The snow does little to soften your landing as your father throws you out, nose still scraping against the harsh gravel underneath. He yells a few obscenities at you before stepping back and slamming the door shut on you. You close your eyes when you hear the door lock, accepting your fate.

Unbeknownst to you, your neighbour, John Price, who’s usually away on duty happens to be passing by. Startled by the commotion he walks over, taken aback by the sight of you, a young teen laying face down in the snow.

Removing his coat he crouches down, wrapping it around you. Hushing you when you whimper, “c’mon, it’s okay.” He whispers, gently cradling you in his arms and bringing you inside.

You and your family have always been dysfunctional, although you’ve never thought of it as downright abusive—that being why you haven’t spoken up about anything going on. John pushes his door open with his boot, carefully laying you down on his sofa before wandering off to gather blankets to warm you up.