Warning: A disturbing scenario involving child abuse, Mature Content.

Joey sits in the corner of my class, watching as the other students leave. His face shone as sunlight fell on him from the open window. He didn’t move nor did he make any attempt to speak, waiting patiently for some instruction. In another life, he would grow to be a perfect soldier. The calmness he possessed at the age of six is rare.

I had to cancel my class today as I needed to restock my cabinet and most parents were happy to take their kids back, some got angry because of the inconvenience it caused them, and I could have texted beforehand. I apologized and told them they could have two free classes to recompensate for today, mollifying them for the ordeal they were going to face to handle their kids for a longer time.

Soon, the whole class was empty except for Joey and me, I went near his seat and dropped on my knees to get to his eye level. Joey is a beautiful kid, with deep black eyes that grasp you in an enchantment from the first look. He would have grown to be a handsome man with enough intelligence to shame a scientist. 

I ruffled his hair and smiled at him, “I am sorry, Kid. I tried your mother’s number but she didn’t pick it up. Do you want me to give you a lift to your house?”

He shook his head, already built not to take help from others.

“Thank you, Mr. Kane. But, I will take a bus back home.” I pursued my lips but Joey must know that I trust in his capability and I respect his decision. Kids are just like adults, they want you to be there for them but at the same time, they want to prove themselves as well.

“Sure. But let me walk you till the bus stop and before leaving please finish the breakfast.” He looked down and gave me a curt nod. I walk back to my desk to collect all the supplies. I always arrange breakfast and lunches for all the kids in my play school. As kids get hungry fast and most kids who come here have neglectful parents I always made sure all have their tummy filled before I even start the class.

My school is in a very questionable neighborhood, but I knew what I was doing when I started this program. Most people here respect me for what I am doing for their kids, the fee is minimal and the facilities are top-notch, thanks to my career as a best-selling author I could afford to offer a piece of calmness in the chaos they call life.

After Joey was done, I closed the classroom and held his small hands and we walked to the bus stop. It was sunny today and I was sweating by the time, the bus came and I let Joey climb inside and wave him goodbye. He didn’t return the gesture, his eyes had the same void inside them as all of them. I sighed with regret and walked toward my car.

I removed the tie from my neck as I put on my seatbelt and the engine roared to life, I drove opposite the bus, the high speed of my car taking me away Joey per second. But he never left my mind. I still remember when I first met him. His mother carrying a thousand-dollar purse and following her in small steps in raggedy clothes with hollowed cheeks was Joey. His eyes took his surroundings and he seemed to put every detail in his brain, in case he needed to escape from there.

I don’t have to be a genius or an empath to know the kid was abused. To what extent, I wasn’t sure at that time. But now, I am aware of the horrors that lay within the walls of his home. And I know I am the only one who can rescue him. I pressed my toes on the accelerator, I have to time this perfectly. That’s the most important aspect of it. They say there is no such thing as a perfect crime, but if you are doing it in a neighborhood where the casefiles numbers are far larger than the population there is a high probability the system would just wrap it in a week or so. 

As soon as I reach my destination, I conceal my car behind a truck and start to walk. My armpits were soaked and there was sweat on my forehead, I wasn’t nervous as it was not my first time but the thrill was always there to capture them blindingly. To watch their eyes soaking in the fear when they realized I was there to take them away.

I hid behind a bush, waiting for a perfect opportunity the colony was silent at this time of day, people feeling safe with the sun covering their windows and the cacophony of various television channels coming from each home. Thus, it’s a perfect time for me. As I see my victim, I jump in front and there is a pause as their eyes collide with mine.

“Mr. Kane? What are you doing at my home?” Joey’s voice held the same serenity as always. No note of fear. Yet.

“I was finally able to connect with your mother, she isn’t at home. You see and she asked me to take you to my home.” The lie felt sweet on my tongue.

“But I have the keys to my house. I am perfectly fine.” He frowned at me, different than the kids who would just drop their guards at a familiar person.

“Of course, you do but I am sorry Joey that’s what your mother asked, do you want me to tell her you said, ‘No’?” There that’s something he wouldn’t question. As expected he nodded at me.

He followed me to my car and I made sure, there were no witnesses. As he sat down and I fastened our seat belt and locked the car, he turned towards me.

But he didn’t say anything, so I smiled. He tore his gaze and looked outside the window. I drove my car, my hands sweaty. Joey remains silent, maybe already sensing what awaits him. But he has to know, he has to understand. Otherwise, it wouldn’t change anything.

“I was a kid just like you when I met the monsters that changed my life.” I looked to my right to see if I had his attention and then continued, “I know you understand what these monsters do to small children. How they rip away the innocence and you are left feeling nothing. You are just a void. Doctors said that’s how psychopaths are made, you may not know what that means but you see that’s the term they use to describe what we are, and what they don’t realize is the monster who ruins our lives, most of them are victims as well. So, we are in a loop you see. Monsters keep creating more monsters like us.” I beamed at him at this part, so he could understand how hard it was for me to come to this conclusion.

“We need to break the system. If we kill the parasite at its base and don’t allow them to grow, the world would be free of monsters.” Joey continued to stay silent, but that’s okay. I value his decision. In another life, he would have grown to be a wonderful person. They all would have, I wish if they get reborn they get a fair chance. I smile at him as I ruffle his hair. He would soon be at peace and have a chance of being reborn. With a smile, I speed up the car.