Disclaimer: Don't own them...

Notes: Just want to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!!!

Apology: Sorry this is so late, life just got way to hectic lately, but I'll try and post soon.

Thank you:

Luna- Thank you for all your reviews, and for continuing to read. I hope that you will like this chapter as much as you did with the last one.

Nash Carter- Don't worry, Max will get what he deserves. Thank you for the review! hope you like this chapter.

longshot- thanks for the review, Enjoy!

ajaron- Thanks for the review, I hope you will continue to read! hope you like this.

o o o

Chapter eight.

o o o

Thirty year old Rosie Nelson stood in her backyard, hanging up the washing on the washing line. Her short brown hair, neatly tied up in a bun. She wore a white blouse, with blue jeans. She looked up at the sky, she could see the dark clouds coming, and knew that trouble was brewing. She just hoped that the washing would dry before the rain would fall.

She had been living in the small town for fifteen years, when she and her husband, Donald, moved in. Fifteen happy years.

She smiled when she hang her five year old daughter's little white dress. She just could explain the joy in her heart, she was just so happy with her life.

Sure they didn't have money, but they had each other. Donald worked in the bank, she worked part time at the cafe. They earned enough money to live comfortably.

Rosie's smiled faded when she heard a child's cry.

With washing forgotten, she made her way to the fence. She looked down the street, but saw nothing. She turned the other way to see a man holding little Templeton in his arms.

She had meet Sarah and Templeton the day that they arrived in the small town of Ladysmith. She and Sarah had become best friends. It also helped that they worked together.

She watched in horror as the man threw Templeton into the car. She wanted to help but her body didn't respond, her eyes glued to the scene before her.

"MOMMY!"

She heard Templeton's cries, as he struggled to open the door. She watched as Sarah's fists pounded in futile against the window as she tried to break it.

Rosie's heart was breaking as she watched Sarah trying to run after the car.

"Oh Sarah!" Rosie said sadly.

Rosie opened the small gate and ran to the weeping figure that remained in the middle of the road.

"Oh Sarah, are you ok?" Rosie asked as she knelt down on the ground next to her friend.

Sarah looked up, with her tear stained face. Her eyes were a mix of fear, confusion, and loss. But her words tore at Rosie's heart.

"He took my baby, Rose, he took my baby away from me,"

o o o

Orphanage

Present time

"Rosie called the police, and Sarah told them everything. From when they struck up a deal with Sister Anne, to how she would hide Templeton in the cupboards when he beat her, to when they ran away, till when Max took Templeton away from her," Sister Mary said sadly.

"I can't believe it," Frankie said in total disbelieve.

It seemed unreal, that Face, a man they all knew, a man who seemed so normal, had such a horrific childhood.

"Believe it, for this is just the beginning," Sister Mary replied softly.

"You mean, it gets worse?" Murdock asked in shock.

Sister Mary said nothing, but they could see the answer as a tear ran down her face.

o o o

Twenty three years earlier...

Templeton leaned heavy against the car door, trying to make himself small. He sat still, hoping that if he sat still enough, that Max would forget about him. He didn't know where exactly they were, all he knew, with each passing second, it was a second further away from Sarah.

He just couldn't believe it. He had the most perfect moment, and it was taken away from him, again. First with his mom, then with Grace and Kimberly, now with Sarah. It was all gone. Destroyed forever.

It just hurt to much for him to remember everyone, to remember that it could never be. All what was left, was the memories, and the pain that came with it.

He could hear the distant rumble of thunder from the distance, as he heard the rain being to fall. He didn't normally mind the rain, but here, without his mother's comfort, it was frightening. Lightning brightened up the darkened sky, which was followed by the angry rumble's of the thunder.

Templeton sat up a little, just enough so that he could see out the other side's window. It was pitch black, he couldn't believe how quickly how the day became night, sending the world into darkness.

