I'm actually shocked by the good reception my first chapter has already! It's made me a very happy bunny!

We're still on the downward spiral I'm afraid!

Ianto glanced down the hallway, holding Rhiannon back with his arm. He listened carefully for any sign of movement, stilling his own breath in anticipation.

It had been many years since the night he'd collapsed behind the sofa, six to be precise, and Ianto had grown into a lean teenager. As he had grown taller he had been able to reach the kitchen utilities and so his diet had improved and he had become quite resourceful when it came to cooking for himself and his sister. As far as anyone on the outside could tell the Jones family were healthy if not a bit reclusive. His father still went disappeared for weeks on end and now when he came for Ianto he could put up more of a fight before succumbing to oblivion. As for his mother...she became so damaged that she was in a near comatose state, drifting around like a ghost only responding to the twisted commands of Rhodri when he reappeared, forcing her to do unspeakable acts to and in front of her children. Ianto had managed to keep Rhiannon away from the more twisted imaginings of his father, keeping her mental innocence just about in tact...Ianto had long lost anything that might even resemble innocence.

'Ianto...' Rhiannon breathed, 'Be careful.'

Ianto nodded as he quietly stepped out into the hallway. Had it not been for his father's latest instruction this should have been a fairly simple task. He had been stealing money off of his mother for the last four years in hopes of escaping this house, just a ten pound note here and there. He'd collected nearly £3000 now and he'd been looking at properties to rent out, mainly in low key and seedy areas of Cardiff. His current mission was to get the money to restock the fridge; they were dangerously low on food. The only problem was that, before Rhodri had left the last time, his father and instructed his mother to 'attack' the children on sight-at least that's what he'd told Rhiannon- so moving about the house had become almost impossible. He'd been caught frequently in the beginning, screaming at Rhi to run to the safe place as their mother descended on him in a crazed frenzy.

A floorboard creaked under his foot and every fibre of his being stilled, tensing up his ears strained to hear anything in the deafening quiet. He had no idea where his mother was lurking the house, so every noise he made was a tip off to his whereabouts. Letting out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding he made it over to her handbag, glancing behind him Rhiannon gave him a small thumbs up. She'd have his back while he got the money.

As she'd grown up Ianto realised that Rhiannon was strangely acute to people's feelings, as if she could anticipate what they felt before they did. Ianto had gained that skill from reading his parents unstable moods, but Rhi had shown the skill before she even knew what it was herself- sometimes alerting Ianto to mood shifts in his mother that he hadn't seen coming. They both had never been to school so Ianto had taken it upon himself to teach Rhiannon how to read- something he'd picked up naturally. He'd also found that once he'd read something he could recite it near word perfect. He used to hold school days for them both so that maybe one day they might be able to get real qualifications. He could grasp A level concepts of science and maths easily and Rhiannon excelled in English and found sense in the chaos of art. But with his mother under new orders he'd had to put their education on hold, finding that his mother tended to stay by the computer more than most places.

Pulling out a twenty from his mother's purse, he replaced it in the handbag and gestured for Rhiannon to escape out the front door with him. Closing it softly behind them they both let out a loud sigh of relief- they knew that even though she wasn't mentally stable their mother wouldn't attack them in broad daylight...at least she hadn't yet.

As they walked down the path to the pavement Rhiannon sighed, 'How are we gonna get the food in without making noise?'

'We'll go in through the back and hope for the best.'

'We can't go on like this, Ianto,' she linked her arm through his, 'You can't go on like this...every time she finds you, you come back looking less...' she gestured to his eyes, 'it's like the light gets duller.'

Ianto hugged her awkwardly from the side, 'I can't hide anything from you can I?' he ruffled her hair, 'It's okay, Rhi. I'm...used to it. Besides we nearly have enough money saved up to get out of that place.'

'I was going through the contract though...'

Ianto raised his eyebrows, 'Were you now?'

'Yes, and it says that the main party has to be over 18 to rent it. Or that we have to have consent from a guardian.'

'Ah yes, but there is also a clause that states that "in the absence of a parent or guardian a written letter of approval can be used as proof of consent from the older party.".'

'Hmm,' Rhiannon wrinkled her nose in thought, 'Something doesn't sound right to me,' sighing she conceded, 'Anywhere is better than here though.'

'Exactly! Now...what shall we get for dinner?'

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Getting the food back into the house had proven hazardous but they were able to pack it all away in the cupboards relatively quickly and quietly without rousing their mother. Tip toeing up to their room, Ianto locked the door behind him- a feature he had installed after finding his father's tool box. Feeling relatively safe, Rhiannon pulled out a TV set from underneath her bed- another addition to the various objects they had stashed around the house.

'I'll try and get BBC up,' she plugged it in and began twiddling the aerial on top of the set.

Ianto picked the TV up and put it on the desk, hoping the height would improve the chances of reception, 'Make sure you keep the volume down low.'

