Chapter 2
'Shit, shit, shit,' was all I could think. I know I'm pretty young to be cursing, but hey it's the courtesy of my father. I didn't even have time to turn around before getting thrown into a wall.
"You stupid little abomination! Where the hell where you!?",Said Vegeta's father.
I struggled up to my feet as I said" It's none of your business, besides it's not like you care." With my head I gestured Tarble to go into our room and lock himself in, because it looked like father and I were going to have another fall out. I guess the horrid being saw my gesture, because he went up to Tarble and kicked him right in the gut. Poor Tarble fell on his knees, holding his wound.
When I ran to comfort him, I felt a piercing elbow jam into my spine, as I fell. Both Tarble and I looked up to our father laughing at our pain.
"Run Tarble! Get out of here," I said.
"But, but..." ,Was all Tarble could say.
"You really think he's going to get out of it?" Vegeta's dad said with a chuckle.
"Leave him out of it. He's nothing but a weakling. Don't you want a challenge?" I said with a smirk.
"You heard your older brother, get out."
I knew challenging him was ignorant, but as long as Tarble was out of harms way, I couldn't complain.
Back at Capsule Corp
Why can't I get that arrogant jerk out of mind, maybe it's because I kissed him, I always wanted to try it because I saw it on so many movies or was it something bigger than that? Oh well maybe I'll get lucky and see him outside. I know he left like seven minutes ago and I barely met him, but I could spend the whole day with that cocky boy.
Today was a beautiful day to go outside and jump rope, so that's exactly what I did. After a couple of minutes, I started hearing some screaming, as if someone was dying across the street and I couldn't believe no one else heard it. I stopped once I realized it was coming from Vegeta's house. I so badly wanted to go over and stop whatever was happening, but I knew I couldn't, so instead I sat down and started crying uncontrollably.
After about ten minutes the screaming finally stopped and I started drying up my tears.' What can be happening over there to be making Vegeta scream like that? He's a very strong and prideful boy and I know he can't be beaten easily. I wonder where Tarble is? I didn't hear him screaming only Vegeta; maybe he's somewhere safe, hopefully.'
My train of thought was interrupted when my parent's car drove up. Mother was her usually bubbly self and naïve to how I was feeling, but father could see right through me.
"What are you doing here? I thought you two were going to go out after the meeting?," I said.
"We decided to come and get you, so we can go to the movies, grocery shopping, and out to eat. Are you alright dear? You have dried tears on your cheeks." My father said.
"Uh? Oh yeah, I fell when I was jump roping." I lied of course.
"Well go and get cleaned up dear. Were leaving in a bit."
As we drove off I couldn't help looking back at Vegeta's house.' I Hope he and Tarble are alright. Vegeta is a jerk, but no one deserves to be treated like that, especially sweet little Tarble. Also I can't help feeling guilty going out having a good time when the both of them are in that house of torture.'
All day long when we were out, I couldn't wait to come home. I was hoping Vegeta would come over again.
We finally got home at nine and he was nowhere to be found. Oh well, maybe tomorrow I thought.
My parents went to bed at ten o' clock and I was in my room barely drifting off to sleep, when I heard something connect with my window. I thought it was a tree rubbing up against the window, but I heard it again. I went to investigate and found out it was Vegeta throwing pebbles. 'How romantic!'
Sneaking past my parents was easy enough, since they have sound proof walls. 'Wonder what they need those for?'
When I opened the door I saw a beaten and scared Vegeta. I tried to hug him, but he just gave me a look that said he couldn't even handle a hug in his condition. He collapsed in my arms and I blushed.
Vegeta is pretty skinny but muscular, so I guess that is what made him heavy. I put his hands around my neck and started dragging him up to my room.
Once we got to my room I put him on the bed and pulled out my handy-dandy wash cloth. His face looked pale and his lip had dried up blood on it, along with a canyon deep cut on his eyebrow. Some new bruises made their way to his face and arms also.
I put his head on my laps and started cradling him back and forth.' I'm so glad your okay. I wish I could protect you always.'
When I was done fixing him up, I laid right next to him and fell asleep.
The next morning when I awoke at eight, I was expecting Vegeta right next to me but he was gone. I was sad that he didn't even say goodbye, but there was a note he left that read:
I have to go find Tarble before our father wakes for work. Be back at 10:00 am, if I find him. - Vegeta
Reading that note, even though it was really short, made me understand that his little brother is the only one he truly cares for. I hope that one day he can care for me that way, but I know Tarble will always come first.
With Vegeta
"Tarble, Tarble, where are you!? I shouted.
Where is this damn kid? Then that's when I realized he was probably at the old tree house. Sure it was across the city, but we could be there in an easy ten minutes by flying. Dad definitely wouldn't even think about looking there.
'Mmmm flying is so great. It's a sweet escape, also a glorious way to clear your mind.'
When I arrived, sure enough my suspicions were true. He was curled up asleep with his mouth slightly open, hugging that blasted bear.' Huh, he looks cute like that. Gosh, I sure do have a soft spot for this kid. Wait, what I'm thinking?'
"Tarble wake up. "I slightly tapped him.
"Five more minutes."
"Tarble, get up. We have to get home before father wakes."
