In a black limousine.
"Pull over here Marcus."
"Sarab stay here. I will go to a meeting nearby and come back."
"But mom why can't I come with you."
In an angry voice. "You know why you can't. Our family is well known in this area. If they see you in that wheelchair they won't work with us. Mommy and daddy won't make money. You want us to be poor."
"No mommy I don't."
"Then stay here. Sit. Don't move. I will come back."
"Ok mom. After your meeting can we go eat together. You haven't eaten with me until now. I always eat my food alone."
"Fine. We will go eat if you stay here and don't move."
"Really."
"I swear I will not move."
"Marcus let's go."
She got in the back of the limousine and drove away.
In the car.
"Marcus. Don't talk about this anywhere. If you do I will make this earth a living hell for you and your family. If you don't I will double your salary. What do you say."
"Miss Xurbat. I don't know what you are talking about. I didn't see anything. I am just here to serve you and the Xurbat family."
"Well done. You are a smart man. Close the windows. Drive home."
Marcus closed the window between the driver's seat and the back.
Finally I got rid of him. She said to herself while lighting a cigar.
Sarab sat in his wheelchair on an old street.
It's getting dark. My mom works hard for us. My father too. I'm so happy. Finally I get to eat with my mother. I don't remember one day I ate with anyone beside my friend Seilian. She is a good friend. She comes to my room some days to eat with me. I hope she comes to eat together. It's going to be amazing. Two days eating with people and not alone.
It's getting darker. Why isn't she coming back. It's getting cold.
It started raining. Minute by minute the rain got heavier.
I can't move. I promised my mom I wouldn't move. I'm not the kind of son who breaks his promise. I will stay here. When I get home I will change my clothes. It's nothing. But I'm cold.
It's midnight. Did my mom forget she left me here. What kind of mom forgets her son. My mom is not that kind of mom. She is kind and lovely and beautiful.
He waited under the heavy rain for hours. His body shaking from the cold. He looked toward the end of the street.
A pack of stray dogs.
They are scary. Why do their eyes glow.
That wooden tool on the ground. I have to get it to defend myself if they come this way.
He reached for it. He lost his balance and crashed to the ground.
The pack came closer. He was small. An empty old street. No one around.
He grabbed the tool and swung it to scare them. Maybe mom will come now and they will run away.
One came from behind and bit his arm. He screamed in pain. Another bit his foot but he didn't feel it. His leg wasn't working. The pack was trying to drag him toward the empty lot beside the road.
He was so scared he screamed. They bit harder. For a second he felt his leg hurting.
He blacked out from horror.
Like a dream he saw someone hit the dogs. They ran away.
Mom. You finally came.
He woke up in a hospital. His arm and leg wrapped in bandages. He looked to his right. A window. High floor. He looked to his left. A middle aged woman sleeping. Her head resting on the edge of his bed.
She is not my mom.
My mom didn't come. This woman saved me.
What kind of mom leaves her son like that to die. Why didn't she just tell me she didn't want me. What did I do.
Mom.
A drop of tears ran down his cheek.
A doctor came into the room. Sarab pretended to be asleep.
The woman woke up fast. "Sorry doctor."
"No I'm sorry. I came to check on him. Thanks to you he is better now. Without you he was gone. Those stray dogs — the moment they know they can overpower something they don't let go."
The woman looked at Sarab. She saw the tears on his cheeks. She wiped them.
Poor kid. Why was he there.
"The police arrived," the doctor said. "They will handle this. They are going to ask him questions to find his parents. They will be in jail for many years. They left a kid like that in the street under rain to get eaten by dogs. What has this world become."
What police. If they ask my name they will know who I am. They will take me back home. I don't want to go. If they don't want me I don't want to be there.
I just miss my friend Seilian. I know she will miss me too.
A detective entered the room.
"Hello. Sorry it's not a good time but I have some questions. I'm Detective Liam. What is your name madam."
"I know it's your job. My name is Launa."
"Nice to meet you Miss Launa. Tell me what you saw. How did it happen."
"I came back from work tonight. I work night shift. One of the night employees needed someone to replace him so I did it for him. It was around 1 AM. I was walking in the street. I couldn't unsee it. That horror. Seeing a kid being dragged by stray dogs. It was horrifying. I ran to the dogs and swung my handbag and hit some of them. They ran away and I called emergency to help this poor kid. That's what happened."
"Thanks for your help. You can go now."
"No I can't go. This kid needs someone to be here with him. Please detective let me stay."
"We can't let that happen. We have your contact information. We will contact you if something comes up."
"Fine detective. I will stay outside the room. Is that fine."
"Yes that's fine. But don't come into his room. He is under government protection now. In kids cases they are very protective. Please go outside."
She went out behind the door.
The doctor was there too. He spoke quietly.
"This is a rare case. A wheelchair was there right."
"Yes."
"He was disabled before. But he was so scared I think his survival instinct created a miracle. I tested his leg reflexes. His legs have reaction. It's weak but it's there. He will stand after one or two years of training and treatment. He needs good parents to help him. He clearly doesn't have any."
In the room the detective started talking.
"I know you're awake. Look at me. Brave boy. I'm a good guy. I will help you."
Sarab opened his eyes and looked at the detective.
"What is your name."
"Sarab."
"Sarab what. What is your last name."
"I don't have one."
"Look kid. You don't have to protect anyone. It's okay to be scared. Nothing can hurt you now. Why were you there. Who left you there."
"No one. I don't have anyone. I was searching for food."
"Kid if I write what you say we can't do anything for you. The people who did this to you will get away."
"I told you. I don't have anyone. No one did this to me."
"Ok. I'm done. Rest kid."
"Please let that woman come here. I'm scared alone."
"Fine. I will tell her on my way out. Goodbye Sarab."
He went out and looked at Launa.
"He wants you with him. You can be with him tonight. When he gets better child services will come for him."
"Thank you detective."
She entered the room.