'Of course.'

They both froze as they heard something they hadn't heard in months.

'Ianto? Rhiannon?'

They both looked at each other as their mother's piteous cries permeated the house. Rhiannon moved over to the door, stopping when Ianto held her back.

'Don't. It could be a trick.'

'But she would have tried it earlier, surely?' she shook his arm off of her but made no move to open the door, 'What if she's back?'

Ianto deliberated the possibilities. Rhiannon knew the full extent of their mother's mental instability, she had for a long time, and he trusted her judgement in emotional situations. But even if their mother had come back to reality there was no warning when she would turn back and if that happened...

He suppressed a shudder.

'I know you're scared of her Ianto,' Rhiannon whispered, 'But if she's back then she'll want to know we're safe.'

Ianto grounded himself for the possibility of being attacked as he moved to the door, 'Only one way to find out,' he unbolted the door and turning to Rhiannon he told her to stay in the room and to lock the door at any sign of trouble. She nodded and watched him cautiously as he stepped out gingerly into the hallway.

The silence was broken as he heard muffled sobs coming from the stairwell, peering around the corner he saw his mother halfway up the stairs crying into her sleeve.

'Mam?'

Lauren looked up at her son, seeing him for the first time in a long time. A look of confusion passed over her features, 'Ianto, how did you grow up so much?'

Ianto hovered at the top of the stairs, wary of her reverting back to the programmed automaton that Rhodri had left behind, 'You've been gone a while, Mam.'

'Is Rhi okay?'

'She's up here as well, she's fine.'

Lauren gulped, 'And your father?'

'He's not here right now.'

Lauren felt tears drop on the back of her hand, 'I haven't been very good lately have I,' she gulped again, 'I'm scared, Ianto.'

A hot flash of rage passed through Ianto. Keeping his features neutral and his demeanour calm he listened as his mother unburdened her fears and sorrows on her child, all the time feeling the anger bubble in his stomach at how pathetic she suddenly appeared to him. All the hatred he had for his father spilling over, contaminating the love he thought he'd had for his mother. She was weak, selfish and just as bad as him.

'Why didn't you leave?'

Lauren looked up, 'Leave?'

Ianto's fist slammed into the wall, 'Why didn't you leave? Why didn't you save us, save me?'

'I-I-I couldn't. I loved him...he wasn't always like this.'

'I bet,' Ianto snorted, 'For as long as I've been alive he's never treated us like his family. He's treated us worse than animals.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Shut up!' Ianto screamed, 'Just shut up! There's nothing you can say to me to make this better,' the vice like grip he'd had on his emotions bubbled over all at once, blinding him with the sheer intensity of it all, 'You're a terrible mother, you don't even deserve that title.'

'Baby...'

Ianto pounded the wall again, 'No! You have no right to call me that,' he ran down to his mother, pulling her up so she was forced to look him in the eye, 'I've been more of a parent to you than you've ever been to me. I've spent years clearing up sick, feeding you, helping you and I can't do it anymore,' he let her go walking back upstairs.

'What are you doing?' she tried to grab his jacket as he went, stumbling and falling on her front, sliding down a few steps.

Ignoring his mother Ianto stormed into their room; grabbing a duffel bag he'd secreted away he began stuffing their meagre possessions into it.

'What's happening?'

Not pausing Ianto barely looked up as he answered, 'I can't do it anymore, Rhi, and I'm not waiting around for the next time she attacks me and I'm sure as hell not waiting for our father to return,' he stuffed their books in next, 'We have enough money for a deposit and a month's rent- I'll figure out how to get the rest somehow...'

Rhiannon nodded silently and started adding the things she didn't want to get left behind in the backpack she'd reserved for the time that they would escape.

Grabbing the tin they'd filled with money Ianto led Rhiannon out of the room, making their way down to the kitchen, 'No point in wasting what we've just bought,' he stuffed the ready to eat food in the duffel and Rhi's backpack.

Their mother appeared in the doorway, 'Where are you going?'

Ianto ignored her and pushed passed her, pulling Rhiannon by the arm. He stopped in front of the door, rifling through his mothers handbag he pulled out her purse and put it in the duffel as well. As he closed the door behind him he heard a muffled howl emanate from his mother. He swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of his throat and taking his sister by the hand he pulled her away from the house.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

The next month had been a blur, after they'd left the house Ianto withdrew as much money he could on the cards in his mother's purse, fearing they'd be found if he used the cards directly. Ianto had made getting a flat their priority, paying the deposit on an almost dilapidated flat in the least desirable part of splott- he'd forged the letter of consent. Until they'd been allowed to move in they'd had to stay in sleazy motels and when they did they realised they didn't have furniture or the means to acquire any. Ianto had resorted to buying a couple of futons which were relatively cheap and light to carry, along with blankets and an overabundance of pillows to cover the floors.

