Braxton

“Someone took one of my fucking ninja stars,” I hiss, my words whistling through my snaga tooth mouth more than usual.

Noah turns looking up at me, from the floor. Everyone knows when it comes to those stars, I always keep them in their place, shining in the display case dad made for me. They were a gift from Uncle Rob, Heather’s dad.

Speaking of Heather, I narrow my eyes at her. She’s the only one not looking at me. She has her knees curled into her chest, as she tries to pretend she’s watching TV.

Bean’s sitting next to her, with the same curious look on her face Noah has. Ry looks like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. I watch him, seeing when the pieces fall into place. We both turn to Heather.

“You sure someone took it,” Noah asks.

I don’t answer him right away. I’m too busy watching Heather fidget. She still hasn’t turned my way. She reaches up to tug her hat down over her ratty looking hair.

She’s looking a mess again. It’s hot in here, but she won’t take that hat off and she has on long sleeves and sweat pants. I twist my lips, frowning.

“Where’s Mom?” I ask.

Heather stiffens, her head snapping in my direction. Her eyes almost pleading with me. I know it was her. She took the star.

“Come on, don’t go getting us all in trouble, if you’re not sure who took it,” Noah groans.

“Nah, I think I know where I left it,” I shrug. “I just need to talk to Mom.”

Heather’s eyes water, just before she gets up to rush from the room. I don’t even think, I’m right on her heels. She runs right out the front door.

“I got it,” I call behind me, as I feel Ryan on my heels.

I don’t turn to see who else might be following us. Heather’s fast, but I’m a good runner. She darts up the block, crossing the street into her dad’s backyard. No one’s home, our dads will be back sometime tomorrow.

Heather whirls around on me. Her entire body is shaking. I ignore the tears that are covering her face. Heather hasn’t gotten any better over the last month, since I said something to her. Actually, it’s gotten worse. She’s so distant from everything.

I watch as she pulls the star from her sweatpants pocket. She hurls her shaky hand out towards me. I jump back, looking up at her. Heather’s taller than me, even though I’m tall for my age.

“Watch it, will ya,” I say.

“Here, take it. Just don’t tell on me. Okay?” she says with wide eyes.

I push her hand back towards her. “You need it, you keep it,” I shake my head.

Heather knits her brows at me. I shrug, folding my arms over my chest. I’m not taking it back.

“Are you going to tell?” she sniffles.

“No, not if you let me help,” I reply.

Her eyes grow wider. “Help? You’re six. You can’t help,” she mutters.

I puff my chest out. “Yes, I can. Do you know how to use that thing? I can show you. Have you been practicing fighting? I know you like girly stuff, but you shouldn’t stop practicing.

“We can run some drills back here. No one has to know. Or we can get Noah—,” I start, but Heather throws her hands up to stop me.

“No, we can’t tell anyone else. I’ll let you help, but we can’t tell anyone else. My dad…I can’t let dad find out,” Heather rushes.

“Find out what,” I frown.

“Nothing,” Heather murmurs. “Are you going to help me or not?”

She gently places the star in her pocket and tugs off her long sleeve shirt. My brows shoot into my hairline. I had no idea Heather grew such big tits. I mean they’re huge.

I know what boobs are. I hear my brothers talking about them all the time. I just didn’t know Heather had such big ones. I look at her long sleeve shirt, as it hits the ground. My brain spins.

Heather is always covered these days. I can’t remember the last time she wore something girly or smelled girly. My stomach rolls and my chest burns.

Last year, there was a girl in Wyatt’s class. I overheard him and Noah talking about someone touching her wrong. My brothers were so disgusted that this happened to their friend.

Something tells me, I’ve just found out why Heather has been having trouble. I’m so angry, as I think of someone trying to hurt my friend. In this moment, I wish I was bigger. I wish I could beat the shit out of whoever has been bothering her.

“One day, I’m going to be big and when I am, whoever’s fucking with you, I’m going to kick their ass. You got that,” I say in my rage.

Heather gives me the first smile I’ve seen on her face in,—I don’t know how long. She reaches out to mess the top of my hair. It’s something I only let her do. I hate people fucking with my hair.

“I got it,” she says, and my heart squeezes in my chest.

It’s that funny feeling again. I ignore it like before. I have no idea what it is. I just know that when we leave this backyard. Heather will be able to use that star and kick someone’s ass.

* * *

Heather

I only took the star because I was thinking about using it on Ernest so he can never hurt my dad. The closer it has come to my father’s return, the more Ernest has been making threats. I just thought…I don’t know what I thought.

I just know, having the ninja star in my pocket makes me feel a whole lot safer. I’ve been needing something to hold onto. Spending time with Braxton, in my dad’s backyard helped a lot.

I heard Ernest telling Mom she should get full custody of me. I swear, I almost broke down and told mom right then. I want to go live with my dad, but it looks like Ernest is going to try to block that anyway he can.

‘Rob’s life is just too unstable.’ I heard him tell Mom.

There’s no way I’m staying here. I need to go live with my dad. I have to figure out a way to get my dad to let me stay with him. I can’t tell him what’s been going on, but I have to find a way to get out of here.

