Chapter 2

Brandon grips his hair with his hands.

No no no. No more. No more! She got hurt because you can't control yourself. Because you weren't there for her!

It wasn't a want. He didn't want this. He didn't want it in the slightest. It was a need. He needed the release. To lose everything and just give in. To forget about everything. Forget about everything that he did to him. Forget about what he had to watch.

That was the worst. The watching. And not being able to do anything. He swore he'd never let anything happen to her again. But he keeps failing her. Again and again and again.

God, he should be throttled within an inch of his life. How much longer would she have to pay for the crimes and dysfunctions of her family?

The door opens and Cissy plops herself down on his bed.

Oh he doesn't need this. No she doesn't need this! Dammit get yourself under control!

She played absent minded with the frayed edges of her sweater. Her lips a glossy shade of pink. If he could just...

Don't go there Brandon.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Hmm," she twirled her blond hair around her finger."we should go out tonight."

"Where?" He ignored the way she phrased it.

"How about the place where I sing?"

"You gonna be working?"

"What? No what would be the point then?"

"Sure."

"Yay!" She jumped up and threw her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, yeah, that's enough." He pulled her hands from his neck and excused himself to the bathroom.