Moonlight streamed through the frost encrusted windows, casting my bedroom into an eerie glow. All the colours seemed to seep out of the world at night in a wash of shadow and light.

I rubbed my eyes furiously with the back of my hand. I couldn't remember what had woken me, my brain still hazy with drowsiness.

My polished mahogany dresser and bed frame glinted red gold, tiny scratches etched into their smooth surface by years of use.

I shivered under heavy covers, the cold air brushing past my shoulders and down my neck. Winter always put a stress on our heating system, the ancient machine giving a low whine as it threatened to give out.

Thud

That was it! The sound that woke me! I strained my ears, the sound of muffled voices echoing through the house. A heavy resonating voice rumbled down the hallway. Dad?

Why was he here? He never came unless he was on holiday…

I threw off the toasty covers, eager to see him, a smile on my face. I struggled into a pair of sweat pants that lay crumpled on the ground and moved towards the door.

Crash!

I froze, my hand on the door handle, as I heard my mum yelp with pain, followed by a stream of curse words. I cracked open the oak door of my bedroom, shuffling out without a noise.

The hallway floor was covered with warm, squishy grey carpet. The cream colored walls were adorned by glossy photos reflecting the dim light which shone through the kitchen door at the end of the corridor.

The heavy thumping of running feet caught my attention as I whirled round just in time to avoid being trampled by Brandon. His face was paper white with worry but it held a determined angry look.

"Go back to bed Squirt," he mumbled hurriedly, as he brushed past me, running towards the kitchen. A door closed, dimming the light in the corridor to a barely notable glow.

Voices grew clearer as I followed Brandon, stopping dead in the kitchen doorway. The plastered walls were eggshell-white. Heavy silver knives that hung over the sparkling black marble bench, shone in the dim light that trickled under the heavy lounge doors to the right. My heart was pounding. Something was terribly wrong.

"Bitch… get…room…now…or else" snarled a man's voice. It sounded like dad. I shook my head not believing. It couldn't be dad. It just couldn't be.

A cry of pain echoed from the lounge to my right. My blood froze. Mum?

"Fuck off Lance!" snapped Brandon, his voice seething with anger.

I wanted to step into the living room to find out what was happening. Dad wouldn't hurt us! I wouldn't believe. I couldn't believe. But doubt and fear kept me rooted to the spot. I didn't want to know. I didn't want to see.

A murmur of a comforting voice bubbled out from under the lounge door. Dad's voice interrupted, so hot with anger it could scald. Against my better judgment I opened the lounge door.

I stood, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the bright light, surveying the confusing scene. Mum lay huddled, blank eyed next to a toppled chair. Her dark brown hair fell lifelessly around her pale face. A stream of crimson blood ran down her check. A symphony of emotions played in her eyes, waves of ice-cold fear dancing in her blue irises. Brandon stood protectively over her, arms outstretched, dressed only in a pair of black faded sweat pants. His muscles were tense, ready to fight.

Dad looked predatory, his upper lip, beaded was sweat, was drawn back in a snarl to reveal stained yellow teeth. His hazel eyes were glazed over and full of rage as he stalked in front of Brandon, his eyes fixed on my older brother. A fringe of greasy raven colored hair hung limply on his forehead threatening to block his vision. His breathing was ragged and heavy like he'd been running. The clothes he wore were haggard, his pants dirty and torn and his brown leather jacket, which I recognized as a Christmas present from mum, was now faded. The smell of stale cigarettes clung to him underlined by the rich sharp smell of alcohol.

"Get out of it Lance!" ordered Brandon, his voice steady. If he was scared, he didn't show it

"This is my house you little bastard!" yelled dad, hitting Brandon in the face closed fisted. Brandon backed up, dazed, but continued to shield mum from dad growing fury.

He screamed in rage and punched Brandon in the gut, causing my older brother to abruptly fall to his knees.

He grabbed a handful of Brandon's long hair and pulled his head back, yanking his neck at a painful angle.

My eyes stung with tears as I stayed motionless, shock and fear causing me to shiver uncontrollably.

Brandon didn't cry out. He just glared into dad's eyes. I think this must have disappointed dad as he quickly threw Brandon's head forward, slamming him into the grey carpet. Satisfied he stood tall over Brandon and mum, his eyes alight with triumph.

"You're not even worth the dirt on my shoes," sneered dad. "Don't you ever forget who runs this house!"

Brandon glanced at me. I was frozen to the spot with fear, eyes wide as I stared at my father. Father. A word used out of respect… out of love…

Dad must have realized Brandon's attention had flickered. He spun around to face me, a sick grin twisting on his cracked lips. I felt the blood drain from my face and my breath hitch.

"Hey little guy," said dad. His voice could almost be called comforting, loving. I just stared at him in horror, an icy pool of terror growing in my stomach. "You don't look so good, go back to bed 'kay?"

He walked up to me, rubbing a hand through my already tousled hair. He smirked back at Brandon, who was still on the floor, shock on his bruised face.

Dad chuckled low and I flinched. What shrieked in my mind was like the drum roll of a slogan rather than a thought: He hit mum and Brandon. He hit mum and Brandon

Mum hadn't even looked up. She remained slumped next the chair. Her eyes looked as empty as a doll's.

"Night buddy," murmured dad.

I felt sick, waves of nausea rolling through my body, panic rising in my chest. This was just a bad dream and I'd wake up and it would be gone. An incoherent nightmare. I had to believe it. I needed to believe it.

He walked out of the room, tall and proud, calling for our mum. She stood slowly and followed, walking from the room with hypnotic grace. Like nothing had happened,

My vision blurred, warm salty tears trickling down my face. Something wet and cold touched my cheek causing me to cringe. Brandon sat on his heels in front of me, a cold flannel in his hands, his eyes filled with a heartbreaking sadness.

"Gary, it's ok, it's over."

I shook my head, tears falling thickly onto the ground like little pearls. I bit my lip and cried out. I wanted to scream. To run far away and never look back.

"Gary, look at me," ordered Brandon, his voice commanding. He held onto my shoulders firmly, supporting me. I stared into his eyes, hazel meeting muddy green. "It's over," repeated Brandon softly, gazing intently into my eyes as if trying to convey something important.

I slumped forward into his arms, hugging him tightly as I cried. I felt him gently pick me up and carry me down the corridor to my bedroom.

He flicked the light switch on and sat me on my bed, gently dabbing my face with the cold cloth. I felt calmer now. The cold cloth was working.

Plastic glow-in-the-dark stars were stuck to the roof with blu-tac, each giving off a faint greenish glow, even in the light that now filled the bedroom. My duvet cover was a deep blue, with little red and yellow rockets lining the top and bottom of the cloth.

Brandon watched me intently. "Did he hurt you?" His voice was hoarse with concern.

"No," I mumbled quietly, my eyes drooping shut. I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore, the late hour and emotional distress had drained me.

Brandon smiled kindly and started tucking me into the bed. "Okay Gaz, go to sleep now okay kiddo?" he whispered.

"Don't leave Brandon… please," I managed to mumble as Brandon pulled the cold sheets over me. I started shivering again and I snuggled closer to him.

He laughed quietly and lay down next to me, flinging an arm around me in comfort, pulling me closer.

"I'll never leave you Gary. I promise."

So there you have it! Reviews would be BEYOND WONDERFUL!

Walker: please review… you know you want to read more * wink wink*