A/N I finally decided to write a story on Thrax's childhood. I'll also continue through "Almira's Story", showing his POV on meeting Almira. I don't own Thrax; he belongs to Warner Bros. I DO own his surname, his family, and other characters you don't recognize from Osmosis Jones.

DNAngelFangirl: Like I said, his reputation in his job provides a clue. And let's just say if Thrax ever found out, he'd hate blood cells even more than he did in OJ.

Princess LaLaBlue: So true :(

Thank you very much :) Cool :D Can't wait to see your Thrax backstory. The best? Wow, thanks :)

Warning: Chapters from here contain writings of abuse. If this is unsettling to you, you may skip past that part.

Chapter 5

Thrax leaned back against the school wall, sighing heavily. He slumped down, sitting on the ground. He winced when his dark blue sweater rubbed against his sore back. He reached his arm behind him and felt his back under his sweater, relieved when he found that he wasn't bleeding.

Ever since Elaine had married Hamilton, Thrax's life had gone from fine to bad in one fell swoop. When the Red Death virus had come into his life, Thrax somehow knew Hamilton didn't like him. It was the way he glared at him. Elaine noticed, but never asked what was wrong. Perhaps she figured Thrax had been playing tricks again.

But Thrax hadn't done anything like that to him. As far as he knew, he didn't do anything to cause Hamilton to dislike him. Sure, he had a reputation as a troublemaker in school, but that wouldn't travel throughout the rat, would it?

Thrax had a feeling that Hamilton just plain didn't like him. Maybe because Thrax wasn't his son by blood, or that he was a troublemaker. Of course, there was his personality that was revealed after he moved in with the family.

Hamilton was a Red Death virus as well. He had dark maroon skin, narrow red eyes, and long black hair. He didn't have a job; he played cards in a bar located on the scar on the rat's shoulder. Most of the time, he won, and celebrated with a round of drinks. He would often come home in a drunken stupor. If he came home without money, he drank what was in the kitchen. So either way, he was a drunkard virus.

Thrax immediately learned that if Hamilton heard about his troublemaking at school, there was hell to pay. The first time he came home after he had gotten in trouble at school, Hamilton had been waiting for him. He threw Thrax onto the couch and pulled the back of his shirt up. Before Thrax could comprehend what was happening, there was a whistling sound. Then, SLAP! Thrax cried out in pain as something long and thin smacked painfully across his back, "Maybe this'll teach ya not to get in trouble!" Hamilton snarled, slapping him with the object again. No mater how much Thrax begged or pleaded, he didn't stop.

Finally, after about twenty lashes, the pain stopped. Thrax slowly rolled over to see what Hamilton had been hitting him with. To his horror, the panting Red Death virus was clutching a belt in his dark maroon claws. Hamilton sighed, dropped the belt, and staggered into another room.

Once he was gone, Thrax stood up and slowly walked into the bathroom; his back was stinging badly. He pulled his shirt off, stood facing away from the mirror, and looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, there were welts all across his back in the vague shape of a belt. Some of them seem to be bleeding a little.

Thrax reached back and touched his back tentatively with a claw. He hissed in pain as his back stung worse than before. Sighing, he pulled his shirt back on. Even the fabric brushing against his back was painful.

Later that evening, when the family was at the table for dinner, Thrax bit his tongue several times to not cry out in pain when he leaned back against the chair. Elaine glanced worriedly at him, but Hamilton seemed indifferent.

This went on for three years. If Thrax got in even the slightest amount of trouble, in school or out, he paid the price with the belt. Sometimes, Hamilton was drunk as he punished his step-son, or was especially pissed; then, he would use the buckle end. Thrax nearly bit his tongue in half whenever that happened.

The first evening after a treatment of the buckle end, Elaine pulled her son into the bathroom. "All right, Thraximus," She said sternly. "Don't lie to me. Why are you acting as though your back hurts?"

"It's fine," Thrax said, leaning back against the door. Big mistake. He jumped away as though the door was on fire; he shoved his hand onto his mouth to keep from screaming in pain.

Having enough, Elaine turned her son so she was facing away from him and pulled his sweater off over his head. She gasped in horror at what she saw; her claws flew to her mouth as she stumbled away. "Oh my God!" She whispered. "Oh, Thrax!"

