"NEAL, NEAL, NEAL" I woke to someone shouting my name. I open my eyes to see peter standing over top of me with concern flowing through his face. I give him a half smile and try to push myself up so that I am propped up against the wall. Peter goes to help me , and I swatted his hand away. I give him my best cocky smile

"I didn't know you care so much Peter. Its heartwarming to know" my back feels like its on fire. God I really do hate that whip. I think that's why he use it so much on me. I just want to put some ice on my back and lay down. I close my eyes and hear foot steps approaching me. I open them to see Jones and Diana walking in the room. Diana gives me a once over then tells peter she will call it in. I can't let that happen.

" Stop Diana, I am fine, but I bet you have questions so ask them " she looks like she is about to argue with me but Peter gave her a nod. He was the first to ask a question.

"who did this to you" if only I could tell you Peter. But I don't want to push my luck. He went extremely easy on me this time. I have good answer.

"a old aquatic" they didn't look amused by my answer. Jones was the next one to ask a question.

"Do you always end up this bloody when you meet up" I know he is fishing to see if I am hurt like this on other occasions. I smile

"most of the time" he frowned. Diana was the next person to speak.

"How long has been holding you against your will" I let out a small chuckle. Of course, Diana would get right to the point.

" I was eleven when he took me. sometimes I forget who I was be for he took me. " At that moment Peter spoke up.

"Neal you said there was others. Who are they?" I think I will give them a little detail.

"I was first, next was rick, then came the twins Emma and Anna, last was little tommy. There was five of us altogether. All extraordinaire in our own way. I mean have you seen what I can do with a brush and paint. The others have there own gifts." Jones was the first to register what I had said.

"what gifts do the others have" I can't tell him that. Rick has a photographic memory, the twins are mathematical geniuses, little Tommy is amazing when it comes to machines or building anything, and of course there was me. I only had to analyze something once and could recreate it perfectly.

"Well Jones are gifts are what makes us special. Its not my place to tell you the others gifts. I think you get what my gift focus on." I know that did not answer his question, but that is the best I can give him. I am not allowed to say more. Peter gave me a frown then asked

"Fine you don't want to talk about you and the others gifts. Then lets back up to the fact that this is not the first time you where hurt." Of course peter would want to know about that. He has a bleeding heart I sigh

"Well Peter I was what he considered a rebellious child. Rebellious children need to be punish. I remember the first time he punish me others than a couple slaps. It was so painful, I thought I was going to die." Hope I did not give them to much information. I just got wrapped up in the memories' of the past. They look at me with a mix of shock, sadness, and anger. A thousand things running throw their mind. Questions that they wanted no needed answers to. Answers I can not give them. Then I heard Jones shaky voice

"what did he do" .

"He had this whip that he would lace in alcohol and he whip me till I would black out. Then when I woke up he started again. it was the first time I tried to run away." I looked away from their face in fear of what I would see. I found a spot on the wall across from extremely interesting. I felt someone grab my hand. I automatically flinched away from the touch. Great now I definitely can't look them in the face.

"Neal" I heard Peter say with sympathy in his voice. I started to cry Peter wiped my tears away. I looked up to see his face showing love. Love for me. no one has looked at me like that since my mother did when I was eleven. It is weird to have someone look at me like that again. It's weird to have someone love me. It makes me think of my mother and brother. I miss them so much. I do all this to protect them, but I am not allowed to see them. Maybe if I play nice he will allow me to see them even if they can not see me. I feel Peter rubbing my back in a clock pattern trying to comfort me.

"Thanks Peter, I just have not had someone care for me in a long time." I said with a big smile on my face. He gave me a comforting smile

"I will always care about you Neal. You are apart of my family. I don't know what I would do without you" He gave me loving smile. I got up and went to the wine holder and pulled the first bottle of red down. I filled my glass to the rim. Peter said

"Neal what is his name?" O Peter if only I could tell you. But that is a sure death for my family and unbelievable pain for me.

" I I cant tell you that. If it was only my life at stake than I would, but innocence are involved a well. I cant do that to them. I promised to protect them and I will not risk there safety. To be truthful it is not just that. I am afraid of him. He is powerful peter. He has the money, power, and connections. Going against him would be fighting a lost cost. I tried fighting him before and it cost me something very important to me. I cant risk going against him again. I don't have it in me to loss someone else". I missed her everyday. I cant let the same thing happen to them or my family. I know Peter understands even if he wants me to give him the name. He know I protect those close to me.

" Neal I will do everything in my power toprotect everyone. I understand you are afraid, but are you going to be hisslave for ever. I found you unconscious and you are saying you basically havehad worst. Are you just going to keepgoing like this tell he kill you. Please Neal let me help you. Let me protectyou. I swear on my badge I will get this fucker". Peter is like a father to me.I know if I told him he would do everything he can to protect me. But I alsoknow he could have a accident arrange for Peter. I know that no where I go I will not be safe. Even in prison he made his displeasure known. I was in the infirmary six times in my first month. Staying at least two days at a time.

"Peter it has to be this way for now. I have answered most of your question can I go lay down". Peter nodded and helped in to the bed. Peter pulled a chair over and set by the bed as I went to sleep. I heard him tell the other to leave. I eventually let the darkness of sleep take me.