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

“Naw. They help Maddox out with stuff sometimes.”


“Ah. Okay.” Davie wondered what that involved but figured if someone wanted him to know they’d tell him. Until then, he’d keep his questions to himself.3


“Since apparently no one else has shown you two around, I will,” Fox said as he got up from the table, now that the meeting was over. “Jude and I live there, but you knew that,” he pointed to his cabin. “Buzz and Lon are there.” He pointed again and then laughed. “I think Buzz put Lon up to asking about the food so Maddox would get him something special for his birthday.”


Looking around, Davie saw a big cabin right next to the entrance to the Encampment. “Whose is that?”


“Slade’s, when he’s here, which isn’t too often. He stays in the city to keep a look out for guys who need his help.” Fox gestured to another large cabin directly across the clearing from Davie’s. “That’s Ran’s.”


Chapter 7