Orphaned

"Alan, I've told you before. Don't go running off." William scolded having knelt to the young man's height, hands securely gripping Alan's arms, worry striking across his face. "You had me worried."

Alan lowered his head, a frown forming. "I'm sorry…I…I didn't mean to make you worry."

William sighed, pulling Alan into a tight hug. "As long as you're alright and safe."

"I'm fine."

"Good." He took a deep breath the pulled back to stand. "Just don't run off on me again." He repeated.

"I won't. I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven. Now, let's continue this trip. I'm still missing a few things your father has asked me to purchase."

"Okay."

Alan walked alongside William, mind wondering of to what games he and Eric could play on Thursday. He wasn't so good at chess so maybe hide and seek could work. Their home was large enough. As he thought, his eyes trailed to the contrast in color. In the dark alleyway, sat a child, no older then him it seemed. He was dirty, clothes nothing but rags, knees pulled to his chest, arms secured around them. His hair was golden yellow (what initially caught Alan's eye) then faded to black further down, a cowlick sprung up from his bangs. His green eyes hooded and dark, dry tear stains on his cheeks. "Alan." Alan's head shot to William, realizing he had stopped and William had continue to walk only realizing when his question wasn't answered that Alan wasn't beside him. "What's wrong?" William asked returning to him.

"Who's that?" Alan asked pointing in the direction of the boy.

William followed Alan's hand, his eyes softening seeing the lone child. "I believe he's been abandoned."

"Like a puppy?"

William blinked. "Ah…not exactly."

"Then what do you mean he's been abandonded?"

"I mean…something tragic must have happened to his family?"

"Like mummy?"

William ran his hand up and down Alan's arm, nodding. "Yes, like your mother."

Alan snatched William's hand into his. "We gotta help him!"

"Help him? How?"

"You said you wanted me to have friends my own age. He can be my friend. He can share my room and everything."

William realized what Alan was implying. Though William's heart went out to the child, he knew Master Humphries would not be pleased to suddenly have another child to look after without his say in anything. "Alan, that's very sweet of you, but we don't have permission to help him."

"But we can't leave him like that!"

"I know, I know. You have a good heart, but we must leave the boy for now."

"No."

"Alan."

"No!" he crossed his arms, shaking his head rapidly. "I'm not leaving until he comes home with us."

William was at a loss for words. When Alan was set on something, he refused to abandon it. "…go introduce yourself."

Alan's eyes lit up as he looked into William's. "He can come home with us?"

"He may, but Alan." Alan cocked his head. "Do not be disappointed if your father doesn't want him to live with us."

Alan didn't seem to hear the last part as once William finished talking, he ran right over to the boy, plopping down in front of him, giving his best smile. "Hi." The boy slowly lifted his head. He said nothing, but cupped his hands together and held them to Alan. "…is that a handshake?"

"Do y-you have any c-coin to s-spare?"

Alan shook his head. "Nope."

Any hope in the boy's eyes fell as he dropped his hands, hugging his legs again. "Alan, have you introduced yourself?" William asked striding over to the two.

The boy swallowed. He tried again holding his cupped hands up to William. "P-Please?"

William knelt to the boy, taking his hands into his own, offering a kind smile. "We have no coin to give you." The boy's face fell again. "However, we do have something better."

"B-Better?"

Alan nodded, hugging the boy. "You can be my first my age friend. We can play games together, we can study together and-"

"Alan, slow down." William said gently pushing Alan from the boy. "I'm sorry about him. Sometimes he jumps ahead of himself." William cleared his throat, the boy looking between them with both joy and fear. "We mean no harm, I can assure you. My name is William T. Spears, butler for the Humphries household." He gestured to Alan. "This is Alan Humphries."

"R-Ronald…" the boy whispered.

"Ronald, it's a pleasure." William nodded. "Now, Alan wishes for you to join our household. You will be gifted with new clothes, food and warm place to stay if you so wish."

Any fear in Ronald's expression was wiped away by pure shock. "R-Really? A h-home? With a m-mummy and d-daddy?"

William frowned a bit. "I'm sorry to say, Alan's mother passed away but Alan's father still lives."

"A d-daddy?"

"Yes, a father." Ronald nodded instantly, eyes becoming teary. "There, there." William whispered wiping a tear that spilled over. He honestly hoped Alan's father allowed Ronald to live with them. If not, his heart would break for the boy.

"P-Please take me w-with you." He said as he held out his arms. "I hurted my leg and c-can't walk g-good."

William nodded, seeing Ronald's right leg looked a little odd compared to its twin. "Alright. Up we go." He said lifting Ronald into his arms, cradling him close enough to look over Ronald's shoulder and down to Alan. "Come now. Let's talk to your father."

"Yay!" Alan jumped up from the ground. "I get a brother." Alan followed along until they returned home. William placed Ronald in one of the two armchairs by the stairs then ran up them to retrieve Alan's father. "How did you hurt yourself?" Alan asked.

"I was running from bad men."

"Bad men? Like, monsters?"

"Yeah."

"Alan?"

Alan looked up and met his father halfway on the stairs to hug. "Papa, can I have a brother?"

Mister Humphries carried Alan down the stairs then placed him to his feet as he observed the child William had brought home. He could use some cleaning up, but in general, the child looked healthy despite his leg and thinness. "Hello young man. What is your name?"

"Ronald."

"Hello Ronald. I am Master Humphries, Alan's father." He crossed his arms. "Now, tell me why were you on the street instead of an orphanage?"

"I was, but it got burnded down. I dun know what happened, but it burnded but I didn't die. I ran form tha' bad men then fell and hurted my leg."

"Hm." Mister Humphries stared at Ronald long enough to make William cramp up he was tensed so much. "William."

"Yes master?" William asked standing by Mister Humphries side.

"Take him upstairs, get him cleaned up and put him in one of Alan's outfits until we can buy him his own wardrobe."

William bowed. "Yes master."

Mister Humphries nodded the lifted Ronald, hugging him. "Welcome to the family, Ronald."
Ronald smiled, hugging his new father tightly. He was an orphan for so long, he nearly gave up hope, but thanks to Alan, his new brother, he was able to have the family he always dreamed of.