Deeks knelt in front of the little boy who looked not older than 12 years old and he could feel his eyes begin to sting with tears and he let out a shaky sigh as he moved towards him
"Hey buddy wake up, you okay?" he said softly without touching him, because if it was like he thought it was, he didn´t want to startle him and scare him off.
The little boy started to wake up, but as soon as he saw Deeks look at him, panic flew to his eyes and Deeks could see he was about to run,
"Hey it´s okay, I will not hurt you, I´m a police detective and my name is Marty" He said and the boy looked at him and relaxed a little, but he was still on high alert and Deeks knew that he could run away at any minute, so he continued talking and trying to calm him down
"It´s okay, I want to help you, can you tell me your name?" Deeks said slowly and eyeing him closely, and waithing for the little boy to speak up
"Matthew" he said so quiet that Deeks almost didn´t hear it
"Okay Matthew, did somebody hurt you?" Deeks said and looked down at his bruises, and Matthew quickly tried to hide it from him,
"No, I fell" he said but Deeks could see that he was lying but didn´t wanted to push him and scare him off.
"Okay Matthew, why are you sleeping under the pier, it´s not a very safe place for a little boy like you" Deeks said slowly, trying to change the subject
"I´m NOT little!" Matthew shouted and Deeks jumped back a little, unprepared for the little boy´s outburst
"Okay, I´m sorry Matthew your not, but can you tell me why you are sleeping under the pier?" he said slowly, but Matthew looked away and clearly didn´t want to answer him so Deeks continued,
"Where are you mom and dad Matthew?" Deeks asked and Matthew looked closely at him and Deeks could see tears forming in his eyes at the mention of his mom and dad, but it was gone as quickly as it came, tough kid, Deeks thought to him self before he looked at Matthew again
"Home" he just said and Deeks got an idea.
"Okay Matthew, how about I drive you home to your mom and dad, I could imagine they are worried about you" He said slowly and waited for his reaction.
"NO!" he shouted.
"Okay, okay, will you tell me why you will not go home to your mom and dad?" Deeks said hoping that Matthew will give him something, anything.
"It hurts" he said quietly and Deeks had to lean in to hear him.
"What hurts, does it hurt to be with you mom and dad?" Deeks said and he could see tears form, but this time the tears began to run down his cheek, and Deeks heart broke from the sight of the little boy in front of him.
"Yes" he just said, and didn´t look at Deeks but out towards the ocean.
"Does your mom and dad hurt you Matthew?" Deeks asked slowly afraid of his reaction.
"Yes" he said with a broken voice.
"Okay Matthew, thank you for telling me" Deeks said and looked at the boy, who was eyeing Deeks closely.
"Am I in trouble?" Matthew suddenly said, and the same panic was in his eyes and voice.
"No Matthew, it was the right thing to do, to tell me and I will help you, so your mom and dad don´t ever hurt you again okay?" Deeks said
"Just dad" he said quietly and let out a shaky breath, before looking down and played with his fingers.
"Just dad, okay, I understand, I will help you Matthew okay?" Deeks heart broke at this little boy how looked so much like him self 20 years ago and he told him self that he would do everything in his power to help this little boy and his mom to get a better life.
"Okay" Matthew said and for the first time Deeks saw a small smile on his lips.