Chapter 1

"Mr. Mayer!" The teacher, Mr. Garrison, yelled for the third time, slamming his hand on the desk.

Jack jumped, wincing from the sudden movement that jerked his bruised body around. He relaxed when he realized he was still in school and not at home.

"Sorry." Jack mumbled to the angry teacher, trying to hide the pain that he was feeling all over his body.

"Sorry isn't gonna help you pass your freshmen year Jack." The teacher scolded before continuing on with the lesson, not even noticing Jack's wince or the stiff way in which he held his fragile body.

Jack let out a tired sigh. He hadn't slept or eaten a whole lot for a total of two weeks. His newest foster father was unmerciful. Jack ached all over from the nightly beatings. Last night hadn't been nearly as bad though because last night Jim, his foster father, was so shit faced that he passed out cold before he could finish with Jack. Jack was grateful of that and took the time to treat his split lip and bloodied nose among other things. He didn't look as horrible today as he had in the past few days.

Just then the school bell rang, dismissing the students for the weekend. Jack hated the weekend because it just meant more time alone with Jim, especially since Jim only ever let him leave the house for school.

"Hey, Mayer!" Someone yelled as Jack exited the school. Jack looked around to see who had called his name and to no surprise he saw the school jack ass, Simon, about ten yards in front of him.

Jack tried to ignore him and kept walking, but to his disappointment it didn't work. He felt someone grab the hood to his sweatshirt and yank him to the ground. Jack stood up quickly, knowing the disadvantages to being on the ground during a fight all to well.

"Thought you could ignore me?" Simon spat as he brought his fist up against Jack's face, splitting his lip again.

Jack was quick though and landed a nice one against Simon's nose. Simon let out a shriek and fell to the ground. Jack was about to kick him when two of Simon's goons grabbed Jack's arms and restrained him. Jack tried to struggle, but with his lack of nourishment and sleep there was no way he was breaking free.

"You're going to pay for that Jack." Simon said with blood streaking his down his chin as he stood.

Jack braced himself as he felt fist after fist connect with face and abdomen. There was a large circle around them and not a teacher in sight.

"He's done." Simon said with a chuckle. "Drop him."

And just like that the two goons let go of Jack and let him fall to the ground. Now normally Jack would have stayed on the ground to avoid further beating, but he'd had it with this asshole. He got to much shit at home to be taking it from this fuck face.

As Simon was begging to turn around Jack lunged at him and easily tackled him to the ground throwing punches left and right. Simon tried to defend himself, but couldn't and ended up knocked out by the fifth punch. The goons jumped on Jack immediately, but Jack wasn't having any of that either. His body was past physical exhaustion and adrenaline was the only thing keeping him up at this point. But that was enough to dodge punches and beat the shit out of both the goons. When all three boys were lying unconscious on the ground and the circle around them had grown silent, Jack's whole body was fighting just to stay standing. He was swaying back and forth vigorously and his vision was blurry. The adrenaline rush was gone and his lack of food and sleep was catching up quick. His body didn't ache anymore due to the numbness that he felt.

Jack tried taking a step forward and collapsed unconscious into the grass.

When Jack woke up he found himself in an unfamiliar territory. He was sitting in a bed, but he didn't know whose it was. It wasn't his, it wasn't the group homes, and it sure as hell was no nurses' office. Jack felt a surge of panic run threw him. He sat up quickly and got out of bed, but he was so weak that he just collapsed on the floor, his legs to weak to support him. Before Jack could try and stand again, an elderly woman and a muscular man rushed into the room. Jack grew fearful of the strangers and tried to stand again, only to end up back on the floor.

"Honey, it's okay, we only want to help." The elderly woman said quietly.

Jack remained silent and just stared at the two fearfully.

The man tried to approach him, but Jack unwillingly let out a tiny whimper. He internally scolded himself for being so weak.

"He won't hurt you; he's just going to help you up." The elderly woman said.

Before the man could try again Jack spoke up. "I'm fine where I am." He said in a whisper.