Thrax didn't say anything; his mother saw the evidence, so there was no denying his back was hurt. "Who did this to you?"

"…You won't believe me."

"Tell me."

In the mirror, Thrax saw Elaine no longer had her claws at her mouth. Tears were running down her cheeks, yet she seemed a bit angry; not at Thrax for denying he had been injured, but to whoever dared to harm one of her children. Finally, he sighed, "It was Hamilton."

Elaine looked very surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he's the one who-"

"No, I mean, why would he do such a thing?"

The young virus scoffed. "Ya don't see that he hates me? I don't know why; maybe 'cause I ain't his real son? Or that I get into trouble all the time? Maybe because he drinks? All I know is after you married him, if I got in even the slightest amount of trouble, I got the belt. If he was really pissed or even drunk, I got the buckle end." He didn't know why he was revealing all of this to Elaine; maybe because he wanted the pain and abuse to stop.

Elaine was silent when Thrax told her everything Hamilton had done to him. "…Oh, Thrax," She turned him around and hugged him as gently as she could to avoid hurting him further. "My hijo…I had no idea he was doing this to you."

Thrax hugged her back, surprised when he realized his cheeks were wet. Had he been crying the whole time?

They stayed like that for several minutes until Elaine stood back. "What about Amelia?"

Thrax knew what she was talking about. "I don't think so…at least, I hope he isn't. Maybe she would have told us? She's two; she hasn't really learned to lie."

"Yes, she would have told one of us," Elaine nodded, looking relieved that her youngest had escaped Hamilton's abuse. "I'm going to have a word with that virus."

Thrax's eyes widened. "He'll deny it! He'll say I'm lying! Or he'll-"

"Thraximus," Elaine said firmly, yet with a gentle expression. "We need to address this. What he's doing isn't right."

"I know that, but-"

"Good." She kissed his forehead and took a tube of medicine out of the cabinet. "This might sting, but it'll help those wounds heal."

True to her word, the medicine had stung. Thrax gritted his teeth, groaning softly, until it was done, and he was able to put his sweater back on. "Go on, now," Elaine smiled. "I'll go find Hamilton."

When Thrax left the bathroom, an unseen hand grabbed his arm and pulled him into his parents' bedroom. He was turned face-to-face with an angry Hamilton. "You told her, didn't you?" He growled, clenching Thrax's arm in his claws.

The young virus groaned in pain. "What yer doin'…i-it ain't right." He repeated his mother's words.

"I don't give a damn! I'll punish you however I please! In fact," He pulled Thrax's sweater off and threw him onto the bed. "I think you're due for another."

Thrax's eyes widened, but before he could scream, he felt the bite of the belt. He cried out loudly in pain as the belt slapped against his skin. He clenched the bedspread in his claws tightly.

He heard the door slam open, then a shout, "Hamilton! What on Earth are you doing?"

"What's it look like I'm doin', woman? Disciplinin' our son!"

"By beating him?" Elaine screamed. "Give me that belt!"

Hamilton held it out of her reach and slapped her in the cheek. When she cried out and held her stinging cheek, he shoved her to the ground. "Stay out of this, bitch!"

"Mom!" Thrax cried. But the harsh stings returned to his back; these seemed even harder than the ones before.

Ever since that day, Elaine never tried again to stop Hamilton; she never even watched. All she could do was tend to Thrax's wounds after and comfort him. As for Amelia, they learned he never laid a claw or belt on her. He never really paid much attention to her, so it was just as well. If there was the slightest clue that Hamilton was going to beat Thrax, he or Elaine hid Amelia in a closet or cupboard, making sure she didn't see her brother get hurt.

She found out though, and was very angry at her step-father hurting her, "Big Bwother". Elaine and Thrax told her to stay away from Hamilton; especially if he seemed very angry. She promised this with a vigorous nod. When Elaine was comforting Thrax after tending to his injuries, Amelia hugged Thrax, saying she wanted to make him feel better. Thrax always hugged both of them back, thankful that they were with him.

Thrax sighed again before standing up and stretching. He groaned as his injuries were irritated. He felt his back again to make sure he wasn't bleeding. When he pulled his hand out to examine his claws, he saw Ed standing in front of him. The only thing the Ebola virus had changed about himself was his hair; it grew until it was almost shoulder length, and was no longer slicked back.

