The stairs are there, the bathroom is right by your room, and the closet is just in the other side of the bathroom." he pointed it all out. Sally kept her eyes to the ground, feeling like an intruder, a cloud hanging above Jack's house. Everything here seemed forbidden, like she wasn't supposed to look at it. "The kitchen is behind these doors-(he opened double doors and revealed a spacious kitchen) "And you're welcome to anything.'' he smiled at her. "Any questions?"

Sally shook her head slowly. Paused. And then took off his jacket and handed it to him. "Thank you for letting me use this-"

"Keep it." he said, still smiling down at her. "Just in case you get cold or something.''

Sally blushed harder. "Thank you.''

He lead her up the stairs and to her room, opening the door. "it's a little musty so we might have to open the window-(he crossed the room and opened the large window, a breeze cutting through the silent room. He walked out and came back with a few blankets.) "You can do whatever you want to the room, its completely yours." He turned to her and stared at her.

"Jack…." her voice came out quiet. "This is so unbelievably kind of you, I'll repay you in anyway possible.''

He laughed, his voice ringing through the room. "Sally, why on earth would you repay me? Sweetheart-"

He stepped closer to her, taking her hand in his. "You deserve this.''

Sally froze as she remembered what had happened last month:

Sally went to the door and opened it, preparing to leave, when something yanked her back by the hair, throwing her to the ground. The door slammed and Jonah stood over her, fists clenched.

"What the fuck.'' He said, his voice full of death. "What the FUCK do you think your doing?"

Sally whimpered. "I was just going out-"

"I TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULDN'T GO OUT ANYMORE!" His foot clipped her leg and she cried out as the pain reverberated up her leg. She scooted away from him, up against the wall, shaking her head.

[i]"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…Please…." she sobbed. "Please…."

"You think I'm doing this because I like it?"[/i]

he caught her by the arm and dragged her up,

shaking her. "You deserve this.''

"Sally?"

She started, blinking as she looked up at him. "What?"

"Are you hungry?'' he touched her shoulder lightly. "I can make you something.''

Her stomached churned and she shoved her hair from her face, nodding slowly. "Thank you.''

He smiled tenderly at her and stepped around her. "You can wash up if you want to, I'll call you when its done.''

He left her standing there and she glanced around the room, tossing the coat onto the bed and hugging herself. She couldn't believe what had happened. She had finally made it out of hell and into…what, heaven? Was this heaven? Or was this just another elevator relationship back down to hell?

She walked out of the room and, finding the bathroom, close the door and turned the sink on, running water over face and washing off her makeup and her tears. She sniffed deeply and cleared her throat, combing her fingers through her hair. She walked out and down the stairs, the smell of food wafting up to greet her. Her stomach churned harder as she opened the door and slid in, seeing Jack set a platter of roast beef, mashed potatoes and soda onto the table. He smiled when he saw her.

"Hey.''

She smiled shortly back at him. "You….you cook?''

"Looks can be deceiving, can't they?" he said with a little laugh. "But rest assured Its fully cooked. So you won't get food poisoning or anything.'' he walked around the table and held out the chair for her. She sat and he sat across from her.

They ate in silence and Sally waited for the moment when he would set his fork down, get up and tell her that it was time to pay for his hospitality. But no such words came. Instead he tried to start a pleasant conversation with her.

"Halloweens coming up.'' he said lightly. "Have you ever gone to the celebration?''

Sally shook her head. "He um….Wouldn't let me…''

Jack sighed lightly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't ask questions-''

"No its fine, I mean, it doesn't…..doesn't matter…'' she said her voice drifting off towards the end as she poked at her roast beef. She really was hungry. She brought a fork full up to her mouth and chewed, her mind instantly blown. It was the best food she had ever tasted.

He saw the look on her face and broke up into short laughter-covering his mouth with his hand. She frowned. "What?''

"Just…..Nothing, its nothing.'' he said. "Is it good?''

"Delicious.'' she said, feeling her face go hot as she touched the glass, slightly embarrassed at herself.

She finished, thanked him again, and went up to her bedroom, closing the door behind her and sliding into bed without undressing. As soon as her head hit the pillow her whole body relaxed automatically, her muscles ridding themselves of tension. This had been the first time in a few years that she had been able to just relax in bed without having to worry about anyone coming and getting her.

The door opened and she close her eyes, listening. She heard him step lightly up to the side of the bed and knew he was staring down at her.

"How could anyone hurt such a beautiful girl like you, Sally?'' his voice sounded mournful as she felt his fingers touch her hair for a split second before he left. She opened her eyes and stared at the door, heart beating widely.

…..Beautiful girl….

Days melted into weeks and soon weeks melted into months and Sally grew accustomed to staying with Jack. They had dinner together and soon her bruises faded. He didn't ask any questions and she was grateful for that. One day she finally got the courage to ask the one question that was on her mind.

"Where do you think Jonah is?'' she asked him over dinner.

"To be honest, I really don't know. I suppose he left town or something cowardly like that.''

But she doubted he really thought that at all. For the last few weeks he had escorted her everywhere, keeping close watch on her, especially after they walked home from work Saturday night. She wondered if he was fearful that Jonah would intercept her again and kill her when he did. But she didn't want to ask him that in case that it made him worry more.

She found him in the living room, reading, on tuesday night and stood infront of him. He smiled up at her.

"Yes?''

She cleared her throat. "I uh...I need to go to Jonah's house to retreive my things-"

"I'll have Wanita get you new things.'' he said.

She blushed. "Wanita?''

"The woman who helps me out with things; my secratary of sorts. She's very nice and i thnk you'd hit it off rather quickly. I'll call her now.'' he reached over for the phone.

"i don't want to be a bother-"

"Oh its no bother at all.'' he said, dialing. A moment passed and he smiled. "Wanita? Yeah. I need you to do me a favor. I need you to take a dear freind of mine out to shop for things." He laughed shortly. "No, whatever she needs. Yeah. Yeah.'' he looked up at her. "Yes, very beautiful. Okay. Thanks, love. Bye.'' he hung up and smiled up at sally. "She'll be over in a few minutes.''

Wanita Carlson was an older woman with a soft face and an even softer heart. She got instantly excited when she saw Sally.

"You were right when you said she was beautiful, Jack. But oh my-" she tugged at Sally's black sweater. "You have her dressing in baggy clothes? tsk tsk tsk.'' she smiled up at sally and patted her cheek. "Don't you worry, sweets, I'll have you fixed up.''