"Beyond the Bruises"

Prompt: Zack is your normal teenage boy. But he had issues. Brother issues. He hates his older brother Zane. Zack isn't sure if his brother hates him or not. But he's been neglected by him. So Zack thinks that Zane hates him. When its the complete opposite. Ever since the two brothers mother had passed away, Their father has been abusive towards them. When Zane had turned 18, and Zack was 15, Zane immediately moved out. Zack begged Zane to let him come with him, But Zane refused and left without a word. Chapter 1 - It was lonely in Zack's house. He was now 16, Its been a year since his older brother Zane had moved out. Now it was Just him and his abusive father. When Zack went out of his room, He was greeted by a disgusting sight, His father laid back on his armchair, beer bottle all around the floor, the television turned on. Zack wasn't sure if his father was just sleeping or dead, Either way, he did not care. Zack hadn't eaten in days, Since his father didn't have a job, he had spent all his money on alcohol. So Zack went to his neighbors house to hopefully find some food. Chapter 2 - Mrs. Patterson. A old woman in her 70s living alone next to Zacks house. Zack would often come over. And Mrs. Patterson wouldn't mind at all. She was caring towards Zack, since she knew the situation he was in. Mrs. Patterson insisted on calling the police one night last year, when she saw Zack with bruises and blood everywhere on his body, But he pleaded not to. So Mrs. Patternson, Agreed. Zack rang the doorbell of the old woman's house, Of course, Mrs. Patterson was happy to have him. As she fed him with newly cooked food, she couldn't help but feel pity for this young man. Chapter 3 (Flashback) - Flashback to a year ago. Zack was 15, Who was badly beaten by his father. Mrs. Patterson, Who was just quietly knitting in her armchair in the living room, heard her doorbell ring. Once he opened her door, she was met with a badly beated and bruised up Zack, His head fixed on the floor. Being the kind woman Mrs. Patterson was, She let him inside, patched his wounds and gave him a place to stay that night. Once she asked Zack on why he had showed up in such a horrible state, he told her about his father's situation. She immediately got up and tried calling the police, But Zack quickly told her not to. So she just agreed. Chapter 4 - A week later, One night, Zack's father beat him up again. But this time it was worse. His face was bleeding. Zack was so scared. So he immediately ran out of the house. Zack's father, shouted at him to never come back and wishes he dies on the streets, which made Zack feel even worse. Mrs. Patterson was out of town. So he had nowhere to go to that he knew was safe. So he went somewhere he had never thought he would go to. His older brother Zane's apartment. Chapter 5 - Zack had gotten his brothers address through his girlfriend Allie, Allie was like a sister to Zack, she made sure he knew where Zane was, just incase something happens. It made him furious that his own brothers girlfriend cares more than he does. Once he got to the front of his brothers apartment. He hesitated. Did he want to do this? It would be awkward facing Zane again. But he had no choice. It was stay here or go back to his hell of a house. And anywhere was better than there. So he rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, it opened, Zane. Zane was startled that it was his younger brother. Why was he here? Zane had wondered. Chapter 6 - Zack and Zane had just stood there. not talking. Zack had kept his head down, refusing to make eye contact. Thats when Zane had teached out and lifted his little brothers chin, just to reveal blood and bruises of Zacks face. Zane asked if their dad had done this. And Zack just nodded. Zane just looked at his younger brother with a blank expression. Zack asked if he could stay the night. And Zane agreed. Chapter 7 - Zane had patched up Zack's wounds. They were quiet most of the time. Until Zack finally spoke up. He asked to Zane on why he had just left. Zane's usually black and unreadable expression was replaced with a more soft and guilty expression. Zane admits that there wasn't a day he regrets not taking Zack with him. There wasn't a day he had felt guilty for just leaving Zack in that hell. Upon hearing this, Zack immediately felt a rollercoaster of emotions. Sad, angry, and for a moment, he felt as if he saw his older brother for the first time. Zack immediately hugged his brother. and of course, Zane hugged hed him back, as Zack started to sob against his brothers chest, Zane couldn't help but let out a tear as well. Chapter 8 - The next day. Zane had called the police to finally arrest their devil of a dad. Zack was scared. What would happen? But Zane reassured him. Once the police had arrested their father, Their dad was found guilty for child abuse, and drug possession. He was sentenced to 36 years in prison. Zack had now lived with his brother and and His brother's girlfriend Allie. Zack, the once broken young man, suffering through abuse, the boy who used to be so lifeless. Was getting much better. And he had a bond with his brother he never thought he would had....In a long time, he was feeling...Happy.