I was pushed to the ground almost instantly after my outburst. Rough hands pulled my arms behind my back and kept me still despite my struggles – and I had always been unusually strong. My chin rubbed against the cold tile floor in a way that was uncomfortable and my right leg had landed in an angle that I was sure was hurting some muscle. But that didn't matter at the moment.

What mattered were the polished black boots that had now stepped up to my face. I watched, my struggles stopping, as he squatted down and let his red pants show. It was the man who knew my name. The high ranking one. Somehow I just knew.

A gloved finger worked its way under my chin and pulled it up, forcing my eyes to meet his green ones. There was mild disappointment, a little hurt, and a heap of anger in their depths. I kept mine stoically neutral.

"Every time I end up getting hurt," he muttered, words so quiet that I was sure only I could hear them. I wanted desperately to ask what the hell he meant. Despite the sense of familiarity that had come with his presence I was quite sure that I had never met this man before.

I let myself be pulled to my feet, arms still held firmly behind my back. Then we began to walk, to where I did not know. All that mattered was that it was away from the door that –

"Matthew, Matthew!" I cried, struggles all of a sudden renewed. "Mattie! Damn it, damn it!" I twisted my head around and watched a blonde head pop through the door before getting pushed back inside by a guard. Our eyes met briefly – both sets panicked.

I flailed, looking around for the man who had seemed to know me. I found him, noticed that he too was turned towards the room, surprise etched on every line of his face. His mouth moved, but I couldn't make out the words, couldn't even tell if he was saying something or just mouthing it.

All that mattered was that we were still moving and Matthew was getting farther and farther away and this Brit wasn't doing anything to stop it and…

We were out of a building and into a car. A paper bag was shoved onto my head, not letting me see the innards of the vehicle, through from the feel of the leather it was nice. Another body sat next to me.

I was shaking. The man to my side – when he spoke I recognized it as that same man, this, "Mr. Kirkland". What was he, some sort of pedophile? I was only fifteen! – could feel that and rested his hand on my leg.

"Alfred, shhh. I'm not going to hurt you. In fact, so far, the opposite, has been true." His voice was rough and I sensed that after he got over the shock of seeing me he would speak in a less kind way. Once again I couldn't suppress a surge of recognition and relief at the sound of the voice.

I rested my head against the seat, not taking off the bag though my hands were free. I wasn't sure that I wanted to have to look at my companion.

"Why should I believe you?" I murmured. "Why should I believe you… Iggy." The name rolled off my tongue, and I wasn't even sure if it was him. But it seemed right.

He gave a start. "I- you- huh?" There was the sound of a deep breath. "Arthur. Call me… Arthur."

"You didn't answer my question, Iggy." I stubbornly used the nickname, not caring if it was right or not. He hadn't seemed to want me to use it. That was plenty reason for me to do the opposite. "Why should I trust you?" My voice was muffled from the bag. I wondered if it sounded as if I was crying. It just might. I didn't want him to think that.

I reached up and pulled off the bag, looking over at Arthur. He blinked at me.

"Ask yourself that question." He didn't say anything more.

The rest of the trip passed in silence as he passed by tall buildings and green parks. I stared out the window, wondering if this place could get any different from home. I was given an answer when we stopped in front of our destination.

O.o.O

Author's Note: Another short chapter, and it's short because this week was BUSY for me. And this next week is the end of the quarter so… expect another teeny little slip of a thing next week. But I promise that they will get longer.

Anyway, I have some things to say to some very special people:

nupinoop296– wow, first and second review! You deserve a round of applause!

APHxENGLAND – it's here. I kept writing. See?

yokolite – Thank you! And two thumbs up, you hit the nail on the head.

Fenyatan – why thank you, is this soon enough?

StarGazer453– why yes, yes I do like making people try and figure things out… Thanks for sticking with my stories!

LuckyNumbers – I hope that I have begun to answer your questions.

lightning834 – Oh you know I love hearing that…

And thanks to everyone who favorited and followed! Keep reviewing!