"What the fuck man?" Minny shoved his older brother back once he returned to where his brother was standing. He was standing on the sidewalk beside the empty road, looking like he actually belonged there, in the neighborhood, wearing his hoodie and his jeans. He looked more casual that Minny could ever remember seeing him, but it did well for him to blend in. To look like a normal twenty-something year old should look.

Tom had driven off with a shaking Polly moments before, and Minny had to hope she would be alright. That she would trust him. It was a risk, though, because even Minny knew that there was no going back from where they were now. She was a tortured girl with nightmares that rivaled those of a horror film, and the man of her nightmares was his own brother. He knew, if he was in her position, that he probably wouldn't trust her again. It didn't shock him, just terrified him.

"What?" Tanner asked, dodging his brother's next shove, sounding innocent. As if he had no clue why Minny would be mad.

"Don't you what me, Tanner. You tortured her? And others? What on Earth are you doing."

Tanner looked at his younger brother. A product of a riches and a family that wasn't broken; he thought Minny looked just like a stuck up child. Tanner loved his brothers, but they never understood him. And he never understood them. It was just how differently they were raised.

"You don't understand."

"Understand? Tanner, she's terrified of you. How many people have you hurt? Why are you hurting people?"

Minny looked at Tanner, noting the obvious similarities between the two. Tanner was almost the same height as he was, with floppy dark hair and dark circles under his eyes. He looked tired and worn down, but Minny didn't think that was something new. The circles under his eyes looked almost permanent.

"You don't understand!" Tanner yelled. "You don't understand because dad never did this to you. He never forced you into believing that being gay would kill you. He told me that my mother died because she was gay. And as a little boy, I believed him alright? I wanted to save those who thought they were gay. I wanted to save them!"

Minny didn't take Tanner's tears as a sign to back down. He didn't know his brother all that well, but he knew that a firm hand would go a long way, rather than consolance. Besides, Minny didn't think he could consol - not after what Tanner had done to Polly. "So you abused them? What the fuck?"

"I wanted them to be fixed! I didn't want them to go to Hell!"

"Dude, that isn't how it works."

Tanner just stared at his younger brother, the anger washing through him. He and Minny were very similar in the fact that both wore smiles easily, and both had a temper to match. They were different in many aspects, but these two were the ones that brought Minny and Tanner very close to each other. They were as charming as they were defensive. And Tanner was very defensive at this moment, despising the fact that his brother wasn't playing nice.

"You don't think I've realized that?" Tanner finally spat out.

Minny just stared at him for a long moment. He knew how similar he was to Tanner, and he'd known all along their similarities. Minny also knew that if this conversation continued, he would probably begin to throw punches. So, changed topics. "Where is Lennard?"

Minny noticed the hesitation right away. He noticed the way Tanner scratched the back of his neck. He noticed the way Tanner couldn't meet his own eyes.

"I don't know."

Minny balled his hands into fists, immediately calling bullshit on his older brother's response. "I know he went to stay with you, so don't you dare try that on me."

"He did stay with me. And then, he left. I have no idea where he is now, okay?"

Minny had never felt as wild and out of control as he did in that moment. He was usually a calm person, with a charming and easygoing personality. He was usually so go with the flow, but he was dealing with pent up anger. He was so beyond angry at his parents. At his useless mother, and his controlling father. He was so frustrated with the new school he was attending. He was upset at what had just happened with Polly. And most of all, he was beyond outraged at his brother for what he'd done to Polly and all the other people he'd abused.

He was out of control. He was wild.

He took after his father.

"Why does it matter?" Tanner said in a tone that was far too calm. "Lennard clearly doesn't care about his family."

Minny's neck snapped up forcefully. "He does care about us."

Tanner pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head as the wind began to kick up around them. Trees shuffled, and the air grew thin. The sun disappeared behind some clouds, leaving the world around Minny grey and lifeless.

"Listen, Ben. Lennard took all your money and left. I know because he told me. I'm not saying I condone him doing so, but I wasn't going to leave him on the streets. He didn't stay for very long, but you know Lennard better than I do."

Or so I thought! Minny wanted to punch his twin. Even after everything Lennard had done, Minny didn't think that he hated his twin brother. He did care about Lennard, but Tanner also had a point that Minny never thought - maybe Lennard did hate his family.

"It's not a stretch to understand Lennard's motives. Dad is batshit crazy. Mom is a drunken mess. And you - I don't even know where to begin. Abuse, Tanner? Fucking really?"

