"My friend Jim's mom works at the hospital. She already promised to help, no questions asked." He patted his backpack. "And I always carry important papers with me, just in case."
Beth's leopard growled inside her, protective instincts - both human and animal - surging at the thought of this child having to plan his own escape from the very person who should be protecting him, nurturing him.
"That's... very smart of you," Beth managed, her throat tight. "But you shouldn't have to-"
"It's okay." Todd cut her off again, his voice stronger now. "Really. I know what I'm doing."
Layla's quiet voice broke through the heavy moment. "You can come here." Her words, though soft, carried the strength of someone who understood survival. "Any time. Day or night."
Beth glanced at her friend, pride warming her chest as Layla stepped around the counter to join them.
"We have connections," Layla continued, her gentle accent more pronounced with emotion. "People who help children find safe places. Good places." She knelt beside Beth, her eyesmeeting Todd's. "You do not have to wait for the bruises to prove what is happening."
Todd's shoulders tensed. "Without the bruises they'll send me back to her."
"Not necessarily," Beth said, pulling a business card from the holder. She scribbled her cell number on the back. "Here. Put both numbers in your phone - the clinic's and mine. Save them under something your mom won't question."
Todd pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the keys. "Saving it as 'Math Tutor.'" A ghost of a smile touched his lips, handing the card back to her. "She'd never check that - she thinks I'm good at everything."
"Smart thinking." Beth watched as he tucked the phone securely in an inner pocket of his backpack. "We're here every day until eight, and there's always someone overnight watching the animals. You don't have to wait for things to get worse."
"We understand about having plans," Layla added softly. "About needing to escape. But you do not have to do it alone."
Beth nodded. "If you do have to go to the hospital, call me. I'll drop everything and be there for you. I promise."
The clinic's front door swung open as one police officer entered, his face professionally neutral. Outside, his partner was speaking with the woman as Tyr and Tobi flanked her.
"I'm Officer Martinez. Can you tell me what happened here?"
"She just burst in and started calling us animals and freaks," Beth said, her voice tight with anger. "Dragging that poor boy and spewing hate about shifters for no reason." Through the windows, she could see the woman gesturing wildly.
"There was no provocation, no prior interaction. We've never seen her before."
Officer Martinez nodded, making notes. "And you said she was rough with the child?"
"Yes, she was dragging him by the arm." Beth's gaze drifted to Todd, who had retreated to sit in one of the waiting room chairs, shoulders hunched.
The woman's voice suddenly carried through the open door. "They're animals! Dangerous creatures hiding among us! You should be rounding them all up, not protecting them!"
"Ma'am, lower your voice," the second officer warned. "This is your final warning to calm down."
"Or what? You'll arrest me for speaking the truth?" She jabbed a finger toward the clinic. "They're the ones who should be arrested! Locked up before they hurt someone!"
"That's enough." Officer Martinez stepped outside. "Ma'am, if you don't settle down and leave the premises, we will have to take you in for criminal trespass and disturbing the peace."
The woman's face twisted into an ugly sneer. She stormed past the officers, seizing Todd's wrist. "Come on! We're leaving this freak show."
Todd stumbled as she hauled him forward toward the door. His eyes met Beth's for a brief moment, and she saw both fear and determination in his young face.
Beth watched helplessly as the woman marched Todd to her car, her angry muttering still audible in the night air. The vehicle's engine roared to life, and they peeled out of the parking lot, tires squealing against the asphalt.
Officer Martinez returned inside, his expression grim. "Did either of you notice anything concerning about the boy's behavior or demeanor?"
Beth met Layla's eyes, receiving a small nod of encouragement.
"Yes, actually." Beth's hands twisted together. "While his mother was outside with security, Todd told us some... worrying things."
The officer's pen hovered over his notepad. "Go on."
