A voice in the corridor awakes me from my slumber, visions of the event hours ago dancing through my mind. I sit up, partially asleep, listening. The low mumbles do not sound like Jagger or Titus. I rise, feeling blindly around the room in the pitch black. Jagger breathes steadily, asleep in his bed. A rancid, acidic smell fills my nostrils, as though plastic is burning. I open the door cautiously and creep into the hall.

A ladder has been drawn from the attic. The toxic smell has intensified since I have stepped into the hall. My eyes burn. I begin coughing. I continue down the corridor, walking down the stairs to get away from the smell. I walk to the patio door in hope of breathing fresh air.

"Who's this?"

I do not move. A warm breath tickles my neck.

"Wait..." The voice is slurred, clearly intoxicated. "You're..." A female voice I do not recognize. I smell alcohol and something else; cigarette smoke mixes with the rancid, plastic burning smell.

"What's your name again?"

I turn to face her, trembling. I am greeted with a smokey exhale. All I am able to see is the glowing tip of her lit cigarette in the dark.

"Stay."

I hear her stumbling across the room. She turns on a lamp.

Her appearance startles me; face sunken, gray in colour, spotted with blemishes, long slender arms, hair dark, long, and matted, covering her face like that of an old dog. She is very ill.

"You're not Jagger's boyfriend are you?" She places the cigarette in her mouth, holding it with two fingers, inhaling slowly.

I shake my head. Suddenly she begins frantically searching the room.

"Where's my rock?" she questions me. "Where did you put my rock?"

"I...I am afraid I do not--"

"Wait just a minute boy." She immediately ceases her search. "I know who you are." She grins viciously, pointing at me with her cigarette. "You're no mutt." Her face grows serious. "You...you--"

She stumbles forward, pressing me against the glass. She stands so near I can smell her rotten breath, her eyes bloodshot, veins pulsing from her forehead. She is completely mad. I am terrified. My heart pounds so that I fear it will burst.

"Mom stop!"

She is pulled from me. She falls to the floor, crying in protest.

"Who the fuck--" She notes Jagger's presence. "What the hell you think you're doing?"

He does not speak.

"Jagger!" she slurs, struggling to rise and shove him against the wall. "You're crazy! You try and act like I'm crazy...and you're better than me. But you're not!"

She takes another puff from the cigarette, exhaling in his face. Jagger does not blink, his expression blank.

"You think you're such a tough boy. Where's Sommer? Sommer!"

"No," he stops her. "She's asleep. Don't wake her up. Just go back to bed."

"I'll do whatever the hell I want boy."

She takes one last breath from the cigarette, placing the glowing tip against Jagger's neck. He winces, squeezing his eyes shut. I stand silent, helplessly observing. She drops the butt on the floor.

"I'm going back to bed." She glares at both of us, stumbling up the stairs. Jagger and I stand in silence until we hear the door of the attic close.

"Are you okay?" Jagger faces me.

"It is not a question of my well-being," I state, eyeing the circular burn on his neck. He rubs his forehead.

"Shit." He clutches the top of the couch for support, dropping his head. "Shit!" he cusses loudly, resting his head against the couch.

"Damn it Metro! I told you never..." his voice trails. He holds his face in his hands.

"Jagger--"

It is when I step closer to him that I see the various circular burn scars that dot his neck and shoulders.

"Why do you not protect yourself against her?" I ask quietly. He does not respond. "Jagger--"

"Don't tell Sommer," he speaks softly, keeping his eyes low.

"You must report this--"

"You can't tell Sommer!" He straightens his posture. He is on the verge of breaking into tears.

I nod solemnly. He relaxes. Slowly I extend my arms for an embrace, doing only what I can think to do to be comforting. He accepts.

I question all that I had previously determined about Jagger's character. His intimidating appearance and protective nature--they are all but an elaborate cover. He could have easily overtaken that frail woman, his mother, with a single shove, but he chose against it.

Finally I am able to realize Jagger's true person. He has given up his education, passions, and his pride, all to create a better environment for Sommer. Such a deep emotional bond is unfamiliar to me. I envy it.

I can no longer feel intimidated by this boy; a deep respect for him replaces any fear I may have had. He will do anything for those he cares for, but does not defend himself. I see a sensitive, emotional, deeply compassionate person, with an undeniable love for his sister.

"You are very strong," is all I can think to say. He smiles lightly, sadly.

"I have to be, don't I?"

We return to his bedroom.

I fall asleep to the sound of Jagger's sobs.