"Hey Freckles! Get off our swing," nine year old Jack Merridew looked up as Alec, the bully of his primary school, and his sidekick Neil made his way over to the swing Jack was playing on. It was a warm spring day and Easter holiday had just begun giving students free reign of their time. "Yeah Freckles, that's our swing," Neil sneered looking between Jack and Alec. Neil was a twiggy boy whose thin, crooked features reminded Jack of a rat. This was a large contrast to Alec whose dark hair, round face, and pudgy body showed the years of pampering bestowed upon him by his parents, whose wealth seemed to have no end. "Really? I don't recall either of your names on it when I got on," the red head took his usual matter-of-fact approach to the situation as he slowed down the swing, his grip tightening on the metallic links. Alec narrowed his beady black eyes, glaring at the younger boy before giving his companion a slight nod. Like two wild animals unleashed on their prey the pair lunged at Jack, one on either side of him pulling the swing to a stop. "Listen Freckles this is our playground and our park," the fat boy was so close now Jack could smell the rank of his breath. "Really? I was under the impression that this was a public park," Jack continued bravely looking the whale of a boy straight in the eyes. "Why you little..." Alec gritted his teeth his grubby hands forming fists at his sides. "Neil grab him," the fat boy barked and with a nasty grin the fair haired associate complied. The older boy held back Jack's arms yanking him off the swing. Jack scrambled to get his footing, thrashing and kicking in an attempt to break free of the blonde's grasp, but to no avail. Neil was older, taller, and stronger. "You're in for a right beating," the rat like boy said with a lopsided smile that revealed his crooked yellow teeth. Alec stood in front of him pulling back a chubby fist. Jack flinched waiting for the first blow but it never came. Instead he heard a loud cry. A mix between pain and shock was etched onto Alec's features, shock which slowly turned to fear when he turned to see the boy behind him. Without another glance at Jack the fat boy hobbled off as fast as his flabby body could carry him. Jack then found himself falling face first into the mulch as Neil scurried off after the pudgy boy. The red head pulled himself up to a sitting position looking up at his dark eyed savior who he now recognized from school. "Thanks," Jack began, brushing some of the wood chips out of his fiery red hair. The other boy said nothing, only offered his hand to the red head to help him up. "You're," he opened his mouth to ask for his savior's name when a high pitched shreik interrupted him. "Roger! Roger! Roger!" well that answered his question as his savior turned his head towards the origin of the cry. A small girl with long, raven hair and amber eyes was running towards them, a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder. "What is it Cassi?" Roger's dark, rigid exterior softened slightly as he knelt down to the girl's level holding her chin up slightly to inspect the red mark blossoming on her left cheek. "Mum got laid off," she hiccuped wiping the tears trickling down her cheek with the back of her hand, "and Sam 'n Eric aren't home. They left for France this morning." Sam and Eric? Weren't those the trouble making twins a year below him? Roger sighed, taking the black duffel from the girl as he stood straight again. He looked at Jack, his eyes which had been void of emotion the entire time now held great sadness and pain. "You got a place where we could stay a few days?"