Worry Worry Worry

When Alexei started yelling at Serenity, River took that time to glare at him and send an answer to Tam.

Of course I'll look after him. He's such a sweet boy.

A part of her wanted to dig for answers, but she knew about privacy. She knew about the pain of never wanting to share your secrets.

Serenity grabed a drink and setled down next to River. "I know that face what's wrong" she asked.

River sighed heavily and showed Serenity the text messages. "I think something is up." She told her friend, frowning. "I don't want to pry, though..."

--

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine," He said with a laugh. "I can't resist when you offer to buy Bonnie snacks, so lead the way." Pushing back his hair to scratch an itch, the blond inadvertently revealed his scar.

In the back of his mind, he silently worried over the reasons behind Kent's limp. He had known others back home who limped like that...

--

Getting home was the worst part of every night for Kent. It did not help that he had to walk back and forth simply because his rust bucket of a truck had broken down a month ago. He was aware of how bad his limp had become, the pain in his left leg growing harder and harder to ignore.

"What do I do if I can't work...?" He muttered as he opened the door of his home. His father was wide awake, glaring at him from the kitchen, but the nineteen year old ignored him. Hanging his jacket and apron from the shop up, he slipped out of his work boots.

"You took your sweet time getting home." His father, Roger, spat with a snarl.

"I walk home...and I'm limping." Kent tried to reason as he bit down on a cigarette to keep his mouth busy. "If you would just let me save up enough to fix the truck..."

"No," Roger seethed as he stood up. "You get that money on your own. Rent. Now."

Sighing heavily, Kent pulled the money from his wallet and handed it over. Every time he was sure he'd be able to save up money, he would have to pay this bastard of a father rent. He wanted to rush to his room, to run away.

He was short ten dollars.

"Where is it, boy?" Roger asked with a glare.

"I'll get it tomorrow. My last customers didn't tip." Kent answered just before the fist met his face.