AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This story is written in varying POV's, however mainly it consists of Brax's POV, normal POV, and Casey's POV, with the occasion of Heath's POV.

This story is also in two parts: one part when Casey is eight years old going into foster care and the second part five years later at age thirteen.

I will also mention at the beginning of chapters if any suggestive/sensitive themes are within.

Many apologies for the long wait and although it's not my best work, I hope you all enjoy this new story. Feedback reviews are always much appreciated. Thank you. :)

Chapter 1

Brax POV

I watched Heath spinning Casey around in circles. My little brother was laughing his head off and the infectious care-free happiness that Casey had, just made me smile.

My brothers and I shared a special bond: we looked out for each other; well, Heath and I looked out for Casey, for he was still too young to protect himself, and I protected both of them.

"Last one in is a rotten egg!" Heath yelled, having placed Casey down on the sand and getting ready to run out into the water.

Some would say the attitudes and actions of my brothers showed that of a picturesque family, but in reality it was far from the truth.

We had our fair share of more than normal difficulties in our home. Mum and Dad were always going out binge drinking, doing drugs, and it always led to having the police knocking on our door at least once a week for domestic disturbance complaints.

As for any minor infraction me or my brothers did, Dad wouldn't hesitate to take his fists to us or in Heath's case on one occasion: breaking his arm.

Casey had been the lucky one and hasn't dealt with a beating from Dad yet and I had intended on keeping it that way.

Despite the difficulties, my brothers remained in good spirits, and I tried my hardest to make sure Heath and Casey had a good life rather than the life of Mum and Dad.

"Brax: are you coming in?!"

I heard Casey half whine, half yell, at me from the edge of the beach. I smiled back at him and Heath; who was already knee-high into the ocean.

"You bet!" I yelled back and took off running towards the water.

Casey squealed in excitement and I scooped him up as I ran into the water. The surf for us was like our sanctuary. Maybe it was the waves that felt like they washed away the problems? Or that gritty sand feeling between the toes that made us feel like it was us against the world.

The time neared two pm and I headed out of the water; instructing my brothers to do the same.

After drying off and packing up our belongings, the three of us walked back up the sand.

"Why do we need to go home?" Heath said in a grumble.

I knew he hated being at home with Mum and Dad and for a teenager of fifteen, it wasn't the best scenario.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.

"I'm sorry mate, we can't live out on the beach forever," I replied; though inside how I wished it was that simple.

"Brax, Brax: can we please get some hot chips, I'm hungry?"

I felt a tug on my hand from Casey as he begged for his hot chips.

I sighed and reached my hand into my pocket to pull out my wallet. Despite working since I turned seventeen last year, shifts had been slow, and with keeping the home bills in tact so we had water, gas, and electricity, it left very little money to put food on the table for Heath and Case; considering these things were the last thing on Mum and Dad's mind despite their illegal riches.

Occasionally, and shamefully, I had resorted to stealing, in order to feed my brothers.

I had only five dollars left to spend after getting the groceries yesterday. In reality I should be saving it until next time, but I didn't want to let Casey down.

I smiled down at Casey and saw his beaming eyes.

"Sure Case; let's go."

Casey jumped up and down cheering and ran ahead to the street.

"Wait for Heath and me!" I yelled.

Casey halted and waited at the street's edge for Heath and me to catch up.

I got the hot chips and held onto the paper bag as Heath and Casey took turns pulling out chips from the top as we began to head home. I would do anything for my brothers.

When we got home, like usual Mum and Dad were out, and the living room was covered in empty alcohol bottles and some used syringes, a metal spoon, and a steel dish; all evidence that they had taken a drug hit before heading out.

I hated that they left their drug evidence and alcohol lying around, it wasn't for Heath's, or Casey's eyes and it scared me if Casey ever got a hold of any of it.

I caught both of them gazing at the mess.

"Case, will you go and get your pajamas ready for your bath; Heath help Casey get ready," I ordered and gave Casey a shove down the hall.

