Danny sprinted up the steps with the plastic bag swinging under her arm. Her parents weren't home, but her best friend Shelby wasn't far behind. "Danny wait up!" she called up after her, but Danny had no intention of slowing down. She had to know as soon as possible. She flung the doors of her room open and bolted into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. After a few minutes she emerged from the bathroom and sat down on the bed next to Meika and Shelby. It seemed like minutes that passed in silence but Danny didn't know what to say. With a deep breath she hoisted herself off the bed and headed back over to the bathroom. A cute little pink plus sign was staring back at her and she immediately threw it into the garbage can. Shelby's eyes widened and then a look of pity spread across her face. There was no talk of "keeping it" or not. Danny was undeniably pro-life. 'Just because my life situation has changed doesn't mean i'm going to change my mind.' she thought. Shelby seemed to know what she was thinking and said nothing. "If my parents find out they'll kick me out..." she said quickly. Shelby nodded "You're always welcome at my place" a fake smile spread across her face and Danny knew her sincerity only went so far. That's how all of her "friends" were, it just so happened that shelby was her closest friend. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" she asked, sadly. "No. I'm going to be dealing with this for 9 months. Tonight won't make much of a difference." she wanted to say that she'd need her in about 2 months but, again, Shelby couldn't be trusted entirely. After talking for a couple more hours Shelby left and Danny flopped down on her bed next to Meika. "How am I going to tell Jonathan Meika?" she asked with a sigh. "Probably the sooner the better huh?" She picked up her cell phone and texted him. Are you able to meet me at the cafe in an hour or two?

Everything was about to change for her.

"Alright, that is good enough, for now." Zechariah just finished with a meeting with a couple twin boys who requested help with aggression problems. "We shall continue this discussion Sunday at 7:00pm, if that is all right with you two."

The twins nodded and left the room. It was a typical day for the young man who reached the age of majority last year. Another discussion, another predicament to solve. No matter how hard it was for him, in any of them, he would not give up. Failure is something he dreads like the plague. Even if he were to be backed to a corner, he would not accept defeat, at all. He examined his papers on the table to find out who was next on his list of visitors, as well as the information he had to work with. "Let's see... Ms. Loax... grew up in an orhpanage with no knowledge of her biological parents... ran away and lived life on the streets... reports of illegal drug usage..." Zech reflected on what he read for a moment, his hand to his chin. "This one may prove difficult, depending on the circumstances, but I should manage."

Jonathan was working on a car in Sammy's Shop when his phone rang. Rolling out from underneth the car, he went to check his phone, wiping the exess grease off with a handkercheif. He peered at his phone, smiling as he saw a text from Danny. He could hear Sammy laugh as he walked over. "Who's callen Johnny? Is it a girl?" he joked, patting John's shoulder. John just smirked picking up his phone, "More like a girlfriend. I've told you this Sammy. Is you're memory fading already?" he teased as he walked towards the office. He could hear Sam calling after him, "Ya the next thing I'll forget is you're paycheck!" John chuckled, opening the message from Danny. 'Are you able to meet me at the cafe in an hour or two?' John smirked, quickly typing up a response, Sure, I'll head right over after I'm done with my shift at Sammy's. Love you. He walked back to the garage, calling Sammy "Hey Sam? Can I get off a little early today?" Sam looked over to John with an odd look on his face, John had never asked to leave early from his job, if anything he begged to stay later, a look of realization quickly overtook Sammy's face and he grinned. "Sure. I'll finish up that car, you go have fun with that girlfriend of yours, Loverboy." John laughed, "Thanks Sammy! I owe you!" he practically sprinted out to the locker room, stripping his coverall and throwing on his blue v-neck and jeans. John started walking towards the cafe, it wasnt too far anyways. Johnny bought himself a coffee and sat down, waiting eagerly for Danny.

While he pondered on what could possibly be the reasoning the person in question would give, the phone rang to his left. "She could be here, now..." He walked on over and took the phone to his right ear. "Hello. This is Zechariah."

