Justin walked out of the room, A room that would haunt his memories for years to come.

A piece of him died and buried itself there.

He wasn't the same boy that came up those stairs, he had changed in the last few minutes. His brother had damaged him further than he ever thought.

Luke peeped into the room, his sick eyes inspecting the aftermath, before grinning and following Justin down stairs.

They met Chad who was still with the woman.

Justin didn't look at his brother, his eyes gazing at the woman in sadness before he went out the door to the van.

Luke nodded to Chad who let go of the woman making her fall to the floor. He gave both Shawn and look a signal before they left with one last sneer directed to the woman.

Justin sat in the van opposite his brother not speaking to anyone. His hands were shaking, and his mind spirit and soul seemed to have abandoned him leaving nothing but a shell of what he once was.

Clair glanced at him but remained silent as she bit her lip nervously.

The van started off, " It was a good night," his brother sneered at him with his hands folded on his chest as both Luke, Henry and Shawn grinned.

Justin's eyes shifted from the floor of the van to the eyes of his brother.

What happened in the next few seconds happened so quickly, one could not understand why blood was being spilt all over the place.

Justin had lunged himself over his brother and started punching him wildly and mercilessly, successfully breaking his brothers face.

All three men had to pry him away from his brother. Chad was already beaten roughly, blood dripping out of his nose and mouth and cuts all over his face, large red blotches covering his skin  around his eyes. He coughed out in shock, spitting out blood, causing the van to come to a sharp holt.

 "GET THE FUCK OUT!!" Chad screamed at him shocked at the intense power his brother had just shown him.

For the first time in his life he had actually gotten scared, and above all people it was his once oh so shy younger brother.

Justin flung the door open and stomped away.

His fists still drenched in his brothers blood, "YOU AIN'T NEVER COMING BACK!" Chad screamed out after him as the van booted up.

Clair shouted for the van to stop. She looked at Chad in alarm, " someone has to bring him back," she said heading out of the van.

" You better come back," Royce growled as he caught his sisters hand.

" yeah yeah, don't I always?" she asked before bolting down the street in search of justin.

She found him crouched against the wall in a dark alley similar to the one she had found him in earlier.

She stopped tanding a few feet away from him, sighing "come on Justin,  let's go home,"

"I don't have one, " he replied coldly his voice anything but kind

" your brother was just trying to help you,"

Justin lifted his head and stared into Clair's clear blue eyes. Clair saw a part of him she had never hoped to see, his eyes flashing a mixture of anger, regret and guilt.

" My brother made me a monster!" he yelled making her jump and take a step back.

She breathed out nervously, trying to maintain her breathing.

"your wrong, he just tried to make you a tougher man," Clair eased.

Justin laughed, how stupid could she be? She hadn't even witnessed what had happened " A man?" Justin echoed in disbelief standing up extending to his full height. his eyes were a scorching fury, "I raped a girl! That doesn't make me a man! that makes me a fucking rapist and a criminal, as worse as they come!! so don't give me that shit, I'm done and I'm out!" He said in a threatening tone.

Clair eyes widened at his revelation, her knuckles turning white, She had never seen him like this, she had always known Justin as a good boy, the direct opposite of his brother. He never once swore or used a curse word, and it burned her to know what had happened to him, her eyes glossing over in sorrow. 

Her boy was broken.

Clair walked to him slowly laying a hand on his shoulder, but he got startled not ready at all for the intimacy pushing her roughly her away. She gasped as she hit the ground, twisting her foot, letting out a short cry.

" Clair!" Justin began, his eyes widening, he breathed out quickly seeing what he had done,"I-I'm so sorry," Justin apologised seeing what he had caused desperately trying to help her stand up only to be swatted away.

"No, I don't need your help!" she spag pushing his hand away, she brought herself up to her feet with with one heave her teary angry eyes resting on him, "You know what Justin? We all have our own shit to deal with! I can't always be going after you, it's time you make your own decisions."

