Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Four Brother characters, I do however own Bryant and anyone else I decide to put in the st
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Four Brother characters, I do however own Bryant, Kade, Eli, Micah, and anyone else I decide to put in the story.
Author's note: This is my 4th Four Brother's fic. I just thought I would write another one, I am kind of bored. All I do is work, so I thought I would try to write again. I do not know where I am going with this story, the idea just came to me one night. Let me know what you think.
"Hey welcome to the 3rd annual talent show!" the speaker announced in the microphone. The auditorium was packed with people, mostly parents of the students who were in the talent show. In West Virginia, the Seacrest Middle School Talent Show was always where everyone would be. Except for two parents, the parents of Bryant Stone. Bryant looked out into the audience, she found herself doing that often when it came to school stuff. She threw herself into school to get her mind of the crap happening at home. She didn't know why she was looking out, but she just felt in her heart maybe they would care this time. She looked away disappointed when she found the seats were empty. She let the curtain fall back and she slowly walked away, feeling abandoned. She felt a hand on her shoulder. "It's almost your turn sweetheart. You ready?" Ms. Stacie asked.
Bryant looked up and tried to smile before nodding her head. "Yes ma'am."
"Ok, I'm counting on you. Go do your best and I will be back here waiting for you when you get through."
"Thanks Ms. Stacie." Bryant smiled.
Bryant walked onto the stage with the microphone in her hand. She put on the smile she always had when she was around people as the curtain opened up. She heard applause before the music started. This is what she loved about being on stage, the moment when everything was alright and she felt like she was on top of the world. She began singing
"Surrender" by the Barlow Girls.
She had finished singing and heard the applause, she couldn't help but smile to herself. If felt good be appreciated. She then heard yelling from the back row. She made a little giggle in the microphone. She knew who it was. She smiled again before exiting off the stage right into Ms. Stacie's arms.
"Oh sweetheart that was beautiful." Ms. Stacie replied hugging Bryant.
"Thank you!" Bryant squealed.
"I'm sure you will win this one. You are going to stay for the awards right?" Ms. Stacie eyed Bryant. Bryant knew she probably should, but she also knew she needed to get home.
"Um…." Bryant hesitated.
"I will drive you home afterwards if you would like."
Bryant just looked at her teacher before smiling. "Ok, I'll stay."
Ms. Stacie wrapped her arms around Bryant again. "Ok, well you go sit out in the audience while I finish up back here. Then I will come find you when it is time for the awards ok."
Bryant nodded her head. She took off running in the direction of the auditorium. She knew who she wanted to see and she also knew they would be waiting for her outside in the lobby. As she came running around the corner, she saw him first. His shaggy brown hair hanging down in his face. He was laughing at something someone had said. She smiled to herself as she continued to run towards him. He saw her and bent down to embrace her. She ran straight into his arms.
"Sweetheart you did amazing." He whispered into her ear.
"Thanks!" she squealed. She let go of him still smiling. "I thought you said you weren't coming."
"So I lied." He smiled.
"I knew you would come, never doubted for a minute."
"Really?" he asked.
"Yes, you always come to my shows. You've never missed one."
"Is that true? Man, I am going to have to stop doing that. All my other girlfriends are probably going to be jealous."
She smiled. "Are you going to stay for the awards?" she asked.
"Why? Do you think you are going to win?" he eyed her.
"Ms. Stacie said that I was the best and she thought I should stay. So maybe…"
"Well Ms. Stacie is a very wise woman."
"Kade, will you do me a favor?" Bryant asked.
"Anything."
"Will you make sure that nothing happens to Lucy?"
"Your dog?"
"Yeah, I just want you to watch out for her and make sure nothing happens."
"Why cant you?"
"Just promise me ok?" she replied seriously.
"B, is there something you need to tell me?"
"No, just promise me you will take care of her." Bryant raised her voice.
"Keep your voice down." Kade demanded. Bryant looked away.
"I need to get home." She whispered.
"What about the awards? I thought you were going to stay."
"I forgot to do my chores." She replied. "I'll see you later ok." She began walking away.
"Bryant." Kade called after her. She didn't turn around. "Bryant Noelle, you better get your ass back here right now."
She still didn't stop. She felt tears form in her eyes. She got to the door when she felt hands come around her small arms. She tried not to yell but the pain hurt too badly. She jerked away with a yelp. That's when the tears began flowing down her face.
