helping hands {cato|blitz}

He was begging, pleading, praying with all that he had inside him that someone would answer the door. He needed help. A cow was sick and dying, and Maddy couldn't save it. She was sick herself, and Alwyn wanted to help. He needed to make sure the cow stayed alive. Most were bred for slaughter, but this was a pet. It was something that Alwyn loved, and he made sure they were taken care of all the time. This was his life, and right now all he needed was a helping hand. Someone to offer guidance.

But the door never opened.

He was about to turn away when the hinges creaked, and for a moment a river of hope flowed through his veins. This was it. It was perfect. A chance to save a dying animal despite his own will not working.

Alwyn was afraid of the man as his eyes scanned the scruffy facial hair, the shaggy hair, but he couldn't walk away. Talking to strangers was wrong, and he knew better than to disturb people. But he had to ask.

"Sir, I hate to bother you right now, but I got a cow that's dying. Normally my sister does the healing work, but she's sick right now and can't."He rambled on for a moment hoping he made sense. "I heard you were a great farmer, sir, and I was wondering if you would help."

His eyes locked onto the eyes of the man in front of him, and he begged. Alwyn had become a child because this was important to him. He didn't want to fail. He had lost a cow before, and he didn't want to lose another. It wasn't like losing a sibling in the hunger games. Saving Esme and Bailey wasn't an option for him, Alwyn was powerless, and he can't protect his family from the games, but he can save this dying cow.

Thankfully, the kind gentleman says he'd help. Alwyn jumped a little for joy, and he stumbled over his crippled leg. It hurt really bad, yet he managed to remain standing.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." He repeated over and over as the man went inside.

His weight shifted ungracefully as he waited, eyes locked on the door praying this wasn't a sick joke. It wrong to get his hopes up. His dreams had been crushed so many times, his crippled leg holding him back - no, it wouldn't happen anymore. Ma and Pa were probably searching for him, and he hoped to see smiling faced when he returned with this man. All it takes is a little time, and a little space, and everything will eventually fall into place.

Moments pass, and Alwyn feels the world tugging at his shoulders. Perhaps it was a mistake to come. A mistake to try to find help. He always made mistakes. He heard that most his life. He didn't look like a Truus. He didn't belong, yet he lived with them. He farmed with them. His biological parents made the mistake of giving him up. Maybe if they would've kept him, they could see the young man Alwyn was becoming.

They never had the chance, and Alwyn despises them for it.

Soon the man was back at the door holding his bag, and he asked for his name. Alwyn was stupid for not introducing himself. He should've done it first, but better late than never.

"Alwyn, sir. My name is Alwyn." He said quietly hoping no further questions were asked. He didn't want the pity, but he knew the moment they reached his house, everything would turn around as this man realized their last name. "Thank you, sir. It's nice to meet you sir." He stated once more before bouncing away from the door, and headed towards home.

A gentle breeze blew through his hair, and he felt it tickling his ears. Every step was a challenge, and it pushed him to work harder. Many times in the darkest hours of the night he wondered if this was the reason his parents abandon him, but they weren't parents. It didn't matter that they brought him into the world because the Truus' were his family. Ma and Pa were his parents, and he loved them more than anyone could ever imagine.

Every now and then he turned around making sure JT was still following, and he felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he reached the farm. Alwyn hobbled across the grass and over to the stables where his parents were standing.

"This is JT, he's going to help!" He exclaimed excitedly before moving into the stables. JT started working, and Alywn listened as he stated things he needed. Kraygon ran one way while Evelyn waddled the other.

Alwyn stayed by his side, and Ma and Pa went back inside.

"Is the cow going to be okay?" He placed his hands over his mouth realizing he probably shouldn't have asked. "Sorry, sir, I'm just anxious." He dropped his head whispering a silent prayer.

She had to be okay.