Chapter thirty-four

Shawn's POV 

It's the day before my birthday and Melanie and I were following a lead on our new case of a teenage girl found dead in the woods at the local high school. We were on our way to talk to one of her friends when we came across something that hit me on a personal level. 

There was a group of kids beating on a girl who has the same condition as me. Rage took over me and I start shoving them off her. One of the boys took a swing at me, I twist his arm and pushed him up against the locker.

The girl he'd been beating looked up at me with relief that someone helped her. Melanie cuffs the guy I restrained and I offer my hand to the girl. She doesn't hesitate and comes in my arms. "Thank you," she chokes in a whisper, holding onto me.

"I know what it's like," I choke quietly and she looks at me with disbelief. "I was born with the same condition you have. I know what its like to be beaten because you're different."

Relief that she's no