"What's wrong?" Kade asked wrapping his arms around her. "Did they hurt you again?"
She nodded her head in his chest. Kade could feel his blood start to boil. "Where?" he asked pulling away. She bowed her head. "WHERE?" he yelled. She gently rolled her sleeves up revealing two big bruises.
"I forgot to roll the window up in the car when it rained last night. There was water everywhere."
"Bry, you didn't mean to." He whispered bringing her into another hug.
"Kade, I have to go home now ok." She replied pulling away. " I will be in trouble if I don't go now."
He nodded his head. "I will walk you home." He replied.
"He can't see you." She whispered.
"He wont." He replied. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Eli, Micah, you guys go back to the house. I am going to walk her home, then I will be back."
"Sure." Eli replied. He looked down at Bryant. "Hey beautiful, you did amazing tonight." He replied touching the top of her head.
She gave a soft smile. "You coming over tomorrow? It's Tuesday."
She smiled again. "Yeah, I'll be there. Someone's gotta teach you how to play guitar hero."
He laughed. "Ok, see you tomorrow then." He kissed the top of her head before moving to the door.
"Bye Micah." She whispered. "Tell Sarah I said hi."
"I will." She watched as the two boys left, before turning back to Kade. "I'm ready." She replied.
"There you are!" Ms. Stacie voice appeared behind her. Bryant closed her eyes. "I've been looking all over for you."
Bryant turned around. "I have to go home." Bryant whispered. "I forgot to clean my room and I might be in trouble if I don't go now."
"But the awards are being announced now."
"I know, but I really need to go." Bryant looked down at the floor. "My father should be home any minute and if the house isn't clean he gets mad."
"Ok, well I will see you tomorrow then at school?"
"Yes ma'am, I will be here."
Ms. Stacie looked up at Kade. "You make sure she gets home ok." She told him.
"I always do." He replied. She looked at him one more time before looking down at Bryant who was still staring at the ground. "Come on sweetheart, lets go." He opened the door for her. Bryant looked up at Ms. Stacie, who was still staring her way before walking out of the door.
"And the Seacrest Middle Talent Show award for the night goes to….Bryant Stone!" Bryant heard her name announced as they left the school. Tears began flowing down her cheeks as Kade put his arm around her shoulder.
"Its ok sweetheart. Everything is going to be alright."
Kade and Bryant arrived at the gate of her house. She saw the lights were on and her father's truck was in the driveway. She took a deep breath before turning to Kade. "I guess I better get in there." She told him. "I will come by tomorrow after school."
"Do you want me to pick you up?"
"No, its ok. I will walk. It's not that far."
"Listen, if you need anything just call me ok. I will be here in a heartbeat."
"Thanks, but I think I will be ok." He leaned down and embraced her into a hug.
"I love you Kade." She whispered in his ear. "You're the best big brother anyone could ask for."
He smiled at her when he pulled away. "I will be waiting for you tomorrow ok."
She nodded her head. She turned away from him and looked at her house. She gave him a weak smile before walking in. She never looked back. She just prayed her father was passed out or too busy to notice she was there. Kade waited at the gate until he saw Bryant shut the door behind her. He sighed before putting his hands in his pocket and walking away.
She opened the door and quickly shut it behind her. She looked around the room. He was nowhere to be found. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding in.
"And where the hell have you been?" his voice sounded from the top of the stairs. She quickly looked up. Her father was standing at the top of the stairs with his hands on his hips.
"I was at school, tonight was the talent show."
"So?"
"So I was asked to sing in it. Ms. Stacie asked me to stay for the awards because she knew I would win something."
"Well did you?"
"I don't know I left."
"You know what else you left?"
Bryant didn't move. "You left this house looking like a shithole."
"I'm sorry." Was all she could say.
"You're sorry?"
"I was going to be late for the talent show if I didn't leave right away. I thought maybe when I got back I could clean it up."
He slowly made his way down the stairs. "You thought?"
Bryant took a deep breath. "I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean too."
"You never do." He spat.
"I will clean it up now." She began to move towards the kitchen.
"NO!" he yelled. She stopped in her tracks. He was right behind her, she could feel him. "Did you ask if you could go to the talent show?" he asked.
"No sir." She whispered.
"So what gave you the idea that I was going to let you go?"
"I don't know." She replied. "I just wanted to go so badly."
