Syrus: Currently Zane is off hiding and I have no idea where DMG808 is. Maybe she's looking for him. 0.0 It's like hide and seek!

Zane: Dang it, leave me the hell alone you crazy psychopath!

DMG808: Hey, I'm not a… Never mind, I forgot, I am according to a riddle I answered right.

Syrus: There they are! I found them!

Zane: What ever, Sy.

DMG808: Don't be mean to Sy!

Syrus: Onto the story! Hopefully these two won't kill each other before it ends, though…

Chapter 6

The weekend was soon over and we were all heading home. The ride seemed to last forever, and I just wanted to go home and see if Syrus was alright, though I was pretty sure he wasn't.

Atticus and Aster hadn't said anything of what I had told them to the D. I know I can trust them, but what if they say something thinking it's for my own good? Syrus and I could be sent to separate foster homes, and I don't think I could do that. I've been the one to protect him all his life and I need to always know he's safe.

We soon pull up to Atticus' house, and he jumps out, grabs his stuff, says thank you, and goes into his house, where his mother, father, and little sister come out to meet him. They give him a big hug. They're a normal family.

The next stop is my house right next door. I do the same as Atticus did, but as I get out of the car, Aster brushes his hand against my arm and whispers, "Be safe, buddy." I nod and turn toward my house, going a lot slower than Atticus did to the door.

I open the door tentatively, not bothering to knock. All I want is to see my brother and make sure he's okay. And if he's not…

"Hello? Syrus?" I call into the seemingly empty house. Then I hear the TV as it is shut off and here foot steps coming toward me. Why must she be here?

"You don't want to see me, Zane?" She asks as if hurt by the thought. I, though, was in no mood for her pretend self pity.

"Cut the bull, Mom. Where is Syrus? What did you do to him?" I demand, not caring what happens to me because of it. I deserve whatever I get for what I forced him to feel.

"Is that anyway to talk to your mother? I can't believe you, Zane, I thought I raised you better than this. I guess I'll just have to teach you another lesson in respect." She smirks and I feel ice gripping me inside. I know I should be used to it, but it's really hard to get used to the daily abuse inflicted upon oneself. I didn't realize how nice it felt not to be beaten for a couple days, probably because I was so worried about Syrus.

"Where is Syrus? What did you do to him?" I repeat, having to know what happened. I pray she'll at least give me that.

"That little brat? I caught him sneaking watching TV the other morning. I had to punish him for it. He still hasn't left his room. His lost weekend, I guess." She shrugs, not even seeming to care. For a moment I wonder why she never admits what she does. Then what she told me sinks in and I realize my dream was more than that. Some how I saw what happened.

"Why couldn't you just leave him alone? I was only gone for a weekend. Why couldn't you have waited to give me an extra terrible beating when I got home?" Is all that I want to ask, yet I don't in fear of how much worse that'll make it now for me. Why should I care, though, after leaving Syrus alone like that? "Fine. I'll wait for you in the other room. On the couch." Is what I actually say before leaving.

I pull off my shirt and throw it to the ground with force, wanting to take out my anger someway. My sweet little brother who would never hurt anyone. Why? I lay down on the couch, my back facing up as I wait for her and her 'whip'. It was all she used it for, so why shouldn't I call it so?

The first blow falls upon me, hard and swift. It bites into me, as if telling me 'I did the same to you're brother and you weren't around'. It was forced to lash across my back again and again and again, over and over, for what seemed like an eternity. All I want is to see my little brother, tell him I'm sorry, and protect him forever more from the pain.

But I know I won't be able to do that. Someday I'll have to leave, and I know that. But I don't want to think of that now.

Another lash across my back, more pain. Then it's over as she leaves the room. "Glad to have you back home, Zane. Your brothers just not as fun to punish. He's such a wimp. He was crying before I even hit him!"

I feel my fist ball up in rage. How could she say something like that about what she does. Fun? She has fun while doing this to me?

But a part of me already knew that. Why else would she do it every day?

I rise up off the couch, leaving for my and Syrus' bedroom, finally being able go to him. When I get to the door, I hold the handle in my hand. The reason she only beat him once? He had barricaded the door shut with who knows what.

"Syrus? It's me, Zane. Can I come in?" I ask gently through the door, part of me hoping he yells at me, part of me hoping he just won't let me in.

I was wrong, of course. He wouldn't do something like that. I hear a scraping behind the door as something moves and he opens the door to let me in.

He looks down at the floor below him, as if ashamed of himself. Then, he comes at me, his hands balled into little fist that he beats against my chest. After three of four hits, he breaks down into tears, crying into my shirt and grabbing it. I put my arms around his back and hold him close to myself. He winces a bit, but when I go to let go he holds onto me tighter, as if he's afraid I'll go away if I let go.

"I'm so sorry, Sy. I should have stayed here. I should have protected you. I'm the worst big brother…" I say to him, trying to comfort him.

"No you're not." He says through his tears. "I… got to protect you this time, big brother."

Syrus: 0.0

Zane: 0.0

DMG808: 0.0

Zane: Why are you surprised? You wrote it!

DMG808: Well, I changed it from my original plan! So it was different than I planned. But it was better this way and my so much more sense!

Syrus: This time I protected Zane. Is protection supposed to hurt so much?

Zane: And now you're giving him the wrong ideas…

DMG808: . I'm sorry, Sy and Zane! I love you both, I really do.

Syrus: Please review. Until next time.