It was going well until the money ran out.

'Ianto...how are we going to pay for the rent next month?'

Ianto chewed his lip, 'I don't know, Rhi...I'll think of something.'

'But...' she looked into their kitty, 'We're down to the last twenty pound note...and rent is £500...how are we gonna raise that much money in less than a week?'

'I could try the cards again...'

'You know he's frozen them.'

Ianto rolled over, 'Just sleep, Rhiannon. I'll think of something. I've never let you down before have I?' he sighed, 'We'll deal with it tomorrow...even if we have to beg on the street I will not go back to that place.'

When Ianto awoke in the morning he went out looking for a job, he'd already been trawling the local area for the last few weeks in a vain attempt. He'd been offered a paper round numerous times but it wasn't enough to make the rent every month, he'd have to find something that paid more...but being only fifteen and with no qualifications made the task impossible.

Just as the shops were closing he walked back to the newsagents closest to where he lived and accepted the paper round. It was better than nothing and maybe if he was really tight on their spending...

He shook his head in despair as he walked through the darkening streets. He felt the weight of the hopeless situation closing in on him, sitting on a nearby bench he began to order his mind.

There was no way he was going back to his parents; he'd rather live on the streets than crawl back to that life. He didn't want them to go into the system either, fearing that the stories he'd heard about children in the governments care were true...no. He was running out of options...maybe if he snuck home and stole from his mother again...but what if his father was at home.

A voice broke him out of his reverie. A man in a Mercedes was beckoning him over; warily Ianto got up and walked as close to the car as he dared.

'What's your price?'

Ianto looked at the man blankly, 'My...price?'

'Don't play coy with me boy,' the man leered at him salaciously, 'If this is some sort of trick to make me pay more I can tell you I won't go higher than 200.'

'Pounds?' Ianto's jaw dropped.

'No clams...Jesus fuck boy. Are you gonna keep me in suspense for much longer?'

Ianto was still confused, 'What do you want to know?'

'How much to you charge for a fuck?'

Ianto's knees nearly gave out. This man thought he was a...hooker. Ianto kept his face placid as if he was thinking about it but inside his mind was racing; he'd only ever heard about that kind of thing on TV and never imagined for a moment boys like him were actually doing it. The thought of it didn't repulse him exactly, he'd had to endure far worse from the hands of his mother and father combined...doing that with a stranger would be better than...

It would solve his money problem...and then some. He'd only need three people to pay the rent and have some spare. He baulked at his thoughts- was he actually considering this?

'Are you gonna keep me waiting all day, boy? I'm sure there are plenty other whores out there who aren't gonna play me hot and cold.'

Ianto took a deep breath, 'What are we talking cause I ch-charge extra for...extras.'

The man huffed, 'Look boy, I'm just looking for a quick fuck, no funny business.'

'£200? I want half upfront.'

'Fine, just get in. I'm on a schedule.'

Ianto gulped as he stepped up to the passenger side door and got in the car.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

'Ianto, where have you been? I've been so worried,' Rhiannon ran up and put her arms around her brother, 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing.'

She watched him as he walked over to the kitty and deposited a wad of money, 'Ianto! Where did that come from?'

'I got a job.'

She studied him carefully, 'Doing what?'

'Paper round.'

'You don't get that kind of money from a paper round...'

'I took a few up, okay? Stop with the third degree.'

She sat and counted out the money, 'There's £300 pounds in here!'

He nodded, 'I told you I'd find a way. I've got...some more to do tomorrow and then we should be okay for rent,' he lay down on his futon, 'I'm tired so I think I'm just gonna go to bed.'

Rhiannon didn't speak, she wasn't a fool but she couldn't think of anything that he could do to earn this much money that fast. She knew there was something fundamentally wrong with his soul, she could feel the waves of misery and pain flowing off of him but she didn't question him. She knew her brother better than she knew herself and right now he didn't want to talk about it. Maybe he never would.

Ianto was in pain. Every fibre of his being was on fire. He ached inside and out. He had no idea what it was going to be like, not really. Nothing could have prepared him for what he'd experienced. The only bright side of his background being that he could withstand pain and retreat inside himself when things became too intense. It wasn't as bad as what it had been at home, but it was strange and new. He shut his mind out and thought of a rough business plan- if you could call it that. He decided that £200 for sex would be his price, that first man had told him that he was worth that much at least and he guessed the man would know. After he'd been dropped off by the first man he'd been propositioned by another earning himself £100 for a blow job, it was messy and he had no idea what he was doing but Ianto was a fast learner so he'd have no problems next time. That was that then. He figured he could learn how to give hand jobs, which he would price at £50 as it was the least daunting...he'd have to pick up some condoms in the morning...a large supply of them. He wondered idly if the local healthcare clinic would give him some for free as he drifted off into an uneasy slumber.