Page 1 of Justus
Prologue
Justus
Nineyears I’ve been waiting for this day. Every kid counts down to their eighteenthbirthday, but I’d bet my left ass cheek none of them want it as bad as me.
I’mfree.
Freefrom group homes and temporary foster parents who only take kids in for thegovernment money. No more sleeping four or five to a room with my backpackshoved under me so the other kids—or adults—can’t steal my hard earned money.
AndI earned it. Every penny. Long nights shaking my ass and being felt up by womenand men alike. I was sixteen when I was hired by Peckers—an exotic dance clubcatering to women and gay men. The manager barely glanced at my fake ID beforegrunting, “I’ll pay you in cash, kid. And you can keep half your tips.”
BecauseI’m no fool, I also insisted on eighty percent of my lap dance money. That’swhere I make a killing. For two years I’ve been working five nights a weekwhile still going to high school, and I’ve managed to put away enough money tolive on my own and still graduate. Today’s the day I’ve been planning for, theday when all the hard work pays off.
Myhigh school guidance counselor tried to convince me to go to college, since thestate would have to pay, but that would mean remaining under their control. I’mdone taking orders from strangers who don’t give two shits about me.
I’mout of here.
I’mgoing to find my sister.
Thegroup home I’ve been living in the past two years is empty as I pack mynew-to-me sedan with all my belongings—namely, a trash bag full of clothes.There’s no one rushing out to tell me good-bye or wish me luck. I’m on my own,but it’s nothing out of the ordinary. I’ve been alone since my sister, Hannah,and I were jerked from our beds nine years ago.
Okay,not beds, we never really had beds, but we were taken from the only place weknew and the only family we had. I have no idea who my father is, could be themailman for all I know, and my mother was way more interested in keeping aneedle in her arm than caring for two kids.
Atfirst the caseworker tried to keep Hannah and me together, but after a fewyears, we got lost in the system. The last time I saw her was four years ago,when she was thirteen. She’s seventeen now, and I have no intention of leavingher in the system another year. I have a car, job, and an apartment. They’llhave to give me custody.
Ipark outside the Department of Families and Children. Ironic name since theytear apart more families than they help. My caseworker waves me into her officelike she’s been expecting me. “Mr. Alexander, happy birthday.”
“Thankyou.”
“Iassume you’re here for help transitioning? I can recommend a center forstruggling youth…” She shuffles papers around on her desk.
“I’mgood, thanks. I have a job and an apartment. I want to know where my sisteris,” I demand, getting straight to the point.
“Ah,yes, Hannah Alexander.” She busies herself at her computer. “That girl is arunner.”
That’snews to me. “A runner?”
“She’srun from four families, the last one just two months ago.”
“Whereis she now?”
Shespins and faces me, slipping on that fake sympathy mask they all don. “I’mafraid I don’t know. She’s been reported as a missing person, but theauthorities haven’t located her.”
“She’sbeen missing for two months? Why the fuck wasn’t I told?”
Herlips purse. “Watch your language, young man. You were underage. We had no dutyto inform you.”
Leapingto my feet, I slam my hands down on her desk. “Fuck your duty! She’s seventeenyears old!”
Asecurity officer steps through the door, and I take a deep breath, strugglingto get my anger under control. I don’t want to spend my first night as an adultin a jail cell.
“I’mgoing,” I snap, when he tries to grab my arm.
Walkingto my car, I feel truly alone for the first time in my life.
ChapterOne
Sadie
