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

“All right, you two. Let’s call it quits,” Ran said. “It’s way past lunch time so go get something to eat. Davie, I want you back here at three for a down and dirty lesson on how to defend against a knife attack.”


“Okay.” He put on his shoes, tossed his shirt over his shoulder, and left. As he walked back to the cabin, he wondered if Ran and Vin were discussing his future, whatever that might be. One thing he did know, there was more to Vin’s involvement with the Encampment than anyone was aware of. He was certain of that, just as he was certain that Grey was more than what he seemed beyond his helping Slade find guys who needed to get away from whatever danger they were in.


Chapter 18