A Family At Last

The Runaway Orphan

(Ian's POV)

I took Skyler to a trail where me and Jerome walked when we were in college. It was just to get our minds off of school work. It was behind the city, you could hear the traffic but it was very faint and calming. "You okay?" I know it's a stupid question but I don't know how she feels. I put my arm around her and pull her closer.

"I'm not sure. I just want to see her. I want to let her know that everything will be alright." She kicks a stone, "I'm kinda annoyed that the doctor won't let us see her. I mean, what right does he have to tell Jerome that he can't see his girlfriend? Or why we can't see our best friend?" I hear a branch break behind us and whirl around, I push Skyler behind me.

I see before my eyes a boy, about 9 or 10 years old. His hair is all messed up and he is super dirty. "You have to help me, they're going to take me back. I... I can't go back." He starts crying and gets on his knees. Skyler steps forward, "Who's going to take you? Where's your family?"

The boy looks up at her, "I don't have a family, I'm an orphan. I can't go back there, the kids beat me up. They make fun of me." He starts crying again. Skyler takes a deep breath and turns toward me, "We have to help him." I stare at her, "What if he's just trying to prank us? We would be kidnapping a boy."

The boy shakes his head, "This... this isn't a prank, please, I can't go back there. Please you have to help me. Please." Skyler cautiously walks toward him, I'm at her side. "Come on." She extends her hand and he grabs it. "Tha... thank you." We start jogging to Jerome's car. Voices behind us.

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you... wait, what is your name?" I look in the front mirror and he looks out the window. "My name is Ty. I am 11 years old. I'm sorry If I get you in trouble." Skyler looks back at him, "It's not your fault, I can understand how you feel. My sister..." She holds in the tears and I put my hand on top of hers.

"My sister killed herself from bullying. Some people are horrible." She looks up and I squeeze her hand. "It's alright, you're fine." She smiles and a single tear falls down her cheek, which she instantly wipes away." "I'm so sorry. Um... If this is a bad time, I also have a few questions..." Skyler shakes her head, "No it's fine, what would you like to know?"