“Who was there, Theo? Who got hurt?” Dr. Hart asked gently, already dreading the answer.

“Mom and Grandma,” Theo replied, his voice barely a whisper. “They told me to take Amelie and go, go somewhere safe. So I ran. I ran until I found here. I didn’t know where else to go.”

Olivia felt a shiver race down her spine, a mix of sorrow and rage. She placed a comforting hand on Theo’s shoulder. “You were very brave, Theo. You did the right thing bringing Amelie here.”

The small boy nodded, though his eyes remained glued to the floor. “I didn’t want to leave them, but I couldn’t let him hurt Amelie. She’s too little.”

“We understand,” Dr. Hart assured him. “You and Amelie are safe now. We’re going to take care of both of you. I promise.”

As the nurses gently took Amelie from Theo to check her for any injuries, Olivia noticed how Theo’s body tensed, his eyes following every movement. Once assured that his sister was in good hands, Theo seemed to relax, just a little.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hart stepped out to phone the authorities, ensuring that the police and child protective services would be involved immediately. He returned quickly, not wanting to leave Theo alone for long.

“Is there anyone we can call for you, Theo? Someone you trust?” Olivia asked, hopeful for a positive response.

Theo thought for a moment, then nodded. “Aunt Lucy. She’s not far. She always said if we needed anything, we should call her.”

Olivia smiled gently. “Good. We’ll make sure she knows you’re here.”

Over the next few hours, the hospital staff worked tirelessly to ensure Theo and Amelie were comfortable. They found warm clothes for Theo and a cozy crib for Amelie. As dawn approached, Aunt Lucy arrived, her face pale with worry but relieved to find the children safe.

“Oh Theo, my sweet boy,” she cried, rushing to hug him tightly. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this.”

Theo melted into her embrace, tears finally spilling over. “I didn’t know what else to do, Aunt Lucy. I just wanted to keep her safe.”