Disclaimer: I don't own Rocket Power

Twister sat under the pier and hugged his legs to his chest. His stomach still ached from where Lars had kicked it hard.

"I'll only be a minute. I've got to prove to him that I'm not a 'whinny little wuss'." Twister thought darkly, still mad at Lars

"Twister?"

Twister looked up to see Reggie.

"Oh, hey Reggie." Twister smiled

"Shoot! Why'd she have to find me now of all times." Although a secret part of Twister was kind of grateful for the company

Reggie looked concerned as she sat down.

"Are you okay?"

"Reggie, you already asked me that. I'm fine." Twister whined and rolled his eyes.

But the last two words sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than her. She was unconvinced.

"Really, just same old same old." Twister insisted

"Has Lars been whomping you again?" Reggie placed her hands on her hips and fixed him with a scrutinizing gaze

Twister had to remind himself that Reggie had no idea what that entailed nowadays.

"When hasn't he?" Twister smiled nervously

Reggie noticed the pause and the awkward way Twister had answered

"So, whatever's wrong has something to do with Lars."

Then Reggie noticed the way Twister was clutching his stomach. She frowned. Now that she thought about it Twister had been having a lot of skating accidents lately. All of them conveniently when none of them were around. Plus the fact that he never seemed to want to go home.

Reggie could've slapped herself for not seeing it sooner. Twister was her friend and she hadn't even noticed.

"Twister," Reggie began slowly, carefully "Does Lars...hit you?"

Twister practically jumped

"O-of course n-not." Twister stuttered

After viewing Twister's reaction Reggie was certain of it. Reggie's first response would normally be to scold Twister for not saying anything. Instead she sighed and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Twister, you need to report this. If you don't I will." she told him gently, yet firmly

"No, don't! You can't tell anyone!" Twister said a little too quickly, then suddenly realized what he'd said

But it was too late. Reggie felt disappointed that she'd been right.

"What he's doing is wrong. How can he even justify it?"

"He's my big brother-"

"That doesn't make it right!" Reggie interrupted, clearly angry "Now come on. We're reporting him." She grabbed Twister's hand in her strong grip and started pulling him along, practically dislocating his shoulder as she did so.

"Reggie, stop. Please. H-he said he'd kill me if I told."

Reggie stopped, frozen in her tracks. She felt completely horrified.

"He threatened you like that." It wasn't a question. Reggie hadn't even bothered to turn around.

"Lars has already done it before." Twister admitted. He felt guilty for telling her, yet relieved that he was finally able to say something

Reggie instantly spun back around.

"Wha-"

Twister quickly covered Reggie's mouth so the whole beach wouldn't hear her

"That was him?" She asked in a quieter tone after Twister removed his hand

"Lars was just trying to protect me. Del had been at our house that night and he came into my room." Twister was stopped by an involuntary shiver

"Twister." Reggie said in a voice barely above a whisper as tears began to run down her face

She squeezed him in a death grip. She could feel his breath in her ear as he spoke, or rather, begged.

"Please, Reggie. He's my big brother. Please don't tell."

Reggie bit her bottom lip, trying to decide what to do next.