"Yes, this is the front desk. Kellin is here, though she is being rather fiesty, right now. She is most likely going to need supervision wherever she goes. I hope that won't be too much of a problem, for you, at the moment, since she is supposed to meet you for counseling."

"No, ma'am. Not at all. I'm on my way."

The young man hung up and went on over to the front desk. It only took several minutes before he arrived at the scene. What he saw made him raise an eyebrow. This is going to be extremely tricky, I imagine... The young lady was indeed fiesty, considering two guards were on her. And yet, there was no hate dwelling within him. All he felt was a stern determination to do all he could to assist her with whatever was troubling her.

The woman at the desk glanced up at him with an emotionless face. [b]"Ah, Zechariah. Glad you could come. Here is the young lady who is supposed to meet with you. Hope you can handle her."

The young man did not answer her. Zechariah only walked up closer. He knew she would probably kick him or something, yet he was unwilling to appear harsh or unforgiving. After all, that would not be of much help. His confused demeanor turned into a heartwarming grin. Supportiveness was key to success, here.

He looked Kellin in the eyes as he spoke in a calm, yet comforting tone. "Kellin, it's all right. We're here to help you. That's the whole point of this place." His hand was raised as if to tell her to calm down. "Now, I know what's it's like to geraise a fist. I've been there plenty of times while growing up. You can let off steam in the counseling room. I have a punch bag set up, there, for such occassions. I even have a few rubber balls, in my desk, for you to squeeze. That always eases tensions." Holding out his hand, he posed the query, "Shall we get on with your appointment?"

'Sure, I'll head right over after I'm done with my shift at Sammy's. Love you.'

Danny read the last part and she finally felt a sharp hint of tears. 'How am I going to tell him? What will he do? What will he say?' she suddenly felt very alone. Her sisters were moving out, her friends weren't all that supportive, her parents would disown her if they found out about her pregnancy, and she had no idea how Jonathan would take it. She cleared her throat and forced herself to finish her normal routine. She pulled on a yellow dress, pale yellow canvas shoes, and a light weight white sweater over the top.

Danny took a deep breath and had to sit back down. Everything seemed to be hitting her at once. She had no idea what she'd do if he wanted nothing to do with her. The world frightened her and she hadn't the slightest clue of how to do things on her own, everything had always been done for her. She stood back up and her hands began to shake. Jonathan would know there was something wrong immediately. She jumped into her 1966 Chevy Impala (which she restored with Jonathan's help), and headed off toward the cafe.

She saw him right away through the windows as she pulled up. She tried to make herself look less nervous but she knew Jonathan could read her like a book. Danny was NOT good at hiding her emotions. She kissed him on the cheek and sat down without a word. After a minute of silence she started "I...I don't even..." but she couldn't bring herself to say more.



Luke pulled into his driveway and turned off his truck. With a sigh he ran his hands through his hair and sat back in his seat for a moment. He was laid off from his part time construction job and he didn't feel like telling his mom. They needed every cent of income they had, so he knew he had to find another part time job...and fast. Minimum wage working part time at a gas station wouldn't contribute much money at all. With a sigh he unbuckled his seatbelt and headed into the house. His mother was making something on the stove but he could tell by the smell that it wasn't much. 'Chicken broth maybe' he thought. "Hey mom" he called, walking up and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey hon. How was work" she said tiredly. Her face looked absolutely ragged from working all night. "Well...actually...I gotta talk to you about that. I was laid off again...But don't worry! I'll find another job soon I promise" he said quickly. His mother just gave him a tired smile and turned back to stir the broth. "It's alright honey. Things usually pan out in the end. I know you work hard. Don't beat yourself up over it." Luke still felt bad, but he nodded. Then she turned back to him. "But we do need some more milk, we're running out. Will you run to the store and grab a half gallon?" Luke nodded and picked up his keys again. "Be back in a few"

He hopped back into his truck and headed off toward the market. On his way he heard a strange noise. It sounded a lot like a cry of pain so he pulled over. It was quickly apparent that he was right. There were 3 guys holding down another, and Lucas immediately became angry. He approached the situation with a calm and collected disposition and yanked the main pain inflictor back by his shirt. "What seems to be the problem gentlemen?" he said, glaring at the two who were holding onto the boy. They quickly let go and took a step away from him. Lucas made it very apparent that he was in no mood to deal with bullshit and he turned to face the perpetrator again. He wasn't going to resort to physical violence unless the other threw the first punch.

