childhood memories

Chapter 30

"a! Cuddle bear! Off! Off!"
I laughed loudly, crawling up on the couch as he kept trying to drag me down.
"I want kissies!"
He demanded.
My phone was ringing on the couch arm, blaring repeatedly as I tried grabbing it.
"Laurence! I need to answer it!"
I giggled only for him to clamber over me and answer the call for me.
"Hello, Garroth can't come to the phone right now, would you like to leave a message?"
He questioned in a rather posh voice.
Then his face went sour.
"Urgh, it's your brother"
He groaned, passing it me.
As I took the phone and lifted it to my ear Laurence was smartening himself up.
"Zane?"
I questioned
"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!"
He suddenly screamed down the phone.
I winced.
However, I would have usually gotten mad, but the scream sounded less annoyed and...more scared.
"Woah woah brother...calm down"
I ordered.
"H-he's trying to get in my room!"
He was panicking
"Zane, breathe, breathe...what did you do?"
I questioned, standing and grabbing my bag.
Laurence listened closely to my conversation.
"I-I messed up I, I yelled back and-and, he drank and"
He cried, most likely hiding somewhere.
I had to get there...
"Uhm, Laurence I gotta go"
I stated, looking to him.
Confused and mostly uncertain he tilted his head before quickly escorting me out.
I didn't say anything as I left, I didn't have to, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and that was enough to put him in shock.
"H-Have you locked the door?"
I resumed as I got a fair distance away from his house.
"Y-Yeah, but it's gonna break, I can feel it!"
He stammered.
"Right, block the doors with draws, your chairs, our beds even, I'm on my way"
I stated as he whimpered.
He stayed on the line as he carried out them tasks and I texted Vylad to see if he was alright.
He'd locked himself up in the attic were he could have peace and quiet.
For a mute he is indeed smart.
"D-done"
Zane eventually spoke.
He seemed better, more secure.
By now I was arriving home and if I'm honest...I could hear my father's yelling from outside the front door.
I hung up and barged in, darting straight upstairs to Zane's room where the door had now been forced open.
I dropped everything I had and ran in, shocked to find Zane cowering in the corner, being kicked repeatedly against the wall.
"Fucking bitch!"
Garte snapped, grabbing my brother by the hair and forcing him up.
"Dad!"
I snarled.
Zane winced, tearing as blood spat from his bitten away lips.
He didn't care that he hates me... he just wanted the pain to stop.
"Oh, well, lucky who we have here!"
My father growled, letting his chest rattle.
"Let him go Dad... please"
I begged.
Garte sneered.
"And why should I?! You've been gone all blimmin day!"
He spoke.
"I was gone because I had to!"
I replied, watching his every move.
"Had to?! What could you possibly be doing?!"
He yelled
"I was out because I needed to be with Laurence!"
I stated
"Bullshit! Why would you need to be with him?!"
I rolled my eyes and stormed over, gripping Zane's arm before pulling him to my chest.
He trembled.
"I was with him because SOMEONE beats me! And I had to lie about it!"
I reminded him and this seemed to give me an advantage.
In fact It was such an advantage that Garte simply stormed out the room.
After he was out Zane hugged me tightly.
He whimpered and sniffled for a moment before speaking.
"I-It was so scary"
He shivered.
Hm...god help us...
...help him...
"I know, I know...you should get out more, you and Vylad... it'll give you a break from him..."
I stated as he pulled away and rubbed his bruises.
"H-Hm... what would I do...? I have no friends"
He sighed
"Then make some..."
Watched him closely as he dragged his bed over and sat on it quietly.
"Hmh..."
He hummed.
I sighed softly before going out, looking up at the attic door before unlocking it.
Pulling down the stairs Vylad looked down at me with a small smile.
"Hi brother"
I smiled.
He clambered down and leapt into my arms.
He has a minor bruise on his arm but it was nothing serious.
"Sorry I wasn't here for you"
I apologized before looking at his arm, inspecting it.
"Hm...you never said he hurt you"
I added as he shrugged.
Sighing I looked him in the eyes.
"... y'know, why don't you go round Dante's tomorrow? I'm sure you could have some fun"
I suggested.
His eyes lit up with a shine.
"Yeah, it's Saturday so...just tell me when you'll be home alright?"
He nodded rapidly before running off to his room past our parents room.
Mom was no doubt asleep... oblivious of us as always.
It made me sick.
Anyway, Zane must have wanted some alone time and I figured I'd leave him be.
I walked to the living room, slumped on the couch and texted Laurence.
And it was then he told me of something so exciting I just couldn't deny it.
We HAD to go.