Disclaimers 'n' crap: Haihai peeps! OMFG, I never, really, NEVER imagined that this fic would become a hit. 4 reviews in 2 days and 3 of them wanted MORE. Wow. For some reason, I'm not that happy about it. I guess I just wish Raikov's Story got that much attention. I like it better. I'll admit that this isn't really a fic I WANTED to write, because I'm not that fond of writing outside The Crystal Journeys. Buuuuuuuuuuuut…if you guys want it…here ya go. I don't own anything. Enjoy!

"SAVAGE ON AN ISLAND! KILLING OTHER BOYS! FIRST IT WAS THE NEIGHBOR'S DOGS AND NOW THIS! THIS IS WHY WE SENT YOU AWAY, BOY! THIS IS WHY WE SENT YOU AWAY!"

Jack's father, Earnest Merridew, was striking his son repeatedly with his cane. Bright red bruise marks were visible all over his body. Jack showed no sign of resistance. Some time later, the cane finally broke in two. His face purple with rage, Earnest threw the remains at Jack's head, who instinctively ducked. He reached over to Jack, seized him by his hair, dragged him up the stairs, threw him into his room, and slammed the door so hard that some plaster flakes fell from the ceiling. Jack sighed.

His father's beatings never stopped until the cane broke.

Jack got up, limped over to his closet and opened it. He took the stone on a string that he kept around the door handle and carved another tally into the back of the closet door.

He was counting the beatings. He had just reached 92.

Jack went over to his bed and lay down in it for the first time in over a year. He knew that any normal boy would be as giddy as a puppy with a ball to be back home after a year of Catholic school and a month or so stranded on an island, but he wasn't. He had been relieved to have been accepted chief over Ralph after their big feast. For once, he had been the one making decisions. It felt good. Really good. He had never been allowed to make his own decisions, and on that island, he had, for the first time in his life, been the master of himself. Conscious thought began to escape him and he found his memories drifting back to when he was 7 years old.

"Boy," said his father "I've got news for you. You're going to Monsieur LaPelle's house for French lessons, starting tomorrow."

"But I don't want to learn French!" Jack had protested "I want to…" This was followed by a swift blow from the cane.

"Life isn't about what you want," Earnest bellowed "It's about what you have to have! You have to have a good education, and to get into a good school, you need to know foreign language! Therefore, you…are…learning…French! Now, go to your room!" Another blow from the cane.

"Yes, master," Jack muttered sarcastically under his breath. His father heard him.

He smiled broadly at the title.

Rapid footfalls were making their way up the stairs and Jack snapped back to reality. Someone knocked on the door.
Sometimes I make characters who are just so nasty that you have NO sympathy for them whatsoever. Also, I'm in a kinda pissed mood tonight. Let me put it this way: 14-year-olds on Weight Watchers (I AM NOT FAT. I could just stand to lose a few pounds, which I have been) should be allowed to get at least ONE THING when their school has TWO BAKE SALES IN A ROW. Eh, I'm gonna get a little something anyway. It's a fund-raiser for our 8th Grade Prom.