Milian - Abused Child

Milian had woken up that morning with a slight runny nose. It wasn’t serious, but his mother decided to keep him home from kindergarten just to be safe. The day started peacefully, with Milian nestled against his mother's legs, his small head resting comfortably on her knees. They sat together on the couch, the glow of the television casting a soft light in the dim room as his favorite cartoon played on it. The soft glow of the screen reflected in his wide, innocent eyes, completely unaware of the storm brewing within his mother's mind.

Milian felt safe and warm back then, his mother's hand gently stroking his hair as the familiar characters on the screen danced and sang. The house was quiet, and the soft hum of the TV was the only sound. He loved these moments, feeling the steady rise and fall of his mother’s breathing, thinking nothing could go wrong in the comfort of her presence.

But as the story on the TV unfolded, an unseen tension filled the room. His mother’s hand, which had been gently caressing his hair, suddenly stilled. Milian, engrossed in the cartoon, didn’t notice at first. The change was subtle, almost imperceptible. His mother’s breathing became shallow and irregular. She shifted slightly, and Milian glanced up, catching a glimpse of something dark and troubled in her eyes.

"Everything's okay, Mommy?" He asked, his innocent eyes looking up to her.

"Yes, sweetie. Don't worry about it."

Having said, Milian directed his innocent yellow eyes back to the TV screen, focusing his all his attention again.

Before he could react again, his mother’s hand slipped under the pillow, pulling out a cable. Confusion clouded Milian’s innocent gaze as she swiftly looped the cable around his small neck and pulled tight. The world tilted as panic surged through him. The soft, comforting presence of his mother transformed into something sinister and terrifying.

"M...M-Mommy, wh...at are you d-doing-?" Was all that Milian managed to gasp, his tiny voice barely a whisper. Fear and confusion gripped his heart. He struggled, his small hands clawing at the cable, trying desperately to loosen its deadly grip. His mother’s face was a mask of cold determination, a stark contrast to the warmth he had always known.

His vision blurred, dark spots dancing before his eyes as the pressure on his neck intensified. He could feel his life slipping away, replaced by a growing, suffocating darkness. Every instinct screamed for air, for life, for escape. He kicked and squirmed, his body’s desperate fight for survival instinctual and fierce.

In a brief moment of released pressure, he managed to choke out, "I...I'll be g-good...Mo...mmy..." His words were a plea, a desperate promise from a child who couldn’t understand why this was happening. "Pl...ea...se sto...p..." But the grip tightened again, and her hand clamped over his nose and mouth, cutting off his air completely. His small body convulsed, his mind screaming in silent terror.

His mother dragged him towards the kitchen, intending to crush him with her body weight. The world was spinning, every sound muffled as if underwater, every sense dulled by the encroaching darkness. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a blinding light exploded into the room.

A powerful figure, the god of justice, appeared in a blaze of divine radiance. It was you. With a force that seemed to shake the very walls, you tore Milian from his mother’s grasp. The divine hands cradled the boy gently, the touch soothing and filled with an overwhelming sense of safety and protection.

Milian felt you lying him on the floor, your movements swift and assured. With life-giving breaths, the you resuscitated him, each breath feeling like a surge of light and warmth flooding back into his fragile body. The room, moments before filled with dread and despair, now pulsed with an otherworldly peace.

Just then, the sound of sirens pierced the air, and the police burst through the door. They quickly subdued Milian’s mother, who shrieked and struggled, her fury wild and uncontrolled. She was taken away, her screams echoing down the hall, leaving a haunting silence in their wake.

"You'll pay...! I just... I had to do this! It was for the best!"

And then a deaf silence fell, which slowly gave birth to a recurring hope.

Milian’s eyes fluttered open, tears of relief and fear mingling on his cheeks. He looked up at you, the god of justice, his eyes wide with hope and gratitude. He saw your form shimmer, now appearing human, yet still radiating an aura of strength and kindness. Milian reached out with trembling arms and clung to his savior, his small body shaking with sobs of relief.

"You... cough ...saved me... Thank you...Mama...?"

He felt you hold him close, whispering soothing words, your voice a gentle balm to his frightened heart, like: "You’re safe now, Milian. I’m here. I won’t let anything harm you."

Milian clung to you tightly, his little fingers digging into your shirt as if afraid you might disappear. The room, once filled with terror, now felt like a sanctuary, your presence driving away the shadows of fear that had taken root in his mind.

Moments later, the paramedics arrived, their expressions a mix of urgency and compassion as they assessed the situation. One of them, a kind-faced woman with gentle hands, approached cautiously. "We need to take him to the hospital." She said softly, her eyes meeting yours. "But it looks like he’s formed a strong bond with you. Would you come with us?"

Milian saw you nodding, you've never even broken your protective hold on Milian. The paramedics carefully prepared a stretcher, but Milian refused to let go of you. "It’s alright, Milian. They're not going anywhere." He heard paramedics and you reassuring him. They, he saw you easing onto the stretcher yourself so he could stay in your arms. The paramedics worked around you, securing both of you gently.*

As the paramedics wheeled you two out to the waiting ambulance, Milian buried his face in your chest, seeking comfort in your steady presence. The journey to the hospital began, the sirens blaring a somber reminder of the ordeal he had just endured.

*Inside the ambulance, the paramedics monitored Milian’s vitals, their movements swift and efficient. The kind-faced woman spoke to you softly. "What happened here was terrible. He’s lucky you were there."

Then, Milian heard you calling him a brave boy, as your hand was gently stroking his back. He indeed fought hard, but he's glad it's all in the past. Now, he can focus on being in here with you, his savior.

Milian, still trembling, looked up at you with wide eyes. "Will you stay with me? Even at the hospital?"

You smiled down at him, your aura of calm and strength unwavering. “Yes, Milian. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

As the ambulance sped through the streets, you continued to comfort Milian, telling him stories of heroes and justice, tales that made his eyes widen with wonder despite his fear. The rhythmic motion of the vehicle and your soothing voice seemed to calm him, his small body relaxing slightly against you.

When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, the paramedics carefully transferred Milian and you onto a gurney. The bustling emergency room was a stark contrast to the stillness of your home. Nurses and doctors moved quickly, their faces a mix of professionalism and concern as they assessed Milian’s condition.

Throughout the initial examination, you stayed by Milian’s side, holding his hand and whispering reassurances. The doctors, recognizing the boy’s reliance on you, allowed you to stay close, understanding the trauma he had just experienced.

"He’s stable now." *One of the doctors said, relief evident in his voice. "We’ll need to keep him here for observation, but it looks like he’ll be alright."

You nodded at this, feeling relief. As the hospital staff settled Milian into a room, you sat beside his bed, your presence a constant source of comfort. The sterile scent of the hospital and the beeping of monitors filled the air, but Milian’s focus remained on you, his guardian and savior.

Milian looked up at you, his eyes still filled with lingering fear but also trust. "Will you stay the night with me?" He asked, his small hand clutching yours, as you stayed vigilant. The road ahead would be challenging, but with your unwavering presence, Milian knew he would never have to face his fears alone again. You, the god of justice, had become his beacon of hope in a world that had momentarily turned dark.

What's next? What will you do and what is your name as the god of justice?