Scars of the Past

The children ran into the room, panting. Isaac looks at the other three, "That was close...." Molly rubs her forehead, "Did you guys see what I saw? Or am I going crazy?" Esther shakes her head, "You're not going crazy. We all saw it." Benjamin looks at Tux and hugs him tight, "Why did they want to hurt him?..." Esther looks at him, "I think because when he attacked Mr. Hopp, they might of thought he was....well....trying to be more dominant." Benjamin sighs, "He was just protecting me....he's been protecting me since I was a baby. I even remember seeing him like that when I was younger. He's gotten more protective since....."

He looks at the ground and he walks away, carrying Tux with him. Esther looks at Molly and Isaac and they all get worried about him. Benjamin finds a chair in the empty hallway and curls in a ball, crying softly and he feels Tux's whiskers on his cheek and he looks up to see the big cat staring. He hugs the cat tight, crying and Tux wraps his tail around Benjamin, holding him close. Benjamin buries his face in the rough fur of the monster toy, and feels Tux purring and he chokes up words, "I....I miss her...Why did she have to go? Why did it take her away from us?...." 

Tux looks at the young boy, trying to find a way to explain without causing more damage. He takes a deep breath and sighs, "Benjamin....how do I say this?....Your mother was a fighter...." He pets Benjamin's hair gently, trying to comfort him. He feels the young boy's tears soak into his fur and he holds him close. Benjamin wipes his eyes, sniffling, "I miss America....I miss Grandma and Grandpa...I miss Uncle John....I miss mommy....Why did that man take me away? Why did he hurt me?....How do I even know that they're looking for me?" Tux licks Benjamin's cheek gently, wiping his tears away, "That man was evil....he hurt you....now he won't bother you again....and I don't know if they are looking, but they care about you a lot....Uncle John saw everything, so I'm sure there is a search party."

Benjamin sniffles and he hugs Tux tight, "You're the only family I have left Tux.....I don't want to lose you next...." Tux purrs and he curls around Benjamin, cuddling him. Esther and her friends watch, trying to hold back tears. Molly covers her mouth, "Wow....that must be a lot to cope with." Mr. Hopp, Mr. Stripes and Miss Bo had also heard everything, and in their minds, they finally understood why this cat was so protective of the boy. He was the boy's family and he's all he has left of it. Esther, Isaac and Molly go to Benjamin and join the hug, showing their friend that he's not alone.

.

.

.

.

.