"Alex!" Herc exclaimed, rushing towards me the next day at school. "Did you see the news this morning?"

"No." I replied slowly, getting nervous. "Why?"

"Dude, it's bad…"

"Tell me!"

"It's John...John was all over the news…"

I could feel my face pale as I lifted my hand to cover my gaping mouth. "No...oh my god, just what he heard from the phone call and it's all over the news?" I muttered to myself.

"What phone call? Alex, what happened?"

"John missed his sister, Martha. He called her around five last night because he knew his dad wouldn't be home until late. Well, he came home early and heard part of the phone call...he must've had Martha tell him the rest…"

"Oh, god." Herc replied.

"I've gotta go home!"

"No. You have school and it's only the first day that it's been on the news. Plus, he's stayed inside quite a bit, right? He'll be fine, at least for today."

I sighed. "Fine, fine, you're right." I said, shoving my bag in my locker.

"It's good to know you haven't completely lost your common sense."

"What common sense?"

"Fair point." He replied as the bell rang. "I gotta go. See you later."

"See ya." I walked to my class, running my hands through my greasy black hair. I was freaking out. What if John was gone when I got home?

The day went by too slow. I was unfocused and several teachers yelled at me because I kept zoning out, my head going through all the possible scenarios of what could happen to John in the seven hours I was away from home.

At lunch, Peggy walked over to me. "Hey, Alex." She said softly. "I-I saw the news. Why didn't you tell me who John was?"

"He didn't want me to tell anyone." I replied. "He was afraid I'd call him in."

"But he told you?"

"I don't know why he trusted me enough to tell me, but he did."

"Why'd he run away?"

"He...he was abused."

"Oh." Peggy was silent for a moment. "Alex, I don't want him to go back to South Carolina."

"I know Pegs. I don't either."

I got home and grabbed the newspaper from off the step. I flipped it open and was met with a picture of John's face.

I opened the front door and went upstairs. "John?" I said shakily, going into my room. "I-I think you need to see this…"

He took the paper from my hands. All the color drained out of his face, almost comically so, as he found his own face staring back at him.

"Alex…" he whimpered. "Alex, I can't go back...I-I can't…"

"Shh, baby, I know." I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him down to a sitting position on the bed.

"Someone's going to realize, someone's going to call me in...they're going to force me to go back, Alex!"

"You'll be okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. I won't let anyone take you away from here."

"You can't control it, if they do." John replied, shaking. "I just-as soon as I go back, he's going to hurt me again." A few tears dripped down his face. "I have scars all over because of him...I-I'm scared, Lexi."

"I know. I know you're scared." I rubbed his back gently. "But you're gonna be okay."

"Okay...I can't go back…" he rubbed his wrists, running his fingers over his scars. "I'd rather die than go back there…"

"John," I hugged him tightly. "If you do end up going back there, don't die. Please."

"Alright...I'll try not to…"

"I'll try to help you anyway I can."

"Thank-thank you." John replied, leaning into my arms.

"There you go." I said calmly. "Just relax."

"I'm trying…" John whimpered back.

"Good, as long as you're trying."

John's breathing began to even out.

"Deep breaths."

He continued to take deep breaths until he had stopped crying. "Thank you, Alex." He hugged me tightly.

"You're welcome. "Promise me you'll do whatever you need to in order to keep yourself safe?"

"Promise."

3rd Person P.O.V

Looking at the newspaper, he dialed the number into his phone. He put it up to his ear as it began to ring.

"Hello?" A rough voice answered on the other end.

"Hello. You're Henry Laurens, correct?"

"Yes. What are you calling about?"

"I know where your son is."

"Do you?"

"Yes. Eighteen O four, Miranda Street, New York. That's where one of his friends lives. I guarantee that's where he's staying."

"Thank you, the information is much appreciated. What did you say your name was?"

"Thomas."

Okay, this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but the next chapter will (hopefully) be the usual length I do.

9907627d (Guest): Okay, so, Jack is a nickname for John, I'm not sure if you've ever hear of some names having that, but there's other names, like Charles or Charlie can also be called Chuck, or someone named Robert can be called Bob. Sorry that I confused you, your review wasn't harsh at all, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story!