n. They were too drunk today from early morning itself and Aiden had also seen them inhaling some white colored powder. On such days, they were extra violent and often vented out their an

tell someone about his abusive parents but they often threatened him if he told anyone they would not hesitate to kill him. His parents were small-time thieves who earned their livelihood by pickpocketing

curses against each other. Aiden was silently praying to God, his parents shouldn't come looking for him. He heard more crashes and banging sound

ng in his eyes and he cried silently staring at his mom's footsteps around his room. He heard the bathroom door open and close, then the closet. Now he knew his mom would surely check under the bed as

to the living room where his father was sitting on the sofa, smoking. Aiden's mom threw him on the floor beside the sofa where his Dad was sitting. His dad gave him a death glare and he started moving back trying to escape from him, but it was too late. His dad held his arm tightly and placed the burning ciga

yy... Pleaseee ddon't hit me with the belt... IIItttt hurtssss." His Dad scoffs a

nd a hit lands directly on Aiden's hand and back. Aiden screams so loud in pain and he couldn't stop the tears which were now flowing fr

enter holding guns. One of the officers shouts "Freeze". Aiden's paren

s his colleague " First,

The officer speaks to him calmly saying " Don't worry kid,

templating how to get out of this situation. While the officers were busy with Aiden, his parents ta

here to save you. We got complaints from your neighbor saying they heard

so nicely. Also, he had learnt in school the Police always help the peopl

aking them to jail and you ar

d asks " Are you tak

will not be going to jail. Do you know anyone with whom

" I have only been with my pa

n't worry, we will take you

. His parents were looking at Aiden in anger as if to say it was all his fault. Aiden shudders at their glare which Bruce notices and tells Ai

iden reluctantly tells the Doctor about the beatings he received from his parents on regular basis. The Doctor calls the police officers and says "Aiden has many bruises on his body both old and new and has been abused physically, mentally and

life. He mentally makes a note to inform his senior to build a strong case against the couple so that they get locked up in jail for a long time. Bruce assures t

helter home he knew about and asks whether he

u. It's an Orphanage I know about and they take good care of the kids. Ther

re and Bruce says he has spoken to Mrs Cecilia who was the head of the Orphanage. The guard opens the gates and Bruce enters inside. They then stop in front of a building. Aiden gets out of the car and looks at the building in front of him. It was a simple 3 storey building which seemed to be well maintain

the office and see a middle-aged lady sitting there. She looks up and greets Officer Bruce. Bruce greets her and sits down. Aiden was j

nods h

t Aiden and asks " Wh

ly replie

ce and asks " Where did you fi

aretaker into her office and asks him to show Aiden around the orphanage. A caretaker John comes to take Aiden away. He wa

ning they heard fighting and banging noises so we immediately went to the location and caught them red-handed abusing the child. His parents were both drug addicts and often beat him up when they were high on drugs. I h

ents who come to adopt want smart kids who don't cause them any trouble. These kids usually remain in the orphanage for a long time without getting adopted. Mrs. Cecilia's main goal was to see to it that most of the kids get adopted into good families. It's not because she was too good at heart, it's because if the families are happy with the kids they adopted, they usually a

y Bruce, I have taken care of many such kids before. But, I want to kno

ng through the window trying to eavesdrop on them. Mrs. Cecilia got up and went towards

ut the child being involved, and also he is just an 8-

hown him the rooms, dining room, the gardens, playground etc. Aiden seemed to like this place as it was far bigger and better th

and asks him "How di

up and replies "

now. I will collect your things from your house a

en. She wanted to explain the rules to him today, but as Bruce will b

s " You must be tired today, so you can go to your roo

quite spacious and had 2 beds placed at each corner. Beside each bed, there was a study table and a chair. On the other side of the bed was a c

nother boy Dean who is 10 years old. Dinner will be at 7

d to be away from his abusive parents. He now has a good place to stay with caring people and can probably have proper m