**Chapter 1: A Father's Deceit**

The front door creaked open, and Jay's heart skipped a beat as he heard the familiar sound of his father's voice calling out, "Hey, kiddo! I'm home!" Jay's eyes widened with excitement as he rushed down the stairs, his short dark brown hair bouncing with each step. He had missed his dad terribly, and the past year had been a blur of uncertainty and fear. His mom's drinking had gotten worse, and his older brothers had become increasingly distant, but Jay had held onto the hope that his dad would return and fix everything. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Jay's smile faltered slightly. The living room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of stale cigarettes and yesterday's Chinese takeout. His dad was rummaging through a cabinet, a bag slung over his shoulder. The only other sound was the soft hum of the TV in the background. "Daddy, what are you doing?" Jay asked, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in his stomach. His dad turned around, a smirk spreading across his face. "Just finding some stuff to sell, kiddo. You know, to make some extra cash." He held up the bag, which was filled with their finest china. Jay's mom had always been proud of that set, and Jay wondered why his dad was getting rid of it. Jay's eyes scanned the room, and he realized that they were alone. His mom was probably out running errands, and his brothers were likely at their friend's house, playing video games. The silence felt oppressive, and Jay's instincts screamed at him to be cautious. As his dad approached him, Jay felt a shiver run down his spine. His dad's eyes seemed to linger on him, and Jay's skin crawled. He tried to push the feeling aside, telling himself he was being paranoid. "Hey, come here, Jay," his dad said, his voice low and husky. Jay's heart sank as his dad knelt down in front of him, his eyes locked on Jay's. For a moment, Jay felt like he was drowning in their depths. Jay's dad reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Jay's ear, his fingers grazing Jay's skin. "You know, you're a really handsome young man now," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling sincerity. "I could get a pretty penny if I sold you to the black market." Jay's eyes widened in horror as his dad's words hung in the air. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "Why would you sell me? Do you not love me?" Jay's voice cracked as he asked the question, his eyes welling up with tears. His dad's expression softened, and he reached out to pull Jay into a hug. "Of course, I love you, Jay. And if you do this for Daddy, I'll love you even more. All you need to do is let me sell you to some people, and you'll be back home in no time. Don't worry about it, kiddo." Jay's mind reeled as he stared at his dad, unsure of what to do. A part of him wanted to trust his dad, to believe that everything would be okay. But another part of him screamed to run, to get as far away from his dad as possible. Without thinking, Jay nodded, his eyes fixed on his dad's. He wanted to believe that everything would be okay, that his dad loved him and would never hurt him. As his dad led him out of the house, Jay felt a sense of trepidation growing inside him. He had no idea where they were going or what his dad's plan was, but he knew that he had to trust him. The walk was short, and Jay found himself being led to a nondescript van parked on the side of the road. His dad opened the back door, revealing a dark interior. Jay's heart racing, he stepped inside, his dad following close behind. As the door closed behind them, Jay felt a hand on his shoulder, and everything went black. When Jay came to, he was disoriented and groggy. He was lying in a crate, his head throbbing with pain. He tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea washed over him, forcing him back down. Where was he? What had his dad done to him? Jay's mind was a jumble of fear and confusion as he lay there, unsure of what the future held.