"What were you thinking?!" Mrs. Wu yelled.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"You should be, you irresponsible, disrespectful, ungrateful, stupid-"

"Hey!" It was Mr. Wu.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Cody, you know what you did was wrong, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you know it's gonna have consequences, right?"

I hung my head. "Yes, sir."

"You're grounded for another week."

"Yes, sir."

He turned to his daughter. "Melissa, why weren't you with him?"

"I was. But then the intercom came on, and there was make-up and jewelry, and Taylor started running."

"You're grounded."

"But, Dad-"

"Sir?" I interrupted. "This wasn't her fault. Please, let me have her punishment. It was my fault. She told me to follow her, but then I got distracted. Please, don't punish her for what I did, sir."

Mr. Wu sighed. "Melissa, you're not grounded. But I'm not adding anymore to your punishment, Cody."

"Thank you, sir."

"C'mon. Dinner's ready." Mr. Wu headed into the dining room, followed by his wife.

"Yes, sir." I started to go after them when Melissa stopped me.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, ma'am."

She went into the dining room.

I went in after her, then pulled out her chair.

"Thank you, Jackson."

"You're welcome, ma'am." I did the same for Mr. and Mrs. Wu, then went into the kitchen and grabbed everyone's plate.

I sat next to Melissa on the couch as we watch TV.

Everything on TV reminded me of staying with Master.

The only thing we could find suitable for me was cartoons.

I'd never realized how violent cartoons were until now.

Wile E. Coyote tries to catch Road Runner, while Tom gets hit in the head with a hammer by a small mouse. Sylvester chases a yellow canary as Elmer Fudd fails to capture a hare, who munches on a carrot and says, "What's up, Doc?" Barney Rubble prepares to jump off of a bridge with a rock tied around his ankle as he tells Freddie, "Life just isn't worth living anymore."

All of a sudden, the phone rang.

Melissa answered it. "Hello? Oh, hey, Nathan." She paused. "What?" She turned the TV to the news.

"…video of Cody Jackson in mall jail. Jackson was let go by the security guard without having to pay a fine. Many people protest against this, saying he got unfair special treatment. If you pay close attention, you can clearly see the many scars on Jackson's back that were left from his kidnappers."

A video of me in the cell came on the screen, showing me begging and crying.

Melissa angrily stared at the screen. "Dad!"

Mr. Wu rushed into the living room. "What?! What is it?!" His eyes moved to the TV screen as Mrs. Wu appeared behind him.

When the video was over, the news reporter spoke. "The security guard said the boy was scared of being locked up. He felt bad for Jackson so he let him go. He's sorry for letting the kid go without punishment. Jackson will be notified by police-"

Melissa clicked the TV off when she heard a knock at the door.

"Police! Open up!"

"Please," I said, tears streaming down my cheeks. "Please. Don't let them take me. Please. I'm sorry."

All of a sudden, the door burst open.

"Ahh!" I held Melissa tightly, hiding my eyes in her hair.

"Eric?! What did you do that for?!" Mr. Wu yelled.

Melissa rubbed my back. "It's okay, Jackson. It's okay."

I slowly lifted my head to look at the teen boy.

"Sorry," he said guiltily. His expression quickly turned into a smile. "But you gotta admit. That was pretty funny."

I wiped my eyes, trying to control my shaking.

Eric stopped laughing, taking a seat next to me. He put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"Yes, sir."

"I won't do it again. Okay?"

"Yes, sir."

"You good now?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright." He gave me a hug.

"So what are you doing here, Eric?" Melissa said.

He pulled away. "I just came to see if you've heard about the mall jail thing." He looked at me. "I guess so."

"Yeah. Nathan told--oh my gosh! Nathan!" She put the phone to her ear. "Nathan? You still there?" There was a pause. "Sorry. I forgot." After a moment, she hung up. "Nathan's coming over."

"Your dad's the district attorney. Can't he do anything about this?" Mr. Wu said to Nathan.

"No. I already asked."

Mr. Wu put his hand on his forehead, frustrated.

The news report had played several times on many different channels.

I didn't think it was that big of a deal. But I guess it was.

"You know what? I'm gonna fix this myself." Mr. Wu angrily headed for the door. "C'mon, Cody."

"Yes, sir."

"Here! Here's your money! Just stop all of this!"

"Sir, calm down," the security guard said.

"I am calm!" After a moment, Mr. Wu spoke quieter. "I am calm."

"I can't do anything about the news reports."