Minny didn't think he could forgive his brother. Even if Polly hadn't been in the crossfire, his brother was still an abuser. Still someone who found pleasure in hurting others. It was sickening and terrifying.

"Ben, I'm done with that, alright? I closed down my camp, I resigned from the church, and I came here to tell dad that. You know, he's the one who pushed me in that direction. It wasn't like I invented those ideals on my own."

Minny didn't have trouble believing that - their father was a religious freak. It was a wonder that he didn't push his religious values onto Lennard and Minny, but Minny had always believed that was because he was too busy with Tanner to care. Minny attended church with his mother, and it was a different church than the one his father and Tanner attended. They'd always been separated.

"How come dad didn't let us see each other as kids? Did you ever find that weird?"

Tanner had in fact found it strange. Rewinding back to a time when he had a mother, Tanner had no clue he'd had siblings. He thought he'd been alone with his mom and Priscilla, to which he was perfectly content. He didn't need much. When his mother died and his father took full custody of him, Tanner found out that he did have brothers, and a stepmother.

Only, he never saw them. In his mind, Benjamin and Lennard were like a part of another world where they lived with their mother. The only time Tanner saw his brothers was during major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.

Tanner didn't question it. When he was younger, he didn't live in the same house as his brothers. He lived in a small apartment with his father, secluded from the rest of his family. It was just something he was used to. Something he grew to accept.

But now, as an adult, Tanner did wonder why his father separated them.

"As a kid, no. But now, yeah, kind of. I always thought it was because your mom didn't like me."

Minny ran a hand over his buzzed head, letting out a sigh. Things were so very messed up, so very twisted. He wanted to hate Tanner. He almost did, but Tanner was his brother, and Minny was used to his family abandoning him and mistreating him. At least Tanner wasn't abandoning him.

"What are you doing home, then?" Minny dared to ask. The two of them continued to stand on the sidewalk, right where Tanner had found them. Realizing that they were losing daylight, Minny motioned for Tanner to follow him home. It wasn't a far walk, but it was far enough that Minny knew it would be smart to head home.

"Dad won't be happy if he found out I stopped everything on his own. So, I'm here to tell him in person. And then, I need to see Polly."

Minny flinched and turned to his older brother. Tanner and Minny were years apart in age, but their size difference wasn't much. Tanner was a few inches taller, and he was stockier due to his age, but Minny decided that he could, in fact, take Tanner in a fight. Perhaps. Maybe.

"You aren't seeing her, ever again."

Tanner let out a dry laugh. "Dude, Ben, she's gay. I thought you knew that."

Minny balled his hands into fists, again. He wanted to punch the living daylights out of his brother and marvel at having him take back those words because of course Minny knew Polly was gay.

"Yes, I know that. I'm saying you'll never see her again because she's terrified of you, and you tortured her. You must be an idiot if you think I'm going to let you see her."

"You're under her spell too. Fuck. What is it with her that makes us fall for her? Because it looks like to me that you have it bad for her."

Minny did punch him. Right in the jaw, so quick that Tanner didn't see it coming. And after Minny landed the blow, Tanner just rubbed his jaw and gave Minny a dark look. "What are you doing?"

"First, Polly isn't an object, so stop talking about her like that. Second, I do not have it bad for her, alright? She's my friend, and I care about her. Clearly more than you do, because you seem to be intent on hurting her instead of loving her."

Tanner's jaw ticked, but he didn't punch his younger brother like he wanted to. He knew that Minny didn't understand his love for Polly, but that was alright. He was used to people not understanding him and his sick thrills. He was used to people seeing him as nothing more than a cruel monster.

"Listen here, little brother. I have known Polly for most of her life. If you think I don't care about her, you're wrong. I was trying to save her. And I realize my attempts were wrong and dehumanizing, I get that. But I do care for her."

Minny didn't want to believe it. He couldn't even fathom how he was having this conversation with his brother. As if his brother wasn't someone who was considered nightmare fuel. As if his brother didn't hurt people.

It made him sick to think of his brother as someone who abused people, because Minny could remember him as a child, and it wasn't adding up. Tanner was a good kid, and he was very religious. So religious that Minny had always expected him to be the sort of boy who would end up as a kind priest, doing good for the world.

Minny wanted to know how things had turned so wrong for his brother. At what time did Tanner begin to see religion as a tool for abuse? When had his brother started abusing his powers?

These questions kept Minny quiet for the walk home. Thoughts plagued his mind about whether or not Tanner would abuse him, because that was a totally reasonable thought. Minny couldn't help imagining Tanner strapping him down to a bed in the middle of the night, ready to abuse him like he had with countless others.

