It's ironic that I'm planning my escape from Jack since Jack was my escape from 'foster home hell'. I found him in an internet chat room for teens. He said he was 19 and lonely. Jack said he knew what I was going through because he had lost his dad when he was very young; just like I had. He never knew his mom; just like I never knew mine. He had been bounced around more foster homes than he could count; just like I had. The list of our similarities went on and on. I couldn't see then that this was too much coincidence to be true. All I could see was a handsome prince charming on a white horse, waiting for the right moment to whisk me away.

When we met for the first time I asked him how old he really was. Even my rose colored glasses couldn't color him younger than 25. He confessed to being 29 but swore that I made him feel like a teen again. He promised that his motives were pure. He just saw his younger self in me and wanted so badly to help me escape the madness of the foster care system.

Our few clandestent 'dates' (we met at my neighborhood 7-eleven) were somehow magical in spite of our surroundings. Within a matter of weeks we had worked out a plan. Jack was going to hide me in his house until I was old enough to be on my own. He had already bought clothes for me and set up a room in his house. (I cringe as I write this because I know how it sounds.)

I met him at our spot on a friday afternoon. My Tinker Bell backpack was light. I had emptied all my school work and books into my locker. All that filled my bag was a soft pink teddy bear, my favorite brush, some make up, and a few other things a 14 year old conciders necessary.

I sensed trouble as soon as we pulled into the garage of the ranch style home I would soon call my prison. At first, Jack was a gentleman, opening my car door and helping me out. His smile tried to be warm but came off creepy, instead. He led me into the kitchen with my bag across his shoulder and his hand glued to my lower back. Jack had not so much as laid a fingertip on me until this moment and his touch sent shivers down my spine. 

'Let me give you the grand tour.' Something in his tone put me on defense and I smiled cautiously in reply.

'This is the kitchen where I prepare all my gourmet frozen burritos' I smiled bigger and forced a giggle.

'I can cook, you know. I'm the only one Stacie would allow in her kitchen.' I was eager to show my willingness to contribute to his household. For a second I felt all grown up.

'That would be amazing.' He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand.

My rose colored lenses shattered and all my senses went into high alert. I stumbled backward and rapped my head against the door frame.

"Whoa! Careful! Did I frighten you, Kitten?' He put his hands gently on my shoulders and looked into my eyes feigning concern.

'I-I'm fine.' I rubbed the back of head and met his gaze with a weak smile.

'I just had a clumsy moment, I guess.' I quickly moved into the dining room anxious to be free of his touch. He sensed my uneasieness and let me lead the way through the rest of the house. There were 3 bedrooms. One was set up as an office, one was obviously his bedroom, and the third was a packaging room for what looked like a home ebay business. 

'Um, Jack, should I sleep on the couch tonight?' My cheeks were flushed with the reality that there was no room set up for me. 

Jack once again took hold of my shoulders. This time his grip was a little too tight for comfort.

'Jess, do you trust me?' His dark eyes probed every facet of my face.

'I trust you' I lied.

'I need you to be a very good girl. I need you to do as you're told. I will take care of you...' he paused for effect, 'and you will take care of me.'

'Okay, Jack' my eyes wandered to the floor as I tried to comprehend my situation.

He shook me and my eyes flew back to his.

'Jessica! You will obey me!' His voice turned evil and tears intruded my eyes without warning. He took my arm and led me into the bedroom.

"I'm not ready!" I pleaded, certain now of my fate.

'Jack, Jack, I'm only fourteen, Jack. I don't want to...' He slapped me hard and shoved me to the bed. 

"Listen, Bitch! You are mine now and you will do as you're told or else I will torture you in ways you don't even know exist!'

He glared at me with so much violence I was certain I was living my last moments. I immediately submitted. If I wanted to live I knew I had to do whatever he wanted. I had jumped from hell right into Satan's lap.