" Clair I'm sorry," Justin eased with a change of tone. He was just so frustrated.

"yeah, well I'm not, just leave, run away, like you always do when trouble comes,"her voice broke as she said this but it was for a reason. He needed to leave. He needed to be somebody better, she couldn't stand him turning into another version of Chad..no, not her Justin.

"Clair,"

"just go!"

Justin studied at her for a moment,

"GO!" She yelled.

He paused, his eyes a brewing mess of tears, he turned to the side, his head bowed lowly nodding silently before he turned and started to walk away from her.

"Just leave! You've always been good at running!" Clair screamed after him as tears filled her eyes.

She slumped her back against the cold alley wall and let the tears fall.

Justin kept walking then began to jog trying hard to fight the demons that seemed to never be far behind, he began to run faster and faster and faster,  blindly he ran, not  knowing where he was going, not needing to know.

All he knew was that he wanted to be free,

Free from his sins,

Free from the wolves,

Free from Chad,

Free from his new demons that seemed to be everywhere he looked,

He just kept on running for what seemed like hours, not having a destination not knowing if the next turn would take him somewhere new or back where he started, he ran under the stars even as the gentle showers of the new rain began to fall, he ran until he couldn't go any further, his mind a blabbering mess till he slumped under a statue, in a place he didn't know.

He saw the shadowy figures of the homeless around him but he didn't care, after all he was one of them now.

He didn't care where he was,

No he did not.

He closed his eyes and fell asleep in a place where he would forget all his troubles and regrets. A place where no one would come after him or hurt him... Or so he thought, but even in his dreams, no place was safe.

**

He woke up to someone shaking him, causing him to blink quickly, trying to adjust himself to the light, a light yawn overtaking him, trying to adjust his eyes  at the figure hovering above him, squinting in the morning light.

His heart suddenly skipped a beat as he recognised the blue uniform of the person before him.

A policeman.

He tried to squirm out of the policeman's hold in full on panic but the law man held him down firmly, "it's OK son, you don't have to be afraid," the policeman said, " where's your mother, boy?" He asked.

Justin calmed down slightly but his heart refused to stop beating wildly, "she left when I was five," he answered.

"And about your old man?"

He shook his head, " he died two years ago. " he lied.

"so who are you staying with now? You don't fit in with these people" The policeman continued eyeing Justin's jeans and black t shirt.

Justin hid his bloody fists behind his back wiping them on the inside of his jacket.

" I don't have a home," he replied.

The officer patted his shoulder with pity "it's alright son, " he eased before calling something over his shoulder

"Patrick! I think this one would do well in the outreach program!"

Another policeman came and looked at Justin. He had a kind face for an officer, Justin thought,

"how old are you kid?" 

"Seventeen sir," Justin replied.

Patrick turned to his partner, 

" he does fit the age limit kid you're coming with us," They said, helping him up to his feet.

As Justin sat at the back of the police car he couldn't help but feel like he was on the way to prison. Behind bars was where he belonged after all.

" by the way, " Patrick asked, " what's your name?"

"Justin."

Why did he just say his real name?

"Justin who?"

There was no point in hiding it now.

"Justin Starion" 

" Well Justin,  I'm officer Rick, full names Patrick and this  here is my partner, officer Jones," the other policeman, of African American decent tipped his hat and as he was introduced.

"Nice to meet you sir"

"Likewise son" 

"Have you ever heard of the O.P.F.Y?" Officer Rick.

"I don't think so"

"Outreach Program For the Youth, "

Justin shook his head.

"Well, we think you'll fit in just fine."

Fortunately after an hours drive they stopped in front of a big house with one hell of a large yard.

There was a small sign on the lawn  that read "Welcome To Jenny's Orphanage For Boys"

An orphanage didn't seem like a bad idea to Justin given that he had no place to stay.

He was led inside the big house, a familiar  feeling settling within him as he looked around the house. This was the first times in years he had been in a house this homely.

