My mother smiled falsely down at me with her cheeriness completely taking over her anger.

"Come on, picture time!" She exclaimed, pulling out a digital camera. Today she had me in a white tank top with small Jean shorts. She patted my head and shoved me into a chair before snapping several pictures and taking off. I was fourteen now, soon to be fifteen.  I'd never told dad anything that had happened, any of it. He didn't need to worry over me. He has his own life to worry over.

I sat quietly for a moment in the chair that she took pictures of me in daily before I heard a scream of excitement from my mother. "I've found your 'Friend' for today!" I grimaced and stood from my seat. I won't go! I screamed loudly in my thoughts.

"I won't." I said, quietly. "I wont go." a bit louder. it became repetative, and Everytime I said it I grew louder.

"I wont go! I won't go!"  I was screaming so much it hurt. I didn't want to be touched by another man. it was then a man entered the door and began his daily ritual of messing up a girls life even more. That man with the gray hair was the father. The father...

my body shook harshly and I could feel someone's arms around me to try and stop my thrashing. Slowly becoming aware of my surroundings I stopped and cuddled into the chest of the man that held me. My throat burned and my eyes hurt, I cried so much my whole body hurt and I had a migraine. I felt the arms tighten around me and I looked up to see who was still holding me. It was Jack. Didn't he leave me last night when I cried myself to sleep?

"No, He didn't, he slept right there next to you, and held you when you began to cry."

I held tightly to Jack as he rocked me back and forth. My tears burned slightly as they fell down My face. Biting my lip, I held back my tears long enough to say two words before I passed out.

"Thank you."

JACK POV

"Thank you."

Why was she thanking me? She had a full night of screaming, tossing and crying. I didn't want to see her that way. It killed me, her past wasn't the best, but we can't exactly tell her we've all had bad pasts. It was one of the only things that kept everyone from killing each other. Except for Jeff, That bastard had it all and gave up on it. I growled quietly to myself and looked down at Alaska, she seemed so peaceful while she was asleep, but I knew how bad her dreams could get now. I'm glad my room is right next door.

Alaska POV

I didn't wake up freaking out this time. I silently thanked God for that repeatedly. It didn't matter that God would more than likely not bother to reach down this far. I shook off my thoughts and gathered myself. I was still wearing the sweater and loose fitting pants. I didn't bother even putting my hair up, making my way down the steps.

Dad stood over the rest of everyone, keeping them quiet. I could feel.everyone's eyes on me. it was then I realized. Everyone saw my episode yesterday.

Ej didn't even look at me, even when everyone else was staring. Hmmph, my savior alright.