A/N: I blame the guest speaker we had for class on Friday for this story. It's all her fault because of the topic at hand and what not XD Actually…it's only partially her fault. I'm to blame for the rest of it, because I was thinking of it as the presentation was going on. Yay for not paying attention in class. Anyway, this is a yaoi/slash story that has never and will never happen. That being said, I don't own anyone or anything in this story.

This is also a Wade/Cena, Orton/Cena story, so if you dislike any of that, then please don't read this story. However, should you like those pairings and do read this story, please tell me what you think. I'd appreciate any criticism that comes my way. R&R. Enjoy!

Taint

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

"Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Thank you, Mr. Cena. You may sit down now."

With a nervous glance around the packed courtroom, John Felix Anthony Cena sat down on the witness stand, preparing to answer all the questions both the prosecution and the defense attorneys would ask him. This was his first time in a courtroom, as well as the first time testifying. A teenager of seventeen, he would soon be an adult in ten days, but he knew that he very well may still be testifying by that time. Clearing his throat a little, he sat up in the uncomfortable chair and braced himself for the on slot of questions.

"Would you please state your name for the jury, Mr. Cena? Just so that everyone's clear on who you are."

"Yes. My name's John Felix Anthony Cena."

"And how old are you, Mr. Cena?" The attorney was taking it slow; she had told him a week or so prior to the trial that she wanted the jury to get a sense of who he was and of his character so that his testimony would be more believable. While it would be slightly annoying at first, it had to be done. He understood her point of view, but he wanted everything to be over. After all these years of being enslaved to Wade, he was finally free of him; free of the man who had torture his mind, body, and soul ever since he was nine.

"I'm seventeen years old."

"And your birthday's on the twenty-third of this month, correct?"

"Yes."

"So you'll be eighteen then?"

"Yes."

"And you're still in high school?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm a senior this year."

"Being a senior is always exciting. Are you going on to college?"

"I'm planning on attend the local community college in the fall. Then I'll transfer after two years or so."

"You have a bright future ahead of you. Have you always brought home A's and B's?"

"As often as I can."

"Ah. Speaking of home, your parents died when you were nine, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am, they did. A car accident."

"I'm sorry to hear that, John. It must have been very hard on you, especially at that age."

"Yeah, it was. They….they were my parents, and I loved….love them very much. I miss them…"

"I would too if they were my parents." She smiled kindly at him before continued. "It was at that time that you came into the custody of Wade Barret, correct?"

"That's right."

"Was he a family member?"

"No, he was my dad's best friend and my godfather. In my parents' will, they gave him full custody of me should anything happen to them…"

"So that's how you came to live with him, correct?"

"Yes."

"Tell me about your life with Wade Barret, John. Take as long as you'd like. I know this will be hard for you, and I know that my interrupting you with my questions my get annoying, but please do your best and try to describe your relationship with him and how he treated you."

Taking a deep breath, John thought back to when he was a child of nine years old and of the time that he became Wade Barret's possession.

When his parents died, John went into a sort of shock. He didn't cry or scream or anything like that, not even at their funeral. No, instead, he sat quietly and stared blankly into space as people asked Wade if his godson was okay and if he was dealing with it all right. Of course, he had reassured them all that John was okay, and that when John did let it all out, he would be there for his precious godson and take good care of him.

If only they knew what he really meant…

It took almost a week after the funeral for John to break down. It was late at night and he was in his new room, at Wade's house. After being there for only a week or so, it wasn't his 'home', at least not yet, but the room was definitely his. His own little slice of solitude and safety, something he desperately needed. And that was the thought that had brought about the first tears. And soon, more tears followed and before he knew it, John was curled into a ball under his covers, sobbing into his knees. He missed his mommy and daddy; he wanted them back; he didn't want to be at Wade's house; Wade kind of scared him some times and he always felt like he was being watched with growling eyes. Those growling eyes frightened him above all else, for those eyes showed him feelings that John didn't understand yet.

But Wade understood them, and almost immediately after John began crying, he came into the bedroom. Not hearing the door open and close, John was startled when Wade's strong arms wrapped around his little body. Nearly jumping out of his skin, the blonde boy turned around to see his godfather pulling him closer and snuggling into his shoulders and back.

"It's okay, John baby. It's okay; I'm here for you, love." The way Wade said his name sent shivers up his spine, bad shivers. He didn't know Wade all that well, but he couldn't be that bad if his daddy had trusted him and named him his godfather…right?

Warm, soft lips pressed against the back of his neck, and John started to squirm, trying to free himself of Wade's grasp. However, the large man held onto him tightly, refusing to let the nine year old go. But John wouldn't give up; he was determined to escape the clutches of this man, the man that made him so uncomfortable. Those lips kept kissing him and soon he found himself lying on his back with Wade above him, looking down at him with scary eyes. Eyes that told John that something bad was going to happen to him. Bringing his hand up, Wade stroked his cheek gently, causing John to shut his eyes tightly, trying to lean as far away from the man as humanly possible.

"It's alright, love. Don't worry; I'll take good care of you, baby John." Leaning closer to the boy, Wade pressed his lips against John's, making the young boy's eyes snap open and causing him to gasp and struggle. He needed to get away from Wade. If only he could….

All struggle was useless, and soon Wade had undressed both himself and John and it scared the boy to death. John was a smart kid, he knew that something bad was going to happen, he just didn't know what. But he all too soon found out, as Wade force himself violently inside his small body, plunging in as far as he could go. John's body was wracked with pain and he couldn't get away, he could barely fight. His screams went unheard and his futile attempts at escape sucked all of the energy out of him. With eyes tightly shut, John prayed and prayed for Wade to stop, for the pain to go away. He even once prayed to never wake up. He'd rather do anything than face Wade again; he'd do anything to escape this pain…

Wade's body tensed and John felt something warm surge inside him. And then, Wade let out a low, guttural moan, and he lowered himself onto the boy's body, breathing heavily. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of pain, it was over. John just hoped that Wade wouldn't do it again. He was still in pain and now he was frightened, frightened of the man who was supposed to be his godfather.

Little did nine year old John Felix Anthony Cena know that this was only the beginning. Little did he know that it wouldn't be until six years later that he'd find someone who would save him from the pain and, ultimately, Wade. All John knew was the pain and fear that Wade made him feel, and he gave no thought to the future abuse he would have to endure.