Janet said nothing as she clenched onto the sheets, wanting to drive her face into the and scream into to it but didn't. For one Nathan, who was currently screwing her, would think she was enjoying it. And that was the last thing she wanted him to think. And second she knew her mother was nearby and would know immediately that it wasn't. Then she would probably beat her for making him think her mother would be the better option of the two. She stayed there and just took it, tears falling down her cheek, lucky that the man who just took her virginity couldn't see them.

After what seemed like an eternity he finally finished, giving her butt a hard slap for good measure. A small yelp of pain almost escaped her mouth but she stopped it. "Good thing I can't get you pregnant," he said leaning in until he was next to her ear, "otherwise you might lose this sexy ass of yours." He spanked her one more time before getting off the bed and getting dressed. She laid on her side and wouldn't face him. Hearing the door open he heard him say, "When do I get a go at you darlin'?"

She heard her mother snort and walk into the room. She felt her stand there and watch as Janet pulled her nightgown down. Finally she said, "Better you than me," and walked out of the room.

As soon as the door closed she curled up into a fetal position and silently cried. Why would her mother do this to her, she thought. Why would she let him do that to her?

A voice in the back of her head told her, because she's your mother and she can.

She wanted to go to sleep, but part of her was afraid Nathan would come back in wanting to have a go at her again. Reaching under the pillow she felt the handle of the knife she didn't have the courage to use the first time. Would it be worth the beating her mother would give her if she fought him off this time? It might be if she was able to cut his dick off in the process.

When she finally started to drift off her mind went back to one of her earliest memories.

~twelve years earlier~ Janet was five and in the orphanage. Several couples had come by, looking and talking to her. A few seemed really nice and the young girl secretly hoped one of them would be her Mommy and Daddy. Then a single woman stopped by, young Janet thought she looked pretty but there was something about her that made her a little afraid. The way she looked at her made her want to run away as fast as she could. But the lady at the orphanage kept her in place.

"Is everything alright Miss. Chance," the one she remembered was called Lily asked. Janet always liked Lily, she would sneak candy to the boys and girls every so often.

"Everything is perfectly fine," Miss Chance said focusing on Lily for a moment before returning her attention to Janet. "She just seems to be a special little girl." She smiled in a way that made her even more afraid.

Lily seemed to sense her fear and pulled her a little closer, "That she is, everybody loves little Janet here."

"I'm sure they do," Miss. Chance said.

"I'm sure you know adoption is a long process," Lily told her, "and being a parent is a lifelong job."

"I'm well aware of both, she replied with a little irritation in her voice.

Lily eyed her for a moment before continuing, "I also hope you're aware that rarely do single parents get to adopt a child. They see a two parent home as being the better option for the child."

"But it does happen," Miss Chance said, "otherwise I don't think I would have made it this far."

"Of course," Lily agreed, but she pulled Janet a little closer.

"And I'm sure if I write a big enough check I'll get things going even faster in my favor."

"You make it sound like the children are for sale." Janet could tell something was different in Lily's voice but was too young to understand what it was.

"Everything has a price," Miss Chance said evenly, "You live long enough you'll see that as clear as day."

"I like to think not everyone feels that way," Lily told her. "I think this interview is done."

"Oh I disagree." Miss. Chance pulled out a gun. Lily pulled Janet behind her to try and shield her. "I think it's just starting."

"Don't hurt Janet, please don't hurt her," she begged.

"I wouldn't dream of hurting her," she said as she twisted something onto the gun. "At her age she'd never have a chance at the game."

"What ga..."

"You," Chance said as she pointed the gun, "on the other hand are another worthless mortal who won't live long enough to know better." There was a muffled sound the same time Lily's head snapped back, Janet watched her fall and hit the ground totally terrified, Chance gripped her hard by the face and made her look at her.

"Listen," she said coolly. "Do you know how much trouble you're in right now? You could have stopped that but you didn't. Everybody is going to blame you for it now."

"No," Janet said as she started to cry.

The grip on her face tightened, "Shut it or you'll bring them here faster to see what you let me do. Do you understand me?" Janet wanted to bawl more but she held it in. "Good girl. Now you are going to come with me because you are a good girl and don't want to get in trouble. Don't worry, Mommy will protect you from the big bad world."

~now~ "Hey Janet," Nathan said in a way that made her skin crawl. He got way to close as he put an arm around her and tried to guide her out of the room. "Why don't you and me go somewhere and talk, all private like?" her mother wasn't anywhere in sight, maybe a quick shot to his balls and she could get out of there. Even if her mother did beat her she wouldn't have to go through that again.

Unless she made her let Nathan have his way afterwards. God only knows what he would do to her then.

Before she could try to decide what fate was worse she noticed Omar was in their path. He glowered at Mitchell. "What?", he asked the bigger man. "You want a turn at her?" In response Omar grabbed the arm that was around her and nearly broke it as he twisted it around to Nathan's back. "Hey!", he yelped in pain. "Vicky said it was okay you big oaf!"

"Victoria is not here," Omar growled in his ear.

"But I am," Jin said as he appeared behind Omar. With a cold look he made Omar, reluctantly, let him go. While Nathan was trying to get the feeling back in his arm Jin quickly stood between him and Janet. It was obvious to all he was guarding her from him.

