“I don’t want him.”

The cold words that escaped the lips of the woman he had once held so close were like daggers running through the little heart of the silent bystander.

“It’s not like you have a choice, you know I can’t take care of him… This was your idea, you keep him.”

The second set of words were a bit huskier than the first, and immediately caused tears to gather at the boy’s eyes. At the time, he could only be grateful for the shadows that were hiding his presence from the two larger figures. They were writing out his fate, and he didn’t even have a say in it.

As they turned in his direction, a small gasp escaped the lips of the boy. Just as quickly and silently as he had stepped downstairs, a stealthy escape was made.