Zane: You should be torturing Chazz and your OC right now. But you just really hate Sy and I, don't you? *fake smiles*

DMG808: You know who my favorite is! *fake smiles back*

Chazz: Thanks, Zane, throwing me under the bus.

Zane: Shut it, Chazz. Go back to your own story.

Syrus: Don't be mean, Zane. We all know you love us!

Zane: … Syrus, do you have a death wish? *fake smile comes back out*

DMG808: You kill Sy, I'll make your life a living hell. *fake smile war ensues*

Zane: Because you haven't already?

DMG808: Touché.

Chazz: Stale mate. DMG808...

Syrus: … Doesn't own anything! Except for the plot and our parents! Ha, I win!

Zane: Don't push his buttons, Syrus.

Chazz: DMG808, start the freaking chapter already!

DMG808: Fine.

Chapter 4

I couldn't stay on the couch wallowing in my pain and misery forever. Syrus would worry about me if I took too long, and it had already been a while. So without waiting another moment, I slowly push myself up off the couch, feeling my beaten back protest in pain, but I ignoring it, like always.

I walk back through the kitchen, grabbing two pieces of bread and going quickly to my and Syrus' bedroom. I enter it quickly, quietly passing by my mother's room, where I can here her show blaring through again.

When I close the door behind me, I hand the piece of bread to Syrus on his bed, who is reading a book.

"Aw, bread again?" He whines, and I snap.

"If you wanna complain, you can get your own freaking snack!" I yell at him, but I soon regret it. His eyes tear up but he looks down to hide them. Sometimes I remind myself of my mother. I hate that about myself.

"Sy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm sorry, okay? Please don't cry." I ask of him. I hate making him cry. He's the last person who deserves for me to yell at him.

"I-I'm not c-crying." He stammers out, trying to hide his whimpers and tears.

I walk over to him and put my hand on his head gently. "I'm really sorry, Sy. Can I have a hug?"

He looks up at me and smiles his goofy little smile before tackling me with his hug, knocking me over backward onto the ground. I feel my self tense up in true pain and I gasp.

Syrus, hearing my pained noise, immediately gets up off of me and looks down at me in worry.

He looks down at me as I sit up, looking halfway between scared and worried. "… Zane? Can I ask you a question?" Syrus asks me quietly.

"Of course, Syrus." I reply, looking at him.

"Did Mommy hurt you again? Did she hurt you?" Syrus asks me. True, he has never been hurt by her, but he has seen me whipped by her on a couple of occasions and it really scares him that I have to be on the other end of her belt.

"Yeah. But don't worry about it. I protect you because I don't want you to feel that pain ever, Syrus." I tell him for the first time. Then I feel a ping of sadness as I remember what may happen to him this coming weekend.

"Can I put lotion on your back? I wanna help you feel better, big brother. Like usual." Syrus says with a sad smile that makes me want to cry. He's sad for me, but pretending to be happy also for me. He's such a sweet little kid.

He leaves the room and goes over to the bathroom to get the lotion. I pull off my shirt carefully, the pain intense across my back. That was the worst beating since the day after dad left. She probably doesn't want anyone to know about what she does to me. I lay on my bed on my stomach, but then I quickly get up. I can't lie there like that. It's too much like when she does what she does best.

Syrus comes back in and he pours some into his hand. "Turn around, Zane. I won't hurt you, I promise. Not on purpose at least." He says gently, as if I'm the small child. It's comforting in a strange sort of way.

The cool lotion touches my back stings like crazy. I suck in my breath swiftly and Syrus pauses. "Should I stop?" He asks, just like always. It always hurts me, he always worries.

"No, I'm okay." I reply to him.

It's calming. Then I remember what this weekend could bring upon him. I should at least tell him. He deserves that much from me.

"Syrus, may I ask you something?" I ask like he had earlier.

"Yup. Something bothering you, Zane?"

I stop for a moment before telling him. "I'm going away this weekend, Syrus. With a couple friends. Atticus and Aster. And… Mom told me I could. She… wants to spend some time alone with… you." I tell him slowly, and his smooth hand motions slow to a stop as what I said sinks in.

"O-okay, Z-zane." He stammers out, with obvious fear. He knows what is likely to come while I'm away.

"I'm sorry, Sy-"

"Please, don't, Zane. Please." He says and I know its to make him seem brave. That's how he wants me to see him.

"Okay, Syrus. I love you, little brother."

"I love you too, big brother." He says, hugging me from behind. I know there should be pain in my back, but right now, I just don't feel it.

Syrus: … I do love you, Zane.

Zane: I know, Syrus, I know. I love you too.

DMG808: Such a nice moment!

Zane: And you just ruined it.

Syrus: Your mean, DMG808.

DMG808: Please don't hate me, Sy! I'm sorry.

Syrus: Aw, I don't hate you.

Zane: Review this, and, please, I'm begging you, flame her so she stops this NOW!

DMG808: *pinches Zane's ear* What he means to say is, review, DON'T flame. Silly Zane just messed it up. *pulls on the ear a little*s

Zane: Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let go of my ear.

DMG808: No.

Syrus: Hope to see you in the next chapter!