Addict.

DAVE SHORT STORY 2

Content Warning: This fanfic contains depictions of emotional and physical abuse.

Dave Strider sat in his room, headphones on, drowning out the sounds of his older brother's screams. Bro Strider was always angry, always looking for a reason to lash out. Dave tried to avoid him as much as possible, but he couldn't always escape his brother's wrath.

It had started when they were kids. Bro had always been rough with Dave, but it had escalated as they got older. Now, Bro seemed to take pleasure in belittling and hurting his younger brother.

Dave tried to pretend that it didn't bother him, that he was tough enough to take it. But the truth was, he was scared. Scared of his brother, scared of what he might do next.

One day, Dave came home from school to find Bro waiting for him. "You're late," Bro growled.

"I got held up after class," Dave said, hoping to diffuse the situation.

"That's no excuse," Bro said, grabbing Dave by the collar of his shirt. "You're always making excuses. You're worthless."

Dave's heart pounded in his chest as Bro shoved him against the wall. He tried to fight back, but Bro was too strong. Dave felt a sharp pain in his side and realized that Bro had punched him.

"Stop," Dave gasped, but Bro didn't listen. He continued to hit him, each blow sending waves of pain through Dave's body.

When Bro finally stopped, Dave collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. He could feel the bruises forming on his face and ribs.

Bro stood over him, panting. "You're lucky I didn't hurt you worse," he spat.

Dave lay there, tears streaming down his face, as his brother walked away. He knew he couldn't keep living like this, but he didn't know how to escape. He was trapped, a prisoner in his own home, with no one to turn to.

As the days went on, Dave tried to stay out of Bro's way as much as possible. But he couldn't avoid him forever. One night, Bro came into his room, drunk and angry.

"You think you're so cool, with your stupid shades and your stupid attitude," Bro slurred. "But you're nothing. Nothing but a little shit who's too scared to stand up for himself."

Dave felt a surge of anger. He was tired of being treated like this, tired of being afraid all the time. He stood up, facing his brother. "I'm not scared of you," he said, his voice shaking.

Bro laughed. "You should be," he said, lunging at Dave.

But this time, Dave was ready. He fought back, hitting Bro with all the anger and frustration he had been holding inside. For a moment, he felt powerful, like he could finally stand up to his brother.

But it didn't last long. Bro was too strong, too angry. He grabbed Dave by the hair, pulling him to the ground.

"You'll never be anything," Bro spat. "You're nothing without me."

Dave lay there, defeated, as Bro walked out of the room. He knew his brother was right. He couldn't escape, couldn't fight back. He was trapped in a cycle of abuse, with no hope of escape.