Run Away Home Tempered - Catherine Manett

Peter and Hayley are two young adults who're set to age out of Long Island's foster care system together. It's an exciting time for the two, and life should be fun without rules and the watchful eye of a foster parent. However, with the news of their foster mother's terminal illness, Peter has decided to adopt Danny, a thirteen-year-old boy also in her care. Now, Peter's life isn't the same.

The three must continue to live together in a new apartment. Peter hopes he has created the perfect family, despite their differences. He soon learns what a tremendous burden he's taken on at the young age of twenty-one. Being the sole breadwinner and a new parent means giving up the opportunity to live a carefree life with Hayley. As she continues to struggle with addiction, Hayley competes with Danny for Peter's attention and affection. When that seems to fail, she turns to her new boyfriend and opioid dealer, Tristian, to fill that void.

Peter and Tristian clash immediately. With the prospect of his plans for a perfect family falling apart, Peter begins to hallucinate and flashback to a past he fled on a Scottish Island many years ago.