick since college apps are going to be due soon.

I left the park and realized I was hungry so I headed to the local supermarket. I was about to go inside when I heard what sounded like sniffling. I followed the faint noise as it got louder and louder all the way around to the side of the supermarket.

After I turned the corner, I immediately spotted a boy no older than ten crying. When he noticed my prescence, he tried to cover up the fact that he had been crying but I already saw so there was really no point. We started at each other for a moment and I crouched down so I was face to face with him before I asked "What's your name?"

"Matthew," he said still trying not to sound like he was crying.

"What's wrong Matthew," I asked gently.

"Nothing," he said quick to answer making his answer that much more unbelievable.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes," he said again not meeting my eyes. I nodded and didn't push him anymore. If he wanted to let me know that he would. After all I'm just some stranger to him.

"Are your parents here?" I asked trying to figure out where he was supposed to go. He shook his head. "Okay, well can I walk you home?" I asked not thinking it was a good idea to let him stay any long out here by himself. There's no telling what could happen...

He nodded so I got up and held my hand out to him. He took it hesitantly took it as I helped him off the ground. I was about to let my hand go when I saw something. There was a bruise in the shape of a hand mark half covered by his short sleeve. I wanted to say something but somehow I knew that I wouldn't get anywhere if did. If anything, he would probably be more scared and reluctant to talk to me at all.

We walked a little more in silence before I asked him "How old are you?"

"I'm nine years old," he said proudly and I flashed a grin. I remember the days when I was his and didn't have a care in the world.

"Cool, I'm seventeen," I said and he replied "Wow, you're old."

I smiled as we kept on talking and every now and then he would tell me which was to go. Finally we got to a quaint light gray house. I could immediately sense the coldness and lack of homeyness the minute I set eyes on it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Matthew cringe.

I really didn't want to send him in because I knew that it was more than likely that the person who gave him the bruise lives there. But I couldn't think of any other place to take him. Places like services and other ways to get help didn't seem like the ideal situation. So as we made the trek up to the front door, I held his hand in hope of giving him some strength and courage to face whatever lied in these doors.

When we finally got up to the door, I was about to knock on the door, when it burst open and a women that looked vaguely familiar came into view. She looked from me to Matthew and sighed in relief. "Where have you been?" she asked in a repremanding voice. He didn't respond as he was led inside and before I could say anything the woman which I'm assuming is his mother said "Thank you," before promptly slamming the door in my face.

I stood there for a second more before walking away and heading back to my house. All the while I was thinking about Matthew. Since I knew where he lived, I could check up on him in a few days if I needed to. Right now I was not only hungry but a little tired.

When I got home, I went to the kitchen making a quick batch of fries and fried fish. I finished my meal quickly, extremly hungry and plopped myself down on the couch. I turned on the television and turned on Top Gear but fell asleep a few minutes later.