It was a regular day; I, Shane, was at the park with my friends, the sound of our laughter ringing in the air as we played basketball.

Suddenly, I spotted Keith and my mom, Emilia, walking in with a little kid I immediately recognized as Shay.

Keith approached us and asked if he could join our game. I felt a pang of annoyance and instantly said, "No."

He looked surprised and asked, "What's your problem?" I calmly replied, "The name's Shane Borden."

I left my friends to play with him and walked over to the swings. From the corner of my eye, I saw Emilia at the baby swing, pushing Shay.

My heart clenched as I noticed the bruises on her skin. I sat on the swing next to the baby swing, lost in my thoughts.

I broke the silence, reciting a melancholic poem I had written, my voice echoing in the park.

Emilia, hearing my voice, looked at me with a startled expression. She seemed to recognize the sadness in my words.

Half an hour later, Keith walked up to me, a scowl on his face, and threw my basketball in my direction.

He muttered something about it getting late and that they were leaving. I rolled my eyes, not willing to engage in any further conversation.

Emilia intervened, suggesting that they give me a lift home. Keith reacted harshly, making my blood boil.

He hit her, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me. I was frozen in shock, but Emilia's next words snapped me out of it.

"Shane, baby, please take Shay and run home," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. "I'll come get him soon."

I saw Keith hit her again, and without a second thought, I grabbed Shay and ran. I looked back once to see if she was okay.

I reached home, panting heavily. As I walked in, my grandad looked at me in surprise, asking who the kid was.

"It's Shay, Grandad," I replied, my voice just above a whisper. I could feel a lump forming in my throat.

As the night fell, I was restless, thinking about Emilia. I hoped she was okay and would come for Shay soon.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Emilia didn't show up, and I was left with the responsibility of taking care of Shay.

I became Shay's protector, his older brother. We formed a bond that was unbreakable. Despite the circumstances, I started to find joy in our little world.

Grandad and Granny were supportive. We were a family, even if we were missing a vital piece. I held on to the hope that Emilia would come back.

One day, there was a knock at the door. My heart leapt as I opened it, hoping it was Emilia. But it was a social worker.

She told us that Emilia had been hospitalized. She had finally managed to escape from Keith but was severely injured.

My heart ached for her. She had suffered so much, and all because she wanted to protect us. I felt a renewed determination to take care of Shay.

The social worker informed us that Emilia wanted us to visit her in the hospital. She wanted to see Shay and me.

The hospital visit was emotional. Emilia was weak but her eyes lit up when she saw us. She held Shay, tears streaming down her face.

She apologized for everything and promised to make it right. We had a long way to go, but at least now, we were together.

The journey wasn't easy, but we were resilient. We supported each other through thick and thin. We were a family, stronger than ever.

Looking back, I realized that the day I took Shay and ran was the day I grew up. That was the day I became a protector, a brother, and a son.

Despite all the hardships, I wouldn't change a thing. Because in the end, it brought us together, making us happier, stronger, and united.

We had each other, and that was all that mattered. And as for Emilia, she was happier with us, and we were happier with her.