It made Minny fear for his life.

He felt tense beside Tanner as they walked home. Torturer. Torturer. Torturer. The words repeated in his mind, bouncing around, blocking out every other thought. His own flesh and blood, his own brother, was capable of abuse. And perhaps even more than that. Perhaps even murder.

When they arrived home, it was growing dark and the house loomed over them, terrifying and dangerous. It was a welcoming house with many glowing windows and plenty of beautiful flowers scattered about. The house itself screamed Welcome! but Minny knew better.

Minny knew what monsters were inside. He also knew that a monster was about to enter and live with him.

Minny opened the door slowly. It creaked, and then a wave of warmth hit him as he entered. Like he did every day, he took off his shoes and placed them neatly by the door. Then, he moved towards his bedroom, ready to dump his bag on his bed.

He didn't get that far.

"Benjamin, how was school?" His father's voice was stern and crisp, as always. Suddenly, knowing that this man turned Tanner into a torture machine made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He never liked his father, and rarely trusted him, but the truth made Minny all too aware of who his father actually was.

I need to escape. I need to escape before I'm next on father's list.

"It was great, sir. The classes were challenging, finally. Public school was far too easy." There, a Benjamin answer for the father.

His father placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling. "Good. I'm glad we moved you. I was beginning to think you were growing dull. Now, who is your friend? I heard someone join us."

"I'm here, father!" Tanner's voice called from somewhere. Minny didn't dare turn from his father, so he didn't look towards the voice.

His father seemed delighted, like he always was when Tanner visited. Minny wasn't sure of how Tanner's visits usually went, since he'd been out of the house for the past few years. This was the first time really being home for a Tanner visit.

It was clear to Minny that Tanner, like Lennard, was a favorite.

"Tanner, my boy, welcome back! I trust all is well back at the church?"

Tanner emerged beside Minny, an easy grin on his face. In that moment, he reminded Minny of himself. Calm, collected, charming. "Why, hello father. Everything is fantastic. Is that dinner I smell? I'm famished!"

Minny felt his father's dismissal, and he turned towards the stairs in a haste. Minny felt partly relieved that the attention was taken off of him, but he also felt terrified. Two monsters in one house was an equation for disaster, and Minny didn't want to be around for that. What he wanted to do was go and see Polly, but of course, that wasn't an option.

He could only hope she'd come back to see him at school. He had no clue of where she lived, and his school lasted longer than hers. It made seeing her up to chance, and Minny didn't like the thought of that. Not with his brother in town, and not with his father dangling her over his head as a threatening tool.

Minny reached for his phone and texted Tom.

Please look after Polly while you're in school. I'm worried about her.

Unloading his bag into his childhood bedroom, Minny dragged a hand over his face. The events of the day were wearing on him, and he needed a break. His bed, which still had rocketship bedding, groaned under his weight. It was a queen sized bed, but it was old and from when he was a boy. It looked like it didn't belong in his parents' fancy house, and that was partly why Minny hadn't changed anything in his room yet.

He stared at the ceiling and tried to breathe normally. Polly was abused. By Tanner. Because she's gay. Because he was told to by father. Things were so twisted, and Minny didn't know what to think.

An outsider would tell him that he should hate his brother because of who Tanner was, but Minny couldn't make himself hate the brother he didn't really know. He was outraged at him, but he didn't hate him.

His brother was sick in the head. He probably needed to be locked away in a mental ward, but that didn't mean Minny hated him. And a part of him hated the fact that he didn't hate Tanner.

Minny crammed his eyes shut. I do have it bad for Polly. Tanner knew just by looking at me. And Polly is gay!

At a time like this, it was trivial for Minny to think about his crush on the blonde haired girl, but he couldn't help it. There was something about her that clicked. Something about her that made conversation effortless and time fly by. Something about her made him smile.

He tried to convince himself it was just friendship. They were just friends, and they were, but Minny's heart wanted more. Just like Tanner wanted more.

Minny opened his eyes, again, and standing over his bed was Lennard.

He sat up, heart thrumming in his chest. "Lennard, what the fuck?"

Lennard sat on the edge of his bed, dressed in clothes that their father would approve of. He looked scholarly and charming "Hello to you too, Benny."

"Don't you hello me. Why are you home? Does dad know you're here?"

Lennard leaned forward and pressed a finger to Minny's lips. His finger was cold and pale, and Minny couldn't seem to focus on his face. "No, and they will if you're loud enough. Listen, I have interesting news for you."

