G/T Adventures

Suicidal Boy: Part 2

"There you are, you little rat! So this is where you've been hiding! Well, at least now it'll be easier to get rid of you."

Kenneth jolted upright on the plush pillow he called his bed, sweat causing his shirt to stick to his skin. He wasn't sure what was rolling down his cheeks, sweat or tears. 

His lamp was still on, like always, because he hated sleeping alone in the dark. Especially when his mom had to work late. Since she's practically adopted him, she took up a whole other job just so he didn't have to be alone all day. Now she was pretty much only gone when he was asleep. But his nightmares were growing steadily worse. Each one about his foster parents finding him. 

Taking in his surroundings, he tried to steady his pounding heart. Four walls, bookshelves, his dresser, and toy shelf. He was in his bedroom, safe and sound. 

Kenneth glanced over at the white baby monitor that rested near his pillow. He recalled back when his mom had bought them. At first, he hated the idea, so they tried walkie talkies but he couldn't push the button all the way. So they both agreed that the baby monitors would be best so he could shout for her if he really needed her. But he doesn't know what time it is or if she was even home.

Rising to his feet he approached the speaker and sat next to it, resting his hands on either side. He could catch a glimpse of his arms in the dim light, scars along his arms and wrists and the scars of the words he had carved into them. Worthless. 

He couldn't start thinking like that again. Not now. All the exercises he and his mom were doing were helping him so much until the nightmares started. Refocusing his attention on the monitor, he hesitantly spoke up, praying for her gentle voice to respond. "M-Mom?"

There was nothing but silence and a static crackle on the other end. There was, however, a soft bark in response, and Kenneth's lips curled into a wide smile. "That's it, come here boy. Come here, Louie."

In the midst of his fear, he'd almost forgotten about the German Sheppard. He'd always wanted a dog, and his mom had thought it would be best to get and train one in case Kenneth ever needed protection if she wasn't home. 

It wasn't long before the door was already cracked open pushed wider, the large dog sprinting into the room and leaping onto the bed. It jolted Kenneth but he caught his balance and laughed while Louie planted nose kisses and little licks all over him. 

He gently stroked the muzzle and nestled into his fur, grabbing handfuls of it and trying to relax. Louie was nice, but he wanted his mom. 

Louie suddenly started to growl, his ears flattening to his head and one of his paws moved protectively closer to Kenneth. 

Kenneth's heart again began to pound and he tried to make himself as small as possible against the dog.

"Easy Louie, it's just me boy." A soft voice whispered and Kenneth felt relief wash all over him. "No need to wake him." A head peeked around the corner of the door, and he was so glad to see her familiar face.

"M-Mom did you just get home? I-I'm already awake, I-I tried to call for you but you didn't answer." He slowly shifted from the dog who was now panting happily, tail wagging behind him as the woman entered the room, flipped on the light, and made her way over to the bed.

"I did, are you okay sweetheart?" She asked in a gentle tone, lifting the twelve-inch tall boy delicately into her arms. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her light green eyes watching him tenderly while he shifted to get comfortable against her.

"I-I had another nightmare." 

Her gentle smile faded into a sad frown. "Oh, I'm sorry. But I promise you, those terrible people won't find you here. You're safe. You've got me, and Louie here sure won't let anyone hurt you." Her smile returned, a more reassuring one this time.

"I-I'm just so scared, i-if they found me th-they could kill-"

One of her large fingers cut him off, the tip of her pinky covering his mouth to stop him from finishing his sentence. "I wouldn't let them. It's okay sweetie, you're safe. Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"Mom, I-I'm thirteen," Kenneth spoke quietly, resting his head lightly against one of her nearby hands and wrapped his arms around her wrist to the best of his ability. 

"That doesn't answer my question." She smiled, using a finger to push hair out of his face.

Kenneth was silent for a few moments before he hesitantly muttered a quiet 'yes'. 

He held still while she began to move, her body shifting until she was laying on her side and holding him against her in a comforting manner. "You don't have to be ashamed honey. It's okay. You're getting better, those lessons I was taking on how to help you deal with this, and then those things we find online for you to do have been helping. It may not feel like it but I can tell, really. I love you, and I want you to feel better."

"I know mom," He said calmly, enjoying the safety her arms always provided when he needed it. A cold nose nudged him from behind and he craned his neck to see Louie now laying close by, his tail wagging in the air above the German Sheppard's head. "And I know I got you too Louie." He gave the dog a gentle pat on the nose, Louie licking the tiny hand before it pulled away.

Kenneth nestled close to his mother, glancing at the words scarred on his arm, but they didn't bother him anymore for the time being. Suddenly something she said finally sunk in and he looked toward her with a wide smile. "Oh, and mom?"

"What is it dear?" She whispered tiredly, her large finger carressing his head.

Getting more comfortable, a yawn passed the young teen's lips. "I love you too."