Page 87 of Near Blind

“What hospital are you taking her to?”

The driver replied, looking at the woman as the female in the back began trying to patch her up where she could.The EMT lady gave him the stank eye, but as the smaller boy took his hand, her expression changed.

“You with them?”she asked Elm.

“I am now,” he said, looking down at them “I’m going to give you my card, hopefully, for any updates.I think, for now, these guys need a hot bath and some food.”

The EMT looked him in the eyes.He provided that knowing look.She understood and nodded.

“Son, show me to your mom’s car so we can get your things,” he said, turning them away as the doors of the ambulance closed.

The younger boy didn’t want to look away.“Are you guys hungry?”

“Yes,” the older of the two said.

“Okay, we will get your things, move your mom’s car, and head to my place for the night,” Elm said, trying to bring a bit of optimism to the situation.

“What’s going to happen to us?”the eldest of the two asked.

“Right now, my job is to keep you safe until we can figure it out.You are safe with me, under my watch and under my care,” Elm said.“The rest, we will figure out as we go along.It’s all I have.Will that work for both of you?”

Both boys nodded.However, first things were first: food, home, bath, and bed for them all.

“Let’s get this situated, get some food, and head to my house,” he said.“I’ll check on your mom when we get settled.”

This is where they stood.The boys, Joshua and James Wellin, sons of Jenna, were now under his protection.The men who had hurt Jenna were also on his list.If there was one thing an Elm hated, it was an infestation of beetles.On his land, in his greenhouse were also sorts of concoctions to end the life of a boring parasite.In this case, it would be three.

Time was an equalizer, and he had plenty.

- The End –