John could see Danny pull up infront of the care and smiled. His smile grew a little wider when he saw she was driving the car he helped her fix up. He couldn't help but check her out as she walked through the care doors, she looked amazing in her cute little dress. But when John saw the look on her face his smile dropped. She looked like something was troubling her, and John could tell it was eating away at her. She kissed his cheek and sat down not saying anything for a moment or two. Eventually she stuttered out a "I...I don't even..." and John furrowed his eyebrows, any suspision that something was bothering her was confirmed. He leaned across the table, gathering her hands in his. "Hey, what's wrong Danny? Are you ok?" His voice was gentle and soft, practically a whisper. "Please tell me, it kills me to see you like this." He brought her hands to his lips, kissing them as he gave a lopsided grin. "You can trust me."

His response made her stutter even more. He always seemed so protective and loving. She didn't want to give him news like this when he seemed so happy already. "I..." she started again but she couldn't continue. Her voice caught and she held back tears. She wasn't going to cry...not in front of him...and not like this. She forced herself to take a deep breath and she held her hands together so they'd stop shaking.

When he brought her hands up to his lips she pulled away softly. "I know I can trust you" she said almost inaudibly. Danny looked back up into his eyes and saw sincerity. She knew she had to tell him now so she wouldn't lose her ability again. "I'm pregnant." she said even softer. She pulled her hands away entirely and added "I'm sorry" tears filled her eyes again and she couldn't hold them back this time. They streamed down her face but she made no noise. She just waited for him to respond.

John frowned once again as Danny pulled her hands away from his. Her voice seemed weak, and John bearly caught what she said. "I know I can trust you" He just sat silently, leaning forward and waiting for her to speak again. He had tried to think up any reason that Danny would be acting this way, at least none that she would hesitate telling him. Finally she spoke again, her voice soft. "I'm pregnant." John just stared at her for a minute. She had followed it with, "I'm sorry", but John could bearly hear it, all sound seemed to be watered down and he couldn't get himself to quite focus. His jaw locked and he stared at Danny, or rather in her general direction.

After a few moments he seemed to snap out of it, his voice was shaky and hardly a whisper. "How. How is that even possible? We used protection. We were careful." He gripped the edges of the table, it seemed to be the only thing keeping him stable as he went into a panic. "Your parents already hate me, and now I knocked up their youngest daughter." John looked back to Danny, seeing the streams of tears fall from her eyes. He smiled wearily, releasing his grip from the table to reach forward and wipe away her tears. "I love you, you know how much I love you." John shook his head, "But I cant do it. I.. I'm not ready." He looked down to the table, guilt overtaking him, "I mean, I couldn't afford it anyways you know that." John stood, swallowing the lump that had been building in his throat. He kissed the top of her head and murmured, "I'm so sorry Danny." He stayed like that for a moment, his arm around her shoulders and cheek on top of her head, he wished he could stay forever but he had to get out of there. He needed a little time to himself.

John walked out the cafe, and,since he had gotten the rest of the day off, headed for his apartment. He closed the door and plopped down on the small couch. His mind was caught in all the thoughts. There was no chance he would even consider asking Danny to abort it, he was just as pro life as she was. There was the possibility of adoption but... no John wouldn't allow that either, his friend was in an orphanage and he wouldn't want that to happen to his child if no one were to adopt it. Wait had he just thought of it as his child... no of course not. He wasnt ready to be a father. There was no chance he would be a father. Father... images of the abuse Johns own father had put him through coursed through his mind. John closed his eyes. No, he didn't deserve to be a father. He didnt want the possibility of someone else going through what he did.

