Fight By My Side

Despite trying to close my eyes and sleep, I was restless. All the tricks seemed to not work. I'd get distracted while counting and imagined chasing the sheep that jumped over the little imaginary fence. Twenty minutes were wasted before I leaped out of bed and went out. Mike was content to pull out a pair of drumsticks he had salvaged from an abandoned house and tap rhythms out on a drum pad.

"They'll be here soon." He commented on a break from the intense drum session. I sat on the couch, leaning back against the pillows and sighed. The clock rung out 11:30, the time they were allowed back here. Mike set down his sticks and came over, sitting next to me. I turned to face him. A creak above us put me on alert. Of course they would be back, right on the dot.

"Do you want me to send them away again?" Mike asked in a whisper. Shaking my head, I knew I didn't want them away again. Besides, I couldn't keep them away forever.

"Nah, I'll just wait out here on the couch." I murmured. Mike nodded and gave me a pat on the shoulder. I followed him with my eyes as he left. The room's quietness was suffocating. The chaos that Jack and Vic created normally warded off all uncomfortable silences.

Mike came down the stairs soon after he went up. Picking up his drum sticks, he put them away. The boy tucked them in a corner and leaned against the bar counter. Two other soft pairs of footsteps trailed a moment afterwards. The glowing overhanging lights seemed to flicker as Jack and Vic walked in.

Jack's eyes flickered to me for a moment before looking down. I watched as both boys went off to separate corners of the room. I felt a little anger bubbling up, but breathed through it and calmed myself. Neither looked up at me or each other. They were busy fiddling with the zipper on their jacket or the laces on the left shoe. Mike just shook his head.

This was going to be a long afternoon.

Mike offered to make lunch, and it cheered me up a slight bit. Mike always made the best sandwiches. I offered to come and help, but he told me to just sit at the bar. The chair squeaked against the tiles underneath it as I pulled out the chair and sat down. The wood was cold and smooth against my back.

Mr. Service with a Smile offered me my lunch and a coke. Taking it, I started to slowly munch on the bread. He always knew my favorite sandwich-peanut butter and jelly. It was simple, but a classic. Vic hesitantly walked over at the far end of island and picked up the two plates. Without looking at one another, I focused on my food. The shamed Fuentes delivered the other plate to Jack and sat next to him. Silence filled the Sanctuary once again.

"Here, i'll take your plate." Mike offered. Thankfully, he took my plate and washed it. Sliding off the lonely chair, my bare feet touched the scraggly carpet. The afternoon seemed to be so slow and heavy.

By the time the clock rang out eight at night, right after a wordless pizza dinner, I leaned back on the couch. This would be the time where Jack would beg to watch a movie and Vic curled up against my side. No such thing happened. Mike sat next to me with a piece of paper between us.

"Ha! I win again." He scoffed. I grinned. When in doubt, play tic-tac-toe! Mike had an affinity for this game and I gladly challenged him. In the next five minutes, I managed to win three more games. He put away the game and lounged on one of the bean bags.

I spotted movement in the corner of my vision as I stretched out on the well loved couch. It was Vic, who had the gumption to slowly sit down in the other bean bag on the far side. He looked at me for permission and I slowly nodded. He took his seat and relaxed. Jack followed suit and sat down on the floor next to him.

Slyly, I studied the red marks on his arm. Three long scratches made red lines down his arms and part of it was bleeding. On his neck was three red marks and a dried trail of blood. Small pricks of dried scarlet littered the collar of his grey shirt. Regret and shame hit me like a load of bricks. Vic was my brother, and I had hurt him on an impulse. I know I was supposed to remain stoic and act tough, but deep down I was feeling the remorse. Being the person I was, I made an impulse decision.

Standing up suddenly, I leaped off the couch and took a few steps to Vic and Jack's beanbag. They looked up in fear as I loomed over them. In a fluid motion, I leaned over and grasped the front of Vic's shirt. Yanking him up, I pulled him along. He squealed out of surprise.

"Help me! I'm going to be axe murdered!" He screamed in terror. Jack and Mike jumped up after him.

"I'm not going to murder you! I don't even have my damn axe with me!" I growled to them. Jack and Mike halted as I dragged Vic back to the infirmary room and slammed the door behind me. Vic backed up against a wall, as if he was trying to mold into the cool colors of the walls.

I rummaged through the cabinets, searching for the supplies. I took it out and set it on the table. He watched me curiously as I organized the cloth, bandages, and disinfectant.

"Sit." I commanded him. Vic obediently sat on the patient table. I walked over to him and gripped his arm tightly, flipping it over to expose the slightly paler skin underneath. Victor hissed in pain as I clean off the wound and poured the disinfectant over it. Part of the sensitive skin started to bleed a little as I cleaned the wound. After wrapping up the scratches in fresh bandages, I moved to the injuries I had caused on his neck. He watched me curiously until I pushed his head back and forced his tangled mess of hair on his back.

I was finished quickly and put my stuff back in the cabinets. When the supplies were safely tucked in the wood cabinets under the bright lights, I went back and examined the white bandages around his neck, adjusting as necessary. But this was just to get my mind off the guilt that rose through my mind. I looked down to see Vic's big brown eyes wide and staring at mine. I gave him a weak half smile and brushed the stray piece of hair out of his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Wynter." He murmured. I raised an eyebrow. The fight had long gone out of me.

"I know." I whispered back. He did stupid things sometimes and he loved to goof around, but I he was my brother and I loved him nonetheless. I kept running my fingers through his long hair and kissed his forehead lightly. He took in a sharp breath of surprise. My own actions shocked me as well, but it was more of a sisterly action with no intention of deep passion.

"You're my brother and I can't stand to see you hurt, even by me. But I'm still mad at you." I shook a finger at him. Vic just stared back at me, a dazed look in his eyes.

"You're still cute when you're angry." He smiled. I shook my head.

"Pushing it, Fuentes." I raised an eyebrow. He stared back at the floor.

"Sorry."

"March." I told him, pointing to the door. I still had somethings to straighten up. Vic hopped off the table and went to the door. It was obvious he was trying to hide his happiness. As the door closed softly behind me, I sighed. The blankets in the corner of the room needed to be refolded. The soft cloth relaxed me as the final bits of tension that had lingered and held on was released in each fold. When I finally felt peace, I stood up and walked to the door.

I opened it to find Jack sitting on the other side. He looked down at me expectantly. Placing my hands on my hips, I stared up at Jack. Mike poked his head out behind him. Oh, I knew what he wanted.

"You love Vic more!" He cried out despondently. Vic laughed from the living room. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him down to my level, where I kissed him on the forehead as well. Jack blushed bright red and grinned ear to ear.

"I love you to Jack." I chuckled. For a moment, things seemed a little more normal. Mike came up, holding his hands behind his back and looking at me.

"Come here Mike." I laughed. Mike giggled as I kissed him on the cheek. Jack and Vic let out a cry of anguish.

"Why is Mikey special?" Jack whined. I stuck my tongue out as Mike looked surprised behind me.

"Because Mikey behaved today." I reminded them. They both shut up afterwards. Mike smirked at his brother who sulked in the corner. I went out to the couch where Vic sat and I settled down beside him.

Yes, the night seemed to turn back to normal.

Vic leaned over and pecked me on the cheek. I blushed in the surprise action. He pumped his fist in the air.

"Haha! I kissed her back!" He crowed. Well, things were most normal.

Notes

I hoped you liked this chapter! More coming up!

Rate/Comment/Subscribe!