(( Had a SHAZZAM of inspiration listening to that D.Gray-man Ark-moving Noah Allen song thing XD ))
Nothing to see here. “David? What’re you doing here? What’s wrong? Why are your eyes r- have you been crying?”
The English boy wouldn’t say anything. He wouldn’t even look up at the American boy – just stood there with his eyes glued to the floor until Cal hopefully invited him in, though he was half-expecting Cal to yell at him to get the fuck off his doorstep.
“You shouldn’t mix with boys like that,” she said to Cal once she put David to sleep and thought he couldn’t hear them talking.
She meant bruised, bleeding, violent boys who got kicked out of their houses and showed up at quarter to midnight. Cal thought she meant Market people in general.
“He has nowhere else to go.” “He’s trouble and you know it.” “He’s not! I have to protect him.” “From what? What can you do?” “From that man who keeps-“ “Don’t argue with me boy. Go to bed.”
Cal didn’t sleep. She was right. He couldn’t do anything, and David…
”Who is that?” “He’s… my uncle.” “He’s a big jerk.” “Don’t say that!” “He hit you!” “That was… I fell…” “I know he hit you!!!” “Cal, please… don’t…”
“I’ll pray for you, David.” “…thanks.” “Oh. I thought you were sleeping.” “I… have trouble sleeping… sometimes.” “You can sleep here. I’m here so you’ll be safe.”