Silence filled the room. The Camdens were trying to aprehend evrything that the young boy had just say. Eric was the first one to talk.
"So, your mother knows us?"
"Yes," Rick's answer was barely more than a whisper. "Or at least she used to."
"Look, Rick," Lucy started, "We jut want to help you. If you talk to us, tell us the whole truth, then maybe we can do something to help you, to help your mother."
"Yeah," Simon added. "How did she save you and who is she working for."
Rick stood silent for a while, as the Camdens were giving him time to make a decision. Should he tell them everything? What would they think? Could they really help him? Help his mother? Finally he nodded and said: "I'll tell you, but please don't be mad, don't kick me out."
"Whe would we-" Annie was cut by Lucy, "Mom let him talk."
"Okay," Rick took a deep breath. "A few years ago, my mom was kidnapped. The guy who did it raped her and tortured her. He kept her in a small romm telling her that if she ever tried to escape he would kill her family. One day, she found out she was pregnant. That day, the guy offered her a deal. If she worked for him and did everything he told her to, her child would live. She accepted. Since that day she has been forced to work as prostitute and sometimes she would also be a waitress at a strip club he owned. She did everything he told her to do to save me. If it wasn't for me, she probably wouldn't have suffer so much." By then Rick was sobbing. Annie took him in her arms.
"Oh Rick. I'm so sorry."
Everyone had tears in their eyes.
"Why would you think we would kick you out or be mad." Eric asked, "You're not responsible for any of that, neither is your mom."
Lucy, Kevin, Simon and Ruthis agreed.
"I didn't tell you everything." Rick said in a weak voice.
"What more could you have to tell?" Lucy wondered.
"Don't worry, you'll tell us later." Kevin said. "Maybe you could tell us your name or your mother's name, or even the guy's name if you know it, so we can try to help your mom."
"My name-" Rick hesitated, "Please don't be mad. My name is Eric Matthew Camden."