He slowly made his way home. He wasn't sure how to feel at the moment. He was pretty sure Sampson knew what was going on in his room… something just wasn't right in his mind at the moment. He'd never felt so… empty. Normally with Gregory it was simple. They'd fuck, and then Zane would leave. Zane wouldn't think about his actions ever again. Why did this one thing bother him so much?

Zane trudged up the cement steps. He did this everyday. Ten flights of stairs. He never took the elevator. It might have been his fear of small spaces, or the fact that he had convinced himself that as soon as he used it, it would break and plummet to the ground.

He took notice to different things as he started to walk up the steps. The bottom of the railing –where it connected to the stone– had begun to rust leaving brownish marks. He noticed the beads of water dripping down the walls and coming to rest where the paint had begun to chip. He'd never been this… alert? Before. Perhaps it came with the void feeling in the pit of his stomach? Perhaps it was just another symptom of his withdrawals.

He dug a key from his pocket and shoved it into the old lock. As he twisted the key the lock seem to protest, making a soft squeal as the dead bolt slide from its place. He shoved the key back into his pocket and pushed the door open. He sighed and softly closed the door behind him. "Boy!" Zane closed his eyes. His father was home.

"Yeah dad?" He called back to him. His father was probably drunk by now and if his mom was home she was probably pissed off. He didn't want to deal with all of this right now.

He took cautious steps towards the living room, a feeling of dread filled his gut. He knew his dad knew what he's done. He always pointed out bite marks and hickeys Gregory had given him. It's hard to explain stuff like that when he watched him leave with another guy. "Where the hell have you been?" His tone was angry. Zane's eyes drifted down to the beer cans on the floor. He was right, his father was drunk.

Zane shrugged his shoulders not making eye contact with the man. "I went out. Is that a problem?" Zane quickly bite his tongue. His words had come out in a different tone than he had wanted them to. Zane took a step back keeping his distance as his father abruptly stood from the worn down chair.

"Don't sass me boy. I will not tolerate that in this household." Zane looked up making sure that the man saw his eyes. It was a glare of hatred, detest, and annoyance.

He scoffed and narrowed his eyes. "I will not take tolerate the bullshit orders you give me. I will not tolerate the tone you take with me everyday." Zane didn't pay much mind as he watched the rage fill behind the drunken mans eyes. "And I will not tolerate your drinking. And finally. I will not tolerate the way you treat my mother." Zane's look was harsh, his father stood from his place and walked angrily over to him. Zane stood his ground but wasn't really prepared for what was to come.

It was fast, quick, and painful. Zane toppled to the floor as the back of his fathers hand connected with his cheek. Zane knew he could have just stumbled backwards and been alright, but if he was on the floor he wouldn't be struck again. "Get up and go to your room." It wasn't a suggestion. It was a direct order, one that was to be followed with out question or complaint. Zane snarled as he pulled himself up from the ground, a stinging sensation rippling through his cheek. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stalked to his bedroom, slamming the door.

A small head popped up from the top bunk and looked down at Zane with wide worried eye. "Z-Z-Zane…" she stuttered out. It took Zane every thing he had to muster up a smile. She was only in fourth grade. She didn't need to be dealing with this type of thing.

"Anita… Lay back down and try to go to sleep. Everything's fine." He hated lying to his little sister. Zane didn't know what he was going to do with his life after he got out of high school but he knew he was taking Anita with him. He wasn't going let her grow up in this environment. He wasn't sure how he would do it, but he wasn't about to let her end up like him.

Her little eyes were still wide with worry. Zane closed his eyes and exhaled a large breath. Anita looked like she was about to cry, the redness must have still been apparent. "Zaney…" Her voice was low. He opened his eyes and flashed another smile. She beamed one back at him and clambered off the old bunk bed. As soon as her little feet hit the floor she darted over to Zane and enveloped him in a hug. He held her close and ran a hand through her soft blonde hair. Zane wasn't sure where Anita had gotten her looks from, everyone in the family had dark hair then there she was with bleach blonde locks.

"What's on your mind short-stuff?" Zane picked her up and carried her to the bottom bunk before laying her down across the deep blue comforter. She giggled and nuzzled down into the blanket.

"Different things." She gave him a look that stated she wanted to talk but wasn't sure where to start. A worried look crossed Zane's face. He didn't want his little sister to feel like she couldn't talk about something. "It's just… why is daddy so mean to you?"

Zane bit his bottom lip. He knew a question like this would come sooner or later. What was he suppose to say 'because he's a drunk bastard'. He sighed and put another fake smile on his face "What are you talking about honey? Daddy and I just joke around, that's all…" he let his voice trail off. She was smarter than to believe something like that.

She gave him a look like 'you got to be kidding me'. "Zane. I'm younger than you, not stupider." She huffed and demanded an answer.

"Dad just… has some issues I'm helping him work out." Zane nodded. That was believable. Right? He licked his lips and gave Anita another hug. She nuzzled him like she didn't want him to let go.

She nodded slightly realizing he didn't want to talk about it. She decided to change the subject. She pulled away and grinned up at him. "I don't have school tomorrow!" She said excitedly.

Zane cocked an eyebrow hiding the worried look behind his eyes. He hated leaving her alone with him. "Oh really? Well then. Do you want to come to school with me?" It was an odd idea but that was he could watch over her. She nodded excitedly. She let out a slight squeal in excitement.

"I get to go to high school!" She proclaimed loudly. Tomorrow was going to be a long and interesting day.