Thoughts behind the artwork...

Here there be monsters. A child returns home. Child abuse is a horror that exists for far too many. Those who have endured will carry the scars with them for the duration of their lives. Some will grow up only to repeat the cycle. Others will grow up to be fierce protectors. If you have suffered from child abuse, you are not alone.

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)

This image was mostly inspired by a boy that I went to elementary school with. One day during summer vacation when the two of us were in fifth grade, he invited me to his house to look at his baseball cards. His parents were working, so we had the place to ourselves. When I entered, he began pointing out random objects that he was routinely beaten with. A phone cord here, a car antenna there... at first I couldn't even take in what he was saying to me. After looking at his baseball cards for a little while, he suddenly stiffened... blanched a pale white... and grabbed my hand and quickly dragged me to the back door. The total panic and terror on his face rendered me incapable of even asking what he was doing. He shoved me out the door and quickly shut it behind me. Instinctively, I ducked out of sight as I tried to leave the property without being seen. What haunts me to this day is the sound of his screaming as I began to run home. We were ten years old.

Several years later, I was a volunteer phone counselor for troubled teens. When I signed up, I had no real idea what I was getting myself into. I only knew that I wanted to help other kids who were in tough situations. It did not take long to realize that there are far too many children like my friend from the fifth grade. This image is a reminder. It is difficult to look at... but not nearly as difficult as knowing those children are out there.