"Bryant, I have been at work since five this morning. All I ever want from you is for this house to be clean when I get home and for it stay this way. I want you to do what I ask of you and I want you listen."
"I know." She replied.
"Do you ever listen to me?"
"Yes sir."
"Really?" he asked. "Look at me when I am talking to you!"
She turned around and looked up at her father. "You are just like your mother." She bowed her head. "You almost ruined my Mercedes last night, leaving the windows down."
"I know and I am sorry for that." She told him.
"Sorry? Do you think sorry is going to fix the damage you caused? Do you think sorry is going to get the mechanic to give me slack on the 300 I have to pay to replace the leather?"
"No sir." She whispered.
He got in her face and stared down at her. "You can never do anything right."
"I'll do better."
"You'll do better? You can't do anything right Bryant, how in the world can you do something better?"
"Please don't be mad at me." She begged.
"You are pathetic." He spat in her face. She knew it was wrong, maybe it was reflex. She reached up and wipe the spit from her face. Before she knew what was happening, she was being thrown into the side table. A sharp pain shot through her back. She couldn't breathe, let alone cry. She just laid there.
"Get up!" he yelled. She couldn't move. "Are you listening to me? I said get your ass up!" She still couldn't move. He stormed over to her and lifted her off the ground. "I said get up!" She looked him in the eyes.
"You are a pathetic excuse for a daughter." He snarled. "I wish you were never born. All you do is cause chaos in my life. You don't listen to what you are told and you don't even know how to keep your own mother around." The words shot through her, but she couldn't show any emotion. "Stand up!" he told her. She tried her hardest to stand up, but felt herself fall to the ground again. He groaned. She lifted herself up with the help of the couch. She stood before her father, shaking. Her back was hurting so bad, but she wasn't going to cry. All she kept thinking about was Kade. She wished he was still outside her house. She heard noise coming from the kitchen. Her head shot towards the door. It was Lucy scratching on the door. Her heart stopped.
"That damn dog cant make up its mind. I just let you out you stupid bitch!" her father yelled.
Bryant closed her eyes. "Stop Lucy, stop!" she thought.
"Go let your damn dog in." Bryant breathed again. She slowly walked to the kitchen door and let her dog in. The dog jumped in her arms and began licking her all over the face. Bryant tried to hold her in her arms, but it was too much weight and she dropped her. The dog went running through the kitchen, into the living room. Her father had sat in the chair, that's when Bryant noticed all the beers around him. He had been drinking and wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon. She looked around and couldn't find Lucy.
"Oh no!" Bryant thought. Where was her dog? She began to look around.
"What the hell!?" her father yelled. She looked in the corner and saw Lucy peeing on the floor. He jumped up out of his chair before she could blink.
"No daddy no!" Bryant yelled running towards the dog. She was almost to her, when her fathers hand came across her face, knocking her against the wall. She slide down, then she heard it. Lucy was wining. She didn't want to open her eyes, but she her mind didn't listen. She watched her father pick the dog up by its neck and throw her across the room. And like Bryant, Lucy hit the wall with a loud squeal, then nothing. Bryant didn't want to move.
"That damn dog probably ruined the carpet." Her father replied sitting back down in the chair.
Bryant still didn't want to move. Lucy didn't move either. Tears began streaming down Bryant's face as she slowly lifted herself off the floor. She limped over to Lucy who was still lying against the wall.
"Lucy." Bryant whispered. The dog didn't move. Bryant covered her mouth so her sobs couldn't escape. She knelt down next to the dog and touched it. It still didn't move. "Lucy get up." She whispered. "Come on please? She begged. The dog still didn't move. Bryant collapsed on the wall and touched the dog again. "Please be ok." She whispered. The dog didn't make a sound.
"Get upstairs and clean your room. The whole upstairs better be clean in 10 minutes, or you will be sorry."
Bryant nodded her head. She looked back down at the door before picking her up in her arms. "Lucy." She whispered. She began walking slowly up the stairs. Pain was shooting through her body with each step she took. She cradled the dog in her arms as she made her way to her room. It was the last door down the long hallway. She slowly opened the door with her elbow and walked in. She laid the dog down on the ground and turned her over. She wasn't breathing. Bryant bowed her head and began sobbing. "No." she sobbed. She moved away from the dog towards the window. She stared at Lucy for the longest time. Her dog was dead. Her best friend, who knew everything that went on in that house, was gone. She slowly lifted herself off the floor and collapsed onto her bed. She was exhausted. Her back was killing her. She was trying to fight sleep, but it seemed to take over her. Before she knew it, she was asleep.
