"You want me to come with you, I'll come. I'm begging you, don't do this"

"Get out of my way." His heart was pounding in his chest. His eyes were fixed on those of his stepbrother. They were determined eyes, angry even. It was the first time he'd ever seen any emotion other than annoyance and distain out of those eyes. They were the eyes of someone who might just do anything to protect what was his and, surprisingly, it seemed to include the father he had previously refused to embrace.

The father who pointedly stepped between them.

"Julian" He lowered the gun, fearing if he didn't he might accidentally pull the trigger as he had with that cop.

"You made your statement son. I understand. You came to save me and I will stand beside you, I swear to God." He could hear his father's voice breaking, choking up. His own voice was caught in his throat, tears swelling up in his eyes.

"It's over son, there's no where to run." His father held out a hand. "Please."

"No." His voice caught.

"It's my fault."

"No." He still couldn't get the words out, couldn't tell his father how wrong he was.

"I'm so sorry." The hand still held out for the gun.

All he could do was nod as he hand his father the gun.

He heard his stepmother scream

Julian lurched awake, sitting up in bed. His heart was pounding, his face damp from tears. He heard the door handle just in time to wipe his face off before it opened.

"Sleeping Beauty's finally awake." The blonde one sauntered in.

"Finally?"

"You sleep through the day yesterday." She held out a stack of clothes. "These are for you." She dumped them on the end of the bed. "There's soap and stuff in the bathroom. Clean yourself up and come get something to eat."

She walked out without a word. Which was fine with him. She made him a bit nervous. The whole place made him a bit nervous but she made the hairs on his arms, his neck, stand up.

Julian tossed back the blanket, realizing that he was only in his tee shirt and boxers. The last couple of days were a haze but he was pretty certain he'd fallen asleep in his clothes. The thought that someone had undressed him gave him a shiver.

He pulled off his tee shirt as he padded, yawning, into the bathroom. He flinched at the pain in his shoulder.

"Can I help you with something kid."

"Yeah, how much?"

"You 18?" His tone said he wasn't likely to ask for proof."

"Yeah, I'm 18? How much?"

"Depends on what you want?"

He held out the drawing.

"Where?"

"My arm. No my shoulder." Julian paused. "Front. Like right here." He measured off a space just below his collarbone.

"On the bone tends to hurt. You okay with that? Can't have you passing out or throwing up on me?"

"I'm good."

"250."

"Another time maybe." Julian turned to leave and practically knocked into a fierce looking blonde with spiked up hair. A black guy, looking like the stereotypical movie thug, stood behind her.

"Excu-"

"Give him what he wants." The blonde said, holding out a wad of cash.

Julian paused.

"You want it or not, Julian? We don't have all night."

He nodded, handing over the money. It was the most painful thing he'd ever been through. He choked back tears, more than one very colorful scream and yes even the urge to vomit. The blonde and the thug didn't seem to notice his white knuckles or how he bit his lip, making it bleed.

Julian wrapped a towel around his waist, grabbing the other to dry his hair. The hot shower had felt good. The best he'd felt in the last few days. He dried off, careful to follow the biker's strict instructions not to rub over the fresh tat. He found the bottle of lotion the guy had given him in a drawer with a fresh toothbrush, toothpaste and a razor he had little need for. He quickly patted a thin layer over the area before getting dressed.

His boots were missing, which gave him pause, so he wandered in socked feet down the hall following voices until he found his way into a giant kitchen. Well giant compared to any place he lived.

The blonde, another black man and a dark haired woman were sitting at a small table talking in hushed tones. They didn't seem to notice him in the doorway.

"Huh, hi." He said trying to not sound totally awkward.

"Julian." The dark haired woman smiled at him. "Good morning. Hungry?"