"The abuse continued until I was sixteen. By that time, I had gotten my hands on the school's health textbook. It spoke volumes to me; the chapters detailing abuse? It fit me almost perfectly. I was a poster child for this. I almost wanted to tear those pages from their binding to sew to my chest. 'This is who I am,' I had thought. But I was scared to tell anyone. I didn't think anyone, not even my teachers, would believe me. I took a few days to plan, then I left, with just my old backpack, a couple sets of clothes, some food and water, and what I had on my back.

"I slept at the park the first night. It was the first time I had felt free. Feeling the cold grass underneath me seeping into my body and staring up above at a bright moon was therapeutic almost. I fell asleep there, without worry that I would need to please anyone. I began actively seeking jobs. The local burger joint used me for a while. I got minimum wage, but at least now I could make some savings. I spent a great amount of time at the burger joint. Went to work right after school until 8 PM. They closed at 10, and I used the last two hours either working or eating my free meal and doing my homework. I would sleep on the discarded mattress I had found behind an old shop. If I needed a wash, I could slip into the neighboring community, which was full of rich people who all had pools in their yards. It was risky, yes, but it was better than coming to school smelling like a dead rat. I could wash my clothes there as well. No one would know my situation. I poached a few towels from them as well, although none seemed to notice. These acted as my blankets while I waited for my clothes to dry. Sometimes I would find a perfectly fine clothes tossed on the side of the road. I always patched them up to use so I wouldn't go to school in the same things every day. It was a miserable two years, but I managed to scrounge together enough money to place me into college.

"The burger joint failed not long after I began college. I managed to find a restaurant job. Like the burger joint, the pay wasn't great. It was just over minimum wage but I still got a raise. I also acquired a mailman's route during the weekends. They didn't last me long though, for I was able to secure a slot at the university to begin my journey as a doctor. A full ride!

"Higher leveled courses in university were somewhat difficult. College classes were similar to the honors classes I had taken in high school; they were a breeze compared to these more theoretical classes. But I was able to graduate with high honors, along with volunteer recognition at the university's health system. I can only thank the amount of effort put in by all of my teachers, my helpers, and the friends I have made there.

"I feel like I don't remember much about medical school, even though it's instrumental in a surgeon's success. When I hear 'medical school', I think grinding classes, falling asleep, and more classes. The most memorable part, I believe, was getting to know my mentor. He was an amazing man, who firmly believed in leading by example. He was very humble, yet very skilled in his craft. He knew what he was doing, yet made it seem like such a simple task. He must have seen potential in me. He was the one who lifted my spirits after I became inert. During the last two years of medical school, he was the closest thing to a father I had. I only wish his time had not come. I wanted to thank him for being such a wonderful role model, but unfortunately, he suffered cardiac arrest a few months after I left medical school.

"But it was during my residency that I met my true family. I had dated their daughter during my university years. We were friends then, but several years later I wanted to talk with her again. We managed to get a chance to talk -- a quick chat at the nearby cafe before I had to go back. She had only grown more beautiful and I found myself falling in love with her. I confessed my love to her not long after, then she brought me home to see her family.

"They were very pleasant people, although I was not impressed with Daniel at first. Daniel was the most high-maintenance, high-energy ten year old brat I had ever met. Jorden and I didn't get along either. He thought I was too uptight. Andrew, their father, was the first one to try to strike up a conversation with me. I liked him from the start. He was never too pushy. He never tried to get close to me, always respectfully kept his distance. Jorden was similar, although it was mainly to avoid me. Daniel lacked the concept of personal space and went around giving everybody hugs, much to my chagrin at the time.

"We had been dating for a few months when Michelle broke it off. She had said I was 'too clingy', 'too needy'. I suppose I was. I didn't want to go anywhere without her. I feared for her safety. Even though I knew she could take care of herself, I always saw the same image replaying in my head: Samuel somehow finding me and using her to hurt me. Or hurting us both. I had no idea if Samuel was even bothering to find me, his worthless puppet. I just knew I was terrified he was going to come back and haunt me again. Most of all, I feared she would abandon me.

"One time during residency, I had nowhere to go when I was told to take my required week-long vacation. I called up Andrew to tell him my situation. It was Jorden who answered and, surprisingly, he didn't seem too concerned when I asked if I could stay at his place for the week. They allotted me a bed from their guest room.

"I've learned a great deal from them. Andrew was a kind-hearted man who figured out just how badly broken I was inside. I nearly had a mental breakdown when he first presented me with food. I've survived most of my life off simple things. Bread, rice, fruit, frozen foods... Having someone make -- specifically for me -- spaghetti from scratch was a completely new experience. He willingly showed me how to properly peel tomatoes, the best way to cook ground meat. I dropped a few ceramic plates. I broke the sink, the stove, the sliding door... I put a hole in his wall in frustration when they brought up my relationship with Michelle. Andrew never raised his voice in anger.

"I had no idea how to show how grateful I was. I told him parts of my past, something I'd never done before. He let me talk and get it out. He never judged me. And you know what? The hug he gave me meant the world to me. I'd never felt so... comforted.

"Jorden shook off most of his asshole attitude after listening in. He became my best friend, saying that it was necessary to share his own experiences with me. He understood the pain of losing a mother. His had abandoned him when he was fifteen. Told him he and his sister were burdens and should've been aborted. Left them and their father to raise two month old Daniel while they were busy getting ready for college. No wonder they had been so quick to accept me. They knew what it was like to hurt. I didn't tell him, but I swore to myself then to take care of their family, to provide for and support them if they ever needed it. But I think they knew, because I never stopped loving them.

"Daniel didn't seem to care. He still gave hugs, couldn't care less if you didn't want him snuggling in your lap. You'd think I was describing a dog with the way he acts. He craved attention and contact. Still does. And yet, he is so fiercely loyal to people he loves. He acts like a dick most of the time, but he will jump to your defense when you need it. It's not a terrible quality, I guess. Heck, when I nearly got robbed this one time, Daniel sent the guy flying into a light post. He's taught me to stand up for myself and not to let others beat myself and others into the ground.

"Throughout my residency, if I needed a place to stay, Andrew and his family always lent me their guest room. This was the first time I truly felt wanted and needed. To be given a safe place, to be loved, to be adored. After a few years, Andrew gave me an offer I simply could not refuse. I could become his son. I could have a father. A legitimate father. A man who could look after me, who would tell me he loved me, who would do things with me, who understood where to draw the line. I could have brothers. They would annoy me at times, yes, but they would give me the clothes off their backs if I needed it. They would stand up for me. They would protect me.

"I said yes.

"They coaxed me into getting the help that I needed. I was terrified, obviously. I had tried a couple before but had felt it didn't work. My hospital was able to refer me to someone who I felt comfortable with. The sessions were difficult, and I had to plod through experiences I would have preferred not to bring up again. But every time I did, it felt like I was letting go of a dead-weight. And I could feel the change. People noted the change. I walked with my head up. I felt like I could smile more. I found myself accepting Daniel's affections, even accepting a brotherly kiss - which I enjoyed and returned. I opened up to my family, and furthermore, to my therapist. Then everything spilled. The nightmares, the trauma, the abuse. All were horrified to hear my story. I had to comfort Daniel in the middle of it. But... it was all for the better.

"I am a better person than I was as a child. The brooding, frustrated man dragging his ass through school found his own treasure to protect. I finally realized that all I really needed were people who could love me. When I found that, I knew I was home.

"And I wouldn't give it up for the world."