Beckett P.O.V

School was school. People came to listen to me talk, but I wasn't motivated enough to bother delivering a great speech.
As Eric and I walked out of the school gates together, I placed a slip of paper in his pudgy hand. I adjusted the collar on my coat, leaving him behind to read the paper. I heard him gasp in delight, looking around, trying to see me.

I was already half-way up the street, not wanting to have to explain my reasons behind an impromptu meeting of our members. I'd think of a reason when the time came- at that moment, I just wanted to get home, and think. Alone. I didn't want Eric's breath on my shoulder as I tried to think of a way to justify the audacity of my own thoughts. I didn't want to be stared at, until words came from my mouth. I had a speech to practice, and drugs to take.

As I neared my house, I heard somebody shout my name. I looked around, hoping that it wasn't Eric. I inhaled deeply, turning on my heel, to see our neighbour Lucy smiling at me. She waved me over to her, I obliged. I assumed that she was looking after my half-siblings, as soon as I came near her cheery disposition vanished into thin air. Opening the gate, closing it courteously, I walked leisurely over to her. She looked around her, checking to see if she was child-free, before speaking.

"I-I know that it's wrong of me to ask, but I need to make sure. Will you promise not to tell your mom?" She asked, grimacing. I nodded, already dreading what I was about to hear.
"Something's wrong with Bryan." She said, fidgeting with her hands. My heart sank, and I knew who was to blame for whatever was wrong with Bryan.

"What's wrong?" I asked, chewing my bottom lip, trying to hold in the rage that was boiling within me.

"He's covered in bruises Beckett, I would say that it's because he's a seven-year-old boy, but they're everywhere. He's got them on his face, his legs and arms, even his butt. I don't want to start making accusations- so, c-could you please talk to him. For me?" She spoke hurriedly, a sense of urgency in her voice.
I nodded quickly, feeling my face go red, holding in the anger. It's a good job that dear Ronald's not home, a menacing voice in my head told me, because we both know that you'd destroy him as soon as you were in the same room. I agreed with the voice, knowing that I would indeed strangle the fat lump until lard poured out of his pores.

Lucy thanked me, exchanging the four children for a smile. I picked up the youngest one, Cicely, carrying her across the road as the other sprinted across. She had wrapped her little hand around strands of my hair, comforting herself in the absence of her mother.
Bryan walked sombrely behind us all, I made sure to stop so that he caught up. He looked sad, like he was completely and utterly done with living- which isn't a feeling that a little boy should have. I stopped, sticking my hand out, he held onto it tightly. I felt sorry for the poor little boy, he was abused- momma knew that. Anybody could see it, and the fact that our neighbour had to tell me and not his own mother sickened me increasingly.

The little blonde heads of the other two children were waiting eagerly at the gate to our house, waiting for me to be near before they went inside. Ronald's car was absent from the driveway, as was momma's, so I knew that I would have the opportunity to talk to Bryan without interference from the both of them.
I put the little one down, ushering them all inside.

"Keep your coats on or your mom will kill me!" I yelled after them, as they sped through the hallway, to the kitchen. I shook my head, forgetting that Bryan was still holding my hand. I closed the front door, kneeling down on the floor in front of Bryan. He looked detached, like he had been so badly brutalised that he didn't know how to think anymore. I frowned, brushing his cheek with the back of my hand to get his attention. He looked down at me, sad and forlorn.

"Are you okay, Bryan?" I asked in a low tone, his eyes darting away from me. He clearly didn't want to talk about what was troubling him, but as his brother, it was my duty to protect him from anything that could threaten him. "Bryan. I'm your brother, you can tell me what's upsetting you, and I promise to protect you forever and ever, okay?" I said, holding out my pinky finger. He sighed, curling his small finger around mine.
"Was it your dad?" I asked, demanding to know  exactly who it was that had harmed him.

