Chapter 1: Rescued
It was early morning on a cold winter day. One lonely boy was sitting alone in a little corner of an alley near 42nd Street, New York City’s busiest street. He was just a young boy, only 6 years old, too young to be in downtown New York alone. But there he sat, forlorn and scared, shivering from the cold, with his head resting on his knees and tears streaming down his little face. He had no warm clothes, he had no food, he had no family.

His name was Jared. His mother had died when he was just a boy, so he had lived with his father until just a week ago… His father had started drinking when Jared was still only 4 years old. His father would just leave him at home to take care of himself. His father stayed out later and later each night until one night, he didn’t come home.

It had been a week since his father hadn’t come home. Jared had stayed inside the house for several days hoping that his father would come back. But he didn’t. Then the day had come when the owner of their small, rented house came to collect the rent. Jared was kicked out then and there with no mercy. So there Jared sat, 6 years old and expected to take care of himself. He didn’t no where he was going to get clothes or even food.

All of the sudden, Jared heard voices and sounds of loud footsteps coming down the alley. He was afraid. He cautiously lifted his head to see who was coming. As he looked up, his heart stopped. There stood 2 policemen, one on each side of him, looking down at him. What had he done to get the police interested in him?

“Boy,” said the officer on his right. “Why are you out here alone? This is downtown New York! It’s not safe for a young boy like you.”

“I don’t have anyone,” Jared replied.

“What do you mean?” asked the officer on his left.

“My mom is dead, and my dad didn’t come home,” replied Jared, his voice shaking with fear.

“What’s your name?” asked the officer on the right.

“I-I-It’s J-J-Jared.”

“Jared, you don’t need to be afraid of us. We are just here to help you. Little boys on the streets like you need our help. I’m Officer Jeremy. You don’t need to be afraid of me or Officer Frank,” explained the officer on the left as he motioned towards Officer Frank standing on the right.

“Jared, we need you to come with us. We’re going to take you back to the station with….”

“I didn’t do anything! I was just sitting here! Please don’t punish me!” Jared said and then burst into tears. It was all to much for him to take in.

Seeing how distressed and scared Jared was, Officer Jeremy scooped Jared up into his strong arms. He took his coat off and rapped it around Jared. Jared, sensing that this man was OK after all, just snuggled down into the strong arms rapped around him. He was tired. He was cold, and this man was so kind to him. As the 2 officers walked back to their car parked at the beginning of the alley still carrying Jared, Jared fell asleep.