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

“These are for you,” he said, handing them each very used-looking phones.


“I already have one,” Davie told him.


“Then give it to me, please. You’ll get it back when this is over. If you keep it and things go the way we hope, the slavers will take it and you’ll never see it again.


“Not that it’s worth anything,” Davie replied sourly. “The battery’s dead and I lost the charger months ago.” Still, he handed over his phone. Vin shrugged and dug his out of his pocket, giving it to Carson.


“You need these because they won’t believe you don’t own one,” Carson explained. “I’ve rarely met a street kid who didn’t and I’m sure it’s the same for them. More than that, though, these have an added feature. If…no, when you make a connection with them and they hire you, press the pound button. That way we’ll know it’s a go.”


“And start tracking us?” Davie asked.


“Yes. Okay, that’s it. Stay safe.”


“Damned sure going to try,” Vin replied, hefting his backpack over his shoulders.


Chapter 27