"D-daddy hit m-me with the-the b-belt because I-I did-didn't g-get m-my words out-t." He said, closing his eyes, swallowing. He was trying to keep himself calm, as whenever he was anxious about talking he'd stutter uncontrollably. It was my duty as his older brother to let him speak, as it would help him learn to speak properly.

"He hit you with the belt?" I asked, my mind instantly thinking of ways that I could brutally murder Ronald.

"Uhuh." He said, nodding, sniffling. I sighed, looking at the ground. I held onto his little arms, trying not to get too emotional in front of him. Letting go of one of his arms, I reached into the pocket of my coat, taking out a badge.
He watched me pin it to the pocket of his faded shirt- one that I wore when I was his age- I folded the collar of his shirt down.

"Do you know what's so special about this badge?" I asked, smiling at him. He copied me, shaking his head. The innocence in his blue eyes was charming, taming the anger deep inside me.

"No."

"This badge, means that nobody can hurt you. If they do, I'll know. Look, we both have one. B for Beckett, B for Bryan." I said, showing him my badge. He nodded, wrapping his arms around my neck, I hugged him. I didn't hold onto him too tightly, knowing that his tiny body was covered in bruises, and I could never hurt him. He smiled, I ruffled his hair, encouraging him to join his siblings outside.

I growled angrily, punching the floor angrily. My fist ached immensely, but I wouldn't show my anger around a child like Bryan. He was sensitive, through no fault of his own, and I wasn't going to build on that.
After kicking the wall, I wandered into the kitchen, keeping an eye on the little ones as they played. Bryan seemed cheered up by his protective badge- I meant what I said.

I sat on the counter, supervising them from inside. I wasn't going to stand outside in the cold with them, I would much rather die than do that. Crossing my arms across my body, my boots tapped against the cupboard doors, as they played together outside. I could hear them shrieking with happiness as they chased each other outside, even the littlest one was enjoying herself. I could swear to anybody that I would protect each and every one of them- no matter what. If it meant murdering their father; then so be it.

I heard the front door open, my mum sighing exasperatedly. She left her things by the door, her heels clicking against the floor as she entered the kitchen. "Hey son, you're home earlier than usual. Lucy said that you took the kids home." She said, a smile across her face.

"They're outside momma." I said, pointing out of the window as she stood next to me. She rested her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it affectionately.

"Thank you honey, you're too good to me." She patted my shoulder, before wrapping her arms around my waist. She sighed.

"Tough day at work momma?" I asked, looking down at her. She nodded, yawning. She'd be out again in a few hours or so, working another job to support the family. She always took the time to tuck each of her babies into bed before she left for her second job of the day, giving me a lecture before she went.

"Every day is a tough day at work, baby. But, if it means keeping you guys safe, warm, and full of food then I don't care whether or not my days are tough." She squeezed my cheek, I smiled, trapping her hand between my ear and my shoulder.
I loved the woman more than living itself, she would do anything for all five of us, even if it meant working herself to the ground. We could've survived off one of her pay cheques alone, if it wasn't for her alcoholic husband. He spent hundreds of dollars every week, pissing alcohol down the drain.

"Can I have a few friends over tonight? We'll be quiet, I promise?" I asked, looking at her with hopeful eyes. She sighed, nodding her head, throwing her hands in the air.

"If one of the kids gets up, you put them straight back to bed- okay? I won't have them up past their bed time. If Ronald comes home, heaven forbid, then your friends go home straight away. No ifs. No ands. No buts." She said sternly, wagging her finger at me.

I held my hands in the air, surrendering to her demands. She smiled again, hurrying out to join her children. I cracked my knuckles, beginning to think.
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Song Of The Chapter- Beauty Quest by Slaves

A.N
Just gonna put it out there, Slaves and Rat Boy would be Beckett's fave bands if he was a real person- and he'd have a deep passion for old music as well (as most of my characters do.)
Anyway, don't forget to comment and vote because it really helps me out my lovelies <3