A DANGEROUS AFFECTION

long hair stood in front of it. The only man with short

ack when a small child appeared. The child looked about seven yea

ttle girl mustered the courage to

asked the muscular man w

er face looked dirty and sweaty, and her

anything wrong. Please step back," said Jack, th

led at the little girl.

li

are. Uncle wants to see them. I'm a f

hard. "Mom and D

ey?" Jack ask

t three d

lieve her. In some cases, adults use their

nions and then looked back at Ali

he answered in

By yourself? So, what

the table. The house also looked messy and seemed abandoned f

his child?" A frail v

a cane and a younger man approachin

It's a pity. She's been left alone in this house. Her parents have been gone for days,"

alone? Aren't they human? She's a mother

about irresponsible parents. They should have taken the child with them if th

e new husband is no good. He provoked her mother into debt and the

ed the younger man, who

about Alina. However, the residents here are unwilling to take her in. We can only

little girl wasn't lying. "Alrig

" The older man handed h

ugged it tightly. She looked around at

re of yourself." Jack said his goodbyes, and the

taring at the departing people while clutching the

irl. He shook his head forcefully; he couldn't afford to feel sympathy. Wh

e by side. They stayed in a rundown wooden house, which was still sturdy a

urning, even though it was already three in the morning. His eyes

an~ "Come

o, Jack? It's still th

at child," he said as

?" Juan asked, confused

something might happen to her," h

ion, Rocky woke up

to check on the child. I have

lright

he was five. It seemed Brandon was either a kidnapping victim or a child of irresponsible parents, similar

d the door and found it unlocked. His heart ached to se

living room, still wearing the clothes she had on earlier that day. Jack looked

ed and began to cry.

here to visit you, not to hurt yo

Jack with tearful eyes. "

could her parents be so heartless to leave her alone? "Uncle co

gone, and my stomach hurts," s

ase make something for her. The

of food. Perhaps they had hoped Alina could cook for herself.

you been alon

ma doesn't want me anymore. She lov

em to have children. Brandon's presence had healed his heart. He had hoped Brandon would marry, and they would have a daughter on

ttle girl's head. "You must be very trau

r Mom to come home. I'm afraid that if I ba

n't help himself when it came to a child. "You

remblingly. She was still young, but the circumstances had made her matu

came in with bowls an

ome-cooked food. She even started eating immediately without being asked.

hungry," Lev

odded.

king. My mom's cooking was

le Jack could finish five plates

looked at Levi and

ck, this is Uncle Levi, and that's Uncle Juan," Jack sa

ning. Uncle couldn't sleep because

me and not be able to sleep? My mo

estion surprised the

ren't sleeping soundly, she would c

art was quickly broken by children who were hurt and abandoned. "Alina, would

f her mother came looking for her? She was also a bit scared because they w

hem our address. So, if your mom comes back, she can come and pick you

delicious meals eve

t drowsy after her stomach was full and fell asleep soundly on the

, approached Levi and Jack. "So

wall clock. "It's almost

u going to d

to our home." Jack d

. They were still determining if Jack c

concerned looks from the two men and c

o woke up and watched Jack's movements. Jack met with the residents to inform them of his intention to take Alina. They agreed without much objection. They also didn't want

expression while Levi and Ju

s goin

don't want to care for her either,

eyes open and slow

on you'll be livi

and what was happening. She just needed adults around her, as she cou

blanket, sheets, and pillow. Since she would hav

a's hand. The little girl's steps faltered as she looked back at he

nelt in front of Alina. "Let's pray that yo

ded. "Yes

he home that had made

cky was stunned to see Jack bringing a young gi

ll take care of her unt

be costly. Your income is bar

r. "That's my concern. You just

his head. "It's up to you, Jack." In the

a using whatever materials they had. At least the girl w

randon. They also live here with

ncle Brandon," the little

don frowned and squint

li

e, since I'd rather be your older

don, just like the other uncle

you insist on calling me Uncle. I can't ar

me Joanna? My name is Alina,"

u should have a new name to reflect that, and to carve

u Uncle Brandon," Alina extended her pinky. Bra

house began calling her Joanna. She lived there for w

rs. With her petite frame, she could clean the house and, with some help from her uncle, plant f

you want to pl

t anymore. This house is very

eed hot because th

tion. "Once it grows big, we can take sh

It will take a long time for th

o, the tree will grow quickly

take care of i

enjoy time together after I come home

~" The man shook his head vigorou