The next morning, Bryant woke up with a stinging pain in her back and face. She lifted her hand up to her lip and flinched. She threw her legs over the side and bed and looked down. Lucy was still laying there, still not moving. She fought back the tears as she moved past the dead dog. She opened her door and called out. "Daddy?" No answer. Good, he had already went to work. She sat back down on her bed and made sure she didn't look down at Lucy. She tried to go over everything from last night in her head. Her father had been drinking. He must have passed out before he could come up and check on her. Suddenly she heard the door bell ring. She jumped up, not knowing what to do. What time was it? She looked down on the floor at her alarm clock. 8:30, she was late for school. The door bell rang again. She slowly made her way to her door and walked down the stairs. Each step, causing more pain in her back. She looked through the peep hole and saw Ms. Stacie standing there. The door bell rang again.
"What do I do?" Bryant thought to herself.
"Bryant?" Ms. Stacie called out. "Are you home sweetheart?"
"Ms. Stacie what are you doing here?" Bryant asked through the door.
"Are you alright sweetheart? You didn't come to school today."
"Yes ma'am. I just don't feel good, so my daddy let me stay home today."
"Can you open the door sweetheart?"
"Ms. Stacie, I don't know if that is a good idea."
"Bryant, open the door ok."
"I don't think that's a good idea. I'm pretty sick."
"If you are sick, I need to see if you are ok."
"I'm fine, its just sore throat."
"Bryant, open the door." Ms. Stacie demanded.
Bryant sighed before slowly unlocking the door. She opened it and stared up at Ms. Stacie.
"What happened to you?" Ms. Stacie asked stepping inside.
"Its nothing."
"Who did this to you?"
"No one."
"Bryant, you need to tell me so I can help you."
"Its ok. I forgot to clean the house. Its my fault.
"No sweetheart, its not. You shouldn't be hit like this for not cleaning the house."
"Ms. Stacie, you cant tell anyone. My dad would be furious with me."
"Come on, you need to come with me."
"No, I cant."
"Bryant, you need to come with me."
"Ms. Stacie, if my dad comes home and I am not here I will be in very big trouble."
"Bryant, you are going to come with me ok. Your father will be not be home for another ten hours. We are going to go talk ok."
"Just talk?" Bryant asked.
"Yes sweetheart, just talk."
Bryant nodded her head. She turned around and grabbed her coat out of the closet before locking the door. Ms. Stacie put her arm around Bryant's shoulder.
"Ms. Stacie, we have to make sure I am back by 6:30 ok. I have to have the house cleaned and dinner made."
"Ok sweetheart. Come on lets go."
Bryant climbed into Ms. Stacie's Volvo and looked back at her house for the last time.
Around 3:30, school was letting out. Kade was waiting on the porch of his house waiting for Bryant to come as usual every Tuesday. Tuesday was the day Bryant's father worked the latest. She would come over for a couple of hours before heading home. Kade would always wait for her, but today was different. He waited for thirty minutes and still not Bryant. He saw his younger brother walking towards the house.
"Sky, did you see Bryant today at school?" Kade asked.
Sky shook his head. "She never showed up. Ms. Stacie left early too."
"Did Ms. Stacie ever come back?"
"No man, she left quickly too. Like something was wrong. Hey did you know that Bryant won the talent show last night?"
"Yeah man. Ok, well go inside. I'll be right there."
Sky nodded his head before walking past his brother into the house. Kade looked down the street both ways. Where was she? He went inside the house letting the door slam.
"Hey Kade, what's wrong man?" Elijah had called from the kitchen.
"Bryant didn't go to school today." He replied.
"What?" Elijah appeared in the doorway. "Where is she?"
"I don't know." Kade looked up at his friend. "I am going to go look for her. You guys stay here, just in case she shows up. Call me if she does ok."
"Hey Kade, its suppose to storm pretty bad tonight. Make sure you find her man." Elijah replied.
Kade nodded his head. He went into the closet and looked at his younger brother. He made sure he wasn't looking before grabbing his gun and sticking it into his pants. "I'll be back in a little while. Make sure he gets something to eat will ya?"
Elijah laughed. "Sure thing."
Kade let the door slam behind him again before turning down the street towards Bryant's house.