'How is that even possible? We used protection. We were careful' His words rang through her ears and she knew his questions were valid. She didn't know how they had become so unlucky but she knew at this point it didn't matter. His next words stung her "Your parents already hate me, and now I knocked up their youngest daughter?' his words made her feel inhuman. She could feel him pulling away from her and she was bracing herself for the words that came next. 'I love you, you know how much I love you' she winced as he spoke. Before he even spoke another word she felt broken. 'But I can't do it. I.. I'm not ready.' Danny sniffled and wiped her eyes. She had to stop herself from crying. People were staring and she hated crying in front of others. She finally nodded weakly. 'I mean, I couldn't afford it anyways. You know that.' She wanted to tell him that she couldn't either, and that her parents would definitely kick her out when they found out, but she wasn't going to add to his guilt.

'I'm so sorry Danny'

She barely heard his last words as he walked out the door. She felt completely broken. It was as though everyone in her life walked out on her at the same time. She watched him walk away and after a few minutes she got up and left as well. Instead of jumping back into her car she chose to walk. The car was only a painful reminder of the love she shared with Jonathan. She had no idea where she was going or where she was going to end up but she knew she had to get away from there. It became hard for her to breathe so she began to run, feeling the need to flee. When she was entirely out of breath she stopped and gasped for air. 'This isn't something you can run away from.' she thought. 'You're stuck with it...even if you have to do it alone' When she looked around, she had no idea where she was but she knew it was a part of town she had never been in before. Her pace slowed to a walk and she was very hesitant. She heard many wolf whistles in her direction but she paid no attention. She had an eerie feeling that someone was following her so she quickened her pace, only to find that there actually WAS someone following her...Out of instinct she pulled out her cell phone and began to text Jonathan, but she stopped and put it back into her pocket. 'Keep walking...' she thought.

Jonathan got off the couch to make himself a bowl of cereal. He was starving and besides, moping around and thinking of the past wouldn't do him any good. He sat on the couch, eating his cereal in silence. John's phone was on the coffee table infront of him, he was tempted to pick it up and call Danny. He placed his bowl on the table, picking his phone up. He couldn't even bring himself to unlock it, just staring at the picture of Danny and him that he had set as his screensaver. He stared at the picture, Danny was laughing as John wrapped her in a hug from behind, his smile bright, the sun behind them forming a halo around the two of them. Jonathan didnt realize he was crying until a drop fell onto the screen. Wiping any tears away, He sent out a text to his friend Zechariah. John really needed to talk to someone. 'Hey are you busy? Need to talk to someone.' He hopped off his couch, not bothering for a response from his friend as he grabbed his jacket and left his building. In order to get to the Youth rehabilitation Center, where Zechariah spent most his time volunteering, Jonathan had to cross a scetchy piece of town. It was no big deal for him, he knew how to fight and he never carried anything more than twenty dollars. He looked to the ground as he walked, his mind on Danny. Jonathan wished he could see her again but at the same time he would have no idea what he would say to her. But speak of the devil and the devil will come... or something like that. John bumped into someguy and as he turned to apologize he found the man hadn't even slowed his pace. And ahead of him was... John felt like his eyes were deceiving him but he could have sworn that was Danny. He followed after the man. Was he following her? John wasn't sure but he didn't want to take any chances with his Danny. He ran ahead of the man to Danny, "Hey, Danny, I think you made a wrong turn, good thing I found you. I'll just have to call the rest of the guys and tell them the search is off!" Jonathan put on a smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He peeked over his shoulder to see the man behind them was still following them. Jonathan turned, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked to the man. "Do you want something?" He asked irritated his first plan hadn't worked out the way he wanted it to, the man simply threw a punch at John. Jonathan dodged and punched the man back. Unfortunately the man only backed up a few steps and threw another punch, this time landing John on the nose and knocking him down. The man reached into Johns pocket for his wallet and ran off. Jonathan groaned looking to Danny. He stood slowly, covering his now bloody nose. "Can we co to my place?" He asked his nose slightly nasily from plughing it. So no more blood escaped. Jonathan walked beside Danny in silence until they got to his apartment. He offered Danny a seat on the couch before going into the bathroom to wash the blood off him. He returned and cleared his throat, he really didn't have much to say, but he hated awkward silences. "Why didn't you take your car?" He asked holding his nose shut, the worry evident in his eyes.