"Come on now," Nathan protested, "Vicky said she was up for grabs."

"And if Victoria was here," he countered, "while I would not," he looked back at her briefly, "and do not agree, with her decision but as her mother I would not interfere." Janet heart sank knowing that he knew what happened last night and let it happened. And would again if her mother was there. "However since she is not here Janet falls under my guardianship, and next time I may just escort Janet away as Omar had his fun. Janet," he said addressing her, "would you go on a little errand for me. I need some supplies."

"Yes Jin," said as she took the piece of paper that was suddenly in his hand.

As she left she heard Nathan say, "You're just making it worse for the kid once Vicky finds out."

Then Omar spoke up, "For your sake you better pray she doesn't."

Janet knew where Jin wanted these supplies from. It was a store several miles from where they were located. They always shopped as far away as possible just so another immortal couldn't follow them. Not that one couldn't follow them anyway, but Janet never brought it up. Not since that one time a couple of years ago. Her mother was furious for questioning their judgment. As it was she was debating how long she could stay out without her Mother getting angry. Part of her screamed keep on going and don't look back. God she wanted to listen to that part but knew she couldn't.

She was so lost in thought she didn't even realize somebody in a grey open hoodie was walking next to her until a moment before he spoke. "You missed some classes."

She stopped and looked at the man next to her. It was Mr. MacDonald. She wanted to run away and ask him for protection at the same time. But the look he was giving her, that was a hunter's look. She couldn't run far enough to get away and she sincerely doubted he'd help her after the other night. "How did you find me?", she asked trying to show more bravery than she felt at the moment.

"One of the things I'm really good at is tracking." he said. Without any further explanation he asked, "Where is she?"

"You're the tracker, you tell me?" She flinched, expecting him to hit her for such a flippant answer. But he stayed his hand. In fact he started looking a little sad at her reaction. She tried to tell herself it was because they were out in the open. But that didn't go with the person she remembered teaching the class. Right then he looked like the concerned teacher she remembered so clearly.

"And if I knew she'd be dead already," he eventually answered.

"So why should I tell you?", she asked, almost demanding an answer. "Or are you going to force it out of me like the big bad immortal you are."

If he was surprised he didn't show it, not in a way she could tell. And she was trying to throw him, just long enough so she could get out of there. Instead he went, "So you do know what we are," in way like she just confirmed something.

"So, are you going to kill me now?"

"No because I know what you are too. And I'm not forcing this life on you." Now that threw her a bit. Why was he acting like he actually cared what happened to her? Nobody actually cared what happened to her.

"I'm destined for it any way so why wait." She walked away into an alley. Her heart sank even lower as she realized he followed her in. Turning and facing him she pulled the sword she carried out of her coat. Almost reluctantly he did the same. "If we're fighting don't I deserve to know your real name?"

He glanced down at the blade in his hands before saying, "Owen McAllister."

"Janet Chance," she said giving the only name she could actually remember. Then she went at him. He kept blocking her strikes. This was like the end of their first duel, him calm and analyzing. She knew she wouldn't get him in the confused state like she did back then, she wasn't that lucky.

Somehow he was the one of the defensive but she was the one backing up. But she was more careful this time around as well. She saw him change his fighting style like he did the first time. Unfortunately he did it with losing a step so everything was in one smooth motion. But she did see him set up for the same disarming move he used last time and was ready for it. In fact she thought she did beat it, right until he knocked her sword down and held the point of his at her neck, backing her into the wall. Slowly he looked at his sword and removed it, going so far as to put it back in his coat. "Aren't you going to do anything?", she demanded. Although she was afraid he'd try to fuck her like Nathan did.

Instead he looked sad again, "Like what? Cut you for failing." She didn't say anything. "That's what she does when you're not good enough with the sword right?" She didn't answer but her hand went to the bandage under her sleeve. "Why are you protecting her?"

Why do you care? "Why do you want her dead?"

"She killed my wife," he said without hesitation. Then again, "Why are you protecting her?"

Because I'm scared of her. "Because she promised to make me immortal once I'm ready."

That sad look on his face seemed to grow sadder when he heard that. "Why in the world would you want to be immortal?"

Because she might finally love me like a real mother should. "Because I don't want to die."

"Every immortal but one is going to die," he told her. He looked away but quickly returned his gaze to her. "I will find her and I will kill her. And I want you out of town when I do."

She didn't understand, "Why?"

He almost didn't want to answer but did, "Because I don't want you caught in the crossfire." With that he walked away.

She wasn't about to let him leave like that. "Why? Why do you care what happens to me? I'm nothing to you like this."

"Because her sins aren't yours," he told her. "And I know you're a good kid in a lousy situation, and somebody needs to care about what happens to you."

"So you're telling me you actually care? Is that it? Why in the hell do you care?", she demanded as the tears started falling again. Damn it she didn't want to cry now, not in front of him.

"Because you deserve better than this," he said. "If you need help out of town I'll do what I can."

He left before she could respond. She didn't want him to hear what she was about to say any way, "She'll find me no matter where I'd go."