The blow from my step dad had me against the wall feeling like I had been hit by a freight train. He removed his fist from my stomach and I slid onto the floor as I coughed up a bit of blood onto the carpet. Alex looked at me with disgust then he turned to Devyn who was staring at me looking worried and scared.

 "If either of you little bastards tell anyone anything about any of this..." He didn't have to finish the sentence, neither of us doubted that he would kill us if he got the chance to. "Now I'm going to go and I want dinner done when I get back got it?" We both stayed silent for a minute then Devyn answered.

 "Yes sir we understand." He answered barely hiding the fear in his voice.

 Alex gave us one last glare and walked out the door. As soon as he was gone my brother ran over to me and bent down next to me with a really worried expression.

 "He didn't break anything did he?" His voice full of concern. 

  "No I don't think so." I replied my voice hoarse from the scream I had let out moments before Alex had beaten me. Devyn offered his hand to help me get up and I took it almost falling a few times in the process. Devyn sighed as he looked over the damage done to my body from all the punches, shoves and kicks I'd received.

 "I'll get dinner started before he comes back and beats us again, you go lay down and I'll see if I can't help with the bruises in a little bit." He said it in a nice way that made me remember how much I loved my brother, him being the only one I could really trust in this house.

 "Thanks I appreciate it." I said, he merely gave me a shrug and I went into my room limping. As soon as I got in there I found some pain killers and took them so that the pain would ease up just a little bit and sat on my bed. I looked into the mirror and I was shocked to see how bad the bruises were on my arms and wrists, already they were almost jet black. I heard the door open and Devyn came in with a sad look on his face.

 "I- I'm sorry Cole that I let that happen to you." A small strand of blond hair sat on his forehead as a tear trickled down the side of his cheek.

 "You and I both know you wouldn't be able to stop him no matter how much you wanted to," I said looking at his bruises on his wrists from where alex had grabbed him, only a day before for looking at him wrong, "And besides I wasn't able to stop him from hurting you either."

 He smiled just a little and then he got out a small tube of medicine and handed it to me.

 "Put that on the bruises and any cuts you may have gotten-" He was going to say more when we heard the door open in the living room, "Oh crap!" He said as he moved towards the door and then relaxed. 

 "It's just mom not Alex," We both breathed a sigh of relief and Devyn moved towards the door and stopped abruptly, "You'll need an excuse for the bruises so she doesn't ask any questions," He paused for a moment then left muttering, "Not that she'd ever give a crap about her kids."

 A few minutes later I heard mom shouting something about dinner being ready and I got up off my bed and walked into the kitchen. Mom was sitting at the table her dirty blond hair in a short pony tail as she read a magazine, while Devyn was getting the plates and forks. Dinner was ramen noodles which I immediately scarfed down while mom just kept on reading her magazine not giving a flying anything about anyone as usual. Finally Devyn sat down looking tired and began to eat for himself while mom finally put down her magazine. She looked at both of us and then looked pissed for some reason.

 "Where's your father at?" She asked her voice scratchy and hoarse, "He was supposed to be home."

 "He said he was going out for a little while probably just to go get something." Devyn lied, we both knew that when Alex said he was "Going out" he meant to a bar or some other place for stupid drunks.

 Mom squinted for a minute and then just said "Okay" picking her magazine back up and ignoring both of us as usual. Devyn grabbed all the dirty dishes and headed for the dish washer when I grabbed his arm.

 "Don't worry about the dishes you get some rest." I said being sympathetic as I saw him shoot me a quick look that said thanks.  He walked into the other room as soon as I had a good hold on them. As soon as I was done I told mom good night and she just grunted as I walked into my room where I found Devyn staring at a picture of What looked like an older version of him with a baby.

 "What's that?" I asked somewhat curious as I sat on the bed next to him.

 "A picture of me and Dad, our real dad and I, when I was a baby." I could hear the pain in his voice as he talked about our father who was somewhat of a sore subject. 

"He looks just like you." I said softly he just nodded and stuck the picture in the pocket of his jeans. He then  looked at me with a sad expression and sat back on his bed and I made my way to mine on the other side of the room.

 "Night bro," I said "Don't let the bed bugs bite."

 "There are a lot worse things," He said looking at me, "than bed bugs to be worried about in this house."

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Author guidance for This story

Devyn's appearence: 16 years old, Short golden blond hair, sky Blue eyes, 150 lbs (Skinny), 5"10, lightly tan skin, Personality: Keeps to himself a lot and is scared of his step father as is his little brother cole, and he's not afraid to show pain to his brother but he doesn't show it to anyone else.

Cole's appearence: 15 years old, Short dirty blond hair, light blue eyes, 140 lbs (skinny), 5"8, lightly tanned skin, Personality: Nice in nature but has a hard time dealing with his situation, shares a kind of brotherly bond with Devyn.

Rachel's appearence: 41 years old, Shoulder length dirty blond hair, green eyes, 110 lbs (really skinny), 5"6,, tan, personality: A real witch at times but on the inside is very broken and depressed.

Alex's appearence: 37 years old, short dark brown hair, hazel eyes, 250 lbs (Fat), 6 ft, light skin, personality: short tempered fat, conniving,using, and will do anything to get what he wants

Sean's appearence: 43 years old, short jet black hair, blue eyes, 200 lbs (muscular), 6"3, tanned skin, personality: Very nice and has a sense of justice.

Veronica's appearence: 42 years old, long dark black hair, brown eyes, 125 lbs (Skinny), 5"7, light skin, personality: Very kind person and never says a mean thing to anyone.

Lacey's appearence: 22 years old, long jet black hair, dark blue eyes, 136 lbs (skinny), 5"9, lightly tanned, skin personality: Kind and has a sense of justice but doesn't take people trying to use her.

Matt's appearence: 23 years old, short dark brown hair, bluish grey eyes, 150 lbs (skinny), 5"10, light lightly tanned skin, Personality: Very kind and mellow does have somewhat of a temper but it takes a while to get to that kind of anger.

Jason's appearence: 16 years old, short jet black hair, dark brown eyes, 140 lbs (muscular), 5"9, tanned skin, Personality: Cold on the outside and isn't afraid to show it but actually has a kind heart.

Barney's appearence: 39 years old, balding spot with salt and pepper hair, green eyes, 240 lbs (Fat), 5"11, pasty white skin, Personality: Very mean, evil, and corrupted person who enjoys other people's pain.

Taylor's appearence: 24 years old, short golden blond hair, icy blue eyes, 220 lbs (Muscular), 6"2, tan skin, Personality: Was a very kind person but was very serious about most things and little more is known about him.

updated Jan 22 by myimmortal220