"The ol' man giving you trouble again?" Ed asked.

"More like the ol' bastard," Thrax scoffed, sighing with relief when he didn't find any blood on his fingers. "And yeah, nothin' unusual." He laughed bitterly.

Ed was the only person outside the family to know about Thrax's abuse back home. He didn't even tell Riley. She didn't suspect a thing; she just fawned at him, as usual.

Speaking of Riley, she had made some big changes. She started wearing make up; her favorite look was dark blue eye shadow that extended from her eyebrows to her cheekbones, and white lipstick that "bubbled" off of her lips, giving the impression that she was foaming at the mouth. Her change in clothes changed as well; instead of the pretty dress she wore in middle school, she wore a tighter dress that showed off her bosom and figure. All of the boys in school, even Ed, would often stare lustfully at her as she walked down the halls. Even Thrax had noticed her change; to her delight, he began flirting with her, passing off compliments at her new look, and casually asking, "Is it hot in here, or is it just me?"

Thrax had been thinking about asking Riley to be his girlfriend. True, he had flirted with girls in the past, but never attained a steady relationship. Riley was different; he knew her longer, and had seen the big changes in action.

As if hearing his thoughts, Ed changed the subject, "So, have you decided to ask Riley out yet?"

"Not yet," Thrax answered as they walked into school. "An' anyway, why're you so impatient 'bout me goin' out with her?"

"'Cause I am tired of her asking me if you decided to ask her out or not," Ed sighed exasperated. "It is always the same thing: 'has he decided if I can be his girlfriend?'" He did a decent impression of the love struck rabies virus. "It is driving me crazy!"

Thrax laughed. "Well, maybe I'll give her an answer sometime."

As they passed the lockers, a familiar stomping sounded from behind. "Well, if it isn't la muerte roja." A voice sneered.

Thrax stopped and slowly turned around, coming face to face with a big rat germ. "Herman." He greeted lowly. "Whatta ya want now?"

"'Whatta ya want now?'" Herman taunted. "I wanna see you fight. But I have to throw the first punch! Isn't that what daddy dearest said?"

Thrax scowled darkly at the mention of Joseph. Herman always knew this wound the virus up. Keeping as calm as he could, Thrax just stood up straight and snarled, "How's about you do yerself a favor, Herman, an' scram before I knock yer teeth out an' shove 'em up yer ass?"

The few students who were watching glanced at each other in awe. "Oooooh!" Thrax smirked smugly at Herman and turned to leave.

Herman's face was turning red with fury as he sputtered. Finally, he pulled his fist back to punch Thrax. Everyone gasped, but before someone could warn him, Herman's fist was already on its way to the back of the virus' head.

Quick as a flash, Thrax whipped around and grabbed Herman's fist in his right hand. Grinning, Thrax shook his head slyly, silently telling Herman he didn't want to do that. His grin widening, Thrax shoved Herman to the ground; he must have sprained the germ's wrist, judging by the way he groaned in pain.

"Whoa, Thrax!" A germ by the name of Matt Preemer whistled. "Where'd you learn those moves?"

Thrax blinked. When he realized how quick he had moved, he just shrugged, "I guess it came naturally."

This wasn't entirely true. Ever since Hamilton began beating him, Thrax's senses had been heightening; basically, he became more aware of someone of they were behind him. It was just dumb luck that he had caught Herman's fist.

Riley soon came up, having seen the whole thing. "Serves you right, you big bully!" She kicked Herman, watching in satisfaction when he screamed highly and grabbed between his legs.

"Nice one." Thrax complimented, grinning.

"Thank you." She smiled, fluttering her eyelashes.

A/N Told you the chapters would be longer...I think I just jinxed myself XD

This is my first time writing this kind of thing. I put a warning under the disclaimer to warn that the next chapters will contain some abuse.

I drew a pic of how Ed looks like as an adult. His face kinda reminds me of Voldemort. When I post it, you'll see what I mean.

I bet you guys recognize that move Thrax did; grabbing Herman's fist before it made contact with his head. This is how I think he was able to do that in the movie: he'd have to have had heightened senses to sense when that germ was gonna punch him. And I think he would have gained said senses when he was growing up; more specifically when Hamilton was in the family.

BTW, anyone recognize Matt Preemer?