Elliot is a special young boy. A small child with a big heart, and a brightness about him that shined on everyone he met. No matter how big or how small, he offered up the same amount of kindness and light to each of them. It was rather comforting in a way. After so many decades, helping child after child and seeing so many tragedies play out, Elliot was a breath of fresh air to be around. I had a bad feeling, though. He seemed to be kind to a fault at times, and the danger of that would eventually rear its head. That was fine, though. That’s why I’m here after all, and I was not intending to fail him.

    I wasn’t able to do anything immediately when he wandered away from the park. Divine invention wasn’t allowed when lessons were involved. I had to sit idly by while the poor boy was scared out of his wits in a stranger’s car, not knowing where he was going or how long he’d be gone. I’ve always hated this part. Having to watch them go off, unaware of their fate, and being unable to do something before they get hurt. As soon as they reached that warehouse, though, I got to work.

    Making my way back to the house, I stop next to Sandra, Elliot’s mother. She’s on the phone, with either the police or her sister. The words are hardly coming out, though, and she’s trembling terribly. Carefully, I come closer to her and place a hand on her shoulder; I couldn’t stop this, but I could help make it easier on her. The touch itself goes unnoticed, but the effect comes through. The shaking stops, and she can bring herself to take a deep breath now. With another soft pat, I leave her to her call, heading up the stairs. As soon as I reach Elliot’s bedroom, I crouch in front of the bed, being met with two pairs of eyes. The smaller pair moves closer first, revealing the gray plush bunny they belong to. This little one is named Hopper. They picked him up from a fair a year ago, and aside from myself they’re with Elliot almost all the time. I pick them up, and after a quiet yawn they look around the room. They give me a puzzled look when it dawns on them. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be with Ellie? Where is he?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    “Something happened, didn’t it?” A voice calls from under the bed, the owner showing herself soon after. Her name is Ribbon, according to Elliot. A tall and somewhat lanky creature with messy fur covering her body. The ends had been cut messily a few days back, mostly around her face, revealing a scarred muzzle housing a permanent grin. She comes up to me while tightening the bows holding her hair up. “What happened at the park?” I look between the two before speaking, keeping my voice as calm as I can manage. “Elliot was taken earlier. He’s at a warehouse right now.” Hopper looks shocked. “What!? What do you mean, where were you?!” Ribbon sighs, talking them from my hands. “There better be a good reason that you let this happen, feather brain.” I shake my head. “Believe me, I don’t like the reason myself. But I’m not allowed to step in when he’s learning something.” The grin looks more like a smirk as she glares at me. “Seriously? You chose your protocol over our best friend, great.” I shake my head again, feeling the annoyance rising a bit. “I couldn’t choose anything! If I could, I would have scooped him up and slashed that van’s tires. Unfortunately, it’s been decided that caution is being taught the hard way this time...” Ribbon goes to say something, but the words don’t come. She sighs again, looking down at Hopper. The little rabbit pipes up, mimicking her sullen look. “Did you just come here to give us the bad news, then?” Once again, I shake my head. “Of course not, we’re going to get him.” I reach into the closet and grab Elliot’s favorite blanket, folding it up. “They only said I couldn’t interfere when he’s learning. It’s been a half hour now.” I turn to the two. “That’s more than enough time, wouldn’t you agree?” Ribbon’s grin gets wider and she quickly makes her way to the window, Hopper quickly moving to her shoulder. She opens it and lands on the ground below on all fours. Hopper moves onto her back now, and the two look up at me. “Come on feather brain, let’s go!” I laugh a bit and hop out the window myself, landing behind the now much happier bunny. “Please don’t go in there teeth bared, we’re not supposed to exist you know.” She quickly leaps over the fence in the backyard, walking down the back road. “Yeah yeah yeah, just tell me where the warehouse is.”