Though it  was nothing fancy, it had a very comfortable feel to it, watching the few boys of various ages glancing at him with soft grins.

He followed the policemen down the hall, taking as much time as he could to take in the house, as he was les to an office at the far end.

There were two benches that lined the hall just before the office. Officer Patrick asked him to take a seat while he and his partner knocked and entered the office.

Justin sat there, gazing up at the ceiling waiting for whatever next would happen in his life, he started at the environment he was in, a little envious of the boys that lived here, somewhere Cosy, spacious, friendly, no drugs, no guns, and most importantly, no Chad.

It was everything he needed at the moment. He couldn't compare this place with The Wolves Hideout place above the barber shop.

A few minutes later officer Rick and Jones came out with a pretty lady who with beautiful glowing brown skinned, She was older and refined but she had an inviting face and a warm feeling about her." you must be Justin, " she said giving him a hand shake.

"Yes ma'am"

"How about we talk in my office?"

He nodded slowly nothing at the back of his head that the two police officers stayed behind this time as he followed her into the office.

She gave him a friendly smile, "you can sit down, Justin feel free, " she eased taking a seat behind her office table.

He nodded politely making himself comfortable, but his fingers rattled against his knee nervously.

The woman seemed to notice, glancing at it for a moment before brightening her smile, "well I hope you know where you are," She began.

He nodded in reply remembering the poster he had seen on the lawn, "an orphanage."

"Not just any orphanage, it could also be your home, " she spoke kindly and slowly as his eyes snapped up to her, she chuckled, "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself, my name is Janice, I'm the owner of this orphanage" she introduced, her features he notices where quite unique. Though aging, her soft brown eyes seemed to read right through him.

"My grandmother started this boys orphanage 34 years ago, she died six months ago"

Justin cleared his throat, he was no stranger to loss, "I'm sorry for your loss" he replied earnestly.

She nodded, "see, it was her dying wish I continue with her legacy. She had a really good heart, and loved helping people, something I'm thankful she past on to me. 3 months ago I started an outreach program, aimed to help anyone really, any boy who needs..help"

Justin looked up at her after she said those words. It was as if she was throwing down a lifeline to him. "I don't judge anyone and I don't pry into people's pasts, believe me when I say I know what being alone feels like, so I'm not going to ask you how ended up on the streets Justin, I just want to know..Do you need help?" She asked softly.

Justin's eyes began to water, someone asking him such a simple question yet it meant the whole world to him. He looked at the ground, tears filling his eyes, as he nodded his head, "yes..yes I need help" he replied tears falling.

He felt a gentle touch on his hand causing him to look up through the waterfall of years to a kind face, a trust worthy face. One he just knew he count on, her gentle eyes rested on him as she stood up going towards him, "come on, big boy" she eased her smile was so contagious he couldn't help but smile too as she held out her arms open for him.

He hugged her tightly as she rubbed his back, "it's okay, you're home baby" She said with a light laugh, " that's if you want to stay."

Justin smiled nodding in approval, "yes, thank you" blinking his tears away, he breathed out as she ran one last back run on him, "you'll be fine love, welcome to the family." 

When he was ready to let go she took a step back, "well come on then, let me show you around, " she said patting his back as they walked out of the of the office, 

"Is everything okay, Janice?" Officer Rick asked as they walked out.

She nodded with a gentle laugh,"Everything fine, thank-you boys You brought another one home" she said with a soft grin.

Officer Jones nodded his hands on his belt, "no, Thank You Janice, what you're doing here for the boys is amazing, glad we could be of service."

Officer Rick agreed, "Agh, well we better take our leave, Justin, you're in good hands. Miss Janice here Is the best person we know but we will be checking up on you from time to time pretty boy" he eased with a hearty laugh.

Justin chuckled, "alright, and thank you officers."

They both tilted their hats, "just doing our jobs," They replied giving them both one last nod before they walked out.

They watched them leave before Miss Janice turned to him, "come let me introduce you to the others."