"Okay that's fine." The elderly woman said and the man backed up and stood next to her. "What's your name?" She asked nicely.

Jack stared at her for a moment, deciding on whether or not to answer. Instead of answering he said, "Where am I?"

"You're at my house. My name is Evelyn Mercer. My youngest, Angel, saw you fighting and said that you collapsed so he and my other two boys brought you home." She said.

Jack started shaking involuntary. He didn't like this one bit. For all he knew he could be with some psycho. At least with Jim he knew what to expect. Oh shit, Jim. He thought. He's gonna be pissed that I'm not home! Shit! He looked out the window and noticed it was dark out.

"I need to get back home." Jack said trying stand, using the bed as support. He made it up and was standing. He was swaying a little, but he was standing.

"I don't think so." The man said firmly.

Jack felt his heart drop. "W-why not?" he stuttered out.

"I wasn't born yesterday." The man said pointing at Jack's bare arms. Jack didn't notice that he wasn't wearing his hoodie anymore. His arms had bruises covering them an a few welts here and there where the belt had missed his back or stomach.

Before Jack could retaliate the elderly woman, Evelyn, spoke up. "You don't deserve that kind of treatment. You can stay here. That won't happen here." She said reassuringly.

Jack didn't believe a word the woman said and he didn't know what to expect from these people. "Umm…these are from fights okay. I just really wanna go home now." Jack pleaded.

"Fights my ass!" The man yelled making Jack flinch.

"Bobby calm down." The woman said, putting a gentle hand on the man's shoulder. Then she turned back to Jack, who was starting to sway more and more as time passed. "Just one night, give it just one night and if you still want to leave you can. Please, just tonight." The woman asked.

Jack hesitated to yes, but he knew that in the state he was now there was no way he could make it home on his own. He didn't even know what part of Detroit he was in. So he nodded his head in agreement.

The woman smiled sweetly. "Why don't you join us for dinner? I'm sure you're hungry." And like on cue Jack's stomach let out a loud moan.

Jack nodded his head up and down. Might as well. He thought.

Jack followed the man and woman out of the room the best he could. His legs still threatened to give way on him, but he REALLY did not want that man to try and help him up.

When they finally made it in to the kitchen, Jack saw two African American's already seated. The elderly woman pointed to a seat for Jack to sit in, so he did so as the man and her took their seats. There was already a plate set in front of Jack. It was a full meal. It was all he could do to keep from drooling.

"So before we eat why don't we do introductions? I'm Evelyn, like I said before. This is Bobby," she said pointing to the muscular man that was in the room with her. "Jerry," she said pointing to the smaller of the black boys. "and Angel." She finished off, pointing to the only boy left. Jack thought he recognized him from one of his classes.

"You're Jack, right?" Angel said.

Jack nodded his head. He really could care less about names, he wanted food.

"Okay well I guess we can eat now." Evelyn said.

Jack glanced at Evelyn to make sure it was okay if he ate. She gave him a small nod and Jack slowly ate his food. He wanted to stuff it down his throat, but he didn't know these people and he didn't know their tempers. He wasn't going to push things.

Jack ate about half the plate and was stuffed to the rim. When he put down his fork and stopped eating, everyone at the table gave him curious looks.

"You can eat as much as you like Jack." Evelyn said.

Jack shook his head no.

"Why not? I won't get mad."

"I can't eat anymore." He said quietly.

"Oh, okay that's fine. If you're tired you can go and sleep in the room you were before. Do you want to do that?" She asked.

Jack didn't know if this was trick question or not so he didn't answer. He just looked at her, waiting for her angry reaction at something he did wrong.

"It's fine, you can if you want." She said.

"O-okay." Jack hesitated to say.

"Do you remember the way back to the room you were just in?" She asked.

Jack nodded yes.

"Okay, then you can sleep in there for the night if you'd like."

Jack stood carefully, but his fatigue was no longer their and he felt much better. He was still in pain, from the bruises and other things, but his stomach was happy.

When Jack reached the room, he collapsed in bed and he fell asleep almost immediately.