Shane has never managed to catch a break. His mother died when he was a teen and his father left home the day he turned eighteen. Then he met a man he thought would fulfill all his dreams. Little does he know that Tyler will plunge him into a nightmare of both physical and verbal abuse.<br><br>With his self-esteem destroyed and no friends to turn to, Shane lives every day in despair. But when they’re invited to a neighbour’s house for dinner, things begin looking up. Michael, their host, is no stranger to Shane, for they have often said hello over the fence.<br><br>But is he the one who will come to Shane’s rescue? Or will Tyler make sure their friendship goes no further than the dinner?

Something from Nothing

As Michael pulled Shane to him, to comfort him and hold him, Shane noticed that the man’s eyes had grown a little misty, too. “Don’t worry, Shane. He’ll never hurt you again. I promise.”


The tears continued pouring from Shane’s eyes. All the emotions, previously suppressed or forgotten, came flooding out. His body rocked as he cried, and all the while, images of the cruel past filled his consciousness. All the bruises, the cuts, the bloody noses and black eyes, as well as all the taunts and insults, the mean expressions on Tyler’s face, the looks of contempt and utter disdain, like a library exploding, were flung before his mind’s eye.


“That’s it,” whispered Michael, his hand rubbing Shane’s back. “Let it all out. Let it all come out.”


Chapter 12