**Chapter 1: The Unwelcome Return**

The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust particles dancing in the air as Jay walked downstairs, his heart racing with excitement. It had been over a year since he'd last seen his dad, and he couldn't wait to tell his friends about it. As he reached the bottom step, he called out, "Daddy, what are you doing?" His voice echoed through the empty hallway. Jay's dad, sitting on the couch, looked up from the bag he was rummaging through. The bag was filled with their finest china, and Jay wondered what his dad was planning to do with it. His dad's eyes, a familiar shade of brown that Jay had inherited, locked onto his, and a smirk spread across his face. "Finding stuff to sell for money, kiddo," his dad replied, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness. Jay's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the china, but before he could ask any more questions, his dad's expression changed. His dad's smirk grew wider as he stood up, his movements fluid and almost menacing. He walked towards Jay, his eyes scanning him from head to toe. Jay felt a shiver run down his spine as his dad knelt down in front of him. "Hey, let's take a look at you," his dad said, his voice low and husky. Jay's heart began to pound in his chest as his dad shoved his fingers past his lips, inspecting his teeth. Jay tried to pull away, but his dad held him in place. As his dad lifted his shirt, Jay felt a wave of panic wash over him. "What are you doing, Daddy?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. His dad's eyes roamed over Jay's chest, and then his gaze lingered on his stomach. "You're getting quite the physique, kiddo," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling enthusiasm. "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 sank in. "Why would you sell me? Do you not love me?" Jay's voice cracked as he asked, his eyes welling up with tears. His dad's expression softened, and he reached out to stroke Jay's hair. "No, no, I love you, 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. He wanted to believe that his dad loved him, that he would never hurt him. But something about his dad's words didn't feel right. Without thinking, Jay nodded, and his dad smiled, relief washing over his face. "Good boy, kiddo. Let's get going, then." As Jay followed his dad out of the house, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was making a terrible mistake. Little did he know, his life was about to take a drastic turn, one that would change him forever. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the neighborhood as Jay and his dad walked in silence. Jay's heart was heavy with worry, and he couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. As the darkness closed in around them, Jay felt a sense of foreboding wash over him, a sense that he was walking into the unknown.