"You're safe now," I said."You're safe now," I said. "No I'm not. They'll find me here. I got away. They have to kill me 'cause I know what happened." "Well," I said, "when the doctor gets back we'll call the police. You'll be okay." "I don't want the police. They'll make me go back to Centerville. I know they will." I tried my best to sound confident and reassuring but the boy was very frightened. "I'm going to stay right beside you, Raf. Whoever they are, they have no idea where you are right now." The boy nodded as he followed my argument. He slowly calmed down a little bit but the fear didn't disappear. It stayed as a constant reminder of what he'd been through. His fear would stay for a long while. I continued to stroke his hair and he leaned over towards me so that his side was closer to me. I wanted to hug the little boy. I wanted to take away all of his pain and fear. Mustering my courage I placed my arms around his narrow chest and leaned forward over him. I hugged him gently. I could feel him trembling, fluttering almost like a tiny frightened bird. Not trying to escape but terribly afraid. When he spoke his voice was strained and barely more than a whisper. "The doctor,. |