Introduction

Marissa Benson stared into the eyes of her newborn son. Freddie looked up at his mother and cooed softly. Marissa's smile grew as she held her first born. He had been born on February 4th, 1994 and Marissa couldn't be happier. Leonard Benson came into the room and planted a kiss on Marissa's lips.

''He's so handsome, Marissa.'' Leonard commented as he too looked at his son. Marissa couldn't tear her eyes away from the infant.

''He sure is.'' She replied, overcome with happiness. Leonard chuckled as Freddie reached out and grabbed his index finger. Marissa gently lifted Freddie with both arms and handed the small bundle to Leonard. Leonard took the bundle and smiled as Freddie released his father's finger and instead gazed into the man's eyes. Marissa smiled at the beautiful scene. Having Freddie in their lives was going to be an adventure.

''Freddie Benson! Get in here, now!'' Leonard shouted. Eleven year old Freddie entered the living room slowly.

''Yes, Dad?'' Freddie asked. Leonard turned towards his son and pinned the young boy to the wall. Freddie's breathing quickened in fear.

''Where is it?!'' The man snarled, putting more pressure on his son's wrists. Freddie whimpered in pain at the added pressure.

''W-where's what?'' Freddie asked nervously.

''Don't act like you don't know! Where is my wedding ring? Where is it?!'' Freddie could smell the foul stench of alcohol in his breath. His father had been drinking again.

''I-I don't know!'' Freddie said honestly.

''LIAR! Where is it?!'' Leonard dug his nails into Freddie's wrists. Freddie yelped in pain.

''I swear, I don't k-know!'' Freddie cried. Leonard growled and thew his son across the room. Freddie's head slammed into the wall and the boy grunted in pain. The drunk man approached his son and began hitting and kicking him. Freddie was granted helpless as he was abused by his own father.

''Leonard!'' Marissa came into the room, her face livid. Leonard glared at his wife and kicked Freddie one final time. Freddie stood up weakly and scurried away from his father. Marissa took a step forward.

''Leonard, this has gone too far. Every time you get upset, you hurt Freddie. Stop taking all your anger out on our son!'' Marissa ordered. Leonard's eyes were filled with anger and fury. He sped at Freddie and punched the young boy in the nose, the force of the blow knocking Freddie to the floor. Marissa began to shake in anger.

''Leonard, stop it! You've been doing this for three years! You have gone too far.'' She spat.

''The brat deserves it!'' Leonard spat back. Marissa's eyes filled with tears.

''What happened to the man I married?'' She asked him. Leonard glared.

''He's right here.'' He answered, his voice filled with venom. Marissa shook her head.

''No. He's not. The man I married would never even think about abusing his only child. Maybe that's where I went wrong. I married the wrong person.'' Marissa helped her son up and led him from the room, leaving a drunk and enraged Leonard behind.

In July of 2005, a few months after Leonard had abused his son yet again, Marissa filed for divorce. Her and Freddie had moved out of their house and into the Bushwell Plaza building in Seattle. They clarified everything with the doorman Lewbert (who shouted something about ''walking all over my clean floor!'') and moved into apartment 8D. As the two moved their belongings into the apartment, Freddie couldn't help but glance at the apartment across the hall labeled 8C. The door was open and he made out the face of a young girl about his age. She had long black hair and she was wearing a purple and pink shirt with faded jeans. The girl sitting next to the girl had curly blonde hair and was wearing what Freddie recognized as a Penny-Tee and baggy dark blue jeans. He smiled. Maybe, just maybe, he could make some friends here.

A/N: Okay, I know this probably sucks. I found this story in a folder on my computer and found out that this story is a year old. I was 13 to 14 when I wrote this. I'm turning 16 in a few months so this really isn't my best work, but I decided to post it anyway. Let me know if I should continue it, because, in case you couldn't already tell, this story is INCOMPLETE.