Will You Keep The Secret

"Sshh," Poppy soothed softly ss she rubbed his arm, using his free arm to wrap around his shoulder and pull him against her. Resting her chin on top of his head on a embrace, "Safe... see."

The instinct to pull away and run from her was high but the want to hold onto the small bear was stronger for now and so he stayed, allowed himself to be embraced.

"Lean in.... trust." Poppy encouraged softly, resting her cheek against the top of his head. "It's over now, whatever you were going through. It's done, Sam. You're safe."

"No, no no.. not safe. Never can be safe.." he murmured, shaking her head fast.

"Safe right now," Poppy assured, squeezing him softly. "See? Feel... you're safe."

It took awhile but he slowly and very carefully leaned into her, still hugging Ralph to his chest.

"Will you come with me to my home? So I can get you something to drink, something to eat and we can... you can see that I'm just a person?"

"Can't.. can't.. no. They'll come. They'll find me.." he looked around again, the fear the had subsided coming back.

"Not in my home, my home is safe." She assured, moving a hand up to brush fingers through his hair almost maternally. "Ralph's home is safe."

He flinched again at her touch but the promise of a safe place, with the bear was very intriguing to him and he stared at the tiny bear in his arms. "Safe?.."

"That's right; safe."

"Safe.. safe.." he mumbled quietly, leaning back into her once again.

"Good. Good. Now let's get you home."

(( Night night))

"Good. Good. Now let's get you home."

(( Night night))

"Where?" He looked at her with confusion in his eyes.

"My home - you'll be safe there."

"My home - you'll be safe there."

"Safe," he repeated again and again as if it would make the world of difference to him to more he said it.

Poppy got to her feet, offering her hand out to him to help him up.

He stared at her hand for a long time. In the end simply stumbling to his feet on his own.

"Careful," Poppy whispered, grimacing at his stumble before turning and heading back toward her home in the town.

Sam didn't have sure steps as he trailed after her very closely, cringing at the sunshine once they hit town, lowering his head and mostly closing his eyes which only made him stumble more.

Poppy frowned, waiting until he was at her side so she could wrap an arm around his shoulders to steady and guide him properly. Silent until she led him into a small detached cottage; the livingroom containing two dark green sofas covered in white patterned throws. A circular deep red carpet sat directly in front of a log burning fire.

He didn't pulled away from her but he always didn't look at her, still holding onto Ralph. When he got into the cabin he didn't move just just inside the doorway.

"Come in, sit down... get comfy." Poppy encouraged softly, grabbing logs to put into the fire place to light. "It is cold, isn't it? We'll have heat in the room soon. Would you like anything to drink or eat?"