It was Jessica Allison’s first time seeing a case like this. Sure, she had only been working with the Department for 6 months, but still. A blood spattered ironing board with straps? A cellar with shackles on the wall? This was pretty bad.
“Okay, that’s it. Let’s get going.” Her partner Jonathan Daniels said.
“Wait, there were thirteen beds, not twelve.” Jessica said, holding her arm up against Jonathan’s chest.
“So maybe the kid left and there was an extra bed. We’ve checked everywhere for him, he’s not here, let’s go.” he replied impatiently. Jessica shook her head and decided to go with her instincts on this one. She walked slowly through the tall grass where Chuck had come from. Then she felt wood under her feet. She gasped and called Jonathan over.
They lifted up the board and saw bars over a deep hole. A boy was cowering on the bottom of it. Jonathan opened the bars.
“Hey, kid, why don’t you come out of there, nobody’s gonna hurt you.” he said in a soft, sweet tone. The boy whimpered and pressed his body further onto the ground. Jessica tied up her short honey brown hair and smiled at him.
“You should come out of there so we can get you a nice warm bed, clean clothes, and food.” she said kindly, her warm amber eyes staring into the boy’s ice blue ones. She held out a hand to him and he shakily took it. She slowly pulled him up and closer to her until he was out and she was holding him in her arms.
“So, why did you come to me and not my partner?” Jessica asked, walking with him to the car.
“You reminded me of my mommy. Are you taking me away from here?” Joshua asked. Jessica stared at him, debating on what to answer. The other kids hadn’t responded well to her saying yes.
“Yes, I am taking you far away from here.” Jessica answered, thinking honesty to be the best policy. Joshua smiled softly and leaned his head into her chest.
Jessica sat down in the car after putting the boy in the back. It was decided that Jonathan and her would take the boy to the hospital in their car because he wasn’t injured or a danger to them. Jonathan turned to him and smiled.
“Hi, my name’s Jonathan, but you can call me John. What’s yours?” he asked the boy.
“Joshua Scott.” Joshua says.
“Can I call you Josh?” John asks.
“No.” Joshua states shaking his head. Jonathan nods and asks him if he wants a candy.
Laying on the hospital bed, Joshua decides he likes hospitals. He likes the clean smell of them and the nice people. Luckily, Joshua had fed on two rats before he went in the cage so he wouldn’t need blood for at least 6 more days. Jessica was a nice lady who had the exact same eyes as his mother.
“So you said that I reminded you of your mommy? What was your mommy’s name do you
remember?” Jessica asked.
“Her name was Carrie.” Joshua replied.
“Was her last name Scott?” Jessica asked.
“No, I don’t know what her last name was.” Joshua said sadly. He really wanted to help.
“It’s okay, we can find your mommy easy with this information.” Jessica said sweetly. Joshua smiled. He couldn’t wait to see his mommy.
Carrie was content. Not happy, but content. She had her life on track and she didn’t have to worry about the demon boy anymore. Though sometimes she hoped he was somewhere well taken care of. She turned on her television to watch the six o’clock news like she did everyday.
“A horrible case of child abuse was uncovered today as thirteen children were taken from a foster home in Maryland today. Paula?” the news woman said.
“Yes, we’re currently in a hospital room with Agent Jessica Allison and Jonathan Daniels. Apparently, only one of the children removed from the home was left without a parent. Tell me, Jessica, about this child.” Paula said.
“His name is Joshua Scott and he tells me that his mother’s name is Carrie, she has short red hair and amber eyes. We don’t know her last name, but if you’re out there, please come forward. This child desperately needs you.” Jessica answered.
“Here is a photo of Joshua….And we are encouraging Carrie to please come and pick up you son -” that’s where Carrie turned off the TV.
Damnit! This kid just can’t leave me alone, can he? Carrie thought as she was speeding along the highway to the hospital. Carrie went in, filled out some paper work and took Joshua to the car.
“Yay! Mommy now we can be together again!” Joshua said with glee.
“No, actually sweetheart, I’m taking you to one of my oldest friend’s house to see if she can take you.” Carrie sighed. Joshua’s face fell.
“Was it ‘cuz I was bad?” he asked brokenly.
“No! No, sweetie, you weren’t bad, Chuck and Edna were. And I’m truly sorry for leaving you there, I should have checked into it better.” Carrie exclaimed, for once meaning it as she stared into his ice blue eyes. She nearly turned the car around to head back home with him, tuck him in goodnight and be his mother again when she remembered. She remember the blood and the demonic eyes and thought, No, this isn’t a child. This is a monster.
