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

“Nothing that drastic, Davie. Darken your hair and make it less curly. The curls are a dead giveaway. Different gear, different clothes. Grubbier than you were when I picked you up.”


“Is that possible,” Davie replied with a small grin.


“You know it is. Neither of you will shave for the next few days. That’ll give you a scruffy look. Vin, you’ve been here and working out of doors long enough you’ve got a good tan. We can lighten your hair.”


Vin rolled his eyes. “Bleach blond is me.”


Maddox laughed. “Not that bad but different from the brown it is now.”


“From what you said, you’re not planning on shipping us out today,” Davie commented.


“No,” Slade replied. “I want to see if I can locate your mother’s ex-boyfriend and get him out of the picture. He’s the biggest threat to you.”


Davie turned to look at Vin, asking, “What about you?”


Chapter 20