"Ms. Stacie, its 4:30, I really need to be heading home. I promised my dad I would have the house cleaned."
"Bryant you aren't going home." Ms. Stacie told her.
"Why?" Bryant jumped off the swing.
"I called the police. They are on their way here."
"Why?" Bryant yelled. "You shouldn't have done that. My father is going to be so mad at me."
"Bryant listen to me, you need to tell me what your father did to you last night. I need to know if he hurt you."
"Just leave it alone!" Bryant yelled.
"No, I will not. You have been coming to school with bruises on your arms and legs. Now you have a cut lip and you're limping pretty badly. Sweetheart, I promise nothing bad will happen to you, just let me help you ok."
"You cant help!" she yelled again. "You will just make matters worse."
"How? How will I make things worse?"
"I need to go." Bryant began walking away.
"Bryant stop!" Ms. Stacie yelled.
"I have to go home before he comes home."
"You aren't going back to that house." Ms. Stacie grabbed Bryant's arm to turn her around. Bryant let out a scream and fell to the ground. "Bryant!" Ms. Stacie went to catch her in her arms but Bryant started screaming.
"Please don't touch me!" Bryant told her. "You are making everything worse!"
"How?" Ms. Stacie was pleading with Bryant. "Bryant, why do you want to go back to him?"
"Its my fault ok. He does it because I don't know how to listen. If you call the police, then he will know that I told and I will be in more trouble. Just leave me alone!" Bryant took off running.
"BRYANT!" Ms. Stacie yelled. Bryant continued to run until she couldn't anymore. She was so weak and her back hurt pretty bad. She felt the tears begin to sting her lip as the salt hit her wound. It began to rain, but Bryant still walked. She didn't know where she was going, she just needed to get away.
Thunder sounded outside the house as Kade stood near the window. It had been storming for an hour and still no sign of Bryant. He was beginning to get worried. He walked to her house, but no one was there. He knew her father wouldn't be home until 6:30, which gave him just a few hours to find Bryant and bring her back. He walked around for hours looking for her, but never did. It was now 7:30 and storming outside. He heard a noise outside. He took off towards the door.
"What is it?" Sky asked jumping off the couch.
"Stay!" Kade told him pointing his finger. Sky sat down as fast as he had stood up. Kade has his hand on his gun as he looked out of the window. "Gua!" Kade swung the door open and found a sobbing, soaked Bryant standing there. He grabbed her and jerked her inside before embracing her.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked.
"Lucy's dead." She sobbed. "He killed her."
"What?"
"Last night. He killed her."
"What happened?"
"He was so mad at me. I forgot to clean the house and he came home before I could make it back from the talent show. Lucy was wining to come in and I let her in. She peed on the carpet. Before I could do anything, Daddy had thrown her across the room. She hit the wall and didn't get up."
"Baby!" Kade whispered.
"What happened?" Elijah came in from the bedroom. "Bryant, where have you been?"
Bryant didn't move from her spot in Kade's chest. "What happened to your lip?"
Kade let her go and looked down at her split lip. "Did he do this to you?"
She nodded her head. "What else?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Bryant, I need you to tell me."
"My back." She whispered.
"Let me see." He slowly turned her around and lifted up her shirt. She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. She heard Kade gasped.
"What?" Elijah asked moving towards her. He looked at her back. "Son of a bitch."
"Skylar, go to your room." Kade demanded.
"Ms. Stacie called the cops." Bryant sobbed. "She called them and I ran. I didn't know what to do."
"Its ok. Its ok sweetheart." Kade brought her into another hug. "Eli, go get some bandages, we need to cover her back up."
"Is it bad?" she asked.
"Yeah, its pretty bad."
"Kade, I don't want to go back."
"You aren't. You are going to stay with me ok?"
"Kade, the cops. They are going to come after me."
"No they aren't, everything is going to be ok." He brought her over to the couch and sat her down. She laid her head in his chest as Elijah began to clean up her back. She could feel Kade shaking. He was pissed. Elijah kept looking at Kade, wondering what they were going to do. Bryant slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep in Kade's lap.
Authors note: Ok, so I am going to stop here. This is sort of a flashback for Bryant. The boys will be in the next chapter. There will also be character descriptions of each boy, Kade, Eli, and Micah so you can get to know them a little better. You will also find out a little more about her past and mother. But just let me know what you think! Should I keep going?
REVIEW!