Homeless and hiding from his mother's abusive boyfriend, Davie -- along with his friend Grey -- accept an offer to move to a safe haven called the Encampment. Owned by Slade, and overseen by Maddox, and Ran, it's a well-protected site in the mountains for endangered street kids. Among the present residents is the very taciturn loner, Vin. To everyone's surprise, Davie and Vin become friends of a sort.<br><br>Soon after arriving, Davie discovers there is more to the Encampment than it appears at first glance when Ran, with Vin's help, begins training him in various forms of self-defense.<br><br>Davie finds out why when Slade sends him and Vin on an assignment to stop a vicious gang of slavers preying on homeless teens. From there things get interesting, to say the least, as the two young men try to survive while dealing with their growing attraction for each other.

The Encampment

“This beats the hell out of…well, anywhere I’ve stayed since I left home,” Grey said, a wide smile on his face.


“Are all the cabins like this?” Davie asked.


“The majority of them are doubles,” Maddox replied. “The rest are singles because some guys aren’t comfortable sharing with someone they don’t know.”


“I can see that,” Davie said. “I’m not sure I’d want to, if I didn’t know Grey.”


“Exactly. For now, why don’t you unpack and make yourself at home. There’s food in the cupboards and fridge. Nothing fancy but probably better than you’ve been eating.”


“What wouldn’t be?” Grey said with a brief grin.


“Where does all this come from and who pays for it?” Davie asked.


“We have a few supporters,” Maddox replied. “Men who used to live the way you guys have been and managed to get off the streets and make something of their lives.”


“How…where does the water and electricity come from?”


Chapter 4