After I got my stuff unpacked I sighed a very happy sigh. I glanced at the ring I wear as a promise to myself no sex until I was married. I got up and left the room, "Ma, I'm going to town, need anything?" I called as I got to the top of the stairs.

My step-dad Frank came out and handed me some money, "Could you get us each a pack of smokes and a bottle of pop each?" he asked kindly.

"Yeah, is that it, want me to get Melody something also?" I asked about my kid sister. She was a cutie and a hand full; she's two and looks just like her dad, who's my step-dad.

"No thanks sweetie, be careful, it looks chilly so take a jacket in case it gets cold," Frank told me.

"Okay dad, I'll be home later," I told him and went down the stairs. Hoping he wouldn't stop me about my cute outfit. To me it's cute because I have on my white go-go boots, a black Mini skirt, white top and my white sunglasses. I slipped my black jacket in the backseat of the car. I hated wearing one, just for the fact it hides my cuteness.

I made it to town and found my store. But I had to walk past two guys to get there. I tried to ignore them, until I heard them let both whistle my way. I just simply flipped them off and kept walking. I wasn't really in the mood to put up with a guy right now.

I went into the drug store to get the cigarettes for mom and Frank when I heard, "So pretty lady, what brings you here?" in my ear. I smirked at that, wow, my first day and already being hit on.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I simply replied with a smirk. The guy stopped dead in his tracks and just stared at me. He was kinda scaring me.

"Don't I know you?" he asked. I shrugged; just as the other guy walked in I finally took my sunglasses off. The guy in front of me; his eyes went huge, "Linda?" he asked staring into my piercing blue eyes.

I was confused on who this guy was, "depends on whose asking," I replied. He didn't look familiar to me, but no one in this town should, it's my first day here.

"Dallas Winston," he told me and I just glared at him, "What's your problem?"

"Nothing, just, just leave me alone, I, I don't want to talk to you right now, I got to get home," I told him as I paid for the stuff I needed to get.

"Linda, wait, what the hell's the matter?" he asked, making me stop in the door way as the tears built up in my eyes.

"Nothing, I just have to get home, I'll see you around," I softly told him and left towards home. If I was late getting this to my mom she'd beat me worse than ever. Suddenly a hand was placed on my arm, I tightened up and heard.

"Look, I don't know if you remember, but mom used to beat the hell outta me. Is she abusin' ya?" he asked. I felt the tears start to fall.

"Dally please, I, I need to get home," I begged. He let me go and I basically ran home, scared to know what she'll do to me if I don't get her, her stuff quick enough. I always have to get her, her stuff before I do anything of my own.

I got home and ran inside, "ma I got your stuff," I called out and heard someone coming downstairs.

"Bout time you lazy, good for nothing child," she called me and slapped me across the face. I felt something running down my cheek, I reached up and wiped my cheek off a little and saw blood on my hand, "you're worthless, just like Dallas, that's why he was sent to live with his piece of crap father." She hit me a couple more times. I learned that you never talk back or at all when she's like this, "I should have sent you to your father when I had the chance." Then she hit me one more time before I got the courage to run out of the house, "STAY OUT AND NEVER COME BACK!" she yelled. I felt the tears flowing down my cheeks. Stinging like acid when they hit the cut.

I got to the end of the fence and cried harder. I couldn't go any further since all I saw was blurriness from crying. I felt someone lift my face up, "You okay kid?" the voice of Dally came.

"I, I'm fine," I softly told him.

"No you're not, come with me," he told me as he pulled me up to my feet. I followed him as good as I could. I had no idea where he was taking me but I just knew I didn't want to be home.

"Dally she," was all I got out and cried harder. Just thinking about it hurts.

Suddenly I was sat on something soft. I sighed and tried my hardest not to cry. A few moments later I felt a cloth of some type get put on my cheek. I flinched, "Easy now," Dally's rough voice quietly told me.

"Where's the bathroom?" I asked calmer now. I learned how to calm myself down quick, just because if I cried in front of my mother she'd beat me more. I glanced at Dally as he pulled me off the couch by my arm and led me to the bathroom, "Be right out." He nodded. I closed the door and went to the bathroom sink. I noticed I had a wash cloth, I decided that I'll clean myself up, like normal. I flinched each time I touched my cheek, but you get used to the pain after a while. After I finally got the cut to stop bleeding I was thankful, I hate the site of blood. I used the restroom, the real reason I needed to find the bathroom. I washed my hands after I flushed and made my way slowly to the living room. There were a few other guys there, I stopped in my tracks.

"Come on over here, kid. They ain't gonna bite ya," Dally told me from his spot on the couch. I slowly went over and sat down with him. My hands started to shake, not really sure why they were, probably because I am scared to be around new people, "Sis this is the gang, guys this is my kid sister Linda. Their names are Johnny, Pony, Steve, Soda, Two-Bit and Darry."

"Um, nice, nice to meet you all," I quietly told them. They all nodded in reply.

"Linda lets go hang in the kitchen, you and I need to talk," Dally basically ordered. I sighed and followed him to the kitchen.

"Do you drink coffee Linda?" Darry, I think was his name, asked me.

"Yeah, I, I do," I hate when I am nervous, I stutter a lot.

"Black?" he asked and I nodded in reply. He handed me a cup of coffee.

'Thank you," I politely told him.

"How long is that cut, you got?" Dally asked making me jump. Before I answered the back of my shirt was being pulled up, "Damn it, and is that from that bitch?"

"Y-yes," was all I could get out.

"It needs to be cleaned, follow me please," Darry spoke. I placed my coffee cup down and followed him to the bathroom. Dally removed my shirt reveling a whole lot more cuts, bruises and scares from before. I heard Dally swearing under his breath and Darry looked pale. I wanted to run but Dally was blocking the door so I had no way out of the room.