Chp. 3

Jack took the stairs two at a time and found Alexx in one of the bedrooms, with a boy of indeterminate age but Jack guessed he was around three or four. "He ok?" Jack asked in a whisper. The kid was leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, moaning softly.

"I don't think so, baby. I went back to school a few years ago, got a degree in child psych from Miami U."

"So, that means what?" Jack asked, tilting his head toward the child.

"Means we've got a long way to go." Alexx said with a heavy sigh. "Listen, I appreciate your help, but I think you'll do more harm than good. Because of the…ya know…" She said, indicating his Kevlar vest and M-4 carbine.

Jack nodded. "Got it. No big deal; see ya around, doc."

"Later, Baby." Alexx said, as Jack left the room. Then she turned to the closet. "Ok, he's gone now. You can come out, sweetie." Alexx said, smiling.

The boy opened his eyes and sat up, wrapping his arms around his knees and shook his head in the negative while shaking. His actions combined with the look of pure terror on his face broke Alexx's heart. Despite her job, or maybe because of it, she'd always had a soft spot for kids. Alexx sat down across from the closet and signaled the body haulers to remove Mandy's body. They glanced at the boy, and at their boss, got the message and quickly but efficient removed the corpse.

Alexx watched the kid and he finally looked at her, shaking his head in the negative. Alexx fought the urge to look away, to close her eyes, to cry. This child in front of her was destroyed, and she didn't know how to help him heal. Or maybe she did.

"Well, if you can't come, do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked. The kid looked at her, but made no reaction. Alexx stood up, but stayed where she was and the two watched each other. To the doctor's surprise the child copied her and stood up. Then she took two steps forward and stopped. She waited for what seemed like an eternity before the child took a step in her direction. Then she took another step toward him and froze. He stayed where he was, watching her all the time, and slowly took another step. He kept watching her and Alexx stayed where she was this time, waiting for him to make the next move. The distance separating them was about four feet, give or take six inches. So they waited, five minutes…then ten…then fifteen. Alexx felt a cramp coming on in her legs, but she fought the urge to sit. Then he took another step toward her. She watched him, compassion on her face. Suddenly his legs gave and he fell forward. Alexx did what any mother would do; she closed the distance, knelt down and caught him. He struggled and opened his mouth as if to scream, but no sound came. Alexx rubbed his back and spoke soothingly to him, "Shh; it's all right, honey. You're safe. I'm a policeman, see?" Alexx removed her bag from her belt. He turned and looked at the badge. "Do you think we could go for a ride, maybe get something to eat? Would that be ok?" Alexx asked, watching for any reaction. She could tell he was thinking about it, but she could also see fear in this child's eyes.

Who would instill such fear in a child that he's afraid to eat? She thought, sadly.

Finally, after a second eternity, he nodded yes and laid his head on Alexx's chest. "Ok, baby, we'll do that."

And God help the animal that hurt this poor little boy. Alex thought.

000

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry its short, but I felt that was a good place to stop. Thanks for reading. BTW, the kid will be named in the next chapter.