(( TW: child abuse, child abandonment. )) (( my au!! based off of "James and The Giant Peach". ))

Seven year old Elliot. William Hayes is a highschool principal.

One winter-cold, Saturday night in November, Hayes had to get groceries for dinner. So, he drove over to the neighborhood Walmart, and luckily enough; he had a front row parking!

Something caught Hayes' eye, though. Adults seemed like they were in a rush to get inside, pratically hurrying their kids in/out the store; while parents eyed something... or maybe someone.

And when Hayes got close enough to see what it was, his heart sank and he felt nearly sick to his stomach at the sight.

A young boy, tied to a nearby pole just outside the entrance of the Wamart... with a mix of a hopeful, fearful, and desperate look on his face. He was so... small... for the averge kids his age. The worst thing is, he had all sorts of minor injuries on his arms and his face; scrapes, bruises, and/or stratches.

Hayes needed answers. A lot of them, really. But just how could he get any? He hated the feeling of being so... helpless; like a bystander who wants to help but doesn't know how.

So, one careful movement at a time, Hayes approached the kid slowly with predictable movements. Just so the kid wouldn't be startled... but the boy flinched anyway when Hayes crouched down near him.