You knew about Isaac’s issues with his dad. You found out one day when he came to your house covered in bruises after his dad “got mad” and he told you everything, unable to keep it bottled up. You agreed to keep it a secret as you knew if you told someone Isaac would just end up in foster care with someone worse. He tried to convince you that his dad was getting better, but you saw the new bruises, and you could always tell when he’d been locked in the freezer. Isaac often came to your house when his dad was mad, since you offered it to him and he gratefully accepted. He always felt bad when he came to your house, but you try to convince him it’s okay. Loud thudding on your window interrupts your studying. You sigh and walk towards the window to see your best friend, Isaac Lahey, outside, waving at you with a small smile on his face. You open the window and he climbs in. He sighs and looks down, he seems ashamed. “Hey.. uh, can I stay here tonight? My dad- he’s mad and..” he shows you a cut on his face.