Chapter 1- Pre

Beth and Shawn began the long trek back home under the bright, hot Georgia sun. Beth walked with a care free bounce to her step. Shawn walked a few feet behind his over eager baby sister, letting her run and jump and get all of her energy out after being cooped up in a classroom all day.

The blonde six year old stopped suddenly, head cocked to the side. "Shawn, do ya hear that?"

"I don't hear anythin' but the daisy's movin' in the wind, sis."

"Listen carefully. It sounds like cryin'."

Shawn moved to stand next to his sister, listening for any sign of crying, his interest piqued.

"There, it's comin' from in the field." Her voice rose in excitement as she pinpointed the sounds location. Before her older brother could say anything she was moving through the daisies. The flowers came up to her waist as she moved through them. Shawn chased after her, a few meters back, but eyes and ears pealed for anything that could cause the crying he had heard.

Beth stopped in the middle of the field. If Shawn hadn't been so far behind and paying attention he would have run right into the little girl. He had a moment of sheer panic when he lost sight of her because she went down on her knees.

Shawn added some sped to his run and raced to his sister's side, knowing immediately that she was okay, but concerned for the little boy he saw curled into a ball in nothing but torn up jeans and bruises with deep cuts marring his sun kissed skin.

The little brown haired boy had tears running down his face, eyes screwed shut. He watched as Beth carefully wiped a long, unruly brown hair from his eyes and mumbled things to him. She turned her blue eyes up to her brother, tears in her own eyes.

"Shawn…we gotta get him to daddy."

They stared at each other for a moment, silently communicating in the way that only siblings manage to do, before Shawn nodded and Beth scooted out of his way.

"Hey, kiddo," Shawn started talking to the little boy. "My name's Shawn. I'm gonna carry ya to my house, okay?" His years of living on his dad's farm and working with and training their animals coming to play as he talked quietly to the little boy, trying to not spook him. He didn't get a response, so he gently lifted the boy into his arms, cradling him to his chest as he stood up. He noted how tiny and underfed the kid looked at felt.

Shawn checked to be sure that Beth was by his side before taking off at a quick pace out of the daisy field and headed the other mile home.

When they got half a mile from home, Shawn sent Beth on ahead to tell their dad to be ready. The six year old ran as fast as she could, looking back only once.

Beth ran up the front steps and through the door, screen door slamming behind her. She didn't stop her mad dash for her daddy's study when her mama poked her head out of the kitchen yelling, "Beth Anne you best not slam that door again!" She looked on in concern as she saw the look of fear on her daughter's face, her own concern growing when Shawn wasn't right behind Beth.

She followed her daughter to the study, catching the last of Beth's frenzied statements. "Hurt real bad. You gotta help him."

Hershel put a reassuring hand on his daughter's shoulder before standing up. "Shawn will be here shortly. Have the door open for him, dear,"

The three left the room, going to get ready in their own ways for Shawn's arrival with the boy.

Shawn arrived at the house, running awkwardly. The little boy hung limply in his arms, body completely slack. He took the kid inside and lay him on the kitchen table. Hershel and Annette immediately checking his prone form. Beth stood at the table and took the boys hand in her own, paying attention only to him. She looked up at her dad. "Daddy, you have to make him better." Her blue eyes sparkling, "I dunno why…but he's special…I can tell."

Hershel paused and looked at his young daughter, staring at him solemnly. Then his focus went back to the little boy, momentarily. "Beth, he'll be okay. I'm sure of it." He started checking the boy over again. "Do you know him, sweetheart?"

"No, daddy." She said, sadness creeping into her voice. "I feel like I do, though. That's weird, huh?" She squeezed the boys hand as she talked.

Hershel rushed to the boys head as he started coughing and spluttering, eyes still shut tightly. "Shawn, take your sister out of here," He spoke quietly but with the authority of head of household, keeping his eyes locked on the boy in pain. Shawn went to his sister, clutching the child's hand tightly enough to turn her hand white, and picked her up.

She held on to the boys hand for as long as possible with her big brother pulling her away, her legs kicking and tears rolling down her face. Shawn carried her into the living room and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.