A/N: I know I said that the last chapter was the end, but I wanted to write an epilogue to the story so you have an idea about what's going to happen in the sequel. It is a co-write between me and Nixy Angel and we only have the prologue up, but you should check it out anyway. It's under my name and called A Stronger Bond. Please read and review that.

Chapter 17-Epilogue

Cody's POV-

Ever since the thought of us turning thirteen entered out heads, things have changed. My parents got divorced and Zack and I were split up. I was fine with that in the beginning, but then my dad started to change.

I was never around him that much before so I always thought he was cool because he had his own band and went traveling around a lot. But I later learned that God made two different types of people in life: The smart ones: never do drugs, study, do everything they can to protect the ones they love.

That's my mom and Zack.

God also made another category of people in life: The bad ones: the ones who neglect their children, do drugs, drink, abuse physically and verbally, and get into a trouble a lot.

That's my dad.

But it never occurred to me that he was a bad guy. That was because he was always away playing gigs and partying. It never occurred to me that he could be drinking and having affairs behind mom's back and verbally abusing her. I guess that's why they drifted apart and mom wanted to protect us from him so she never said anything about it.

But now...I wish she had.

I would've been safe that way.

Maybe I would live with Zack and mom in Boston while my dad stays by himself and ruins his life.

Sometimes…

I wish it was Zack and not me…

I know it's bad to think, but I think about that all day as I look at my bruises, my scars, my hair, anything about me.

Because my father's the reason for these thoughts.

He's the reason for my pain.

But now he's gone…

I won't hear his voice anymore, won't feel his beatings.

Sometimes I wonder…

Would it be worse if I were a girl?

If Zack and I were twin girls instead of boys? Would he sexually abuse us if my mom ever left us with him alone?

This thought race through my head only because I heard a song by John Mayer called Daughters. It could be easily changed to be called sons. It easily reminds me of the life I have lived before and makes me glad that I have a savior to watch over me.

Zack.

And Crystal kind of. I like her a lot. Don't know if I have a crush on her though. She says she's been through the same thing. Does she get abused? I never asked, so I don't know.

I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
But she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls all continually change
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe it's got nothing to do with me

I'm too afraid to ask.

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

I don't want to ask!

Oh, you see that skin?
It's the same she's been standing in
Since the day she saw him walking away
Now she's left
Cleaning up the mess he made

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

It'll bring back the pain…

Too much pain.

Boys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without the warmth from
A womans good, good heart

I am strong. I will be strong. No body can hurt me again.
On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world

And If I fall, I know Zack will be there to catch me. He's always there to catch me when I fall. I know. Because he and I have a bond.

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

So mothers, be good to your daughters too

So mothers, be good to your daughters too

And now, after everything that has happened, it's become stronger.

We have a stronger bond.