The Changeling - Chapter Eight

The Changeling

Chapter Eight

For the next few weeks, Den and Maggie didn't let John out of their sight. His arm began to heal and he was soon back to his normal, active self.

'I still can't understand why the Doctor thought that we could ever hurt him.' Maggie said, smiling at her son, as he sat on the floor, playing with his cars, making brum, brum noises.

'I know', replied Den. 'We just can't let him have another accident. They would probably take him away from us and the police would investigate.'

'But surely they wouldn't say that we had hurt him? They can't send us to jail, we've done nothing wrong! Said Maggie, tears in her eyes.

'It is a worry,' Said Den. 'We can't prove that we didn't hurt him! This is a nightmare. Anyway, it's a lovely day, shall we all go for a little walk.'

'John,' Said his Dad gently, 'Do you want to go for a walk?'

'Park, park,' Replied John happily.

'Go upstairs and get your coat then, and we'll be off,' Said Den, smiling.

John left his cars and pattered across the room in his bare feet and, with his favourite car still in his hands, he ran up the stairs.

Den and Maggie smiled at each other, happy that John was happy!

'Coming down in minute,' shouted John.

Maggie climbed the stairs, smiling, to help John get ready.

John ran along the landing towards her. Too late, Maggie saw the toy car at the top of the stairs.

'JOHN' She screamed as her son's foot stepped onto the car.

In slow motion John slipped and fell. He toppled backwards, the back of his head hitting the ground with a sickening thud. He slid and tumbled like a rag doll down the stairs, caught by Maggie half way down.

'John, John,' she screamed.

John looked up at his mother, his eyes wide and afraid. She hugged him tightly. 'Its OK baby, its OK, Mummy's got you!'

She carried John to the sofa and sat with him on her lap.

'Maggie, we need to call an ambulance, he's badly hurt,' Den said in a shocked voice, looking down at the pale, quiet face of his son.

John's eyes closed and he made a strange, gurgling sound. He became limp and still in his Mother's arms.

'JOHN, JOHN,' Maggie screamed! 'No, dear God no,' She shook her son, willing him to open his eyes and smile up at her. But John would never open his eyes again!

'I'm going to call an ambulance,' Den said shakily, sitting down beside his wife. 'We need help.'

Maggie looked down at the lifeless body of her son and back at Den, confused, devastated, numb.

Minutes passed, Den sat next to his wife. 'We have to phone,' He said quietly.

Maggie looked up, her eyes full of tears. 'We'll go to jail,' She sobbed, we can't! I can't go to jail!

'But we have to do SOMETHING!' said Den.

'Let me just have some time with him, please,' Whispered Maggie.

They sat, cradling John. The hours passed. The room began to grow dark around them.

Maggie turned to Den, her eyes blank. 'John's tired, I think I should put him to bed.'

'But Maggie,' Pleaded Den. 'He's dead, look, he's gone cold and stiff. We need to get help, it's not to late!'

'No, no, you're wrong!, Shouted Maggie. 'He's just sleeping! I'm putting him to bed'

Maggie carried her son's lifeless body upstairs and gently put him to bed. 'Sleep well John,' She murmured. 'See you in the morning.' She leaned down and kissed him tenderly on the forehead.

She walked along the hall to her own bedroom climbed into bed, curled into a foetal position and fell asleep. Den lay down next to his wife cuddling her and cried himself to sleep.