He stumbled around the bustling streets of Beigoma City, tears dripping from his cheeks to the concrete while his breath quickly left his lungs. Blood stained his hands and his heavily baggy clothes, his bare feet aching and freezing the further he carried himself down the streets. He was malnourished and exhausted, running on sheer adrenaline to get away from the man he trusted for years. People passed him and refused to help, refused to get help as they felt it wasn’t any of their business. The boy, the poor boy, wandered and wandered, panic corrupting his body when he felt himself slow down more and more. He doesn’t want to stop, he might find him…

He whimpered when he stumbled and fell forward, unable to stop himself as he collapsed in a heap on the ground, the tears seemingly flowing more whilst his body screamed in agony.
    “Oh no! Are you okay, sweetie?” A female’s voice suddenly called out, the boy not believing someone was actually talking to him. His dull green eyes travelled up to find a young woman in front of him, his vision blurred from strain and tears as he couldn't distinctly see her features.
    “... M-mom…?” The word passed his cracked, bloodied lips with ease, another round of tears in his eyes as he forced himself forward and into this woman’s arms. He sobbed hard into her coat and shook with a violent force, the stranger confused and worried at the same time as she held him closer.

Who hurt this poor boy?

    “I-I thought you were g-gone… T-the fire… I-I…” He strained through his sobs, whining when fingers brushed through his knotted black hair. His whimpers and sobs broke this woman’s heart the more she heard them, helping him up and holding him closer.
    “Hush now, you’re safe…” Her soft voice helped him calm down a little, pulling back slightly to look at him better. Honestly, her blood boiled the moment she got a better look at the condition of this boy’s face. His skin was awfully pale and ghostly, deep bruising around his eyes and dried blood smeared under his nose and around his mouth. He looked like he hadn't slept in months, dark rings among his black eyes and making them look worse. The young woman frowned and held his face gently, her eyes serious. “What happened to you? Who did this?”
    “... I-I- D-dad…H-he-” He whimpered, his tears coating her hands the more they fell. A father abusing his own son, disgusting. Her eyebrow twitched and she pulled him closer, suddenly lifting the child up into her arms.