"Why do I have to have my bath so early?" Casey whined.

I groaned not really in the mood to explain why I wanted him out of sight, and thankfully I was saved when Heath stepped in.

"Come on Sport, we better do as he says," Heath spoke up.

Casey moaned as he was pushed along the hall by Heath towards the bedroom and then the bathroom.

I went about packing away Mum and Dad's drug equipment and empty bottles, tossing them in the bin.

I heard the bath water run and then looked up to see Heath standing in the living room doorway.

"You can hide the truth from Casey, but you can't hide it from me."

"No, maybe not, but I can still try and protect you both," I answered.

It reached just after four-thirty pm, and I was in my bedroom with Heath and Casey, where they were playing with an old remote control car I had stashed away.

I heard the loud banging of the front door, followed by shouting and immediately knew Mum and Dad were back home, and whatever had happened it did not sound good because they were arguing.

Casey and Heath stopped playing with the car and Casey gazed up at me with his big blue eyes; like a stunned deer in headlights. I could tell he was scared by the way his body began to tense.

Heath was standing next to my bed and kept passing me looks of worry as the yelling got louder out in the living room. Mum and Dad getting into their violent arguing always frightened Heath and Casey and worried the hell out of me. It always made my skin crawl for I never knew what was going to happen. I hoped our fun day at the beach would not become ruined by some violent act by Dad, or Mum stumbling over her feet; drunk and stoned on drugs.

Suddenly I heard the all too familiar sirens outside, surrounding the house.

"Everything's gonna be alright, huh?" I reassured my brothers.

"That's what you always say, but it never is," Heath answered back.

I could understand his frustration; how could he believe me saying it would be alright when it kept happening?

"Brax, I'm scared. I don't like it when the police come."

Casey's voice made my heart pound in my chest and I kneeled down to Casey's level.

"I promise I am going to protect you; both of you: just like always," I assured.

Casey let out a whine and startled when a loud bang occurred, of what sounded like the front door being burst open.

Normally the police weren't this full on and I couldn't help but wonder what was actually happening out there.

"Boys, stay here," I ordered and cautiously stepped out of the bedroom.

My eyes widened in shock as I saw police with batons, restraining Mum and Dad.

"Daniel and Cheryl Braxton: you are both under arrest for the possession of illegal drugs and underground drug dealing leading to the murder of one Frederic Winslow."

Sure Mum and Dad had dealt with some shifty things, but attempted murder and drug dealing? This was all too much.

I watched Dad snicker with this evil careless grin on his face and Mum was no better.

"Brax, what's going on?" I turned to the hall where Heath stood; Casey clinging on tight to his waist.

"I told you both to stay in the room," I admonished, feeling my stress level rise; I did not want either of them to see all this.

"Casey was worried about you and ran out before I had a chance to grab him," Heath argued.

I let out a heavy sigh and ran my hand through my hair.

"Look just don't move, either of you; I don't know what's happening," I answered back firmly.

"Get your filthy hands off me! Danny this is your fault!"

"'Eh shut up woman, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't even have a roof over your head; ya useless!"

"Don't you bloody go calling me useless; ya no good waste of space!"

"Hey! Enough out of both of you; save your breath for the courts!" the older policeman of the two yelled and before I knew it, Mum and Dad were being shoved out the front door of our house and down into a cop car.

"Excuse me sir? Are you one of Cheryl and Daniel Braxton's children?"

I snapped out of my pending worries to hear the voice of a woman in front of me. She was dressed in black pants and had a navy blue jacket on and I didn't need to see the symbol on her shirt to know she was with social services. We'd had social services here all the time while Heath, Casey and I were growing up; threatening to take us from Mum and Dad, but nothing ever came of it.

"Yeah; why?" I questioned; unable to hide my suspicions.

I couldn't let anyone split me and my brothers up; we needed each other.

