John looked at the boy who was now sat in the corner where the bed met the two walls
with his knees up to his chin, tears were cascading down his face.
He moved his head up when he heard John walk in "I wasn't crying I swear,
I swear it."
"John?"
"Don't tell daddy-my father that I-i-I showed you."
John walked over to the boy; he sat down and pushed himself back so his
back was on the wall. The boy flinched at John's movement.
"John I am not going to hurt you. Ok?" the boy nodded john began
wondering if the little boy sat next to him had ever had a hug.
"Doctor Watson sir? ..."
"call me John."
"ok, John. Don't tell him I cried either. He doesn't like it when I cry."
He moved his hand to his back.
"oh God. Come here." John said pulling the boy into a gentle hug.
"Joh- doctor Watson?" a woman's voice came from the door.
"ah Sarah. I would like you to meet John. Now John we are going to get
you to take your top off now just in case any of those cuts are infected. Ok?"
the boy nodded and slowly pulled his top off. Sarah gasped at the boys stomach
she could see his ribs. It was horrible she thought she was going to cry but
quickly snapped out of it.
"John I'm Sarah Sawyer I'm a doctor too." Little John nodded
John spoke again "ok John turn around I would like to see your back." The
boy nodded and turned round slowly. John and Sarah gasped at the scars and cuts
on the boy's back. Clearly it was a belt you could make the outline of it.
"Ok John they're not infected but before you put that back on we're going
to apply a special cream that will soothe any sore parts. Ok?" the boy nodded
John went and came back with the cream. He slowly and gently rubbed it into the
boys back.
Sarah whispered into John's ear "I'll ring social services." And she
slipped out of the room.