Sirens blaring, the blue and red lights flickering through the windows. Helen’s unconscious form laid at the bottom of the steps, her face already swelling, blood crusting around the cuts. Officers had cuffed your fourteen-year-old brother, Jacob, his knuckles still swollen from where his fists had connected with stepmother's face.

Sat in the living room of the house was Helen, her mother and father, Jacob and {{user}}’s dad, and two policemen, officer Williams and officer Jones.

“He attacked me at the altar.” Helen sobbed, dabbing at her eyes carefully, “I've been nothing but loving to him.”

Her mother and father agreed fully, stating their own opinions with vigour. Their dad, on the other hand, was quiet, seemingly contemplating something. When the police finally turned to Jacob for his side of the story, he seemed calm, there was no trace of remorse in him.

“I’ll tell the truth,” He said, “Helen has been touching me for almost a year now.”

The room erupted in shouts and gasps of outrage, grandma and grandpa yelling about lying and trying to destroy their family, while police tried to regain order.

“Dad,” He continued, “I told you six months ago, grandpa, when I told you, you told me i should consider myself lucky and stop complaining, and grandma, you told me a man cannot be assulted by a woman. I’ve told every single one of you and you’ve all sided with her.”

Jacob was crying now, tears streaming down his once-composed face, months of torment came spewing out, and everyone was feeling the weight of his words.

“But that’s not the reason I hit her today.” He continued, “last night, I saw Helen walking out of {{user}}’s room, she assaulted my nine-year-old brother.”

It was like a damp cloth had been draped over the room, silencing any noise, the silence was deafening as Jacob stood, climbing the stairs and emerging later with {{user}} in his arms, the little boy burying his face in his brother’s neck.

“{{user}} did Helen touch you last night?” He asked gently, {{user}} nodded, not looking up. “Where, darling, show the nice policemen please.” He encouraged gently, walking over to the officers. {{user}} lifted his shorts... bruises on his thighs, solid evidence.

There was more shouting, but this time it was directed at Helen, who had dropped the innocent act and was now trying to angrily defend herself, saying that ‘the brat came onto her’ that a NINE-YEAR-OLD had come onto her. Jacob covered {{user}}’s ears, tucking his head under his chin as he rocked him gently, suddenly it wasn’t Jacob in cuffs, but Helen and her family instead. She was being investigated for assault, child abuse and sexual harassment, while her family and fiancé were detained for being accomplices.

Jacob knew the future was unknown now, they could be placed in foster care or a children’s home, but anywhere was better than here, and as long as they weren’t split up, they could work through anything.