"I understand this must be difficult for you having your parents arrested, but seeing as your Mum and Dad will likely be going away for awhile, we will be looking into other living arrangements for you and your brothers. You have two others; am I right, younger than you?"

I didn't want to answer her. I wasn't going to give up my brothers so easily.

Heath and Casey obviously were listening in on the commotion and had stepped beside me.

"Brax, what's going on?" Heath asked.

"Hi, you must be the two younger boys," the social worker said in a sickly sweet tone.

"Yeah: so what?" Heath spat defensively.

I saw the social worker straighten up her shirt and take a look at some papers she was holding on her clipboard.

"From what I see you; um Darryl, is it? Are working at the present?"

"Yeah," I wasn't going to give out long answers when I didn't need to.

"And how old are you two?" she asked, staring down at Heath and Casey.

"You don't need to talk to them. Shouldn't you already have information on your booklet?" I spat, standing protectively in front of my brothers.

"Look Darryl, I know this is hard, but if your brothers are of the age when they are still in school and need someone to provide for them, it is our duty to find a suitable home for them."

"No! Me, and my brother's aren't going anywhere!" I yelled.

The woman shook her head.

"I am sorry but this is out of my hands and we must do what's best for the children."

"Hey lady; I ain't no child; I'm almost sixteen and when Brax says we aren't going we aren't going!" Heath snapped.

"You boys need guidance and someone who can manage to pay for food and bills; give you a good life," the social worker explained.

"Brax is the one who gives Casey and me a good life!" Heath yelled.

I raised my hand to quiet him down, the last thing I needed was for Heath to go off on some teenage rampage.

The social worker sighed and I could see she must have felt like she was going around in circles.

"Look, for months I've been buying food for my brothers, I make sure they get to school. I can look after them," I pleaded.

The social worker shook her head.

"Your work hours are just not enough to provide for both of them. I can probably give some leeway and allow the oldest to stay with you seeing as he is of almost legal age to have no need in the system, but a struggling home is no place for the young one and that is my final word."

My mind couldn't decipher her words; did she mean that I had no choice and she was going to take Casey away? I couldn't let that happen.

"Wait: I won't let you tear us apart!" I defended one last time.

"I'm sorry Darryl. The youngest one must come with us and we will find him a good foster home."

I wanted to scream and pull my hair out. They couldn't take Casey; he was just a small boy; my baby brother who I'd fought for all his young life: I loved him.

"Please, you can't do this!" I yelled.

"Darryl you have no choice, if you do not comply in handing over a child that belongs to the state, we will be forced to involve the law, and I assure you that is not the road we or yourself would wish to take," the social worker explained.

I felt torn. I wanted to fight tooth and nail to not have Casey taken away to some home, but at the risk of being pulled in by the law and destroying any chance of keeping my brothers safe I just couldn't.

"At least don't take him now," I pleaded.

The social worker sighed.

"Fine, I can give you until tomorrow lunch time, but then I will be coming over and picking up the young boy to take him into foster care so make sure he has a bag packed with essentials like clothes, school books, a toothbrush, and any medical items. I must warn you that we have no room for excessive toys, so he can bring along two of his favourite items only."

I stared in disbelief at the social worker. This could not be happening.

"Good day Darryl, I will be back at lunch time tomorrow."

The social worker left through the front door and I watched as she got into her fancy red car and drive away from our house.

"Brax, you can't let her take Casey!" Heath yelled.

I turned to face my younger brothers, feeling defeated.

"I don't want her too, but they're not giving me any choice!" I snapped; letting my frustrations and fears of loosing Casey take over.

"Brax, what does it mean she's taking me away? Aren't you and Heath coming too?"

My heart melted at Casey's innocent words as he looked up at me with his big eyes again. I tried to blink away my tears that threatened to fall; I couldn't let my brothers know I was feeling vulnerable about our current situation. I was the big brother and it was my responsibility to be tough and strong.

I bent down to Casey's level so I could look him clearly in the eye. How was I meant to explain this to an eight year old boy that he might not see his brothers for a while and have to live with strangers?