The rain poured down hard against the car, making the sound unbearable. He covered his ears with his hands, wishing that he could block out the sounds.

He looked out at the window, trying to see where they were heading. He could see the outline of a city. His head shot up, as he tried to see which city they were heading to. Maybe, just maybe they were going back to the Orphanage? If they were, he was sure that Mary would help him find Sarah.

A smile formed on his face, maybe things were turning around. Maybe for once his life was going to be alright.

Max, who had been focusing on the road, turned to look at Templeton, a wicked smiled formed on his face.

The rain continued to pour as they stopped at a run-down warehouse. Templeton looked in horror as the lightening lit up the sky, revealing the building's gloomy presence.

Straight away, he knew that this wasn't a nice place. Templeton didn't know what lay ahead, but he did know that he wasn't going to happy here.

"I got a real treat for you, boy," Max said evilly as he got out the car, opening Templeton's door to.

Templeton knew it was no use to beg Max, that would only lead to more pain. So he reluctantly got out the car into the pouring rain.

He shivered as the icy cold water soaked through his clothes within seconds. He quickly began to rub his arms, trying to get warm, but it didn't help.

Max walked into the warehouse, leaving him behind in the freezing cold.

Left with no choice, Templeton slowly walked into the warehouse.

The warehouse was much more lively inside, lights shone brightly from the lights that hung from the huge ceiling. There were rows and rows of machines and work places. But what frightened Templeton, were the many people who were working there. There were hundreds of them, children, adults, everyone working hard in their little corners.

Templeton had read many stories about slave work, where some small businesses would use runaways, illegal immigrants, anyone, to work for them. Long hours, hardly any pay.

Templeton was so focused on the people who were working, he failed to see Max and another man walk up to him.

"So this is the brat?"

Templeton turned to the man who had just spoken, and shivered when he saw the man's heartless brown eyes.

The man was in his late fifties, largely built and overweight. He wore an expensive black suit, with clean black shoes. His podgy face wrinkled in disgust when he saw Templeton.

"Yeah, this is him. Look Larry, I need the doe, here's the runt. Use him, kill him, whatever, I just want the money," Max ordered.

"I ain't keeping him, that's your job. But he has the job," Larry said.

Templeton watched in horror as they shook hands. He just couldn't believe it, he had just been forced into work.

Max turned his attention back to Templeton.

"I'll pick you up when work's over," Max snarled as he walked passed Templeton.

Templeton turned to watch Max leave the warehouse. He didn't know weather he should be happy or sad. At least with Max he knew what to expect, but here, he didn't know anything.

Hearing heavy breathing behind him, Templeton turned to see Larry standing right behind him.

"I'm your boss, you work till I say so. You mess something up, I'll punish you. There's no talking, no eating, no sleeping. You will address me as Sir, you got that runt?" Larry asked.

Templeton nodded.

"I didn't hear you?" Larry ordered.

"Yes Sir!" Templeton said as he stared at the man.

"Good, now follow me,"

Templeton followed the man through the many isle of working areas, as he did, he couldn't help but look at the people working. He could see that they were tired and hungry. He suddenly wondered how long he was going to be trapped here.

They walked for a few minutes before stopping at one empty counter.

"You will sit here, and you will work on these pieces," Larry explained as he quickly showed Templeton what to do.

"Got it?" Larry snarled.

"Yes sir," Templeton replied.

"Good, now get to work!" Larry ordered as he left.

Templeton looked down at his work space, it was filled with hundreds of pieces of sharp metals, which all had to be separated and packed into the different piles.

Templeton reached out to pick up the one piece but withdraw his hand quickly when he poked a sharp end. He examined his finger and saw a small bit of blood from the cut.

"WORK!"

Templeton jumped, quickly starting to separate the different pieces, wincing each time a sharp point came into contact with his skin. But he refused to cry, he wasn't going to show them what they were doing to him. He wasn't going to show his weakness.

....o o o...

to be continued...