He weighed basically nothing and immediately clung to her, shuddering from fear and the cold as exhaustion hit him like a truck.
    “Sleep little one, you're safe now…” She soothed, holding him close as she continued her walk home. The boy whined softly and closed his burning eyes, breathing out in relief when he could finally sleep.

~~~

The boy jumped awake when he heard talking and immediately sat up, his dull eyes looking around in confusion when he found he was inside a nice-looking home. He looked down and touched the soft blanket laying on his body, sighing at the feeling.
    “...S-Soft…” He mumbled, holding his sore throat before looking around again, pulling himself from the couch to stand. He winced and bit back a whimper at the pain, picking up the black blanket and holding it to his chest as he walked to investigate the talking he could hear, panic in his chest as he stumbled to… the kitchen?
    “No, I just need a specialist to look him over. He’s severely malnourished and beaten, I want to make sure he’s okay physically.” The female’s voice sounded both sad and frustrated, causing the young boy to stay where he stood. “He looked up at me and thought I was his mother, I didn’t have the heart to turn him away. Can you get me an appointment or not? … The hospital will take forever to look him over, it’s not worth it! ... Of course I care, it’s you that doesn’t obviously! I thought you were supposed to protect  the children!”

The sudden slam made the boy jump and involuntarily whimper, holding tighter to the blanket he held as soft footsteps approached the doorway.
    “Are you okay?” Her voice no longer sounded angry as she knelt down to his level. With the little sleep he managed to pick up, his vision was straightened partially so he could finally see her features. The woman had the kindest grey eyes he's ever seen, and her hair was a shiny golden blonde. The boy whimpered and looked down, tightening his hands on the blanket he currently held. “Now now, it’s okay, I was just a little upset… Don’t worry, it wasn’t your fault…”
    “... W-where…?” He trembled, the blonde woman helping him back to the couch she had laid him upon coming home. “W-who…?”
    “My name is Miss Night, I brought you back to my house little one… It’s okay, you’re safe with me.” Night introduced, petting his head gently. “Do you have a name?”
    “J-Jin…”
    “Okay, hi Jin… How old are you?”
    “F-fifteen…”

He’s fifteen?!

Night about lost herself right in front of this poor boy. Fifteen. He’s fifteen. No fifteen-year-old should weigh as little as he does and be as fragile as an egg. The woman looked down at his clothes and frowned at the condition they were in, mentioning she would be right back as she went up the stairs. Returning a few minutes later, she held clean clothes in her hands and a small smile on her lips.
    “Let’s get you out of those nasty clothes and into something more your size and cleaner.” She held the clothes to her chest one hand and held out the other, Jin nervously reaching out and taking it, the two walking towards the bathroom. “Do you need any help?”
    “... N-no…” Jin mumbled nervously, that soft blanket still in his arm. The sight itself made her smile…
    “That’s okay, sweetie. Just go ahead and change while I go and make you something to eat.” Night pet his head gently before handing off the clothes, going to reach for the blanket-
    “N-no…!” The teen squeaked suddenly, holding the blanket closer as he stepped back.
    “Alright, alright, I’m sorry Jin…” Night spoke gently, folding her hands together. Jin whined as tears filled his eyes, handing over the blanket reluctantly. “You can keep it with you, it’s okay. Just go get dressed, alright?”

Jin whimpered and nodded as he walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him softly. Night hummed to herself and walked back into the kitchen, settling on making a few sandwiches for him since she doesn’t know what he likes. Who doesn’t like peanut butter? She hummed while she made the sandwiches, making enough for the both of them while a small smile stayed on her lips. Well, at least before her phone went off, causing her to sigh as she answered.
    “Slydale residence.” She spoke, putting the phone on speaker so she could finish the sandwiches.
    “Miss Slydale, my name is Doctor Edward Montgomery. A CPS agent got into contact with me about ten minutes ago and told me your situation. You mentioned you found a child wandering the streets of the city?” A man’s voice answered, introducing and explaining himself.
    “That is correct. This poor boy looks like a skeleton and, oh my god, the amount of damage his poor body has gone through. I seriously need someone to look him over.”
    “Well ma’am, that’s why I’m calling. I’m a pediatric specialist at the Beigoma City Children’s Hospital, I’d like you to bring him in so I can evaluate him, please.”
    “Today?”
    “Today ma’am. Shall we say… 3:30?” Dr. Montgomery suggested, writing the time on a sticky note on his desk.
    “That’ll be perfect, we’ll be there.” Night sighed in relief, putting the peanut butter and the bread away. “Thank you very much, Dr. Montgomery.”
    “It is no problem, Miss Slydale, we’ll see you then.”

Night finished up the phone call and put her phone down in relief, fiddling with the ring on her finger. This is perfect, now we’re going in the right direction.
    “M-Miss Night…?” Jin’s soft, hoarse voice called to her, the woman looking over and smiling. The clothes she gave to him looked much better than the ones she found him in, still baggy but not as bad. However, she could see more of the marks and bruises on his neck and his arms. And that was only what she could see. She could only imagine what’s under the clothing…
    “Much better! I’ll wash the other ones for you later, but come sit down! You look awfully hungry.” Night waved him over, pulling out a chair at the table for him. Jin cautiously walked over, that blanket he woke up with still in his arms as he sat down, Night pushing the chair in gently. She set a plate with a couple of the sandwiches she made in front of him, getting him a glass of water. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made peanut butter sandwiches for you.”
    “T-thank you…” The teen said softly, picking up a sandwich and taking a bite. His dull eyes lit up at the taste and basically inhaled the first sandwich, getting a drink of the water Night gave him. The woman laughed softly as she sat next to him, eating her own sandwich.

Jin finished in no time and let out a breath, the soft blanket in his hands again almost immediately as Night smiled.
    “Very good, right?” She asked him gently, finishing her own sandwich as she stood and grabbed the plates. Jin nodded happily and spared a small smile, his fingers rubbing against the fabric in his arms. “I’m glad, sweetie. Do you have any shoes?”
    “N-no, M-Miss Night…” Jin shook his head, looking down at his torn up feet. All that walking really hurt him…
    “That’s okay! I’ll just have to buy you some after our little trip.” Night told him, grabbing her coat and slipping it on.
    “T-trip…?”
    “Yes! I’m very worried about the condition you’re in, so I just want someone to look you over, okay?”
    “A-are you leaving…?” His voice sounded panicky. She’s been so nice to him, is she going to get rid of him? Did he do something wrong?! “I-I’m sorry I snapped…! P-please don’t get rid of me…!”

Night rushed over and engulfed him in a tight hug, hoping to keep him calm.
    “No no, sweetie, I’m not leaving you! I promise I’ll be right by you the whole time.” She hushed him and attempted to run her fingers through his hair, finding it difficult due to the amount of knots it held. She’ll brush through it later… Jin whined and clung to her, burying his head into her shoulder.
    “I-I’m sorry…” He cried softly, repeating the sentence over and over.
    “Shh, don’t apologize… You’ve done nothing wrong…” She lifted him up into her arms with ease and slipped on her flats, making sure she had her bag and keys before walking out of the door. She walked out to her car and opened the back door, setting him gently inside and buckling him before closing the door, getting in the driver’s side and starting the car.

~~~

Jin looked around nervously as he and Night waited in the waiting area of the Children’s Hospital, clinging to her hand in the unfamiliar environment. A lovely nurse came out and called his name, the sudden call out causing him to jump and whine.
    “It’s okay, come on dear.” Night soothed, standing up carefully. “Do you want to walk?” Jin shook his head and held his arms up, the woman smiling and picking him up gently before following the nurse.
    “Alright, I just need to get a height and a weight from him and then we’ll get him a gown for the doctor.” The nurse explained with a smile, gesturing towards the scale. Night nodded and set him down carefully, the nurse having him stand straight for the height before having him stand on the scale. “Hm… I’m sure that’s not right…” She mumbled, pressing a couple buttons. Night peeked at the weight and frowned, trying to control her anger for the boy’s sake.

