Chapter 12-Sarah and Butch

Jeremiah struggled in the backseat of the car as he tried to get the sack off his head and the ropes off of his wrists. But it was no use, he was tied very tightly and the only thing he was doing was causing pain to enter his wrists. He sighed and tried to roll around to see where he was but he got a sharp jab in his side. He groaned in pain and lay completely still.

"Good boy. If you do something else to try and escape the pain will be much worse!" A familiar voice hissed. Jeremiah's eyes widened on he recognized it. Butch Grayback. The man that made him do drugs when he was younger. The man that hurt himself and his mother on a daily basis because of crystal meth.

"I didn't mean for you to kidnap the boy!" Sarah barked form the front seat.

"Get over it, Sar! We have the boy, like you wanted. You couldn't stand the fact that we were finally alone together! You had to bring this bastard back!"

"He's my son, Butch!"

Jeremiah desperately wanted to yell 'I'm not your son!' but kept his mouth shut in risk of getting hurt. He started to think what would happen if they went so far away that he would never get found. His thoughts soon drifted off to his family and the new friends that he had made during his short stay with the Martins. 'I'm sorry Zack. I'm sorry for yelling at you and causing you any pain. I'm also sorry for hurting you Cody. I didn't think you were that sensitive…as sensitive as me. I didn't think at all I guess. I'm sorry Carey…I mean mom. I'm really sorry about all of the pain I caused you. Maybe…this is for the best. Maybe this was meant to happen. I will miss you all. Maybe I will go to a better place. If not…I hope god watches over me.' He soon fell asleep and snored softly. If anyone saw this kid they would say "Look at that little angel sleeping. He's so adorable." They wouldn't even know about his past if they looked him in the face.

He was suddenly jerked out of his light reverie as he was yanked out of the car and thrown to the ground. He stood shakily as the bag was suddenly pulled from his head. He closed his eyes from the harsh sunlight as he was pushed forward. He slowly opened his eyes to fell his heart sink when he saw the place.

It was home.

His old home. It was very dirty and it seemed to be falling apart. It looked worse than it did the last time he has been in it, that's for sure. The old smell of burning flesh, blood, death, and alcohol reached his nose as he was pushed inside of the house. Dirt was on the ground along with what looked like mouse droppings. Dust had settled in most of the room and on the furniture. He set his eyes on Sarah and Butch in a hard stare as they wandered around the house as they talked amongst themselves. Sarah suddenly stopped in mid-sentence as her eyes trailed to Jeremiah. She brushed her dyed black hair out of her eyes and smiled at him.

"I'm glad to have you back, bud," she whispered as she went over and hugged him. He was stiff and kept his arms at his side. She pulled back and kissed him on the cheek, leaving a lipstick mark where her lips have previously been. He felt his cheek seem to sting underneath her touch. He backed away from her and saw her frown slightly as a candle of hatred seemed to flicker to life behind her eyes. "Aren't you glad to see me, bud?"

"As glad as getting a tooth yanked out," he responded in a steady voice as he looked Sarah in the eye with a glint of determination. Sarah frowned slightly before she stood and crossed the room to Butch. He was sitting at the island with a beer bottle in his hand. She perched herself on his knee and winked at him attractively as a sly grin crossed her face.

He made a face and decided to go to his 'room'. He opened the door and flipped on the light switch. A dim bulb illuminated the room and he made a face in disgust. It slowly turned to one of pride when he saw his 'mural' on the wall. It was a lot of stick figures with random faces but it reminded him of his family. He glanced around and saw the old marker he used.

Jeremiah hesitantly made a mark on the wall and saw that it still had ink. He closed his eyes, pressed the tip against the wall, and started to draw. He placed his free hand on the wall just incase Butch or Sarah came in because the wall shakes when they are walking towards the room. Visions of his family made him draw faster and faster. Finally he opened his eyes and let a big smile show through. He had drawn a new masterpiece.

Suddenly a piercing sound reached his ears and he dropped to the ground covering them. He lifted his head and smelled smoke. Panicking, he ran out of the room and was met by a blast of heat as the fire got closer to him. He closed the door and looked around, fear gripping his heart. His room had no windows and the only door was the one where the fire is. He grabbed a blanket off of the bed and draped it over himself. He then opened the door and ran out. Flames licked the sheets and he felt heat on his back but he wouldn't stop running. He coughed from the smoke filling his lungs as he tried to see through it and make his way towards the front door…

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"JEREMIAH!" Zack and Cody screamed in their sleep in unison. Carey suddenly jumped out of bed and ran towards he sons' room. She opened the door and looked into their tear streaked faces as the light illuminated the room.

"What's wrong?" She asked in alarm.

"Fire! Where Jeremiah is! He's hurt!" Zack chocked out as his body shook from his sobs.

"I know you boys miss him. But the police are on his trail. They will find him soon. I was just a dream. Now go back to sleep," Carey coaxed them.

"It wasn't a dream! Look at Cody's arm!"

Cody rolled up the sleeves to his nightshirt and held his arms out to this mother. There were red spots that seemed to shine. They were burns.

"Do you believe us now?" Cody asked in a shaky voice.