"Ah, I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to startle you. P-please, forgive me!" A sniveling boy around eight years old repeatedly bowed and apologized. "P-please don't hurt me. I-I didn't mean it. I swear I will behave."
The child cried out in his tiny voice as he cringed his head and squeezed his malnourished body against the wall. His hands and feet were grimy and his cheeks and mouth were smeared with dried blood. His tangled long gray hair was sticking on his face and neck.
Haru slowly moved towards the boy, careful to not scare him more than he already was. She felt her heart was being ripped apart with the way his tear-stained eyes were distant and his small shoulders trembled.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. I won't hurt you." Haru whispered reassuringly as she inched closer to him. "My name is Haru. What's yours?"
