“Michael!?” Justin repeated horrified. Gus nodded. Justin pulled the teen into his arms. “Okay. I believe you. Listen to me. We have to go back.” Gus stiffened in Justin’s arms. “No, we have to. We have to tell your Moms and your Pop.” Gus started shaking his head frantically once again. “Listen to me. Stop.” Gus quieted. “Michael won’t hurt you again, Baby. I promise. I won’t let it happen. Not ever again.” Gus calmed a little, but Justin could see the terror in his eyes. “I’ll be with you the whole time. Okay?” Gus finally agreed. “Come on now.” He helped Gus to the car. After seeing that the teen strapped himself in, Justin paused and tried to predict how the others would react. God help me. He thought as he climbed into the car and drove back toward the house. -- “I couldn’t get in touch with Carl, so I left him a voice mail.” Melanie said then stopped short when she saw Justin and Gus standing in the doorway. “Oh, God. Gus!” She embraced him. “Jesus, do you have any idea how worried we have been?” She scolded. “You had better have -.” “Melanie,” Justin interrupted, “stop, please.” “Gus!” Lindsay called at the same time Brian said, “Sonny-boy.” They were all smiles until they saw the look on Justin’s face. Melanie had been shocked into silence by the tone of Justin’s voice. “What’s wrong?” She asked when she finally found her voice. “You need to sit down.” Justin said softly. “All of you.” As the others sat down, Gus moved into the living room with Justin right beside him. Gus turned anyway to make sure his father was still there. “I’m right here, Baby.” Justin said taking the teen by the hand. “Just tell them what you told me.” Gus nodded then turned to look into the anxious faces of his other parents. “Dad found me at the park by the river.” Gus began. Justin shrugged off any questions. “I’m sorry I ran away, but I was so sure you were going to be mad at me. I -.” He trailed off and tightened his grip on Justin’s hand. “I’ve been keeping something from you all. For a while now.” Gus started to cry again. “He told me that if I said anything he’d hurt me or he’d hurt you. I was so afraid.” “Who told you that?” Brian asked already putting the pieces together in his head of what had happened to Gus. “He said I was special. That we were special together.” Gus said softly. “He told me he loved me and he wanted to show me how much.” Melanie’s hand went to her mouth as the pieces fell into place for her, too. “It all started when he wanted to hug me and then he wanted to kiss me then he wanted to kiss on the mouth and -.” Gus paused as a sob wracked his body. “I knew it was wrong and I told him no, but he always made it sound like it was okay. Like everybody kissed each other on the mouth all the time.” Lindsay stared at her son in horror. “Then he wanted to touch me and he wanted me to touch him. I didn’t want to but he said he’d hurt me or hurt you if I -.” “Who?” Brian asked in a low menacing voice. Gus looked nervously from Brian to Justin and back. “Who?” Brian repeated. “M-Michael.” Brian was out of his chair and half way to the door before anyone knew what was going on. “No!” Gus screamed. “Pop, NO! Please!” Gus chased after his father. He grabbed onto Brian’s arm trying desperately to keep the man from leaving. “Daddy, please. He said he’d kill you. Please stop!” Brian looked at his son. “I saw the gun. I know he has it. He said he’d use it on you if you came after him. Please don’t.” Brian stopped and pulled Gus into his arms as the teen started sobbing again. Justin went to them adding himself to the hug then Lindsay and Melanie hugged them all. They held each other for what seemed like forever. “Gus!” Came Kevin’s voice from the stairs. “You’re home!” He jumped from the fifth step up and plowed into his older brother nearly knocking them all over. “I’m calling Carl.” Melanie said. “Wait.” Brian said. “Gus go get your stuff, you too Kevin. You guys are going to go to the loft with Justin for a sleepover.” Melanie and Lindsay nodded quietly. “Cool.” Kevin said racing back upstairs. “Come on, Gus.” “Go on, Son.” Brian said and ruffled Gus’ hair. Gus nodded following his brother up the stairs. “Melanie.” Brian said once they were out of earshot. “Call Michael.” “Michael?” “Yes.” Brian continued. “Then call Ben. Once you know they’re on they’re way, call Carl back?” “Okay.” Melanie said bewildered. “Why do you want Michael here, Brian?” Lindsay asked. “So he can’t run away.” “And, Ben?” “Because he’s probably the only one strong enough to pull me off of Michael if need be.” “Brian, please.” Justin warned. “I know, Sunshine.” Brian said. “But, in this case, you’ll have to forgive me if my ability to control my anger is more than slightly impaired. Besides, Ben needs to know, too.” Justin nodded. Brian handed Justin the keys to SUV. “Take the boys to the loft. I’ll be home as soon as this is done.” Justin nodded leaning up to press his lips the Brian’s. Just then the boys in question came bounding down the steps backpacks in hand. They grabbed their coats, as did Justin before heading out the door. Brian watched them walk to the car. All that was left to do was wait. End chapter two.