[Content warnings: Reference to violence]

Dr. Fitzgerald had called the constable to his practice. He opened the door when Mr. Crane arrived. "So good of you to come at this hour." He said, letting the constable in. "A boy was brought in by some people who found him. He won't tell me what happened, but this is more than some kids' fight. This is assault. I felt I should report it."

Elijah nodded quickly as he thanked him and walked in. "It's a good thing you told me. I can ask him and those who brought him in to figure out what's going on. Can you tell me what they told you happened?"

"They just found him in an alley and brought him here." He led Elijah into a room where a boy sat looking very frightened. Who should it be but Noah Longbottom, with a black eye, a burst lip and some blood on his face. He looked up at Elijah miserably.

Elijah was about to speak and then blinked and narrowed his eyes. "Alright, give us a minute alone, doctor.."

The doctor left.
"I don't want to talk." Noah muttered.

Elijah put his hands on his his as he eyed him. "I reckon you don't. But I am doing my job. So how did this come about? You anger someone and you aren't as tough as you wish you were?" He tilted his head as he took out his notepad to write.

Noah kept his mouth shut and looked down.

Elijah frowned at Noah. "Did you get some other girl pregnant and her family took it worse on you? You keep silent, I can't write anything down. Then you just let this keep happening. I am trying to protect you. "

"I dont need you to protect me." The boy said.

Elijah rose his brow, "Because you're doing such a good job on your own? I am here right now to help you. You must have deserved this, which I'm not surprise. But I try to live with the idea that violence doesn't beget violence. So try to stop this chain or else you may regret it later."