DISCLAIMER

Got the idea from the line where Brand called Mikey "An adopted wuss". All familiar characters belong to Steven Spielberg and Warner Brothers. I only own the plot.

"No. No. Not again." Brand groaned and opened his eyes. Oh, man. Not again, he thought. This was the third night in a row that he had been woken up by one of Mikey's nightmares. He got up and walked to his brother's room, intending to wake him up.

"No. Don't. Don't let her. No. Please. Don't let her." Brand's eyes furrowed. This was new. Mikey had never said these kinds of things before.

"Mikey?" Brand asked. Mikey continued to plead in his sleep. Brand found himself overcome with curiosity. His parents had adopted Mikey about four years ago, but had never said much about his past. Maybe they didn't know themselves.

"No. No please. Not again. You said no more," Mikey muttered.

"Mikey? Mikey?" Brand asked. He leaned over and shook his brother's shoulder. "Mikey, wake up. You're dreaming, bud." This didn't stop the dream however, but increased it. Mikey cried out.

"No! Get away!" he yelled. Brand fell back in shock. He had never seen Mikey like this. What had happened to him? Finally, the cries became whimpers. When Mikey spoke again, Brand could barely make out the words.

"Didn't want to. Never wanted to," the boy said. Brand watched as Mikey became calm. Then, he smoothed back the younger boy's hair, which had become drenched in sweat.

"Sleep, Mikey. You're safe. You're safe," he whispered. The older boy frowned. Somehow, he'd find out what had happened to Mikey and he'd make it all right. Because he was his older brother and that's what older brothers were for.