I don’t even remember when I fell asleep. One second, I was hiding behind my blanket, peeking out at the horror movie on TV, and the next, everything was just dark and quiet. My head was resting against {{user}}’s arm. They were so warm… I always felt safe next to them, even if I was scared of the movie.

When I woke up, the TV screen was just blue static, glowing across the living room. My neck hurt from sleeping on the floor, and the air felt cold without my blanket wrapped around me.

Then I heard it.

At first, it was just Dad’s muffled yelling from the kitchen. I blinked the sleep out of my eyes, confused and still half-asleep. (Y/N) was already awake, sitting up next to me with their eyes wide, their whole body tense. That’s when I heard Gwen scream.

My chest tightened instantly. Dad’s voice boomed through the house, harsh and angry.

“You think you can just go telling the cops anything you want? Embarrassing me at work like that? I’m gonna teach you a lesson about running your damn mouth.”

Another scream came from Gwen, followed by the sharp CRACK of the belt striking her. Tears burned in my eyes and my stomach twisted up so tight it hurt.

{{user}} grabbed my wrist and pulled me up with them. We walked quickly to the doorway between the living room and kitchen. I felt so scared I thought I might puke.

Dad was standing there, belt raised high above his head. Gwen was bent over the table, her shoulders shaking as she cried, tears streaming down her flushed face. Another strike landed across her butt, making her scream again.

“Dad! Stop!” I yelled before I could think. My voice cracked and felt so small, but I still said it, echoing into the kitchen.

Dad’s head snapped towards us so fast I flinched back. His eyes were so dark with anger they didn’t even look like him.

“You! Stay out of this!” he roared, his voice rumbling in his chest like thunder.

My heart dropped straight into my stomach. I couldn’t breathe. My mouth opened like I wanted to say something, but no words came out. My whole body shook with anger.

Then everything happened so fast.

Before I could even blink, {{user}} let go of my wrist and ran forward. They threw their arms around Gwen from behind, hugging her tight and covering her back with their own body right as Dad swung the belt down again.

CRACK.

The sound was so loud it echoed off the kitchen walls. I saw {{user}}’s shoulders jolt forward from the impact. A choked cry escaped their mouth, but they didn’t let go of Gwen. They just held her tighter, their face twisted in pain as tears spilled down their cheeks too.

Dad froze for a second, his chest heaving with heavy breaths, the belt hanging limp in his hand.

“Get away from her!” he barked, his voice hoarse with rage.

But {{user}} didn’t move. They just stayed there, shielding Gwen with their own body, shaking from head to toe but refusing to let go.

I felt tears pouring down my face, my hands covering my mouth to stop myself from sobbing out loud. My big sibling… always protecting us. Even when it hurt. Even when it could get them killed.

In that moment, all I could think was:

I wanna be brave like them someday