Chapter Three

He had been there for too long. How long had it been? He couldn't remember. All he did remember was pain…blood…nothing else beyond that…was there anything else? He didn't think so. He was slumped…chained to a pole…his bindings weren't tight…tight enough to hold him in place but they were loose around his already cut, bleeding wrists…glancing up through his split red eye he watched blood trickle down the chains sliding down his half naked torso.

Glancing around his surroundings he took in the cold iron bars that were the tiny window six feet above his head and the cold stone that made up the walls and the floor. At least he wasn't on the floor…he was deemed too important to freeze to death…although he would rather die of cold than suffer again what he had already been put through. He couldn't remember much…only that he didn't like it.

Hearing the far off clanking of metal he looked towards the heavy iron door that lead to light…possible freedom…fresh air not polluted by the putrid copper smell that came from the crimson liquid dripping from his cuts. Lifting his head slightly before groaning in pain he watched the door open to reveal his enemy…what used to be his friend…what was his name? Wait a minute…who cares about this demonic creature's name…what was HIS name? DAMNIT!

"Rest well?"

How he wished he could be left alone to ponder what was left of his thoughts. He shook his head trying to make sense of what he had already lost. Hearing a sound that chilled his spine he looked up. The guy in front of him was laughing. What was so funny? He was bloodied and bound. He didn't see what was so hysterical! It hurt when he moved! Bowing his head he closed his eyes. He wanted to shut out the world. Shut out the laughter. Shut out the pain.

He could feel himself being freed from the chains but was too weak to move. He knew he seemed pitiful and weak. He didn't care. He wanted to be dead. But these people…they wouldn't let him be. Why? Why would they not free him from all he had endured? Couldn't they let him alone? Couldn't they…couldn't they…but no…they couldn't…or wouldn't…either way he was doomed to stay here. Pain would be all he could know.

He felt himself being picked up. He couldn't remember closing his eyes but it hurt so much. He wouldn't cry out…he couldn't! He wanted tears to fall…maybe he could feel the refreshing moisture that was deprived him…but they wouldn't! Perhaps it was because he had cried his last tears in his first years. NO!

He opened his eyes sitting bolt upright in bed. A dream. That was all it was…a dream…

He put his hand on his head and felt the sweat. Disgusting!

That dream…must have been…it was a memory! He sat up. He was in a different room. The little girl and the old man were nowhere to be seen. For that matter there were no nurses, no guards didn't even look as if he was in a part of the hospital where he was under surveillance. He smirked and painfully struggled to his feet. Nothing restraining him. They were getting cocky. Either that or they were losing their touch.

He reached over and picked up the only other item of clothing immediately visible in the room. A dressing gown. It was blue and fluffy with a picture of a duck imprinted on the upper left breast. Something a girl would wear. However, he was grateful for the warmth. Slipping it on he raised his eyebrows as it reached down past his feet. He stood and looked at himself in a full-length mirror placed gracefully on the front of the cupboard door.

"It was my wife's."

He whipped around ready to fight. Quickly regretting that choice as his entire body seemed to crumple.

"Steady." The owner of the voice urged, it was the old man. He carefully helped the boy back to the bed.

"Get off me!" He growled trying to ignore the pain as he curled into a tight ball. "You can't keep me here! I know my rights!" He glared at the man once he was placed safely back on the bed.

The old man sat calmly on an armchair by the bed watching him. "You are going nowhere my lad." He soothed. "The hospital only released you into my care because they agreed the atmosphere in that sterile place was upsetting you!" He studied his ring. "But…if you have a home to go to I can take you there. Is there anyone you want me to phone? Let them know you're on your way back?" He asked kindly, paying full attention to his 'patient' finally. When he got no answer he sighed. "I won't push you further. You can stay here with me until you're ready to leave. As soon as you're better you can go…I will do nothing to make you stay. As you rightly said…I cannot keep you here."

"Did they make you take me?" the boy asked cautiously.

"I asked." The old man smiled.

"Why?"

The old man shrugged. "If you see a homeless puppy beaten black and blue half starved and virtually dead would you leave it alone? Would you leave a puppy alone if it were simply homeless? How about if it had passed out on the street?" He smiled as the boy fell silent.

"Keep it on." He said as he realised the boy was trying to take the dressing gown off. "Keep it on. You have hardly any meat on you. You must be freezing!" He got up and pulled the blankets over the boy. Smiling, as it seemed he always did, he turned and went to the bedroom door.

The boy could see the little girl in a dressing gown, similar to the one that he himself was wearing, outside his room waiting for the man. Before the man could turn the light off and close the door, the girl ran in and gave the boy a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. As she ran back to her room, as he assumed, he did something he had not done in a long time, he smiled.

The man turned the light off. "If you need anything just call me. My name is Abraham." He smiled.

"Thank you…Abraham…" The boy said before settling down in the warm and comfortable bed to sleep the sleep of the appeased. The light turned off and the door closed. Abraham smiled at the closed door and then took the little girl back to bed. "Leave him alone for a bit Lianne. Let him rest." He smiled as he tucked the small girl into bed and kissed her forehead.

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WHEW! Longest chapter ever! It was supposed to be really touching but considering I've had no peace in the last six months it's probably rubbish. I did my best so please please please review and tell me what you think. Flames not accepted for this chapter. Please! I made myself cry writing this so I can't take flames!

TO:

Sn0zb0z

Thanks for the review. Glad you think that! Please keep reviewing

Lunar Fire

Thanks. I always thought the character closer is the best thing!

Thanks for the support. It's always sad when you see how many people have read but not reviewed…at least I get some people reviewing

Swearing is one of the useless things about the English Language! I should know…I'm studying it for my education lol

Thanks for your review Keep reviewing!