Oliver tiptoed into the room, locking it behind him just in case. He didn't know what state he'd find Caleb in-- whether the boy had woken up or not, was panicking or calm, or angry enough to try to hurt himself or Oliver-- so he was quiet and cautious as he slipped into the dark room.

The bed was empty. Oliver felt his heart leap in his chest as he set down the tray of food he'd brought. He rushed around the room, even checking the closet and small adjoined bathroom. His panic rose with every vacant spot. 

He went to the bed, which was very clearly empty. . . and that was when he noticed it'd been pushed away from the wall, the comforter jammed into the crack. 

Oliver moved around the end of the bed and knelt, using his weight to shove the bed further away from the wall to give him room to work. He dug through the layers of thick blanket until Caleb's body was revealed. He stared for a moment, a dark mix of emotions raging through him.

Caleb was almost in worse shape then when he'd left him last night. A thick coating of dirt smeared the boy's skin, and dust clung to his blond hair, turning it gray. Cobwebs stuck to his skin, and his clothes were damp with tears and sweat. The marks from the assault had turned to bruises, and his face was puffy from crying. 

Oliver glanced up and around the room. Streaks in the dust on the floor showed that Caleb had been near the door. It looked as if he may have even been lying or sitting there at some point. Oliver imagined the sight-- Caleb, alone in the cold and dark room, sobbing as he banged on the door. He cringed; he should have handled this better. 

Oliver carefully reached out and gently touched Caleb's shoulder. The boy flinched awake violently, scrambling further into the corner with a choked sob. His eyes, wide and terrified, were fixed on Oliver, but they seemed to look through him, seeing something else entirely.

"Caleb," Oliver said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just me. Oliver."

Caleb didn't respond, just curled tighter into a ball, burying his face in his knees. His body trembled uncontrollably as he sat wedged between the wall and the bed.

Oliver's heart ached. He wanted to pull Caleb into a hug, to promise him that he was safe, but he knew that touch was probably the last thing Caleb wanted right now. He stayed kneeling, giving Caleb space.

"I brought you some food," Oliver said, gesturing towards the tray he'd left by the door. "And I thought. . . maybe you could take a bath. You're covered in dust."

Caleb didn't move, didn't speak. The only sound was his ragged breathing and the occasional shuddering sob.

Oliver waited, patiently. He knew he couldn't force Caleb to do anything, but he also knew the boy needed care.

"Caleb," he tried again, his voice still gentle. "Please. Let me help you. Just a bath. It will make you feel better."

Slowly, agonizingly, Caleb unfolded himself a little. He didn't look at Oliver, but his eyes were no longer completely vacant. They were filled with a deep, raw pain.

"Locked," he whispered, his voice hoarse and broken. "You locked me in."

Oliver winced. "I know. I'm so sorry, Caleb. I just. . . I didn't know what else to do. I needed to get you somewhere safe."

Caleb finally looked at him, and the accusation in his eyes was a physical blow. "Safe? You locked me in a dark room. Alone." His voice cracked with another suppressed sob.

Oliver's throat tightened. "I know. It was wrong. I should have stayed with you. I should have. . . I should have done so many things differently."

He saw a flicker of something in Caleb's eyes, something that might have been a question, a flicker of hope, quickly extinguished.

"I can't," Caleb said, his voice barely audible. "I can't move."

Oliver understood. The trauma, the fear, the exhaustion. . .  it had all taken its toll.

"Okay," Oliver said, his resolve hardening. He wouldn't leave Caleb like this. "Okay. I'll help you."

He carefully rose and went to the tray, picking it up. He brought it over and set it down near Caleb, then knelt again.

"Here," he said, gently pushing the bowl of oatmeal closer to Caleb. "Try to eat something. You haven't eaten since. . . It's been a long time."

Caleb turned his face away. "Not hungry."

"You need to eat, Caleb," Oliver insisted softly. "You need your strength."

He took the spoon and carefully dipped it into the oatmeal. "Just a little bit. Please."

Caleb hesitated, then slowly, reluctantly, opened his mouth. Oliver carefully slipped the bite between the cracked lips. Caleb swallowed, his drooping face remaining expressionless. Oliver offered another spoonful, and then another. Caleb ate a few more, slowly, mechanically, before turning his head away again.

"Enough," he whispered.

Oliver didn't push. He put the spoon down. "Okay, sugar. How about that bath?"

Caleb flinched again. "No. Don't want to."

"Caleb, you're covered in dust and cobwebs," Oliver said gently. "It will feel good to be clean. And I'll stay with you. I won't leave you alone."

He saw the fear in Caleb's eyes at the thought of being alone in the bathroom.

"I promise," Oliver said, his voice firm but kind. "I will be right there. You can even leave the door open if you want."

He waited, watching Caleb, trying to read the boy's thoughts. He knew this was a delicate balance. He needed to be firm, to ensure Caleb got the care he needed, but he couldn't push too hard and make things worse.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Caleb nodded almost imperceptibly.

Oliver let out a silent breath of relief. "Okay. Good. Let's go."

He carefully reached out a hand, offering it to Caleb. Caleb stared at it for a long moment, his hand trembling slightly. Oliver waited, his hand steady and open.

Slowly, tentatively, Caleb reached out and took Oliver's hand. His grip was weak, his skin cold and clammy.

Oliver gently helped Caleb to his feet, supporting him as the boy swayed slightly. Caleb leaned heavily against him, his body still trembling.

"Take it slow," Oliver murmured, putting an arm around Caleb's waist to help him walk.

                   Part 33 Coming Soon