"But I paid you the money for the fine, and-"

"I'm sorry."

Mr. Wu was furious. He stormed toward the exit quickly.

I followed, gaining several stares and laughs, and plenty of sympathetic glances.

One teen said, "Hey, b****."

"Hello, sir."

Mr. Wu spoke. "Why are you being nice to them?"

"He said my name…" Oops. "…sir."

Mr. Wu whipped around, coming to a halt. "How many times do I have to tell you that that's not your name?!" He looked as if he wanted to hit me.

My voice was small. "I'm sorry, sir."

He glared at me furiously before heading to the car.

I followed as a tear escaped my eye.

I stayed in my room all day, although I wasn't in trouble. But I felt I needed to be punished.

I hugged my knees against my chest as I rested my head on them.

"Cody?" Mr. Wu opened the door to my room. "Dinner."

"Yes, sir." I followed him into the dining room.

I pulled out his chair, then Melissa's, Mrs. Wu's, and, finally, mine.

"Cody, where're the plates?" Mr. Wu said, irritated.

"Sorry, sir." I headed into the kitchen. I brought each one their dishes, then took mine.

We ate in silence.

Mr. Wu hadn't moved from his place at the table. He stared down at his empty plate, deep in thought.

I stood, grabbing my glass and dish, heading for the kitchen so I could place them into the sink.

"Cody?"

"Yes, sir?" I turned back to Mr. Wu.

"You need to finish your food."

"Yes, sir." I sat down in my previous spot, picking up the spoon, staring at my full plate.

"Sir?"

"What do you want, Cody?" He seemed to be irritated.

"Did I eat enough?"

He didn't so much as glance at my half-full plate. "No."

"Yes, sir." I scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes, then forced it into my mouth, trying my best not to gag. I swallowed, staring at Mr. Wu all the while.

He'd been sitting in the same spot for an hour. He looked depressed.

"Sir?"

"You're not finished."

"Yes, sir. May I ask you a question, sir?" I wanted to know if he was mad at me for taking the collar.

"You just did."

I looked away, putting my eyes on the food in front of me. "Yes, sir." I took another bite of mashed potatoes.

I swung my feet back and forth. I reached for my glass, pouring some water into my mouth.

Mr. Wu was agitated. "Ow! You kicked me!"

I jumped, startled, dropping the glass of water all over me and the floor.

"Look what you did!"

"I'm so sorry, sir. I'll clean it up."

"No!" He stood, forcing my chair as close to the table as possible, squishing my soaked torso. "Quit playing around! Finish eating and don't get up until that plate is as clean as a whistle!"

"Yes, sir."

He exited the dining room.

A teardrop fell from my eye and into the mashed potatoes. I scooped them up and shoved them into my mouth.

Mr. Wu came back with a towel. He squatted down next to me, cleaning up the mess.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I could help if you want me-"

"No! Just finish eating!"

"Yes, sir." I took a bite of the bread roll. After I swallowed, I spoke, my voice soft. "Sir?"

"What?" His voice was cold.

"Are you mad at me, sir?"

I never received an answer.

I stayed in bed, waiting for Mr. Wu to come in and give me a goodnight kiss.

He didn't.

I drifted into a restless sleep.

"Ahhhh!" I woke with a start, sweaty and shaking.

When I calmed down, I got out of bed and headed for Mr. Wu's room.

The door was cracked open.

I was about to knock when I heard voices coming from inside.

"I don't know what to do." It was Mr. Wu. He was crying. "The people at work keep hassling me about him. I get so…"

Mrs. Wu tried to comfort him. "I know, honey."

"Go ahead. Say it. Say, 'I told you so.'"

"I'm not gonna say that."

"I don't know what to do. He's just…so…"

"Maybe we should send him to boot camp."

"But I don't wanna do that to him."

"You're tired of him being here. You said so yourself."

I was in tears. I headed back into my room. I was pacing nervously.

What do I do? I can't go to boot camp.

I sighed shakily, then opened the window. After a moment's thought and a couple glances back at the door, I swung both legs over, then jumped.

I landed on my feet. I looked around.

Where do I go?

I don't care. I just have to get out of here.

I ran down the street in the cold night air.

I lay, curled up in the tunnel, Dakota snuggled next to me. I rubbed his soft, warm fur as I shivered.

I'd have to leave early tomorrow so no one will find me and ship me off to boot camp.

I yawned.

But for now, I think I'll just rest my eyes for a few moments and I'll be ready to go in…