five keys to safety|jonah marais

Chapter 5

Archer's POV
I head towards my house, not taking to or even looking at the boys. Once we reach the bad part of town I immediately see Jonathan, the neighborhood stalker.
"Heeey Archer, wanna come and get some of me." He slurs, obviously drunk. I roll my eyes and flip him off. The boys walk behind me in shock.  Once we reach my alley, I turn to the boys.
"Stay here, I'll put Damian in our room... Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask but they just nod. I sigh and head inside, immediately bombarded by my mother.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, YOU SLUT?! HUH!? I BET YOU WERE WITH A GUY! I HOPE YOUR KID WILL BE AS MUCH OF A DISAPPOINTMENT AS YOU!" She screams in my face as Damian cries into my chest. I close my eyes and turn on my toes. This will be over soon enough. I hope.
I take Damian upstairs and set him on my bed, handing him a toy. I walk downstairs and open the front door, revealing five boys. I walk to the kitchen and start to clean the dishes. I hear my mother scream.
"YOU SLUT! ARE THESE YOUR LITTLE SEX BUDDIES?! HUH! WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME, SLUT!" She screams, slapping me across the face.
"Hey!" Daniel speaks up. "You can't hit your daughter!" He yells. I lower my head.
"What are you gonna do about it, man-whore?" My mother tests him. Daniel just about pounces on her before the guys pull him back.
"Nothing, Mom. He's fine." I say and hurry the boys upstairs. I already know my mom is going 'reward herself' by getting high.
They follow me to my room and I close the door behind then.
"So what now?"  I ask the boys but they just stare at me. Jack runs up to me and envelopes me in a hug.
"I'm sorry you live with a monster." He says as I hug him back. He lets go and sits down by the bed.
"Are you okay?" Zach asks.
"Yeah." I say confidently with a slight smile. Damian gets off my bed and walks to Jack. He plops down on his lap and starts to play with his curly hair. I smile and the others laugh.
We talk and play with Damian for a couple hours before I hear the front door slam. I hear a deeper voice call my name up the stairs. I exhale shakily and close my eyes. I grab Damian and kiss his forehead.
"I love you." I say placing him and a toy in the closet, closing the door. I head towards my door with the boys behind me. We head downstairs and as soon as my foot hits the last step, my face stings. I look up and there is my father.
"Your mother was right, you are a slut." He says so calmly that it scares me. He pulls his fist back and I prepare myself for the next blow, but it never comes.
I look over and see Jonah, holding his fist. I stare in shock and breathe heavily. I feel Corbyn pull me back, behind him and the boys.
"Get out of my house." My father spits to Jonah.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Take all your little friends and get out. Take that little slut and the boy too." He points to me and I stare in shock.
"Wh-what?" I ask, my words shaky.
"Can no one hear me!? Take your damned brother and get out!" He says, his voice raising as he speaks. A tear rolls down my face and I runnupstairs.
"Archer!" I hear Daniel and Corbyn call after me. I lock my door behind me and pull out the duffle from outlet closet. I hear the boys yelling calling out for me and pounding on my door but I continue to gather our things, letting out sobs every once in a while.
Where are we going to go?
I open the door and Daniel, Jack, Zach, and Corbyn immediately give me a hug. I hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
"What am I going to do? I don't have enough saved yet." I sob. I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me.
"You can stay with us." I hear Jonah say from above me. I look up.
"Really?" I ask shakily.
"Of course. We're your protectors, remember?"