Chapter 2

Jack didn't have a destination; he wasn't even sure of how far away from the house he was. The exact time was unknown to him, but he knew by the sun that is was at least the afternoon. It was freezing outside, he didn't care though. All he cared about was that he was getting out and he wasn't about to go back. The only thing that stood in his way now was the police. If someone noticed a kid his age walking around they'd be suspicious. If someone noticed the bruised face and the way his arm daggled to his side motionlessly, they might call the police. Jack had to be careful to not bring any attention to himself.

"Watch where you're going ass wipe!" A medium height man turned around and sneered at Jack waiting for a reply.

What had he done, Jack didn't remember doing anything to this guy. He was minding his own business on purpose how could he have.

"Well are you gonna apologize?"

"For what?" Jack said timidly as he stared at the ground.

"For bumping in to me!"

Jack didn't remember bumping in to him but it doesn't mean he didn't. When he zoned out and became lost in his own thoughts he hardly heard or felt anything around him. It was a habit his social worker told him to work on.

"I…I'm sorry." Jack said in low whisper.

"Speak up kid I can't hear you!" The man was waiting for an answer. Jack noticed the whore woman standing behind him. She had a smile on her face, one that said she was amused by the scene. She was quite the amusing scene herself. Wearing a short blue mini skirt and a leopard print corset, she looked absolutely crazy for wearing that kind of outfit in this weather.

"I'm sorry." Jack said louder this time.

"You giving me attitude kid?!" He grabbed jacks arm in an attempt to scare him but Jack let out sharp hiss of pain and a tear rolled down his face. The man released his arm and stared at the kid with skeptical look on his face. He felt how Jack's arm had moved unnaturally in his own hand.

"Let me see you're arm kid." The hostility was no longer in his tone and the whore was not smiling anymore. Jack tried to run but the guy just grabbed Jack's other arm to stop him. That hurt his bruised arm but he let out no sign that it hurt.

"Come on James I don't want to get tangled up in some child abuse mess okay?" The whore whined in her thick Latino accent.

"Shut up Casey!" He turned his attention back to Jack who was still trying to get free. "Show me your arm kid." He pulled Jack's hoodie sleeve up causing more pain to shoot threw his arm. This time Jack fell to the knees in pain and more tears escaped his eyes.

James looked Jack's swollen, bruised arm and his face twisted up with pity for him. Then he got a closer look at Jack's face and he made his decision. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

Jack tried to get up and run again but the man didn't let him. Instead he dragged him to his car, ignoring the looks he got from the few people who walked the streets.

"James don't do this he's not your responsibility." Casey said with concern, that they were getting in to more then it was worth.

"Get in the car Casey or you can walk right back to your usual corner." He said tossing Jack in the back seat.

Casey got in the passengers seat and gave James a disapproving look. He ignored it and pulled out on to the street and headed to the hospital. Jack was no longer crying but still writhing in pain. He used his good arm to try and open the door. It wouldn't' open.

"It's on safety lock. My car is a piece of shit and I can't seem to change it so that it's not." He said keeping his eyes on the road.

Jack felt as though the whole world was curling in on him and that no matter what he did he couldn't escape. Everything he did was in vein. Soon he would be at the hospital and they would take him out of Kevin's custody and it to some other bastard's once they saw his condition. Jack was starting to think that maybe he should just give up and let the demons devour him. He was useless. He was nothing more than a punching bag and no one was going to change that. They all treated him that way.

Once they arrived at the hospital's emergency room James took Jack and they examined him and did all the tests that they have to do in situations like this. Then his social worker came and got him and told Jack that he already had a new home for him.

"This one is permanent Jack. I promise." John, Jack's social worker, looked at Jack with utter concern in his eyes as they drove to Jack's new home. "Evelyn Mercer is a saint. She's already taken in three boys just like you and they all loved her. Evelyn is trying very hard right now to get the adoption papers through. She wants to keep you Jack."

Jack was looking out the car window with his hood up. He looked like he didn't care what John had to say but in reality he was a little curious. No one had ever tried to adopt him before, but he still wasn't going to let himself be tricked by this. This might just be a false hope. He wasn't going to believe anything he was told. Too many promises had already been broken. He was giving hope one last chance with this Mercer lady and then he was going to just give up and let what ever happens to him, happen.

"Jack, come one, get out of the car." John said patiently.

He hadn't even realized they had pulled up in front of a house. It was a nice house. Looks were deceiving though. He felt a strong fear pang at his insides as he and John approached the house. John walked threw the first door and in to the screened in porch area. He turned to see that Jack was frozen on the steps.

"Come on Jack, its okay I promise."

Jack hesitantly continued up the stairs and walked threw the door so he stood by John. He jumped when John knocked on the door. John looked at him with pity on his face. "It's okay Jack." He repeated again.

This was it, his last chance for hope and he was getting ready to brace his self with the most likely outcome. Pain.