Rhys Lutridge grew up in a perfect family, or well, it was perfect to him because he didn't know any better. He had both of his folks living in the home so that counted for something, right? Dad worked long hours as a garbage collector, and when he came home he spent time with the television and his recliner, two six packs of beer at his feet. You didn't bother pop during his "me" time unless you wanted his bear size paw of a hand to knock some sense into you. His mother slept during the day and worked during the night as a waitress at a titty bar so he never saw her.

It was almost as if the only family he had were his brother, James and sister, Alice. Well, more-so just his sister. Their older brother came around less and less as they got older. If it wasn't for Alice, he was sure he would have starved to death. He did good enough in school, he wasn't a top student but his "C" average was good enough to get him through the education system.

While his sister had her dreams, Rhys had none. He tried doing the college thing for a bit. Well one semester, and he didn't even fully complete that. He was done with school. He had tortured himself enough. Now he truly had no idea what the fuck to do with his life. On occasion his brother would visit, because thats what it seemed like, visits. Even though he still had a room at the house, he was never around.

As he chatted with his kid brother and talked about all the things he was doing, Rhys couldn't help but grow an interest. It was a dangerous life and one he should have left alone. Alice never scolded him for what he was doing, in fact she had her own share of party favors that she enjoyed. Money was rolling in, he was doing okay, and so was his sister. Things were good. Or well they were until Alice OD'd one night. He had heard the news late, but rushed to the hospital to see his sister, staying at her side when her husband Charlie had to go to work. He later got the news that their brother was killed. Drug bust gone bad. He felt remorse, mourned his brother, but that mourning was overshadowed by joy at learning that Alice would be okay. Life would continue on.

Later Rhys got involved with the wrong people, and when the shit hit the fan and someone had to take the blame, it was he who would take the fall. Or so he thought. His brother-in-law Charlie knew people, and things got handled. Rhys wouldn't spend the rest of his life rotting behind bars in some prison. He was free as a bird. Maybe that was enough to scare the young man straight. Maybe.

Things seemed to be okay after that. Rhys kept his nose clean and even attempted to do that college thing again. He was happy. And then Alice and Charlie moved. Fuck. Now what? Well, he didn't like the fact that his sister wasn't just a visit away. Not one bit. Maybe it was time for a vacation. He packed up his things in a bag and caught the first bus out of Baltimore. Destination: Hathian.