Blow It All away

Blow it all down…Take everything…

These thoughts crossed Dirk Strider's mind as the sirens began to scream. Dave, his little brother, was crying softly curled up next to him on the floor of the kitchen.

Their dad was yelling and cursing throwing things around screaming and making everything worse.

Dirk gritted his teeth as he could hear the wind picking up, he wrapped an arm protectively around Dave as their father threw something that crashed through the window letting the tornadoes wind whip through the room.

Dave cried out and tried to hide behind Dirk.

Dirk stared at his father frightened just as much as Dave was. But he had just about as much as he could take.

Their father was 40, Dirk was 18 and Dave was 6. If Dirk's mother was still alive then she would have been 38.

For 14 years of his life Dirk had struggled to live with his father, an alcoholic who couldn't handle being a single father around 26. But now, when he had to protect his half-brother from their father, he had had enough.

After their father stumbled out of the room to his room, he stood up and picked up Dave holding him close to himself.

"Shh… it'll be okay...A'right…" He soothed the poor kid. After a second of grabbing things they would need, which he had already set up in a bag like they taught in middle school, he opened the screen door that flew against the side of the house with a loud snap. Dave yelped and clung to Dirk tighter as the wind howled around them.

"Dirk! Dave!" the old man stumbled to the door holding a bottle of whiskey, "Where you think you goin'?!" he slurred and pointed the bottle at Dirk with narrowed, hateful, brown eyes.

Dirk glared at his dad, "To the cellar 'cross the street…. We can stay in there Dad…" Dirk hated that he sounding like a pleading child… but honestly he was just that.

"Like hell I'm going in there…. I own this house and I own you. Now get back in here." Father Strider growled and took a step out the door. Dirk took a step back shaking his head, "No." he said firmly before turning and running to the cellar in the neighbor's yard.

"Fine! Get killed for all I cared." Father said as he turned and stumbled into the house.

Dirk hurried Dave to the farthest corner of the damp cellar before looking at the house one more time. He shut the door and sat on the old bench holding his head in his hands.

Dave scooted over and hugged Dirk tightly still crying. Dirk wrapped his arm around Dave and sighed.

"Dirk….. what we gonna do…" Dave whimpered and sniffled. Dirk smiled gently and wiped away his tears ,"Don't worry…. I'm gonna look after you now." Dirk could feel the whole world settle on him as he said this.

"You promise?" Dave asked looking at Dirk with bright, scarlet red eyes. Dirk nodded staring into his eyes. They had mutated eyes thanks to their dad. Dave's were scarlet and Dirk's were orange, sunset orange.

Dirk smiled, "Don't worry 'bout nothing Dave. Remember were the Sunset Striders."

Dave smiled and then laid his head down in Dirk's lap curled up tightly as the Tornado raged over their heads.

"You never answered the question Dirk…" Dave said gently sounding so exhausted. Dirk smiled and pet his head gently, "I promise Dave…. Your big bro is gonna keep you safe."

Dirk looked at the door as a loud bang came from it. Dave whimpered and sat up staring wide eyed at the door. Dirk hugged him tightly, "Just something hitting the door. Don't worry."

Dave nodded and decided sitting in Dirk's lap was a better spot then laying down to sleep through everything.

Dirk didn't mind, he didn't mind anything as long as Dave was safe.

Because he had promised…. He would give up his life to protect Dave.

A sudden and shocking crash from outside signaled the arrival of the twister, Dave cried out and Dirk shielded his little brother, wrapping his arms around him and huddling over him with his back to the cellar door. If the world wanted Dave, then they would have to get through Dirk first.

*3 hours later*

Dirk pushed open the old door of the cellar and looked at the damage that the tornado had brought. The ground was gouged ad bleeding the red of Texas mud.

Their house was leveled, the old rusty swing in the back was gone and the oak tree that Dave had broken is arm on that fall was laying three houses over. Dave clung to Dirk desperately. "Do you think…" he began but Dirk shook his head. The house was completely decimated, even if the old man had gotten out...he was to drunk to get far. Some of the neighbors came over, one of the elderly ladies took Dave aside while Dirk searched. Whatever was left of the body, it wasn't here.

After salvaging what they could,which wasn't much, and kindly accepting the little donations that some of the neighbors insisted upon, Dirk managed to get them a place to stay at the nearby motel. It was cheap and Dirk could barely stand to touch the bed sheet, but it was warm.

He was rummaging through what they had left when Dave sat down beside him eating some pizza, "So…what now?" he tilted his head, blond locks falling ff kilter.

What now…

Dirk thought then sighed, "Looks like were gonna go and visit your Mom… Hope you're ready for some Lalondes."