Gerard's POV :

Frank is a very innocent kid - for his age, I mean. Some might even think he's borderline little. But we can't ask him to grow up faster than he's meant to. We could force him, but that would be particularly destructive.

But because some people do it anyway, he is losing the spark of joy in his eyes, and I feel so helpless about it. There is nothing more frustrating. Yesterday, he seemed elsewhere and didn't even smile once.

I hope he's not hiding something from me.

•••
"Frank, please take a seat. You don't look so well," I observed, handing him his apple juice, which he drank eagerly.

"Is everything alright, Frank?"

The twelve-year-old sighed. "Yes, I'm fine, just a little bit hungry."

"Hungry? Why? Didn't you eat this morning?"

Frank shook his head. "No time. And..."

"And?"

"My... My parents... They forbid me more and more to have dinner because of my grades."

"What? That's barbaric and ridiculous. How will you improve your grades if you don't eat enough, huh? And how can you grow up properly?" I rolled my eyes.

Some people really forget to use their brain, sometimes. One thing's for sure, Frank's parents surely didn't forget to be stupid.

"Frank, next time that happens, you tell me and we'll go to a restaurant together, huh? And for dinner, I'll give you a lunch box or something."

"O-Oh, uh.. T-Thank you but I don't know if disobeying is a good idea..." Frank stuttered and with his tiny hands he fiddled nervously with the hems of his sweater. A sweater, in May?

I sighed. "Just- tell me if it ever gets too bad, alright? I'll help you."

I don't care if the line doesn't go that far and I'm crossing it. Frank is being mistreated and I know it. There is no way I'm just closing my eyes.

Frank mumbled a promise.
"Now, for today, I'd like us to talk about what you want to do when you're older. It's important to appreciate the present moment, but also to plan for the future. Have you ever thought about it?" I inquired.

"Um, I really don't know. I'm not sure of what I like," he confessed.

"It's okay, I was like you when I was your age. If you want, I can make you take a little test to find out."

Frank looked up with wide eyes. "Oh yay, I love tests ! Is it like a personality test or something?"

"Kind of, but simpler. Sit down on the floor, please."

"On the floor?" Frank repeated as I was picking everything needed for the test at my desk.

"Uh-huh. Go ahead, it's not cold."

Frank did as told and sat cross-legged on the floor. I displayed three items in front of him, placing them distinctly.

A pen on a sheet of paper, a 5 dollar bill, and a toy.

Each represented what interest Frank subconsciously valued the most. The pen represented art and intelligence. The bill was obviously money, and the toy was entertainment and creativity.

"You can pick anything. Just one item, the one that appeals most to you. Choose one and it's yours. Take your time."

Frank looked up at me, and then down at the objects. I sat cross-legged in front of him, curious to see which one he would pick. I'm betting on the pencil and sheet of paper.

"Anything?" Frank asked and I nodded. He stared at the items and then back at me. I waited patiently.

Frank pushed everything aside, crawled towards me and went into my arms. He hid there and shyly wrapped his arms around me.

I held my breath and my eyes widened. I hadn't realized that I was one of the choices.

I hugged back and my face twisted with emotion, a mix of shock and happiness. I felt a tear drip down my cheek and I sniffled.

"Mr. Way? Are you okay?" Frank peeked up at me worriedly.

"Yes," I assured, although my unmatchably touched expression and my hoarse voice were telling something else. "Yes, I'm okay."

I smiled down at Frank and brought him back close to me.
"I'll protect you, Frank. I swear I will." I whispered as a promise, both to him and myself.

•••
Frank paid me a visit not so long after, and the nasty feeling that something was wrong wouldn't leave me.

"Okay Frank, what's going on?" I asked gravely.

"N-nothing..." he said.

I wasn't born yesterday. He is avoiding my gaze, he looks all nervous, and above all his face refuses to show any sign of happiness.
He's hurt.

And I didn't think I would be so right. It wasn't long before I put a finger on what was bothering me - besides his behavior.

A sweater when it's 85°F ouside?
I grabbed Frank's arms and rolled his sleeves up his elbow. I was expecting cuts ; I saw bruises.

"Frank, where do these come from? Who did that to you? Is it someone at school?"

Frank's eyes watered. I know how painful it is to confess these kinds of things. I knelt before him so he was looking down at me.

"Son, tell me who did that to you. I need to know. Was it one of your parents? Your dad?"

Frank's teary eyes met mine and I knew I had guessed right. The bastard. I'm gonna kill that motherfucker.

I let go of Frank and started pacing around the room. "For how long?" I eventually asked quietly.

"I-I... I-"

"-For how long, Frank?!" I raised my voice, making him flinch a little.

"A few weeks," he confided in a hiccuping voice. "My dad, he-... When he's in a bad mood and he sees me, and when I'm not fast enough t-to lock myself anywhere, then h-he..."

Frank didn't even finish his sentance and broke down in tears. I immediately pulled him in a supportive hug and rubbed his back.

"I hate my parents!" he cried out against my chest, hugging me tightly. "I'm scared of them!"

"Shhh... I know, Frank, I know," I whispered. "Shhh, I'm here. Just cry, let it all out. You'll fell better."

I patiently let Frank cry and tried to calm him down. I kept reassuring him and petted his hair slowly. That was the best I could do to soothe him.

"Y'know," Frank sniffled and wiped his tears with his sleeves, "a-at least he's d-doing it properly..."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Well, h-he doesn't use a b-belt or a p-paddle..." Frank uttered in low voice and timidly hid back in my arms.

"For God's sake, Frank, he's hurting you! Don't defend him!" I took a deep breath to calm down. I didn't want to scare Frank. "You have to understand that people aren't as benevolent as you think. Sometimes, people are mean without a reason, remember? Finding excuses for them is just helping them hurt you."

"I-I refuse to believe that !" Frank started crying again.

"I'm sorry you have to live in this world. I wish things were as you see them, kid." I spoke softly.

I cupped Frank's face and made him look at me. "I'll never let them break you."

Knowing I was the only one who could soothe Frank so efficiently, I kept him close to me until I was sure that he felt better.

"Frank, do you think you can pass by my office tomorrow evening? There's something we need to discuss."

"Sure." Frank nodded. He gave me a quick hug before leaving the office.

I was seeing red. How dare they hurt my boy?! Kids like Frank deserve the best and everything would be better if there were more people like him.

I kept myself from punching a wall and stormed out of the school. Once I was home, I knew what I had to do. I had to help the poor boy, of course.

I would never forgive myself for not doing something for Frank. I morally can't stay passive when a child is getting abused. I would be a coward  - no, an accomplice.

So I went to the guest room and spent the evening preparing everything to help Frank. I went to buy a few things that I would need.

Once I was done and everything was perfect, I lay down on the living room couch. An arm below my head, the other over my face, I took out a lighter and held it right above my face.

I lit and unlit the lighter repeatedly, appreciating the particular sound and fascinating sight of the tiny flame glowing above my eyes. So much power that such a tiny lighter was holding.

The flame burnt in my eyes and hypnotized me for a second. Yes, for a second, I was out of the world and out of my mind. I wanted to be able to touch that fire and do whatever I pleased with it.

Fire. At the source of both life and death. Like humans I suppose, but better. It's stronger than anything.

I stared at the flame.
I don't fear abusers. Abusers are the ones who should fear me.

I smirked, as though the little flame lighting in my hands had lit one in my heart, fueling my determination.

Now, let's show these monsters what they are without their little Frankie.

______