AN: Hey guys here's the next part. NO, I'm not discontinuing it, no it's not finished, and no this isn't the last part. I've just been busy.



Craig didn't know how much time had passed. It seemed like an eternity to him, but he knew it only could have been a few hours. His stomach was rumbling and he needed to use the bathroom. He didn't know if his father was ever going to let him go. He didn't know how bad he was going to hurt him either.

His tears had long since dried up and he had no more to cry. His fear grew with each passing moment. Fear of what was going to happen to him. Fear of never being able to see Angie again. Fear of losing the family he had built with his sister and Joey.

The thought of Joey made Craig lift his head. Surely Joey would be looking for him soon. He'd be worried when Craig doesn't show up for dinner. He'll call the cops and of course he'll look here. This would be the first place they'd look knowing how Craigs father is of course.

His fear began to subside and was replaced with hope. Hope that Joey would soon find him and take him out of here. That Joey would take him home.

Craig moved away from the door as he heard it open. For a moment his eyes glimmered with hope that it would be Joey, but the glimmer soon died as he saw the blonde hair and glasses of his father. He dropped his head and took a deep breath. He would not cry in front of his father.

Craig looked up straight into his fathers eyes, determined not to show his fear. Mr. Manning smiled a normal smile as though he hadn't kidnapped his own son. He knealed down in front of Craig, who involuntarily scooted back.

"Craig, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to make you understand that it's me you belong with."

Craig shook his head. "No, I don't belong with you. I belong with Joey and Angie. They're my family, not you."

Mr. Mannings eyes clouded over and for a minute he looked angry. Then he shook his head and smiled again.

"You'll think different after you have had something to eat."

Craig shook his head. "Joey will come for me. They won't let me stay with you."

Mr. Manning grabbed Craig's arm and shook him roughly.

"You are MY son! Not Joeys! No one will ever take you from me again!"

He threw Craig back against the cabinet door and stood up.

"You're right though, they will be coming for you. If your in the dark room, they'll find you. Maybe I better put you in the basement."

"Dad no, no way. I hate the basement! You know I hate the basement!"

"Don't argue with me Craig," Mr. Manning replied. He leaned down and jerked Craig up.

Craig started fighting his father and pushed him into the rack of chemicals. One of the bottles fell off and splattered on Mr. Mannings arm causing him to cry out in pain. Craig took the opportunity to make a run for it. He ran out of the dark room and straight to the front door.

He threw it open and ran out. He didn't look back, he just kept running faster and faster forward. He ran to the next street and hid behind some bushes. He didn't know if his father had followed him or not, but he wasn't going back there. Not now, not ever.

Craig took a minute to collect his breath and looked out over the bushes. No one was in site. The closest store was too blocks away. He knew he'd have to be careful if he wasn't going to get caught, so he started sneaking through everyones back yard.

It didn't take him long to reach the gas station and he immediately dialed Joey's cell phone number.

"Hello," Joey's worried voice answered.

"Joey, It's Craig."

"Craig, are you all right? Where are you?"

"I'm fine for now. I'm at the Hess two blocks from my old house."

"Sit tight kiddo, I'm on my way."

Craig hung up the phone and went inside. He pretended to be looking around. He saw his fathers car drive by and quickly ducked down as though he were searching for something on the bottom shelf.

The clerk looked at him a little funny at first, but dismissed it when another customer came into his shop for gas.

Craig eased himself up, and was glad to see Mr. Mannings car was no where in site. It seemed to take Joey forever to get here, but Craig let out a sigh of relief when he finally pulled up in his red sports car.

Craig ran out of the gas station and straight into Joey's arms. Joey embraced him in a hug and then pulled away so he could look him over.

"Are you ok? Did he hurt you?"

Craig shook his head. "Not really, he just grabbed my arm kind of rough."

He lifted his sleeve so Joey could see the bruise forming on his arm. Anger flashed in Joey's eyes. He would love to kill Manning for doing that to his son, but right now he was just grateful to have Craig back, safe.

"Come on Craig, let's get you home."

~~~~END

NO, it's not the last part. There is still more to come. I've just been REALLY busy lately. Anywho, review.