"Abuse is not a right. It should not be tolerated, and the only way to stop it is for the those abused, both men and women, to step up to the plate. Do not fret. You are not alone."
- Nora the Wise

Territory of Terror

"This is so unfair," I mumbled under my breath. Unfortunately, my younger brother heard me as plain as day.

"You had better stop talking like that, Brandon," my brother, Brendan, threatened. "I will tell Mom on you, and you will get into even more trouble."

I sighed and did not make a smart remark. What was the use of defending myself against that little tyrant? Mom and Dad always took his side and blamed me for the terrible things that he has done.

Here I was. Dragging a heavy bag that contained the stinkiest garbage. Taking out the trash is my job, but I did wish for some help. For example, opening the door that leads outside because it is difficult to do when you are carrying a trash bag that weighs a hundred pounds!

I could have asked Brendan to open the door for me. I mean, we were in the living room, and the door was only inches away. But I did not waste my breath. Why? 'Cause Brendan is an inconsiderate twerp.

He would have just said, "You are older than me, Brandon. Start acting like a grownup and do things for yourself."

Oh my gosh. When I heard that the first time, I was fuming with anger! I was so angry that I wanted to punch his lights out!

And my parents. My gosh! I could not believe them! It is like that once you hit thirteen, people feel that you are responsible for everyone else's problems! Sadly, that is what happened in my family.

There is no doubt that my little brother was evil. No, not mean. Not selfish. Evil. Call me crazy, but I do get scared when he is around me sometimes. He is nothing like me.

I treat Mom and Dad with respect. He manipulates them. I am surrounded by fantastic friends. He somehow is in a gang. A gang! I participate in charities. He participates in illegal activities.

Do you readers understand now who I am dealing with? Good. Besides my friends, you guys are on my side.

Too bad that I cannot say the same for my parents.

I cannot blame them fully, but I have to wonder what was going through their minds. I know that Brendan was manipulating them, but you would think that they would do the right thing instead of unfairly punishing me.

Oh, wait. It is the twenty-first century. The century where parents do not want to parent their kids. I have news for you. The Internet does not parent your kids! Shame on you!

Back to my story.

I get blamed for Brendan's mistakes, and most of them are on purpose just to get me in trouble! One time, I got blamed for not babysitting him. Sure. 'Cause I can obviously babysit when I am at school, the place where I am supposed to be using my creativity!

Another time, I was punished for not doing his chores. No, not helping him with them. I was forced to do all of my brother's chores, and he just played video games.

In all honesty, Brendan had to stay at the asylum in order to receive the help that he needed, so I brought this up to Mom and Dad. I prayed that they would agree to send him there. But no.

"That is insane," Mom said. "Are you jealous of him?"

"You know, Brandon? Maybe your mother and I should take you there instead," Dad added.

That was the last straw. I was so mad that I was unable to contain it.

"Me?! You want to send me to the asylum?! I have done nothing but honoring you and helping you around the house! I have helped charities of all kinds raise hundreds of money! And what has Brendan done that is worthy of praising him? Sitting on his stupid bottom and playing mindless video games?"

"Do not question his way of life!" Mom snapped.

"I would not mind if he played good games," I continued. "But the games that he plays supports sin and murder!"

"Keep this up, and you will be kicked out of this house!" Dad yelled.

"Fine! Kick me out! I would rather be homeless than be in the same house with my psycho brother!"

To this day, I still do not know why they did not kick me out. I guess to make me even more miserable.

I glared at Brendan who was playing video games - as usual - as I dragged the trash bag across the room and opened the door. I leaned my back against the frame as I moved from the living room to the outside world. I shut the door behind me and headed to the trash bin that was down the driveway.

"I should run away," I muttered. "Run away and find a new family who loves me."

I got in front of the bin and flipped open the cover. I lifted up the bag and heaved it in the bin. I closed the cover and wiped sweat off my forehead.

"Maybe now, I can rest in my bed for a bit," I said.

As I was heading back to the house, I noticed something from the corner of my eye. I spun around and...saw her. The most beautiful girl in the world.

There was a girl whose height was the same as mine across the street. She was standing on a driveway and smiling...I think at me.

She had long, blond hair and was wearing a dark green, short-sleeved shirt, purple pants, and tennis shoes.

My heart was beating fast. I was sweating like crazy.

Yes. Yes, I had a crush on this girl. I had to introduce myself to her.

I looked both ways before crossing the street. I waved to her.

"Hi! My name is Brandon. Brandon London."

The girl raised her hand and slowly moved it left and right.

"Hello. I have been looking for you...Brandon."