To put it bluntly. Your son was dying.

He had been diagnosed with pneumonia by Mr. Ages just days ago, being instructed to keep him in bed for at least three weeks. And moving day had come earlier than expected, the plow nearly taking the lives of yourself and your family. After gathering what courage you could muster, you saw the Great Owl, who has instructed you to speak to the rats, more specifically Nicodemus, about moving your family's home. And that's where you were now. You had just entered the rose bush, and had escaped a guard rat by just the skin of your teeth.

Justin was doing his regular patrol, making sure no unwanted intruder got into the bush without being caught. He also took this time to look for Mr. Ages, who had been late to the meeting Jenner had started about going to Thorn Valley. While doing his route, he saw an unfamiliar face wandering almost aimlessly, looking for something or someone while looking scared out of their mind. He smiles smugly and starts to walk casually in that direction "Excuse me, you seem lost, may I help you find your way?"