AUTHORS NOTE:
Brax shows how protective he is of his brothers. Some rough abuse in this chapter.
This storyline continues for a few chapters and has been one of my favorites to write so I hope you all enjoy it too. :)
Chapter 41: Disaster strikes
Danny and Cheryl had gone out yet again for the day. Danny had gone over to visit Kyle and Cheryl had gone to the pub, leaving the three boys home alone. Brax went outside to do some chores and yelled as he exited.
"Heath can you look after Casey for me? I've just got to sort some stuff outside, so if you need anything just yell." "Okay."
Heath didn't mind keeping an eye on Casey when he was preoccupied with watching TV. Heath wandered into his bedroom to get his music player to listen to in the lounge and whilst Heath had left the room, Casey started to get bored and wanted to play, not knowing where his brothers were Casey walked into the kitchen, he lost focus when he noticed a large bottle on the cupboard, filled with brown liquid, he had never seen it before and it intrigued him.
Casey dragged a chair over and climbed onto it, to get a better view of the item. When Casey was close enough he could smell a horrible scent coming from the bottle and it was a scent he was familiar with as Danny and Cheryl often smelled of this scent.
Casey picked up the bottle it was incredibly heavy for a five year old. Heath by now had walked back into the lounge, only to find Casey gone. Casey saw Heath and called out to him.
"Heath what's this?" Heath ran into the kitchen and saw Casey standing on a chair, struggling to hold his parents alcohol bottle.
"Casey put that down!"
Heath dashed over to Casey, snatched the bottle from his hands, and lifted him off the chair. Once Casey was on the floor and the alcohol was on the sink Heath glared down at his little brother.
"No!" Heath reprimanded. "But it smells like Mummy and Daddy. It's bad."
"I know it's bad. Don't touch it!" Heath told him abruptly.
"I don't like it when Mummy and Daddy smell like that, they gets mad and hurt us. We make it dista-appear."
Casey went to grab the bottle again but Heath blocked him. "Casey I said no!"
"You're mean!" Casey pouted. "So what?"
Casey charged at Heath and stomped on his foot.
"Ah! Brax get in here!" Heath yelled as he glared at Casey who had now climbed back on the chair to get the alcohol bottle to get rid of.
Why did Casey always have to be so difficult for me? Heath thought, as he composed himself and went to chase after Casey who ran off.
"Casey this isn't a game!" Casey ran into the lounge room and saw Brax had come inside after he heard Heath shout.
"Heath what's going on? Why'd you call?" Brax yelled.
Casey turned and ran back into the kitchen to where Heath was ready to catch him. Struggling to hold up the bottle by now, Casey lost control and the alcohol bottle fell with a loud smash to the floor, shattering glass and alcohol everywhere.
"Now look what you did!" Heath yelled angry, he knew what trouble it would likely cause and another reason why he didn't want Casey near it. At the sound, Brax rushed into the kitchen.
"What's going on?" He stopped when he saw the shattered alcohol on the floor and his heart raced, this meant serious trouble, one rule was to not mess with Danny or Cheryl's alcohol. His brothers were one on each side of the mess.
"Heath come away from there. Casey don't move."
Heath walked away to the doorway and Brax walked over the glass and picked up Casey, placing him next to Heath.
"Now you wanna tell me what happened here?" Brax demanded angrily. Heath glared at Casey, who looked down shamefully.
"I'm sorry Brax. I didn't want Mummy and Daddy smelling of that stuff anymores and hurting us."
Brax sighed, Casey was so innocent, and he knew he couldn't be mad at him. Brax ran his hand through his hair, how was he going to deal with his parents with this mess, he knew they would be furious.
"Heath I need you to take Casey and get out of here before Dad comes home."
"What about you?"
"Just do it okay?" Heath nodded.
The boys didn't have time to move when the front door slammed open with Danny storming in, after being over with Alison and Kyle all day he needed a drink.
"Ah there are my three boys." Danny approached them but stopped as soon as he noticed the smashed alcohol bottle on the floor. He glared at his three boys.
"Who's responsible for this then?" He bellowed. Heath pulled Casey close to him and none of the boys spoke.
"Alright, let me try it this way then. If no one owns up, all three of you will receive a severe beating, whether you're a part of it or not, now we all don't want that now do we?" Danny threatened as he glared at each of his sons in turn.
Casey had now latched onto Heath and hid into his side. Knowing he had to protect his brothers Brax spoke.
"I did it. I was trying to move your alcohol and dropped it. Sorry Dad."
Danny glared at Brax in the eye and quickly punched him hard in the side of the face, knocking him backwards and causing him to get disorientated.
"Mighty brave of ya Darryl, but I know you wouldn't be stupid enough to touch me stuff. So who are ya protecting?"
Danny turned to Heath and Casey and towered over them. After a short while of studying them he stopped at Heath and got in his face.
"Now I'm sure you're old enough to know better…So that just leaves…" Danny leaned down further towards Casey, who cowered further into Heath and whimpered. "You." Danny whispered.
"You and I need to discuss a little lesson on not to touch my things."
Danny's voice tone was icy, but soon flared back to his extreme rage as he yanked Casey away from Heath and gripped him tightly with his left hand and using his free hand undid his belt and pulled it free.
Heath glanced at Brax worried. Brax had still not fully regained focus and Danny was about to hit Casey with his belt and from his furious reaction was not likely to go easy, Heath didn't know what to do but hope Brax would get up soon and stop Danny from hurting Casey.
Heath knew as much as Brax, how sensitive Casey was and knew he would not be able to handle being struck with a belt and especially for a five year old.
Heath wanted to help his scared, struggling baby brother but was frozen to the spot as he had flashbacks of the last time he had stood up to his father, he wasn't brave enough to try it again.
"Daddy I'm sorry." Casey whimpered. Danny jerked Casey and leaned into his face.
"You'll know the true meaning of sorry when I'm through with ya." Danny folded his belt and raised it high ready to strike.
Brax regained some focus and saw his father ready to hit Casey. Quickly he got up with a struggle and rushed towards Casey, sheltering him from the hit as Danny struck his belt down, only to hit Brax hard across the shoulders.
"Ah!" Brax yelled as pain shot through his upper body.
Brax quickly pushed Casey away towards Heath, who grabbed him and held him tight. Danny bent down to grab the back of Brax's shirt, throwing his belt aside.
"Always tryin' ta be noble. You just made a big mistake Darryl." Danny threatened and shoved Brax's face against the kitchen floor.
Heath flinched at the sight and Casey hid his face in Heath's hip sobbing. Brax raised his head, which was covered in blood from his nose and head.
"Heath get Casey and get out now!" He gasped. Heath stayed staring in shock. "Now! I'll come find you later."
Danny punched Brax again, knocking him back against the floor. Heath grabbed Casey and ran out the door and headed towards the beach. Danny continued to kick Brax hard in his abdomen. Brax struggled to breathe as the kicks and punches rained down on his upper body.
"When are you goin' ta learn ya can't protect your brothers from me Darryl! Ya ain't strong! You ain't nothin'!" Danny kicked Brax one final time and stormed outside.