Well, that does not give me much to work with. I already knew something would have had to have led to all that. We have a long way to go. Zechariah knew from listening to Kellin that this was going to be difficult. He was caught by surprise when she traced his jawline with her fingernail. The compliment which followed place him in a blush. At least we have nothing violent to worry about. Although, there was somethng about her which made him flustered inside. What was it? It was something unfamiliar, that was certain. He shook his head to clear his mind: this was not the best of times to reflect on what he could not comprehend. His smile returned to him as Kellin's query brought him back to reality.

"Are we going?"

Turning to face her, he said calmly, "Of course, we better get on with it."

As he walked on over to guide her to the counseling room, his old cell phone signalled that he received a text message. He picked it up and read the message. What he read made him sigh and shake his head ever so slightly The young man ended up thinking to himself, Broken wings take a long time to mend, don't they? Refocusing, he guided his patient to the door to the counseling room, then said to her, "That was a friend of mine. He... is emotionally stressed, to say the least." Zechariah did not like discussing his friend's problems, but he felt he owed Kellin an explanation. "I'll you'll seat yourself at the table in the center of the room, I'll be with you shortly." He was gentlemanly enough to open the door for her before he sent a text back which read:

"I'm currently with a patient, right now, John, but I'll meet you at the lobby, once I'm finished with this appointment."

He wasted no time in closing his phone and entering the room to sit across from Kellin. "Sorry to keep you waiting, miss." Picking up his papers, a grin came to his features as he added, "Before we begin, I believe it fair for you to know that I do not give up." His smile faded after that. Now was the time to be serious. Helping someone meant knowing when to smile and when not to. Examining the papers while allowing Kellin to be able to see his name badge, Zechariah started with this: "Let's see... it says here you were once in an orphanage... was there anything in particular that happened there, of significance?"

((double post))

As she walked she KNEW he was following her. His pace always shifted to match hers, and she wondered when he would advance on her. She was terrified but she was not about to let it on. She kept her head held high and kept walking. A few minutes later she felt someone touch her and she almost let out a scream until she turned to see Jonathan's face close to hers. His presence both shocked and confused her. 'How did he know I was here?' she thought, raising an eyebrow. With him around she immediately felt safe. He knew the town better than she did, and he knew how to handle himself.

'Hey, Danny, I think you made a wrong turn, good thing I found you. I'll just have to call the rest of the guys and tell them the search is off'

The man who had been following her looked incredibly upset that Jonathan interrupted his process. The situation quickly turned into a fight, and the man ran off with Jonathan's wallet. She wanted to speak but she couldn't. He was always there to save her, no matter the consequences for him. She helped him up and walked with him in silence back to his apartment. When they got there he asked her why she hadn't taken her car. She shrugged her shoulders. "I...couldn't." she said, looking at her hands. Finally she stood and took a deep breath, she pulled out a wash cloth from his bathroom cupboard and wet it so she could help him with his nose. She gently wiped the blood from his face and then returned to the kitchen to grab an ice pack. After gently placing it on his nose she apologized. "I'm sorry...but thank you" She placed his hand over the ice pack and started to walk away. "Will you drive me to my car? I should probably be getting home" she said, refusing to make eye contact with him.

