Hey everybody! I'm so sorry it took so long for an update but I was super busy. Band Camp (for those of you who don't know, band camp is 12-16 hours a day, for 2 weeks.) And then school started, and I have so much homework for the AP classes it's insane.

max2013: I am SO sorry that I misunderstood you. You have my deepest apologies because I feel really bad.

guest: Thanks. I think I fixed it.

On to the story :D

Chapter 4: New Home

It was almost midnight when the black 1954 Chevy pickup crunched over gravel as the driver pulled into the old ranch. The man glanced in the back seat where two boys lay unconscious on the floor. The door to the ranch house opened, and out stepped a pretty woman. She was wearing a purple dress and her hair was pulled back into a French braid. She quickly hurried out to the car and helped the man carry the boys into the house.

"Louis?" She asked timidly, "Why is this one bleeding?" She referred to Joe, who had a large vertical cut on his forehead.

"I had to get 'em in the truck somehow Vivian!" Louis shouted angrily.

Vivian didn't say anything as she followed her husband up the stairs to the last bedroom on the right. The room was painted stark white. There were two white dressers, one lamp, and one mattress on the floor. The only natural light came from a small window. The couple dumped the boys on the makeshift bed and left, closing and locking the door behind them.

The next day

Joe Hardy opened his eyes to see Frank looking at down at him, a concerned expression on his face. "Joey? Are you alright? You're bleeding."

"I am?" Joe touched a finger to his cut, which was now covered in dried blood. "Frankie, where we at?"

Frank had no recollection of how they got there. All he remembered was waking up on a mattress. Come to think of it, he didn't remember anything. "I don't know kiddo, but we're gonna find out."

Just then, the boys door opened and a vicious looking man stepped in the room. He was about 45, very muscular, had a gray scruffy mustache and wore jeans, a plaid shirt, and suspenders. "Glad to see you're finally awake." The man sneered. Frank and Joe looked at him, terrified. "Get downstairs." The man said gruffly. The boys just stared at him. "Move it!" Louis yelled. The boys scrambled to their feet and made their way downstairs. When they arrived at the kitchen table the man spoke again, "Michael, Daniel, sit." He commanded. The boys did as they were told but Frank spoke up,

"Our names aren't Michael and Daniel. They're Frank and Joe." He said in a small voice. Louis backhanded him so hard that Frank almost fell out of his seat.

"You do not speak unless spoken too! Understand?" Louis roared.

Frank just looked at him, tears in his eyes, a splotch of purple appearing over his cheekbone. Louis hit him again, "Understood?" He repeated. Frank nodded, silent tears streaking down his face. Louis slapped him again, this time with enough force to knock him out of the chair. "You address me as sir!" He yelled.

"Y-yes, s-sir." Frank said, afraid to be hit again.

Joe started to cry loudly. Louis turned to him, "There is no crying in this house, Daniel!" Louis picked Joe up and took him to the hall closet. He threw him in and slammed the door. "When ya stop crying, ya can come out, ya little brat!"

Joe just sobbed harder. "Frank!" He called out. Frank rushed to the closet door and tried to open it, but it was locked. "Joe! It'll be alright! I promise!" He yelled through the wood.

Meanwhile, Louis watched the dramatic scene with amusement. These stupid kids actually love each other. He thought to himself. They won't know what love is by the time I'm through with them. Louis smiled to himself and advanced towards Frank.