A few days later, something else happened that was notable. School was… interesting. Everyone was moaning and groaning about it only being Tuesday and the fact that it was raining. I just sat there in class, wishing that people would just be quiet and suck it up. I for one actually liked school. It was the perfect excuse to get away from my parents, but people expected me to be social at school. I didn't like talking, so I just sat there and read Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. I finished the first Harry Potter book very quickly, and I was halfway through the second. I read during lunch and during recess. While everyone else played on the Playground and chased each other and threw mulch, I sat on the bench and read my book.

When the bell rang at the end of the day, I ran out of the building towards Charles and Alli's house. I was excited to see them as usual, but today my need to talk to them was larger. I felt like I should tell them. I should tell them what my parents did to me. I should!

As I was walking over to their house, it started to rain. Tiny, crystal raindrops fell on my face like shattered glass, and my red hair got whipped in the wind. I sped up my pace, my sneakers making small "sploosh" noises as they splashed into puddles that were quickly forming beneath my feet. I ran all the way to their house, up their now wet driveway, and onto their porch. I rang the doorbell, cold and wet. A few seconds, Alli answered the door.

"Shiloh!" She said, a smile appearing but disappearing very quickly. "Why are you waiting outside in the rain? Come on in!"

I smiled. Over the past few weeks, I had grown very close to both Charles and Alli. They were my second parents, basically. I told them about everything; school, what books I liked, all of the stuff I could tell them without giving away my situation at home. Sure, they would ask about my parents, but I would always lie. I would always tell them that my mom was a secretary at the high school, and my father worked for the government. Since I was only nine at the time, I didn't understand really what working for the government really meant. So, luckily, Charles and Alli didn't pressure me for answers.

Charles would always make me smile, even if he was just messing with Zoey and Marley or making Alli mad, the corners of my mouth would always turn upwards whenever he simply moved.

Alli made me feel good. She understood, and even now, when I'm much older, she still understands. She was always the rock. The gentle voice to lead me on the right path, and I owed her everything for that.

Anyways, something else happened that day. I had no idea that, as soon as I walked into the kitchen that day, I would meet someone else who would change my life forever.

Alli led me inside and closed the front door behind her. I heard Charles voice from the kitchen, and the corners of my mouth turned up again. But I heard someone else's voice. Someone I didn't know. I also heard the sound of an instrument. I had never heard the sound of an instrument before, as I had never listened to music in my life. My parents hated music; they thought it was a sin to ever listen to it.

I got nervous immediately. Meeting new people frightened me beyond belief, especially if I didn't know if they would hurt me. Alli entered the kitchen before I did, and I heard voices. My nervousness grew when I realized that it was a male's voice. I stopped in my tracks, not wanting to approach.

"Shiloh?" Alli asked, popping her head into the foyer. "What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing," I had lied, my small, uneven teeth biting down on my lip.

Alli didn't believe me for one second.

She walked back over and knelt down.

"You're scared, Shiloh," She said. "You're shaking. What's wrong?"

"I don't know who that man is," I admitted quietly. "I'm afraid he's going to hurt me. Please don't hurt me…"

Alli put her arms around me, the first time she had ever hugged me.

"Don't worry, honey. He won't hurt you. He's really nice."

I didn't believe her, and I was still in shock over the hug. I hadn't been hugged in a very, very long time.

And it was amazing.

"Now come on, Shiloh. Charles wants to see you," Alli said, standing up and taking my hand. She led me into the kitchen, and my eyes fell on who was at the table.

The first person I noticed was Charles. He looked the same, with a shirt on that read Internet Killed Television. I had no idea what that was, but the design was cool. He had a big instrument in his hand. He smiled when he saw me, and I tried to smile back. But I couldn't, because I was too busy staring at the man in the chair across from him.

He had long–very long– red hair like me. His was very messy, though, and when he saw me, his very blue eyes grew. He had drawings all up his arms and one on his chest. He had a nose ring, and straight white teeth. He had an instrument in his hand as well, but he seemed to have forgotten about that. He raised two very orange eyebrows.

"Hello…" He said, looking confused. "Who are you?"

I squeaked and hid behind Alli.

"I'm sorry," He said. "I didn't mean to offend–"

"It's okay, Travis. She's very shy."

"You guys didn't tell me you had a child."

"We don't. She's not ours."

I felt hot tears brewing in my eyes for no reason. I was really scared. This man looked like he was going to hurt me, especially with that ring in his nose and drawings on his arms.

"Shiloh?" I heard Charles' voice close to me. His voice was reassuring, and I calmed down a little bit.

"Shiloh, it's okay. He won't hurt you." Alli said.

He will, My mind whispered. All men are bad! Remember what they can do to you!

I squeaked again and started shaking. A tear slipped out of my eyes.

"Hurt her?!" The man called Travis said. "Why the Hell would I hurt a little girl?! Are you guys out out your minds?!"

I was so shocked at his vehemence that I stopped shaking for a second.

"Travis–"

"Shiloh," Travis said, very gently. Still shaking, I peered out from behind Alli.

"Y-yes?" I whispered. Travis stood up very slowly, and took a few steps towards me. I gripped Alli's leg. She knelt down and rubbed my back.

"I promise that I will never, ever hurt you. Ever."

His words were sincere, I could tell. Travis took a few more steps towards me.

"I won't touch you if you don't want me to, but please believe me. I wouldn't hurt anybody."

I bit my lip, and walked towards him.

"You won't hurt me?" I asked.

"No. Never." He said. "I promise."

I smiled nervously. "Then you are my friend."