When the nurse finally removed the hat, she was horrified by what she saw š±š±
Continued in the first comment below šš
Later that day, at lunch, she spoke with his class teacher.
Ā«Iām worried too,Ā» the teacher admitted. Ā«Heās been wearing that hat every day since spring break, but not before that. During gym, when the coach asked him to take it off, he had a meltdown. We decided to stop pushing him about it.Ā»
Sofia nodded, her mind racing. That evening, she called the number listed in the medical records.
Ā«Good evening, this is the school nurse,Ā» she began.
Ā«Heās not sick,Ā» a manās voice quickly interrupted. Ā«We donāt make a habit of running to the doctor for every little thing.Ā»
Ā«Iāve noticed he wears the hat all the time, even in the heat. Could it be that he has scalp sensitivity or another condition?Ā»
There was a long pause. Then the man spoke again, his tone cold:
Ā«Itās a family decision. Itās none of your concern. He knows he must wear it.Ā»
Ā«I also noticed a stain on the hat, something that looks like blood. Was there an injury?Ā»
Ā«Just some minor scrapes. Weāve taken care of it. Without your help. Donāt call again.Ā»
A week later, the class teacher rushed into the nurseās office, her face full of concern.
Ā«Heās been having terrible headaches,Ā» she whispered urgently. Ā«He holds his head, staggers, and barely speaks.Ā»
The boy sat on the examination table, his eyes downcast, hands pressed to his head.
Ā«Sweetheart, listen to me,Ā» Sofia knelt before him. Ā«I need to take a look. Weāll close the door so no one will see.Ā»
He didnāt respond, but trembled as he whispered:
Ā«Dad told me not to take it off. Heāll be angry. And my brother saidā¦ if anyone finds out, theyāll take me away. Itāll be my fault.Ā»
Sofia sighed deeply and put on gloves.
Ā«Youāre not to blame. Let me help you, okay?Ā»
He closed his eyes and nodded silently.
When she carefully lifted the hat, the boy screamed.
Ā«Itās stuckā¦ it hurtsā¦Ā»
Sofia moved slowly, using antiseptic and bandages, working carefully. The hat came off with great difficulty, as though it had been adhered to his skin.
When it finally came free, both women froze.
Beneath the hat was no hair. Only burns. Dozens of them. Deep, round, oozing wounds. Some were fresh, others had started to heal. Cigarette burns. Torn, inflamed skin.
Ā«My Godā¦Ā» they whispered, both of them covering their mouths in shock.
The boy sat silently, eyes closed.
Ā«Dad said I was bad,Ā» he whispered. Ā«My brother bought the hat so no one would seeā¦ He said it would passā¦Ā»
That same evening, the police arrived to take the father away. Doctors examined the boy at the hospital and placed him in a safe environment.