Lennard leaned back and grinned at his brother. Lennard had always been the spontaneous twin. Where Minny was charismatic and charming, Lennard was dark and mysterious. He was the dangerous twin who had no qualms about sneaking out of the house, or sneaking in booze he stole from the local supermarket.

Lennard was as dangerous as the night. He was unlike Minny in every way possible, except for looks. The twins were identical in that way, though the Lennard in front of him didn't have a shaved head. His hair was full and dark.

"Interesting news? Lennard, you stole all of our money, and then ran to Tanner-"

"I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about your girl. And I'm talking about something more important than that. I'm talking about something dangerous."

Dangerous had always been Lennard's game. It had never been Minny's game, though Minny understood a lot about Lennard and what games he liked to play. As a child, Lennard was often getting in trouble, and pulling Minny along. "What rubbish are you spewing now? What are you even doing home-"

"Come on, to the window now. Your girl is outside, waiting."

Minny grumbled to himself, pushing off of the bed. Polly did tell him that she'd seen Lennard at Tanner's, but things weren't adding up. Minny had no clue how Lennard knew about Polly, of how Lennard knew where to find him tonight.

Things just weren't adding up.

"Did you know about Tanner and his sick hobby?" Minny hissed as they drew towards the window. The air in the room was chilled, as if the heat suddenly stopped working, and Lennard's hand on Minny's back was freezing cold.

"Of course. I applaud him, really. He's dad's favorite because of what he has the balls to do. Unlike us. Or, more like, unlike you. Look at you, you sorry piece of shit." Lennard tipped his head back and laughed. "You're just like Tanner, except you lack the danger. That makes you very boring, Benny boy. So very boring."

Minny didn't agree, and told this to Lennard, who laughed yet again. His laugh was dark and thrilling, just like he was. The years spent away from Lennard had Minny second guessing everything he thought he knew about his twin. Lennard looked different now, more sinister and less goofy. Minny wasn't positive he liked this version of Lennard.

Outside the window, Polly was standing on the ground. She was looking up at them, waving both arms frantically. Minny took that as a sign of danger, so he opened up the window and stuck his head out. The air outside felt warmer than the air in his room, almost balmy, which was strange for the fall air.

"What are you doing?" He yelled down to her, worried. He didn't care about how she got here, or how she knew what side of the house his room was on. All he cared about was the girl below who looked like she was crying.

She didn't answer him. "Dude, go out the window. Get closer to her - she can't hear you." Lennard suggested, and when Minny looked back at him, he was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed. He tilted his head towards the window in a go! gesture, so Minny listened. Never before had he even doubted Lennard, and he wasn't about to start now.

Minny edged out of the window, perched carefully on the sill. He held on tight with both hands, realizing that if he fell, he could break his neck. It was a thought that plagued the back of his mind, but he focused on the girl in his backyard. "Polly, are you alright? Why are you crying?"

She didn't respond, as if she couldn't hear him, and then her mouth was moving, but he couldn't hear a thing she was saying. He leaned forward, just a little-

"Ben, what on Earth are you doing? Trying to kill yourself?"

Instead of Lennard's voice, it was Tanner's. He felt hands on his waist, steadying him. Then, "Are you stupid? Come back into the room, you freak!" The worried edge in Tanner's voice had him scrambling back inside. For a brief moment, he thought something was wrong with Tanner.

Once Minny was back inside, he looked out the window, but Polly was gone. And so was his twin. "Where did Lennard go?"

"Lennard?" Tanner looked at him with wide eyes. "What are you smoking? Lennard isn't here!"

Minny shook his head, looking around the room. The room looked empty, and how that he was back inside, the room felt warm and alive. His body shivered from the cold of the window being open, and he shivered from something else. Something entirely Lennard. "No, he was, he was right here, I swear. I just saw him. He-"

"Was never here, Ben. I think you're stressed, so maybe you should lay down. I came to get you for dinner, but I think sleep is a better option for you. C'mon, onto the bed."

Minny let Tanner guide him down, his heart beating hard in his chest. He could have sworn Lennard was in here. Why else would Minny have gone to the window and sat on the sill, dangerously close to falling?

You're boring, Benny boy! Minny could heard Lennard's voice in his ear, echoing around the room. Danger was a game Lennard played, not Minny, and what Minny had just done was incredibly dangerous.

Lennard had been there, but it was clear he hadn't been. Which left Minny to believe either he was hallucinating, or that Lennard had died and become a ghost.

Either was possible. 

* * *

Follow my twitter: https://twitter.com/UWbooks

Follow my blog: https://wickedpromisesblog.wordpress.com/