Even if I wasn’t terrified of what Ernest might do, I’m too embarrassed to tell anyone now. I feel so ashamed and dirty. I keep thinking, there had to be something I could’ve done to stop this from happening.

Yet, I know it can get worse. I have to stop him, before he takes things any further. He promised that he would. It’s why I crept into Brax’s room to take one of his stars. My time is running out. Just maybe I can defend myself.

I’ve had a small break from Ernest’s attention in the last week. Mom has been sick with the flu or something. I’ve never been happier to see her sick. She hasn’t been able to work her shifts at the hospital.

I’ve seen how angry mom being home has made Ernest. He glares at me, when she isn’t looking. Although, I think I see something else in his eyes. I haven’t been able to figure it out. Yet, something about that look gave me the courage to take Braxton’s star.

I saw that look this morning, when Mom announced she was going back to work and my dad would be back tomorrow. A part of me has never feared for my safety more, but another part of me is too scared to fight. Still, something is telling me that this is my time. I have to fight now.

After mom’s announcement, I asked permission to hang out at Bean’s house. I figured I could try to spend the night and not have to return before tomorrow, when Dad’s back. Unfortunately, Ernest was on to me.

“I’ll take you over there and pick you up after work,” he answered for Mom.

“I thought I could sleepover,” I muttered.

“Who’s going to take care of your kitten,” he grumbled.

“Oh, Honey, it was so sweet of Ernest to get you Whiskers. I think it would be best if you come home and take care of him,” Mom nods.

“I can take him with me,” I tried.

I used to want a kitten. I had asked Mom for one before. Whiskers was one of Ernest’s gifts after our secret time. I hate looking at that kitten, but if it means I get to spend the night at Bean’s I’ll take it with me.

“I told you already that you shouldn’t be taking him all over the place. Now, we’re letting you go over there to play. God knows why. You’ll come home, when I get off work and take care of your own cat,” Ernest snaps.

“I’ll leave you some of your favorite for dinner, spaghetti. You and Ernest can have it for dinner. Besides, Whiskers will miss you,” Mom says, while fingering through her tablet.

Most likely shopping and totally missing what’s going on in the room, right in front of her. Mom’s been talking about the wedding again. Ernest just nods, as she goes on and on.

I was so mad, I pushed my food away and stormed out of the kitchen. I thought it couldn’t get any worse than breakfast. I was so wrong.

When Ernest drove me over to Bean’s, he kept his hand on my thigh the entire way. My skin felt like it was crawling under my sweats. Every time I tried to move away, he would just squeeze tighter.

“Remember, you keep your mouth shut or I’ll make sure your dad disappears. If you tell and he comes after me, I’ll make sure he rots somewhere in the desert,” Ernest warned, when pulling up to Bean’s.

“I haven’t said anything,” I whispered.

“Good, keep it that way. I’ll see you later,” he purred with that stupid grin on his face that I hate so much.

I got out of the car and started to go to Bean’s, but I saw Aunt Cass walking into the house ahead of me. I turned in the other direction quickly, ending up at the Black house. I still know better than to be within ten feet of Aunt Cassy.

I found Noah and Bean watching TV. I sat quietly to join them. My mind was spinning in circles, when I remembered Braxton’s stars. There just small enough to hide and hold in my hand, but big enough to hurt someone if you tried.

I knew Braxton would be pissed that I took it. I just hoped he wouldn’t notice right away. Now, I’m glad he did. Brax’s a good fighter. It helped to practice with him. At least, it helped to make me feel better.

I tighten into a ball in the center of the bed. I have the star pressed flat against my palm in between my thighs. I don’t know what I plan to do, I just feel like I have to do something.

One more night, I will survive one more night. Then Dad will be home. When dad is home, I’ll be safe. Ernest won’t be able to keep me with him and Mom all the time. I’ll forget all the gross stuff and never have to come back here. My Dad will make me safe, he has to.

The bed dips and I squeeze my eyes shut. I fight back a whimper, when Ernest squeezes my breast over my shirt. He smells of alcohol and musty smoke.

“Your mother has a great ass, but she doesn’t have half of your rack,” he breathes in my ear.

He reaches for the waistband of my pants and something snaps inside me. I can’t let this happen. All I hear in my head is Braxton’s voice.

‘Be smart Heather, we’re small, but we can fuck shit up. Be smart, surprise is our friend.’ He coached, in my father’s backyard.

I take a deep breath and allow Ernest to remove my pants. I know I have to attack before he tries to get on top of me, but I need him distracted. I roll to my back, still holding the star out of sight.

That’s when I see he is already naked. I panic and kick out. Hitting him right between the legs. I lash out with the star, hoping to slice his throat, but my short arms miss, as he doubles over in pain. Instead, I only slash his chest.

I curse myself for panicking. Braxton had shown me how to toss the star. I should’ve tossed it, not try to use it like a knife.

“Fuck,” Ernest hisses out.

I don’t waste any time, I jump from the bed, rushing for the door. Only, I just don’t move fast enough. The one time I need to be fast and my legs fail me.

I feel the pain bite through my scalp, as Ernest snatches a hand full of my hair, tugging me back. That’s the last thing I remember, because in the next move, I’m slammed against the floor and I blackout.