Everyone was warm and inviting, the hall ways were full of life as some younger boys stopped to greet him and kiss Miss Janice on the cheek as they dashed downstairs with a football in their hands, "No running down the stairs boys!" She called after them, shaking her head, muttering something about how they were gonna give her a heart attack.

With every turn someone was always calling out to her, they all looked at her with love. It safe to say she was much loved at this orphanage.

They found themselves before a door, Miss Janice opened it revealing a small room, with a bunk bed on one side, one huge wardrobe and a table and some chairs. "Agh well, make yourself at home, this is your room" she motioned as he walked in curiously. 

It wasn't very big but it had enough space and it definitely was cleaner than any he had to before this.

"I'd ask you to unpack and make yourself comfortable but I don't see any bags or suit case around you, but never mind, it's not like you knew you were coming here, " she said with a small chuckle.

" Just make yourself comfortable and we'll sort that out later,  "she had said giving him a friendly, she paused frowning a little, before shaking her head, " Your room mate was supposed to be in but I guess he will show up soon, and don't worry he is a nice boy.." She paused her smile fading, "when he wants to be, don't worry about that though, just make yourself at home, I'll be back" she said before leaving Justin alone.

Justin glanced around at the room, a smile making it's way to his face, it wasn't much but he was grateful.

He noticed that At the back there was a small alcove with a study table and chair  by a little book case against the wall. This was paradise to him, he had a roof over his head and was far away from Chad. That's all he wanted and that's all he needed.

He flopped on the bottom bunker and stared at the bottom of the top bunker, rubbing himself in with a soft groan. He had never had a bed this soft in years, he thought closing his eyes and rubbing his body on the soft sheets.

" if you roll over on your belly, you'll find the beddings twice as soft," a voice said said causing him go bolt up in surprise hitting his head on the bottom of the top bunker, groaning out in pain as he rubbed his forehead, he heard laughter as he swung his head to see a blond haired face hanging down from the top bunker, his pretty blue eyes dancing with humour.

Justin sat up, quite embarrassed, he had not noticed the presence of his room mate before.

He must have hid pretty well, because even Miss Janice had not spotted him.

The boy jumped out of the top bunker and stood in front of Justin with a wide grin, "you must be my new roommate, and the new guy," he said giving him a hand shake. It took a moment before Justin returned the handshake

" I'm Chris , Chris Owens," he introduced as Justin studied the strange boy before him, with  blond curly hair, fair skin, blue eyes standing at a perfect height that matched his. If anything he was good looking.

"I'm Justin." 

"Ok, so your Justin, like Justin Justin? Or Justin avocado? Or Justin mattress?....." Chris asked with a confused look.

Justin chuckled a little, "Justin Starion," he replied.

"Never heard of that surname before," Chris replied.

"Well, my dad was a football player by the name Quick Starion, at least that was the name he gave himself, when he married my mom he gave the surname to us," he continued explaining it in such a logical way.

"Oh OK I get it," Chris commented, "your families complicated, full stop. So how old are you and when's your birthday?" He asked him as if it was information he needed to know. Justin raised an eyebrow answering the question in a question like way "seventeen, and my birthdays on the fourth of March?" 

"get out of here!" Chris grinned slapping his back playfully, " I'm seventeen and was born on the third of March."

Justin looked at him equally surprised, " I guess it's just fate, " he hinted.

"Fate?" Chris asked with wide grin,  " no this is destiny, you and I will be brothers for life, bro. I'm officially your one day older brother, yo!
Come on bruh, Let's get out of here and get some fresh air, I'll show you around, you know give you the full tour" Chris concluded standing up and offering Justin a hand up.

Justin took it amazed at the amount of energy his new roommate had but nevertheless he wouldn't pass on this opportunity, so he followed Chris out the door. 

He watched Chris babble his mouth away and he grinned to himself, maybe Chris was right.

Maybe he had found a brother.

******
Words cannot describe the emotion running through my veins when writing this chapter.

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