"I don't want to go back to that a-hole."
"Neither do I, but we have no choice. You know we have to stay with him because we have nowhere else to stay." 'I can't believe I'm going to say this.' " I'm sorry, little brother. From now on I'm going to try to be a better brother. I promise you aren't going to get hit as much. When I tell you to run, don't even question it, just get out
'Did Vegeta just say he was sorry? Wow, I must still be sleeping' "Did you just say you were sorry!?"
"Really? From all of that and that's all you heard!?"
"No. I heard everything else. I appreciate you throwing yourself in the line of fire for me."
"No problem."
"Vegeta, if you say that we have no where else to go, then why were we going to run away yesterday?"
" I was only thinking about myself at the time. If we were successful to get away from him yesterday, we would be living on the streets and I don't want that for you. ok?. let's go now."
Back at Capsule Corp
It's ten o' clock and I'm starring at the door.' O MY GOD, stop acting so pathetic Bulma. If he comes, he comes.' Then the door bell rang.
"Hi Bulma! Nice to see you again." Said Tarble.
"Nice to see you to Tarble. I'm glad your brother found you."I said.
"Ya, I was in the old tree house our mom built for us."
"Well that must be nice, having a piece of your mom still."
I was greeted with a cold stare from Vegeta after I said that." Girl that is none of your damn business." Said Vegeta.
"Well excuse me for trying to be nice!" I shouted.
"You're excused. Now where is the food woman?"
"You're not getting anything till you apologize."
"FINE! I don't need your food." Then Vegeta looked down to his grumbling stomach.' I haven't eaten since yesterday morning with her. Curse my appetite.' "Humph, fine I'm sorry." He said hardly audible.
"Now was that so hard to say? You know where the food is. Oh, and Tarble I got some of the kool-aid juices you like."
"Thanks, Bulma. You're really great."
From that point on the two brothers came to me every morning, except the days they're dad was off. Vegeta made it a habit to come over every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night, either he was beaten or not. Surprisingly we got away with this without any of our parents knowing for about two months, until my mother caught me sneaking him in one night. It was easy sneaking Vegeta in for a while but then it started getting more complicated. We were bound to get caught, but oh well we didn't get in trouble. Thank God he wasn't beaten that night.
"Oh hunny, what are you doing sneaking this handsome boy inside?"Bulma's mom asked naïvely.
"This is Vegeta. He's my best friend. Don't you remember I asked you if he could spend the night and you said yes?"
"Did I? You know how I forget things" She said giggling." I'll show him the guest room. Come with me Vegeta. The guest room is down the hall from Bulmas room. Here it is. If you need anything just holler."
"Goodnight Vegeta." I said kissing him on the check. This is the first night we were sleeping away from each other. 'It's going to be weird.'
With Vegeta
Tonight is the first night without the girl. I didn't expect it to be this strange without her. When I'm with her it's as every problem fades away. I feel protected and at peace. Don't get me wrong, this guest room is comfortable, but it's just not the same. I feel as my father could just come and snatch me.
'I'm going to do it. I have to go with her.'
With Bulma
'It feels so empty without him.' Then my prayers were answered, when the door creaked open.
" Vegeta?"
"Hey girl. You didn't think you could get rid of me that easy, did you?"He said with a smirk.
"I knew you couldn't stay away from me."
"Don't get so confident. It just felt weird."
"It's okay. Come and lay down."
That night we went to bed holding hands. I wish we could stay in that perfect moment, but all good things must come to an end.
In the morning we went down to the kitchen and had breakfast with my mom for the first time.
"I hope you kids like what I made you."Said Bulma's mom.
"Mom, why haven't you been here in the mornings lately?,"I asked.
"Oh, sorry sweetie. I've just been so busy. Today is actually the first day I haven't been busy in about three months and you know your father is always in his lab working on his inventions."
"Yeah, I know."
"So kids how do you like the food?"
"It's great mom. Thanks."
"It's good" Said Vegeta. "Idiot" he mumbled under his breath
"So how do you two feel about school starting tomorrow?"
"It's already tomorrow!? I totally forgot about it."
"How about you Vegeta?" Asked Bulma's mom.
"I'm, um, home schooled."
"Well that must be nice to spend so much time with your father."
'Yeah if you like getting the shit beat out of you.' "It's okay, I guess."
'Ding dong'
"I'll get that." I said.
"Oh, hey Tarble what's up? I thought your dad was off today?"
"He is unfortunately. That's why I'm here. He wants to see Vegeta."
'Ugh, what's that asshole going to do to him this time?' " Vegeta" I shouted." It's Tarble."
"What do you want, baby brother?" asked Vegeta as he made his way to the door.
"Father wants to see you."
"Great! What the hell did I do this time? Ahhh! Bye Bulma, see you tomorrow."Vegeta said sadly.
"Vegeta, stay safe" and with that he left.
It's been a week since then and I still haven't seen Vegeta. I'm really worried about him and Tarble, but they're strong so I'm pretty sure they're fine. They have to be.
Since the school is down the street, I walk home almost every day. When I arrived at the porch that Monday morning, my heart almost stopped beating. Vegeta was there lying on his stomach, with his back covered in blood. There was a knife stabbed inside him right beside his shoulder-blade.