When Terry and Kel Coleman run from their abusive father, they end up in Denver. The day they arrive, they meet three street kids named Rudy, Snap, and Josie. The brothers move into the trio's squat where Rudy and the others teach Terry and Kel the ins-and-outs of survival on the streets. While that happens, Terry and Rudy are drawn to each other and begin a tentative relationship.<br><br>Then Kel is almost kidnapped by a man sent by his father to bring him home. Forced to leave their squat to keep Kel safe, they turn to a local pastor for help. Thanks to the pastor, the five young people may find hope for their future -- if they can survive the present. In the process, can the budding relationship between Terry and Rudy survive, or will it be torn apart by the life they're forced to live?

Surviving

“Very bad,” Rudy muttered once they were out of her hearing range.


Terry nodded before saying, “You know, until Mr. Wilson set up the account at the hardware store I never knew your last name, Rudy. For sure I didn’t know your full name.” He grinned evilly. “As a matter of fact, I don’t know any of yours.”


“And you won’t. At least not mine,” Snap stated.


“Mine is Josefina Felicia Herrera. That’s my birth name. No way was I taking my stepfather’s whether he liked it or not.”


Rudy chuckled. “Better than Rudolph Percy Brooke, with an ‘e’.”


Terry grinned, hugging him. “It’s the Percy that cinches it as a name I wouldn’t want. Almost as bad as that punk we had a run-in with.”


“Ozzie? Yeah, I’ll keep Percy but so help me, if any of you breathe a word to anyone else…”


“Now would we do that?” Snap asked innocently.


“Only if you don’t value your life,” Rudy retorted, but he was grinning. “Now it’s time for you to reveal all. What’s you real name, Snap?”


Chapter 53