The scale read 86.4 pounds…

    “Ma’am, that has to be correct…” Night sighed, petting Jin’s head as he leaned into the touch.
    “That would mean he hasn’t been eating regularly, Miss Slydale. Are you not feeding him?” The nurse accused, obviously upset about the reading. Night narrowed her eyes at the nurse and stood straight, biting her tongue to keep from yelling.
    “He’s not my son, he’s some bastard of a man’s that didnt take care of him. I’m taking him in under my care so before you go and accuse me of something so horrible, ask questions first…” Her voice was firm and her eyes were angry, flashing a gold color as the nurse gulped.
    “Y-yes ma’am…” She nodded, writing down the numbers and holding her clipboard to her chest. “Follow me, I’ll take you to an exam room.”

Night nodded abruptly and picked the teen up into her arms yet again, nuzzling him gently as she followed the nurse. They stepped into the room and the nurse pulled out a hospital gown.
    “Dr. Montgomery will be with you shortly so please get him into this.” She said, handing it off before leaving the room quickly.
    “Good riddance…” Night grumbled, setting him down on the hospital bed gently. “Alright honey, let's get you into that gown.”
    “B-but I don’t wanna…” Jin told her shyly, his legs criss crossed as he got comfortable.
    “Oh, I know Jin, but the doctor needs you to so he can get a better look at you.” She told him, unfolding the gown. A knock suddenly sounded on the door before someone poked their head in.
    “Hello, I’m Dr. Montgomery.” He introduced, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind him. Jin squeaked and scrambled off the bed a little too quickly, hitting the ground before he got up again and hid behind Night. His hand clung to her shirt as he whined, Night confused but comforting him as she introduced herself to the doctor.
    “I’m Night Slydale, we spoke over the phone earlier.” She said, holding her hand out. Edward shook her hand with a gentle smile, glancing over to see a teary green eye watching him in fear.
    “So this must be Jin, right?”
    “This is him, yes. I’m sorry, he’s been awfully jumpy since I found him.” Night’s hand rubbed his shoulder gently, looking down at him. “It’s okay sweetie, he’s the doctor…”

Jin whimpered and hid his face, holding tightly to her shirt. Edward clicked with tongue and sat in the office chair in the room, going through his chart.
    “Alright, to start off, I’m not liking what his weight officially is. You weren’t kidding when you said he was small and malnourished, Miss Slydale. May we try getting him into that gown?”
    “Of course. Could you leave the room for a moment?” Night asked, glancing down at the boy behind her. Edward nodded and stood, walking out of the room and closing the door. “You don’t like men, do you?”
    “N-no…” Jin mumbled, visibly relaxing when he left. Night turned around and pet his head, a soft smile on her lips.
    “I promise I won’t let him hurt you, Jin, but he needs to do what he can to make sure you’re okay… Will you let him help you?” 
    “... O-okay…”

Night smiled at the progress she was making with him, helping him with his shirt to get the gown on. She sucked in a breath at the condition of his torso, it not being healthy that she can see his ribs so clearly. It made her sick. She helped him tie the gown and helped him back on the bed, looking at the pants he was still wearing.
    “P-pants too…?”
    “Pants too, baby.” The woman helped him get them off, going over and poking her head out the door. “We’re ready, Dr. Montgomery.”
    “Excellent, let’s get started.”

~~~

Jin slept soundly in the backseat of the car hours later, wrapped up in his blanket as Night drove, constantly checking on him through the rearview. She couldn’t be happier that he fell asleep, knowing her probably had the most busy day of his life. On top of getting a checkup with Dr. Montgomery, a CPS stopped in to get more information about him and his situation. She still remembered the conversation she had with the agent in the hall as the doctor talked to Jin alone for a moment.
    “So there’s two routes we can take, Miss Slydale.” She started, looking at her notes for a moment. “We can start the paperwork for you to adopt him, or we put him in the system and a foster home.”
    “We are not putting him into the system, ma’am. With all due respect, the foster care system is total bullshit. I would know, I went through it and I don’t want him to go through what I did. I’ve grown attached to this poor boy and I want what’s best for him, so please, start the adoption paperwork.” Night explained as she fiddled with her ring. She had never been so sure about anything in her life, glancing into the room where Jin was.

She wanted motherhood more than anything.

The CPS agent did indeed start the process of Night adopting him and sent her home with him in her care, feeling it would be the better choice than taking him away from her. The young woman still had yet to tell Jin about her plans of adopting him and deciding to leave it as a surprise, knowing he had such a long day and that he needed to rest. She smiled to herself and gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, staring ahead.
    “I’m going to spoil this boy so much…” She mumbled to herself, stopping into the pharmacy to pick up Jin’s medication. Considering the amount of strain his body is going through, Dr. Montgomery prescribed some pain meds for him to take to help heal his body. He also referred to a psychiatrist to help him talk through his trauma and obvious anxiety, hoping to get him on some anxiety meds as well.

Jin stirred in the backseat and whined softly, Night not having the heart to wake him up and just deciding the pick-up drive thru would be better. Once she picked up the medication, she started the drive home with her soon-to-be son in the backseat, the thought more and more appealing to her.

Son.

Her son…

NightBear15 signing off…