Xavier

“What did you do?” A man snapped at the seven-year-old boy that was already shaking in front of him.

The boy raised his head slowly, but he soon looked away. “Fa_ther,” he called in a shaky voice.

“Don't call me one!” the man yelled again, and the boy jumped up. “You are not fit to call me one. My blood will never be a coward! You see! That's what you are! A coward!” he announced in a deep, clear voice.

The young boy couldn't look up again. He was terrified by the expression on his father's face and the harshness in his voice.

“Please, let my friend go.” His...