Jacob followed Mattie angrily into the living room, not having the time to stop her from opening the front door. [i]How could she just let any old person in here like I did,[/i] he scoffed in his head. Arms crossed, he stood by the couch Nicholas was lying on and watched the two. [i]Brother, huh?[/i]

"It's actually safer here than it is out there," Jacob cut in, speaking to the boy whose name he picked up was Darrin. "Especially when she's got a baby to worry about."

---

Nicholas sat up when the door opened. His fever had subsided significantly; he was feeling much better. Perhaps he would live through this shit after all. Carefully, he removed the rope gagging him and then untied the rope around his ankles, pulling himself to a full sitting position, feet on the floor. His head was light, and he closed his eyes for a moment.

"Nick," Jake said to him, "You okay there?"

"I'm fine," he muttered, hand against his head. Again, he tried to use the arm that wasn't there. It was so frustrating.