Bruised Innocence

Chapter 19

Arwin's eyes finally get accustomed to the light and he finds himself surrounded by his parents, Matt and a few others he didn't recognize.

His dad was nursing scratches on his hands subconsciously but was looking at Arwin in relief.

A few people looked a bit wary of him and he frowned. Were they scared.....of him?

He moved to look at his mother, "mom?" His voice came out hoarse.

His mother flung open her arms and moved to hug him round the neck. Arwin winced, expecting it to hurt but she was gentle and he felt comforted instead.

She started sobbing and saying incomprehensible words of comfort to him. His own tears fell in response and he allowed himself to lean into her embrace.

"Please ma'am! Let him rest. I would have to ask everyone else to please wait outside for your turn," said the doctor.

His mother let go of him and sat on the bed near him while his father stood near her looking at him concerned but Arwin could see his barely concealed anger.

Arwin raised his hands up to wipe her tears. His mother moved to cup his hand with her own hand and held it against her cheek.

She passed him a watery smile and tears kept trickling down.

"I am so sorry Ar! We were so worried. Matt told us that you went to the park after school and then left for home. When you didn't return home on time, I waited and then we tried searching for you. We looked everywhere," she sobbed more and held her face in her hands.

"What happened? How did you end up in the woods. Who-- who did this to you?" His father asked him and his mother broke down into a fresh wave of tears.

Arwin tried to speak but was cut off by a voice on the door where a man in formal black attire was standing with a notepad in his hands.

"Sir, I would like to take it from here. Why don't you two go grab a cup of coffee while I talk to Arwin."

My mother looked at him as if he was mad for even suggesting so but my dad nodded and took her out of the room. She passed but not before nodding at him.

He knew what it meant, "it would be okay."

The detective sat on a stool nearby.

"Arwin, I am Jax Smith. I am investigating your case. Do you feel comfortable answering a few questions?"

I didn't want to talk to him but I nodded.

"What do you remember? Tell me as much as you can recall?"

"I was returning home and it suddenly started to rain, so I ran to the cabin to wait it out and then---it all turned black."

"Black? Someone covered your eyes or--"

"I think I was in a forest but i couldn't see ahead. There was a--I can't remember his face and his eyes--they were red. He---he hurt me." My voice broke.

"You won't tell anyone a thing. "

"You don't want people to be disgusted by you."

"I have marked you."

"I doubt anyone would believe you."  
He heard voices and looked around. There was nobody else and Mr. Smith wasn't talking. The voices were in his head!

"I---I don't remember anything after that."

The detective kept looking at him with unconvinced eyes as if it was Arwin who had done something wrong.

The doctor cleared his throat once and shared a meaningful look with him. They stared at each other down and finally Mr. Smith sighed and stood up.

"I will let you rest, Arwin but If you remember anything or if you want to talk, please tell your father," and with that he left.

Arwin let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding.

*I am so happy we finally reached here. Thoughts please! Updated on 24/08/20*