Stockholm (boyxman)

Chapter XII: Lost and Found

Shiloh ran as fast as his feet could take him as he moved down the private road that led to the Westbrook estate.

When Shiloh was met with the stop light at the end of the road he paused to catch his breath.

His lungs burned and his chest hurt from the cold air.

He wasn't an active person so he was extremely tired already from the brief but tiresome movements.

Shiloh crossed the empty street before forcing himself to run again. He needed to get to the police station, he needed to get them to close the investigation into Jaxson.

Shiloh needed to protect Jaxson the way the man promised to protect him.

The thoughts of protecting Jaxson and wanting to get back home to him were what fueled Shiloh to press forward as he slowly made his way through the silent town.

When he finally reached the edge of the center of town where the police station was, Shiloh's legs felt like lead as he could barely walk down the empty street without leaning up against the nearby building walls.

Shiloh felt like he was going to pass out. He was so exhausted.

Breathing heavily Shiloh stood in front of the open Wolfpine police station.

He stood there catching his breath and shaking from the pain his body was in, the cold of the weather, and the fear of what was to happen next.

Walking up the steps to the station Shiloh pushed the door to the building open.

Inside the receptionist behind the desk quickly looked up at the boy entering at the early hour. The man said, "How may I help you?"

"I—" Shiloh started out of breath, "I need the chief right now..." he said, trembling and barely able to stand.

"The chief won't be in until 8am," the man said, not recognizing the red haired boy, "but an on-duty officer can help you."

"I'm Shiloh Lapierre, please get me the chief." The boy said, trying not to yell at the man.

"Shi—" the man looked shocked before quickly picking up the nearby phone and dialing a number before whispering into the phone. When the conversation was over the man stood up, "The chief is headed here right now, please come sit in here." The man brought the boy to a private office. "I can't believe you're alive." The man said absentmindedly to himself then apologized as he realized what he said, how it sounded, and that he said it out loud.

The man closed the door and Shiloh was left waiting for the chief of police to arrive.

—

The chief arrived at the station seeing the commotion inside the building as the officers on duty that night were gathered outside his office door.

When the older man cleared his throat getting their attention everyone scattered as they got back to their work. As he prepared to enter his office the chief paused.

Looking through the window near the door, he saw the form of a person with their back to him waiting for him.

Taking a deep breath, the older man opened the door of the office and closed it behind him. He closed the blinds of the window to his office before saying, "Shiloh Lapierre?"

Shiloh turned around meeting the police chief's hazel eyes, he removed the beanie on his head and replied, "Yes."

The chief stood dumbfounded at the fact that Shiloh Lapierre was sitting right in front of him.

The boy sat with a cup of hot coffee between his hands. He was dressed well and looked completely unharmed.

From the small puddle of mud and melted snow gathered at his feet the chief concluded that he came to the station on foot. Shiloh didn't look like he was abused or traumatized, he showed no signs of distress.