His little arm had a bruise, and he cried when I grabbed him like he thought I was about to hurt him. “Shh, shh. What’s your name?” I asked him, yet he eyed Mrs. Daley, clearly petrified of the woman. He was all skin and bone, his big brown eyes had no light, his cheeks hollow and his eyes sunken in, his curly black hair sat on his shoulders and was matted and knotted.

“He doesn’t talk,” little Kimmy says, coming back out in her d***y pajamas. She would be about nine and one of the oldest ones here, which I thought was strange, however seeing a rogue child was more bizarre, and l had a feeling it was just for show in case the King stopped by, but one thing was apparent none of these children were cared for properly, and that really ground my gears.

“Like he can’t, or he doesn’t know how?” I ask her. She shrugs, and her eyes dart to Mrs. Daley. It was clear she was scared of the woman.

“Mrs. Daley is leaving today; she is retiring. You can speak freely; she won’t hurt you,” I tell Kimmy. She bites her lip before scratching the back of her matted blonde hair.

“I heard Mrs. Daley fighting with Katrina. Katrina wanted to take him and his brother; Mrs. Daley wouldn’t let her.”

“He has a brother?”

“Had; we haven’t seen him for two days. He bit Mrs. Daley when she smacked Oliver,” Kimmy says, pointing to the boy in my arms.

“His name is Oliver?” Kimmy nods.

“The brother’s name?”

“Logan, sir,” she says, and I nod.

“And what about Katrina? Does she hurt you?” Kimmy shakes her head, and she looks at Mrs. Daley nervously, who stares ahead, looking out the window above the sink vacantly. She knew she had fucked up.

up for them. He broke her arm, but she is ok

find him some clothes and socks for Oliver?” I tell her, and she nods, holding her arms out for him. He

“Where is his brother?”

is a menace; he bit me like

and Liam glares at her before twisting his knife between his fingers

abusers, but you

door. Pushing it open, I found the boy inside a cage underneath the bench next to the washer. Anger coursed through me as I bent down and snapped the lock. He looked to be about Kimmy’s age, though he was freezing cold and bruised and

shakes his head, moving

am

I break the front door off. And opened the

Katrina? I won’t hurt you, and I won’t let them hurt you.” I

tried

have. She

he says as he stares at

inside where it is warm; Liam is inside. You will like Liam; he is making pancakes,” I tell him. He

“How old are you?”

feet and scooping him up. I carry him inside

is Daley?” I ask, noticing

to get more flour,” Liam says, winking at

living room before wrapping the surrounding blanket from the couch around him. I then went and got firewood

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