Memory of Devotion- Book 2

27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN || MACHETE WITH A RED HANDLE

tw: possible SA/grooming/abuse

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"I told Glenn why. the guy in my group" Josh defended his panicked facial expressions not going unnoticed by the couple as they tried to figure out why the 13-year-old boy had been carrying oxycodone, and the way Josh had reacted to them bringing it up only made their suspicions rise.

"we're not accusing you, we just want the truth. to keep you safe." the discomfort on Josh's face only grew as he avoided the couple's eye contact. Alex looked over to Glenn knowing something wasn't right, something was off. they were thankful he had them, it'd helped Alex after all. But such a strong drug in the hands of a child was unnerving.

"that is the truth, I know pain is difficult to deal with, but they help" he muttered. he knows? his words only filled the woman with more uncertainty, the couple was not convinced. staring down at Josh he finally met Alex's eyes, a saddened expression etched onto his face... he hated lying.

"Josh, you're not in trouble, and we aren't going to leave you. we just want to help you" Glenn's voice was soft, and reassuring as he looked down at the young boy, Josh's eyes flickered between the couple questioning him before he sighed, anxiety spiralling in his stomach.

"the group I was with, this guy. John, he uh... he used to make me and this other kid take them... said it helped take the edge off anxiety to help us sleep..." Alex's heart dropped as she listened to his words and what that could possibly mean, Josh's eyes fell to his hands as the anxiety in his stomach grew, bile rising in his throat. The couple shared a look of guilt as Glenn reached out laying his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"that group Josh, they hurt you?" Glenn gulped, his voice barely above a whisper. As Josh looked back up at the couple tears brimmed in his eyes, an ache in his chest reappeared one he believed would never ease. Josh nodded trying to bury the ache back into the darkest depths of his soul where he'd been previously storing it. Glenn sighed pulling the boy into a hug which Josh gratefully returned hugging the man who'd known for less than a week.

"you're with us now okay? you're family. you helped Alex, you helped me." Glenn rubbed the boy's back as a tear slipped down his cheek, as Glenn pulled away Alex looked down at the boy a guilt filling her body that when they'd met she'd briefly considered not bringing him with them yet now she wanted him to come with her and Glenn. she wanted to make sure no one hurt him again.

"we're not gonna let anything happen to you now Josh, I promise" Alex offered him a small smile, Josh nodded wiping the tears from his eyes as he looked up at Alex, a sense of belonging rushing through him, a feeling he'd never experienced.

"I wanna come with you," Josh whispered, trying to compose himself as he stared up at the adults who'd made him feel more wanted than anyone else in his life ever had, his mind flashing back to the only core memory he had of his father. the day he was handed over to child protective services.

"Then you're coming with us" Glenn smiled rubbing the boy's shoulder. Josh's expression transformed into one of relief as the three began walking into the room Bob was in, the rest of the group trying to make Bob feel okay in whatever time he had left. Glenn's arm wrapped around Alex's waist steadying her steps and his free hand laid on Josh's shoulder.