Save my soul [Imagine Dragons Fanfic]

A way out

Platz:

Waynes mom came up with a pretty good plan. She explained it to us yesterday. At first she called her friend who was social worker and told her the story. Together they then decided to sit down with the principal as fast as possible. Because Dan has to go home immediatly after school the can't risk talking with him after it. So the principal needed to be included in the plan. The part we indeed didn't like, as told was that we couldn't tell Dan. Marie thought that he maybe doesn't come to school tomorrow or even worse that his father would read a message from us.

So we met with the principal in the morning and he told us to sit down in his office. Here are we now, Ben, Wayne and I on one side of the table. Maria, her friend Helen and our homeroom teacher Mrs. Hops on the other side. The principal took his seat on the head of the table and called Dan. As I sit here and wait for him to arrive I think that it looks like he is going to be interrorgated. That won't make the situation easier for him.

The principal looks at me, nods and smiles a bit, I have to admit that he is a nice man. We just told him that Dan was getting abused, not more, no details and he listened to our plan and immediatly agreed in helping us. So did Mrs. Hops as he told her about Dans secret. She looked a bit shattered at first but she then told us that she always thought of Dan as a very shy and anxious person and that now everything would make more sense. But none of them wanted more details. Marie told me that Helen would have to ask Dan more about it because she needed evidence. He maybe also has to show his scars and I felt sorry for telling them. I mean I know how anxious Dan is on normal days and that gets even worse when he gets too much attention.

A knock on the door makes me flinch a bit because I was so concentrated. After the principal said: "Come in," the door opens and I can see Dan for the first time today. The bruise over his eye got darker and if I see right it even looks bigger. He looks at us and I can read a few emotions in his eyes. At first confusion, then fear and even a bit distrust. I look at my hands and try not to look at him as he sits down at the end of the table. I feel bad for telling but that is the only way we can help him! Nevertheless, when I look at him and just read pure anxiety in his eyes I feel like I did something wrong. As I look closer I can even see his hands shaking. Poor kid, he hates attention and then has to get out of class in the middle of the lesson to go to the principals office. When he arrives he sees his friends and a teacher and an unknown person, I mean I would be a bit anxious too. I can't imagine how he has to feel right now.

Since Dan entered the room no one said a word. And it id Dan to start: "Y-you wanted to see me?" He is stuttering again, damn this kid is nervous! I want to help him, calm him down but I can't. The principal clears his throat and says: "Your friends and Mrs. Sermon came here and told me about a serious problem of yours. I am led to believe that you are not safe at your currrent home." He found the right words, these sound much less threatening than the word abuse. Dan doesn't say a word so he continues: "Your friends told me that they have evidence and even your teacher told me that your behaviour reflects these assumptions. You can talk to us! You don't have to be afraid of any consequences but please answer just one question: Does you father hurt you?"

Hurt you, not abuse you. He knows how to avoid this word. I look at Dan and I can see that his breathing is a bit faster than before. But even though he knows that we know the truth, he shakes his head and quickly looks down at his hands again. I forget to breathe for a second. Why isn't he telling the truth? Damn, he is too scared. Although we know about it he doesn't tell them. I guess he knows that we have no evidence, but he should trust us.

Now Mrs. Hops rasises her voice. "Dan, your friends told us. They want you to feel better, to get away from there. If you tell us the truh then your father can't hurt you anymore. You could live a happy life without being scared all the time." She finsihes but Dan still refuses to admit it. The shaking of his hands gets worse and I can see him close his eyes as if he has to concentrate on something.

Waynes mother now starts talking: "Listen to me Dan. I know that we've only met once but I like you. I think that you are a smart, friendly young man and I immediatly locked you in my heart. That is the reason why we decided that you can live with us." That caught Dans attention and he raises his head a bit while opening his eyes again. I can see tears welling up in them and I remember why he doesn't want to tell them. He thinks that he has to go to the orphanage.

"You don't have to see your father again and live in our house. You can trust me and you can trust everyone in this room. Just believe me and answer the question. Does your father hurt you." I look at Dan again, he looks at her for a second then he nods. It feels like tons of weight have been lifted of my shoulder and I guess Dan feels the same way because he can't hold the tears back anymore. Everything is going to be fine!