Scott and Isaac were sitting on the couch when Melissa burst through the door. Scott almost had a heart attack and Isaac jumped half out of his skin. "Oh, thank God." She said when she saw them. She was carrying more grocery bags and completely out of breath. "I was coming home from work and realized I had nothing for dinner." She set the bags on the ground. "There's more in the car, can you boys help me?"

"Jesus, mom. You scared me," Scott said breathing hard. He pulled out his inhaler and took a puff. Isaac started laughing quietly.

"Sorry honey, I just couldn't hold these bags anymore."

Scott and Isaac got up and helped her with the groceries. When dinner was ready they sat down at the table to eat. His mom had made what looked like meatloaf, but who knew for sure? She made mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and green beans to go with it.

"This is really good, Miss McCall," Isaac said.

"I thought I told you to call me Melissa," his mom replied.

"Oh, sorry," he said. "It's really good, Melissa."

"Thank you," she said with a satisfied smile.

Scott snickered and Isaac looked at him with a smile.

"So how was school?" She asked Scott.

"Fine," he said picking up his iced tea. "Another exciting day."

"Sarcasm," Melissa said. "Really?"

"Just a tiny bit," Scott replied. He saw Isaac smile over his cup.

She looked at Isaac. "Makes you want to look forward to it, doesn't it."

Isaac laughed, "Oh, ya."

They finished eating and then Scott and Isaac helped clean up the kitchen. When they were finished they went to their rooms. Scott had homework and Isaac wanted to figure out what he was going to wear on his first day of school. He actually seemed to be excited!

Scott finished his homework and got ready for bed. He pulled on his pajamas, brushed his teeth and collapsed into bed. He was lying there when someone knocked on the door. "Scott?" It was his mom.

"Yeah, mom?"

She opened the door. "Hey, I've got to go to the hospital, it's my turn for the night shift."

"Ok," Scott said.

"I looked in on Isaac, he's already asleep. I'll probably be back when you wake up."

"Ok, see you tomorrow."

"Alright, night honey."

"Night," and she closed the door. Scott laid his head down and went back to sleep.

A scream pierced the darkness and Scott shot up out of bed.

Isaac.

He rushed out of the door and ran down the hall to his room and threw open the door. Isaac was thrashing on his bed, screaming.

"NO! NO! STOP! I'M SORRY!"

His eyes were closed. He's having a nightmare. Scott ran to his bed. "Isaac, ISAAC!" He wouldn't stop yelling. Kicking and screaming all over.

"DAD! I'M SORRY! PLEASE STOP! PLEASE!"

Oh my God. Scott tried to control Isaac's thrashing. He grabbed his arms and held them down. "Isaac, you're ok! You're ok! ISAAC!"

Isaac's eyes flew open wide. He was shaking terribly and scared out of his mind. Tears were running down his face.

"You're ok," Scott said again quieter. "I'm here."

Isaac wrapped around Scott and held him tight. "S-Scott," he said quietly, the shaking making him stutter.

"You're not alone. I'm here," Scott whispered trying to calm him down. His eyes were still wide with fear.

"I'm ok," he kept whispering to himself. "I'm ok." He released his grip on Scott and sat up. He wiped his eyes and composed himself. He looked at Scott. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't be sorry," Scott told him and put a hand on Isaac's back. "I'd be surprised if you didn't get nightmares." Scott got up from the bed and started toward the door.

"Scott," Isaac said and Scott turned around. "Could you…. stay here? With me?" He looked ashamed to be asking. "Just for tonight?"

"Sure," Scott said. It's the least he could do. He walked over to Isaac's bed and crawled in next to him.

"Thank you," Isaac whispered.

"Don't worry about it," Scott said and laid an arm around Isaac. "You're safe here. You don't have to be afraid."

"I know," his voice was barely a whisper. "I just can't escape. Every night I go back there. With him."

Scott tightened his hold on Isaac.

"He's gone, Isaac. You'll never have to see him again." Scott knew that wasn't true but he couldn't stand to see Isaac this way.

"I see him every time I close my eyes," Isaac said. "He'll never be gone."

Scott didn't know what to say. There was nothing to say. Only time can fix what broke Isaac.

Scott wished he could say something that would make him feel better. He wished he could make him forget about what his dad had done to him. He knew his soul would always be scarred and he would always be haunted by what he'd done.

"It'll get better, Isaac." He told him. "I promise."

Isaac turned over and looked into Scott's eyes. After a moment he said, "I believe you."

Isaac closed his eyes and, after a while, finally went to sleep. Scott found himself thinking, again, how peaceful he looked. And within a few minutes fell asleep too.