Caden's exposed skin was bruised. His little face was still swollen. Serenity could imagine how it must have been worse over the past few days.

Unable to help feeling pain for him, Serenity crouched down, leveling her eyes at the child.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, but Caden acted like he had not heard her and continued staring at the school gate. All he cared about was when he could see his sister after school. Nothing else mattered to him.

Serenity wanted to touch the boy's face, but the little one avoided her hand warily.

"I just want to see your injury. I don't mean any harm!" Serenity hastily said.

The little boy stared at her for a long moment before finally enunciating slowly, "I don't like you touching me!"

"Then… Shall I take you to the hospital and let the doctor take a look at your wound? Once your bruise heals, you'll feel better," Serenity coaxed.

"It doesn't hurt," the little boy said coldly. Then, he turned his head away and stopped talking to Serenity. Serenity