"Casey, I want you to listen to me."

Casey just stared at me in response as I rested my hands on his arms.

"Casey you know Heath and I love you and will always love you; you'll always be our baby brother," I started.

"I know that Brax," Casey whispered, completely unfazed.

"Well, you know that lady that was just talking to us and how you asked about you going with her?"

Casey nodded.

"Well, she's coming back tomorrow and she's going to take you to live somewhere nice where people can provide for you and take care of you."

Explaining this was harder than I thought.

"What does that mean?" Casey asked, "I don't want to leave here."

"I know you don't Case and we don't want you too; believe me, but this lady says it's for the best and it means you won't see Heath and me for awhile," I continued; fighting my urge to cry.

"Why can't you and Heath come too?"

Casey was just too innocent to get any of this and it was making the situation harder than it had to be.

"We just can't, okay!" I snapped and immediately felt guilty; quickly pulling Casey into my chest for a hug.

"I'm sorry Casey, I didn't mean to yell at you."

I wanted to hold onto Casey and never let go, but I felt small fists pounding me in the back and I pulled away.

"Brax; why are you upset?" Casey asked.

How had he figured it out? I then realised I had tears rolling down my cheeks.

"I'm not Casey."

"But you're crying."

"I'm just sad that I don't know when Heath or I will get to see you again," I admitted.

"You can come visit me when I go to my new home."

"Thanks Case, but it's a little more complicated than that," I informed.

Making my way into Casey's bedroom later that afternoon, I pulled out his school backpack from the corner of the room and began placing in his school books and pencils, some socks, underwear, tee-shirts and pants and a jumper in case it got cold and a photo of us all together so he could remember us.

I hated that I was looking around my little brother's room clearing out some of his things for him to leave.

"Aren't you even going to fight this?"

I spun around to see Heath in the doorway.

"We've been through this Heath," I replied defeated.

"Yeah and every time it tells me you're giving up," Heath spat; folding his arms.

"I'm not giving up!" I snapped, "What good, would fighting do, Heath? I have no say against the law and if I go stirring up trouble, they might take you away as well and make damn sure none of us will see Casey again; I can't let that happen, so cooperating at least gives me a chance to get Casey back and if I work twice as hard it just might prove what I need to get Casey back."

"Well if it's about money, I'll quit school and get a job," Heath said rather determinedly.

No way was I going to have him jeopardise his future and have social services questioning why I couldn't keep him in school.

"No Heath, that will just stir up questions, just leave it to me will you."

Our heated discussion got interrupted when Casey squeezed himself past Heath into the doorway. He was still acting so innocent and totally unfazed by what was happening.

"Casey, come here, huh? Show me what you'd like to take with you," I said quietly.

Casey rushed into the room and stared at all his toys on his shelf.

"Can I take all my dinosaurs, all my cars, and my whole transformers set!"

How could he be so cheery at a time like this; I don't get it.

"I'm sorry Case, you're only allowed two things so why don't we have a look and pick."

I gave Heath a glance. He raised he brow and I knew he hated this as much as me, but I wish he'd understand.

"Why can't I take them all Brax?" Casey whined.

"Because you don't have room Case, now come on. Why don't you pick one of your transformer figurines and a couple of cars?"

"Okay," Casey grumbled.

I rested my hand comfortingly on his shoulder. I would surely miss him so much; he didn't deserve this.

"I want this and these two!" Casey exclaimed, holding up a blue and gold transformer; his Orion, and two little cars; a yellow one and an orange one.

"Alright then, chuck them in," I ordered and held open his backpack.

Casey dropped his toys inside and I headed into the bathroom to get a spare toothbrush that was under the sink so he would have a brand new one to take away with him.

Putting the last item into his bag I placed his backpack onto the chair near the door; it was ready for tomorrow. Now all I needed was for time to stop so tomorrow would never come, but that was all just wishful thinking.

I couldn't stop what was about to happen, even if I tried.