Trigger Warning: Abuse, homophobia

"Daniel, come here."

Daniel's mother had been a loving woman, as long as Daniel remembered. Soft, caring -- she'd given him a dog when the nightmares hit, but he still feared her - feared losing his family for whom he loved, so when he'd come home from the Bootanical Garden weeks ago clutching Owen, he was surprised nobody questioned it -- they'd even let him stay over. But slowly, while Daniel began relaxing about things, his mother seemed to... Avoid him. Ignore him, even. So now, now when she called his name, Daniel rushed in, hoping it was something good.

It was not.

The den was empty - Rosario was in her room, his father at work with his eldest brother, and Thomas? He didn't know. Daniel was alone, with his mother, and she looked... firm.

"Si, Mama?" Daniel asked, sitting before prompted. His stomach turfned, and Daniel blinked when she hissed.

"What is wrong with you? Are you kissing boiys? Do I need to call the priest?" She snapped, and Daniel flinched promptly. His mother glared - a gaze expecting an answer, and Daniel swallowed. How had Mama figured it out? HOW?!

"I kiss girls, mama.... And.. And boys..." Daniel said, the last sparks of fight sucked out of him at the moment. Everything was over. OVER. His mother huffed, waving a Bible at him angrily.

"No! Wrong! I thought Itaughtyou better! You.. You should not be doing that!" She snapped. "Why can't youat least give that poor Bailey girl a chance?!"

At that, Daniel hissed.

"We're dating Bailey and she is dating us, Mama. We love one another. That is what the priest says - to love, like Jesus says!"

That led to an incredulous noise. A noise of anger, hatred - and a little bit of disgust, and - an d Daniel yelped when the bible hit him.

His mother threw a book at him. Immediatyely, he panicked. This was not the nightmares. This was worse, because his mother threw things. The tiny woman rose, moving for her taller son, and he moved to back away, yelping as she slapped him -- hard.

"Np! Demon! SWick, possessed demon child! No son of mine would spit in the eye of God! you are not my son!" And she slapped him again. And again.

Daniel, however, mentally froze, shaking.

You are not my son.

But he'd always been taught Jesus wanted them to love one another. Fuirther, space showed maybe... Maybe there wasn't just the black and white systyem in the bible. But...

You are not my son kept ringing in his ears even as his mother struck him, and finally he staggered back as she hufgfed.

"You will follow your filthy brother to Hillworth." She ordered, and Daniel blinked, paling. Thomas? Follow him? HILLWORTH?!

"...n...no." Daniel finally croaked, and another strike hit him, the boy cowering back as finally, incensed at the refusal, she screamed.


"THEN YOU WILL GET OUT. GET OUT, NOW. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

Daniel winced, ducking another book before he shot away, mind racinmg. Barely-- just barely he could hear a door lock, but he wasn't sure which. He could hear a voice, but... He only knew he had to go.

Daniel ran into his room rapidly, grabbing his clothes and shoved them into a backpack as he shook, eyes wide in terror. He felt unsafe, he felt... Unwanted. His mother made it clear he was unwelcome, father there or not. Surely if it was her command, it was father's will, right? Daniel choked on a sob as he shoved more things in his bag, before throwing it over his shoulder. The teen was scared, but there had to be a place to go. His mind glanced over the busses, the safe havern stickers on them, and swallowing, he nodded. Safe Haven - he could go to one. Taking one last look around his room, Daniel felt tears well in his eyes. His dog was in the back yard - Daniel hoped his brother didn't get mad. He hoped Freedom would protrect Rosario as she grew. He was such a good dog, and soon, the boy slipped out a window, running down the sidewalk in tears. It was dark, minus street lamps flicking overhead, and Daniel knew he needed to hurry, moving for the bus stop. He wanted to contact Bailey or Owen, but he couldn't bring a civilian cell phone. He could use the senshi phone, safely, but for now? For now he sat, waiting.

He was, still, in shock. He was homeless, and unwanted. Garbage, likely. He couldn't continue much school - they'd ask questions. Could he find work? Help?

Daniel shivered, ther bus finally pulling up, and he boarded, wiping his eyes as he inserted his coin, and spoke, softly.

"Safe Haven. Please..." His voice cracked, and the bus driver nodded understandingly, motioning him behind him, and the doors shut, Daniel sitting.

The street pulled away -- and with it, it felt like, the remainer of Daniel's hopes for things to go well.