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

Rudy didn’t return until after nine the next morning. When he did, he looked rough, as if he hadn’t had any sleep. So the others weren’t too surprised when he tossed his jacket on the chair and vanished up the stairs. Terry followed a few moments later, intending to find out where Rudy had been. He didn’t get a chance to because Rudy was sprawled on his cot, dead asleep.


As soon as he got back downstairs Josie asked, “Did he say where he went? He looked like he spent the night on the streets.”


“Not a word. He’s sleeping, still dressed.”


Snap frowned. “Not good. The last time he pulled something like this was, hell, right after the three of us hooked up. We’d all been sleeping rough and he wanted something better for us. Turns out he spent the whole night checking out vacant buildings for one that would be safe.”


“And two more nights before he found one,” Josie added. “I think he didn’t want us to get our hopes up so he kept it on the QT.”


Chapter 55