Jonathan gave a half hearted smile as Danny pressed the ice pack to his nose. She knew her way around his apartment after all the times
they'd been here together. "I'm sorry...but thank you" John watched as she started to walk away. He wanted so badly for her to stay closer. It seemed this situation hadnt changed his feelings at all. "Will you drive me to my car? I should probably be getting home" Jonathan hesitated for a moment but nodded standing up. "Um sure." He muttered, picking up his keys from the hook where they normally stayed dormant. He led Danny to his car, occasionally looking back at her. Jonathan opened Danny's door for her, walking over to the drivers side. This car was old, but he managed to fix it up a little, the engine worked and he managed to put new leather over all the seats. There were good memories in this car. John smiled, driving out of the apartments shared garage. Unconsciously he made a wrong turn, he always did that with Danny, he just always wanted more time with her. Every so often John glanced over at Danny. Out of instinct, he shifted, his hand lying inbetween them and one hand on the steering wheel. John normally held Danny's hand when he drove, being close to Danny was kind of like a second nature to him. He cleared his throat, trying to rid himself of the lump that seemed to be constantly in his throat lately, "So... Have you told your parents about... you know." He stated awkwardly, giving a pointed look to her stomach. He felt like he already knew the answer to that, Danny's parents could he pretty harsh when they wanted to be. Jonathan looked over to Danny, and he couldn't help it. He reached over, tucking any stray hair behind her ear. "Everythings going to be ok." He said, but he felt a pang of guilt in his stomach, he didn't really believe that, how could it be so anyways. He looked back to the road ahead, both hands on the steering wheel, gripping it slightly. "I don't think you should be alone right now. Espesially not alone with your parents. You should consider going over to your sister's place. Didn't you say they moved out?" Concern laced his voice. Jonathan pulled up beside Danny's car, as she was about to get out, panic hit John, he grabbed her hand for a second. Hesitating for a moment he let go, looking forward in silence. Jonathan waited for Danny to pull out then drove off himself. He went to the Youth Rehabilitation Center, walking in and looking to his phone. Zechariah already texted him back. He must have missed it with in all that happened. "I'm currently with a patient, right now, John, but I'll meet you at the lobby, once I'm finished with this appointment." shrugging John sat in one of the plastic chairs they had situated in the lobby.

The words between them were few, and she knew it would happen. Most of the ride back to her car was filled with silence. Not even music played softly in the background. Again she tried to bring herself to say something but nothing came out. She knew there was nothing she could say to make him stay, he'd have to decide that for himself. After a few moments of being in the car he shifted into his normal position and it looked like he was about to grab her hand and pulled back quickly. Danny tried to shrug it off but every move he made brought her some sort of pain. She had never been more in love with someone in her entire life, and she felt it all falling apart.

"So... Have you told your parents about... you know"

Danny wanted to laugh. He knew how her parents were. "No" she said simply. No other words came to mind, though she wanted desperately to tell him they'd disown her. Again they sat in silence for what seemed like eternity. Danny flinched away as he tucked a piece of her golden blonde hair behind her ear. She knew he loved her but his touch only made her heart that much heavier. "Everythings going to be okay" Danny scoffed as he spoke, and silent tears rolled down her face. His words felt like a joke. She wanted to tell him that everything was NOT going to be fine, but all that escaped her lips was a small cry. She quickly silenced herself again.

"I don't think you should be alone right now. Especially not alone with your parents. You should consider going over to your sister's place. Didn't you say they moved out?"

Danny nodded but she had no intention of going to her sister's new apartment. She got out of his car quickly without another word and hopped into her own. It only took her a few minutes to get home, and she ran up to her room and finally let herself cry. Sob after sob wracked her body until she was too exhausted to cry any more. After that she laid silently on her bed and stared blankly at the wall in front of her.

Lucas Keller

The man shifted his weight and threw a punch directly at Lucas' nose. He quickly dodged it and brought a left hook to the side of the boy's face. Lucas was a bit surprised that the guy didn't make a sound when his fist met his face. He just nodded his head toward his group and they sped off in a jeep. Lucas shook his head and bent down to the boy on the ground, he looked to be in pretty bad shape. Bruises were already starting to form. "Are you alright?" he asked, extending a hand toward the guy.

