Chapter 4:

Jake and Karen sat side by side on the bed; both had stopped crying but were still worried in their own heads. Jake was terrified for his little brother, and he didn't know what he think about his father anymore. Karen too was anxious and upset, for both her brothers now. She knew that she had to tell her mum, but how could she do that without getting her dad into trouble and upsetting Jake? She felt as though her family was already drifting apart. If Ben died, and her parents split up because of what Pete did, what would happen then? Her family would be completely destroyed. Despite all the chaos and stress of everyday life, she loved all her family to pieces. Every single one of them. Sure they all had their moments, her parents' constant nagging, Bens annoying and dangerous behaviour, Jake's grumpy mood swings, but she wouldn't swap any of them for anything. And in a way, she loved the constant chaos and bustling of her family, it completed them. If one of them were to disappear or die it would be like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle. It just wouldn't be right...

Jake sat thinking. He knew Karen needed to be looked after right now, but there was someone he desperately needed to see. He needed to see his girlfriend, Victoria, who was a year older than him. The couple had met at a nightclub party, and both were very drunk at the time. Victoria had been a pole dancer, and Jake had thought she was beautiful and all his mates dared him to go up and talk to her. The two immediately became mesmerised by each other, and had kissed and swapped mobile numbers. However, Victoria had told Jake that she was nineteen; and Jake had told her that he was seventeen. After a few weeks they discovered their real ages which had been revealed by Jake's parents, and they continued their relationship as if nothing had happened. Over time they became extremely close, and had kissed many times, but hadn't gone much further than that, but things had been attempted but they had always been interrupted.

Jake desperately wanted to see her now, but knew he couldn't.

"What's up Jake?" Karen asked, noticing his agitated mood.

"It's nothing Karen, don't worry."

"Oh come on Jake, clearly there is."

Jake hesitated for a moment, before replying. "Well, I was just thinking about Vicki, and wanted to go and see her, but I can't leave you."

"Yes you can. I can look after myself thank you." She said cheekily, with a smile. "You go. You could do with a break."

"Nah, mum and dad would kill me. Don't worry about it."

Jake, seriously, just go. It's fine, I can cope. Trust me."

"You sure?" Jake asked.

"YES!" Karen said. "You need it, Jake. I won't tell if you won't."

"Thank you." Jake said, kissing Karen's cheek.

"That's okay. Just go quick so you're back in time. Besides, no one can stop me from watching rude or horror films now!" Karen said with a grin. Jake just smiled. He couldn't remember a time like this when he had found time to bond with his sister.

Slowly, he left the house, still feeling guilty for leaving Karen alone. The chilled December night air hit him with an icy slap, and took the breath away from his lungs. He ran down the slippery and dark street, only lit by one single street light down the other end. It was unusually quiet; no cars or people could be seen or heard. Jake jogged through the streets of the quiet suburban area of London, and after fifteen minutes he reached Vicki's front door. She still lived with her parents, but once Jake turned eighteen the two were making plans to find a flat somewhere. Jake hoped that time would come quickly; he hated living with his father, especially after tonight.

Jake knew that Victoria's parents were out tonight, so he didn't need to think of some stupid story, or figure out how to explain why he was here at this time of night. He knocked on the front door, and when it opened he could smell the sweet scent or burning candles, and could feel the warmth and comfort of the house.

"Jake?" Victoria said, sounding surprised. "What are you doing here?" She said with a grin.

"I, urr, needed to talk to you." Jake said awkwardly.

"Urm, okay." She said sounding confused. She became a little worried when she noticed the guy's black eye and bloody and tear stained face. "What happened?" she asked gently, gesturing for him to come in.

Slowly, Jake entered the dimly lit warm house. Victoria shut the front door and turned to him.

"Jake, why have you been crying? And where did all the blood and bruises come from?" Jake just stared at her, unable to speak. Suddenly he broke down to tears, and she ran towards him and held him as he silently cried. She took him into the candle lit living room and drew back the curtain.

"Tell me what's wrong." She said soothingly. The whole story came out and she sat there in shock as she listened. Once he was done she gave him a tight hug.

"Oh, Jake." She said, holding back tears of her own which threatened to spill at any moment. The two of them sat huddled on the sofa, cradled in each other's arms. Jake felt safe now, and that was one thing. The two of them talked and kissed for a while, happy with each others' comfort. However, soon Jake needed to return home before his parents did, so the two said goodbye at the door as Jake trudged back through the icy and cold streets. He didn't know how he was going to face his father again, but at least this time he was more prepared...