A/N: Sorry for the wait! I really hope this chapter makes up for it! Again, I'm sooooo sorry, but here's the next chapter!

Chapter Four

Break

I was running and turned the corner and slammed face first into the large wooden fence. I fumbled with the heavy lock. I ended up needing a key.

I was about to scramble over it when I felt the strong hands on my shoulders and smelled the alcohol laden breath. "Hey little buddy," Chris whispered in my ear. The words sent the chills down my spine. "Where're ya goin'?" He spun me around.

"I'm-I'm go-going to the b-b-backyard" I stammered.

"Why ya goin there?" He asked.

"I-I-I" I gave up trying to make a coherent sentence and kicked him in-between the legs. He doubled over in pain and I ran. I scrambled over the wall. I dropped to the floor and scrambled to the rock. It was heavy. I heaved and pushed but it only moved an inch or two.

Just then my neighbor Michele Sanker came outside. "Anthony!" She exclaimed when she saw me. She ran over. "Need some help?"

"Please! I need to leave!" I gasped. I could tell she was curious but she didn't ask any questions. She squatted down beside me and helped me get the rock off the ground. The box was inside, just like my mom had said. I moved it and dug into the soft soil. I found the key about 4 inches down. My hands shook as I unlocked the box. I paused before it was fully open.

"Michele, go back inside and lock the door. Don't come back out, alright?" She heard the note of desperation in my voice. She gave me a hug and did what I asked her to do.

Slowly, I opened the box. There was a piece of paper with my mom's handwriting on it. Under the paper was another, smaller box, but it needed a combination. I picked the note up and looked at it.

Anthony,

Most likely, I'm either dead or Chris has done some thing really bad. So I would like to start out by saying that I'm sorry you couldn't have a better childhood. And, if you couldn't already figure it out, Chris isn't your real father. Now you probably are wondering what your real name is. Well, it's not Anthony McKinnon, its Anthony Almeida.

Obviously, it probably isn't safe in that house anymore, so I would like you to go to the Sanker's house for clothes and maybe some food. Bobby should have some extra clothes.

Then I would like you to make your way to find Marianne Almeida. She is your father's mother, so she is your grandma. She lives in California. Her address is: 13505 Hollywood Blv.

Los Angeles, California. Good Luck.

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

P.S. The combination to the other box is: 31-2-64. But, please, don't open it until you are 13.

I put the note back in the box and closed it. I put the key in my pocket and made my way to Michele's back door.