Camp was over… What was he going to do for the next eight months? The hardest kid to say goodbye to was Max. Well, more like he didn't get to at all. Sure, sometimes he would push him to his limits. But no matter how trying he could get, David was still very fond of Max.
It was around 7:40 PM when he got that phone call. David was having dinner when he heard his phone buzz.
That would probably be Gwen, David thought to himself, but when he saw the caller ID he nearly gave himself a heart attack. "MAX?" David yelled out of pure surprise. He didn't want to startle the boy with his confusion. He stopped a took a deep breath before quickly picking up his phone and pressing the answer button.
"Hello." David feigned ignorance. Besides, he didn't want Max to think he was desperate. A moment passed and a small shakey sigh was heard from the other end.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" David asked again. Maybe he butt dialled?
"David." He heard Max's voice croak out and could hear the small boys self scolding at the fact.
"Max?" David asked. It was a dumb question. He already knew it was Max. Who else would use his phone? Who else would call him? David had a million questions he wanted to ask the boy.
"David?" He could hear the pain in Max's voice clearly now. He sounded so fragile, so broken. It made David's heart break.
"Max? what's wrong?" David said. All possibilities of things that could be going wrong were spinning in his head.
"I think…" Max paused. David took a deep breath. "I think I need help." He finished, and David exhaled silently. He didn't want the boy to think he was irritating him. Sniffling was heard from the other line causing David's already broken heart to shatter. He processed the boy's words.
Click. that was all it took, he knew something was wrong, Max NEVER asks for help, EVER.
"Where are you? Are you okay? What's going on? Where are you're parents?" The questions came pouring out of David's mouth before even he could process them. It was like word vomit, it just wouldn't stop.
"I'm coming to get you! Where are you?" David stood up and dashed to gather his things. He was halfway out the door when he came to a conclusion, he didn't care if Max didn't want him to come. He was coming to help him no matter what.
"The park on the eastern side of town." David went to say something before getting interrupted by Max "I didn't know who else to call." What was this kid trying to do to his heart?
"Max! Why are you on that side of town? Don't you know how dangerous it is over that side!" David said worriedly. He was trying hard to not let his composure slip too much.
"I live on this side of town." Max answered
"Oh…" Max quietly chuckled at David's awkwardness. The sound of his laughter, or chuckle, in this case, caused a smile of his own to form. However, a small almost inaudible sound wiped it from his face.
"Ah shit." His heart skipped a beat
"What? What's wrong?" Worry and fear began to grow in his chest.
"It's starting to fucking rain." Darn. Now he was going to be freezing and wet.
"I'll be there in 30 minutes tops, okay Max?" David said, as he closed the car door turned the ignition key.
"Okay. Sure." David could hear the faint gusts of wind and the absence of his voice. He couldn't just end the conversation there could he?.
"Oh, and Max." he began, hearing the wind begin to muffle. "Don't worry, everything's gonna be alright." David wasn't sure if Max had even heard him but he knew the longer he sat on the phone the longer it would take to get to him.
David heard a crack of thunder off in the distance making the man cringe and shudder. Max was out in that. Alone. Maybe afraid. There was so much that he didn't know about this situation. He hated that. As he drove closer, the rain became heavier, David knew that Max was out there. Trapped in this storm. Without even thinking about it that thought made him press the gas harder. Even if only slightly.
Max was out there. His Max was out there.
In the rain. Cold in the rain
Alone. Alone and scared.
David found himself glancing at the time over and over and over. By the time that he arrived the rain had barely died down. He checked the time once more before getting out.
7:57 PM
David sighed in relief. He was there. He was one step closer to helping Max. To protecting Max.
The car park was empty. I guess no one wanted to be out here in this weather. He could feel his Auburn hair begin to get drenched by the rain. He didn't care. He made his way towards the old pavilion in the centre of the park. Max would have to be there.
"Max?" He called out, slightly shaking any rain off of his clothing.
Nothing.
"Max?" David called out again, a little more fear and desperation in his voice now.
Still nothing.
David could feel his breaths shorten and his chest begin to swell and tighten. Where was he? Was he too late? Had something happened?
David began searching frantically around the pavilion, calling out for Max.
Nothing.
No.
Nope.
Nothing.
Max?
Max!
Where was Max!
Max!
Please.
Please no.
Please.
David ran from the cover towards the playset. "Max?" He yelled out. His pace, hurried and desperate. A small cough drew David's attention. His eyes darted to the source of the sound. There he was. All tucked up in a little ball under the swings. His head, buried in his knees.
It took almost everything in David's power not to sprint over to the boy and wrap him up in his arms and never let go. He looked so small.
David walked over towards him, crouching down to his level. He placed a hand on Max's shoulder causing the boy to flinch away.
"Max?" The small child looked up towards him. He felt tears pooling up at the base of his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. As he looked further at the boy he saw that he was covered in bandages that were now soaked from the rain and bleeding through. His body was full of bruises.
Rage began to fill his body. Who did this? Why would they do this? How could anyone do this to Max? How could anyone do this to his Max?
"Max! What happened? I mean how? Who?" Dread. Sher anger, concern and sadness.
"David? I… I."
"C'mon Max." David led Max towards his car, determined to get Max into a warmer, safer spot.