Tommy led me into the dining room but we didn't find anyone there. We heard someone call Tommy from the living room. Sitting on the couch we found Luda who was watching some TV while sewing up a piece of fabric. It looked like she was making a new dress, but I couldn't be certain. Tommy pulled me over to the open couch, which he sat down on and patted the seat next to him indicating where I should sit. I slid down next to him and he beamed.

I smiled up at him before I turned my attention to the moving pictures on the screen in front of me. Tommy on the other hand continued to stare down at me. Tentatively, he moved his hand from his lap to my waist. I looked down at his hand and smirked. Without much warning, he pulled me closer so that I bumped into his side. I giggled and glanced up at him and he had an innocent look on his face. He stared expectantly wondering whether or not I would move back. Something about that look made me smile. It was hopeful and unsure and strangely innocent, all of which shouldn't have suited him yet fit him perfectly. I sighed quietly and rested my head on his shoulder. I heard him intake air quickly and when I looked at him, his eyes were shining. I laughed quietly to myself and got comfortable against Thomas. I caught a glimpse of Luda Mae looking over at us and smiling. We all settled in quietly and watched the program.

An hour crept by then another, the movie had ended and now we were watching the late-night news. Actually, Luda Mae was watching the news, while Thomas and I were resting against each other on the verge of sleep. Unfortunately, our dozing didn't last. Tommy woke with a start at a loud noise coming from the front door and his sudden movement jarred me awake. I sat up and rubbed my eyes sleepily. Tommy stood ready to do whatever was necessary. I could see the tension coiled in his muscles and the intense look that took over his face. The show of power was impressive and I caught myself smirking at the display, but it was quickly replaced with a scowl as the source of the noise appeared in the doorway.

A red-faced Hoyt stumbled into the room. I saw Tommy relax but not fully. He remained on edge in case he had to intercept anything the older man tried, which surprised me. I know he had said he would keep me safe but until that moment I didn't think he meant it.

Hoyt scanned the room and it was only until he saw me that his face twisted into another scowl. He took a step forward but stopped when he saw Tommy, who pulled his hands into fists, causing Hoyt to kept his distance. Even in a drunken state he knew how dangerous Tommy could be so instead he decided to insult me from afar.

"I see you're still here...you little bitch. Don't think I don't know what you're doing… rubbing all up against my nephew like that…just so he don't kill you… I bet you have to keep yourself from throwing up each time you look at him."

I wanted to say something back, but I couldn't think of an argument to challenge what he said. Instead I just glared at the man.

"Charlie, I think you've said enough today. We should be heading off to bed." Luda said standing up and walking over to him.

"I told you to stop calling me that momma." Hoyt whined as Luda Mae pushed him off down the hall.

I stood up next to Tommy and laid my head on his arm. I felt a rough hand tilt my face upwards so that I was looking into Tommy's face. I felt the need to thank him but for some reason I remained silent. He leaned down and gently pressed his masked lips to my forehead. It surprised me, but at the same time I found it comforting. It was a quick kiss if you could even call it that and when he pulled away, he had that same questioning look on his face as if asking if he was doing the right thing. I smiled broadly up at him and he looked relieved. He took my hand and led me upstairs to my bedroom.

Once there I walked into the room but turned back when I didn't hear Tommy behind me. He stood awkwardly in the doorway and I couldn't help but smile. The young man was certainly growing on me. I walked back over to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I hesitated for a moment, thinking of what I was about to do. Before I could reconsider I pulled Tommy closer to me and pressed my lips to his cheek. I could feel the shock radiate through his tense form, but he quickly relaxed. It was a brief kiss, lasting only a few second before I moved backward. Tommy had a slight smile on his lips, which was hidden by his mask, but I could easily see the sparkle in his eyes as I released him.

"Goodnight, Thomas," I whispered.

"Goodnight, Sarah," he replied. I gave a final wave as I turned and closed the door.

As soon as the door was closed I leaned against it and sighed. Closing my eyes, I listened to Tommy's footsteps as he walked to his room and closed the door. I felt sick, like my stomach was doing somersaults. Everything Hoyt said had been burrowing its way deeper into my mind ever since it fell out of his mouth.

I walked over to the bed and fell onto it. I tucked my head under the pillow and groaned. Was I really just using Tommy? Maybe, but it certainly wasn't something that I wanted to do. He had been so kind and gentle and it wasn't hard to see that he liked me, despite not knowing anything about me and by the same token I knew little about him. I rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. Another sigh snuck its way past my lips. "This really sucks." I said to no one in particular, "Maybe I should just try leave tomorrow - that's if they let me leave."

Shutting my eyes, I started thinking about what had happened the past few days. Tommy had been the sweetest thing to me, but his family had held me in their basement. Though once I was out, they seemed so welcoming, at least everyone accept Hoyt. As I lay on my bed, my mind kept wandering back to the brilliantly happy look on Tommy's face after I had kissed him and the thought of it caused my lips to curl into a smile. At the same time, something still bothered me. Tommy had been so protective of me. He was willing to fight his own family just to keep me here. I knew that what he felt for me was far greater than what I felt for him.

I opened my eyes and returned my gaze to the ceiling. I had to talk to Tommy tomorrow. I didn't know what I was going to say or how he was going to react, I just hoped that he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

I rolled onto my side and forced myself into a dreamless sleep.