"You didn't have to"

Lucas laughed. "No I didn't have to, but it's not like i'm going to just drive by as someone is being beaten." then he paused. "Wait...that was your BROTHER?!" he raised an eyebrow. "And I don't care how your brother takes it. He can come looking for a fight anytime. Hell, tell him i'll be waiting" he growled. He helped the guy off the ground and looked him over. "Come with me. We'll get you cleaned up and you can relax for awhile" he said with a warm smile.

Zechariah noticed Kellin flinch, plus what she was trying to hide. here were scars and burns on her arms that she pulled the sleeves to conceal. He was nto stupid, he has seen things like that before. One year of counseling does wonders for awareness. "Kellin, actions speak louder than words. By that flinch, I'm assuming the answer is actually 'yes'. I already saw the scars and burns." His eyes locked onto hers. "Nobody's trying to torture you, here. Relax." Bringing out a rubber ball, the young man handed it to her. "If you want, you can squeeze this while we talk. It may help ease tension." It may not show from the outside, but Zechariah did feel uneasy not knowing what led up to the current situation. Without knowledge, after all, he had no way of helping her. For the purpose of counseling, however, and because he was not particularly emotional, the young man kept calm. "It's all right. You can tell me."

Kellin took the rubber ball from his hand and directly set it back down on the table. That wasn't going to help her. Nothing could get rid of the pent up anger and tears and pain. But she wasn't about to take it out on him, she actually had to give him a bit of credit. He spent everyday trying to help other people, unlike her who spent everyday for herself. Though you can't really help other people when you don't even know how to help yourself. Along the way, starting back at the orphanage, she lost herself. The sweet, innocent little girl was no where to be found, just this hard almost empty shell of a person. "Look, Zehariah," talking to him like he was an equal helped, and that meant she had to use his name. "I know you sort of expect me to walk in here and tell you all my feelings and past and we'll just walk out feeling real happy and all better." That was at least half true, right? "But it's not going to happen. No one knows what happens but me and the people that did it to me. If I've never told anyone else, why would I tell you? You're not my friend. You don't care about me. Likely this information is either being recorded or will go straight back to whomever is in charge here." Kellin paused, not sure how to continue. So she didn't, leaving the empty silence between them.

---

"Yeah, he's my brother," JC said weakly, still unable to meet the others eyes. It was so embarrassing to be found this way, he almost wished the boy had just continued driving. Everyone else did, what help could they be to the "little faggot" on the ground? "-that's why I'm still sort of surprised you stopped. Everyone loves him, so if they see him beating me up a bit they don't mind much." Beating him up a bit? Understatement of the year. It felt like his ribs were shattered, even though he knew they weren't. Just bruised probably. But the blood running out of his nose was getting annoying, and he pressed his sleeve against his nose.

The other helped him off the ground and he gave a grateful smile, pulling his hand from his nose even though a bit of blood still came out. He needed a new shirt, that was for sure. And he wasn't really up to going home to be screamed at about ruining a shirt, so when the boy said to come with him, he nodded. "Thank you." was mumbled a bit quietly, still half-expecting for it to all be a prank and someone would run out and kick him in the balls or something. "Oh, uh, by the way, my name is JC."

Zechariah expected her to react that way. Still, this sort of hurt his feelings, even if it did not show. "Kellin..." He placed the papers down and looked completely at her, this time. "If I did not care, I would not be here as a volunteer. I, too, was raised in an orphange, and I've seen others like me not be adopted. We were all we had over there, we stuck together, even when we fought each other. Besides, this is not a one-meeting process. Most patients I've seen took much, much more time to recover from whatever ailed them. They don't call this rehabilitation for show. Plus, the information is strictly confidential. Nobody is going to see it but me."