Back in black

Hey buddy. Welcome to the second season of Siblings Always Stick Together. Before you dive into the new adventures, lovely affairs and criseses which I'm glad to serve you, let me briefly inform you about the changes I've made this season.

I'm trying to keep the chapters a little shorter from now on. So far I've settled in at about 2500 words. (We'll see how I do or if we end up at 11000 again...) With the shortening I'm trying to post my chapters more regularly but the focus is still on the reading experience which I hope you've been happy with so far. Let's not kid ourselves. If you've read 107 chapters, you must like something here, right? ;)

The biggest change is my Patreon account. Yeah, I know, it had to come eventually. And there's not much I can do to not make myself look like a money-hungry bastard. I will continue to publish EVERYTHING I write on Patreon here on CHYOA as well. The people who decide to support me on Patreon just get some things extra. Most importantly, they buy time. I will put my chapters online there first with the possibility for influence. Of course I'm happy when I get something for the time I put into my hobby (which might be more than a hobby) but mostly I write for you. I just like to give people something they like. I know, what a jerk ;) But hey, if you find something shiny under your bed and want to push it my way, I'd really appreciate it. But even if you don't, you're welcome to the worlds I create for you.

For now, for every chapter I publish here on CHYOA, I'll post two on Patreon until I've proven myself worthy of the people who honor me with their hard-earned money. I don't expect the club to get too big, so this will be a pretty elitist thing I think. And I will post in German and English as usual.

https://www.patreon.com/writingshark

Okay. Way too much talking. Have fun and fly safe.

Chapter 1

"So, how are you?" A silly question. Everyone can see how Denise Van Buren is doing. Even you with your head clouded with love. But it's also that love that has you sitting here now. It has come as it had to come and the mood in the car has cooled down considerably. At first everything was still fine. You took Claire by the hand and helped her out of the car. An intimate hug and a furtive kiss a cross street away from her apartment. Then Susan followed. Nervously she had held the small box in which lays the dublicate of your best part. She, too, had pressed tightly against you.

'When will we see each other again?' she had asked.

'Soon' you had answered. 'I can hardly stand it myself without you two.' The two sisters had smiled and made their way home gigling. You felt a little uncomfortable not dropping them off right at the door, but that's the price you all had to pay for your relationship, and the sisters were happy to pay it.

Then a message from Karen.

Maureen dropped me off. Thanks for a great time. I'll see you at school.

Smiling, you had imagined the difficulties with which Karen had played down her anticipation. You will have to take your time with her and there will be some talking involved. Like Maureen, Karen will have to find her way in your new world, but your older sister has already offered to help her with this task. Maureen was the one who dropped off your other siblings at your home. Your mother had been wide-eyed to see all four of you, but behaved kindly. Your father had always been better at hiding his shock to see Mareen smiling so brightly, certainly a necessary skill as a lawyer.

And so, without the McKinleys and your sisters, you now sit in the car, Denise beside you in the passenger seat, gazing out the window at her home. Your kitten can't lift her gaze and plays with her collar in her hands, lost in thought. Sadness, pity and anger spread through you as you look at your brave friend. She doesn't deserve any of this. No one deserves this. Yet here you sit, trying to encourage her so she can tell her parents that her brother Nathaniel sold her to his friends for money. You put your hand on her thigh, it is warm and soft, even under the jeans. But still you have to squeeze harder than usual to get the blonde girl to notice you. Her eyes are fixed on you and you are overjoyed to see love in them and not fear. It honors you deeply that the affection for you has laid over the wounds of her soul like a protective bandage. But a wound can only heal if you fight the inflammation. An inflammation caused by her brother.

"The time at the lake was very nice," Denise murmurs, pulling you back to her. Her voice is soft, almost shy, but firm. She even smiles a little at the thought. But then it goes dark. "I just wish we'd stayed there." A pained grin and her fingers close around yours. You lift her hand and kiss her knuckles, Denise chuckles.

"I know honey," you assure her in a voice as firm as you can manage. "I would have liked nothing better than that either." Denise knows exactly what's coming now. You admire her intelligence as much as her beauty and especially her courage. "But life goes on here not there. And you deserve not to be held back any longer." Denise looks at you and you know she understands.

"I just don't dare," she murmurs, even more quietly this time. And then comes the expected. "What if I'm wrong?" She looks at you, seeking help. "What if I'm wrong and Nate doesn't actually..."

"I'm sorry to tell you this honey," you interrupt her with a little more **** than usual. "But you're too smart to lie to yourself." A soft chuckle, overshadowed by the darkness she just has to face. "That's what I love about you Denise." Your words bring some light into her world. Just enough for her to nod.

"Will you help me?" She doesn't need to say with what. Wordlessly, you raise your hand. Her black choker is in it and your girlfriend understands.

"What does this mean?" you ask, smiling encouragingly. Memories flood into her head and Denise can't help but smile.

"That I belong to you" she whispers and now her look is that of a grateful person.

"And what else?" You wink at her, knowing she hasn't forgotten.

"That I'm not responsible for anything I do and that you make the decisions for me."

"And why do I do that?" Now Denise is taking her time. She looks first at your hands, then at your face.

"Because you love me." You nod slowly.

"That's right. I love you my kitten and I won't let Nathaniel hurt you again. No one envies your fate but I know you are strong enough to make it."

"With your help I can" says your sweetheart and you believe her. How could you not?

The door of the car slams shut and Denise stands in front of her house. The choker traces a black line across her neck interrupted only by the light skin of her fingers sliding over the fabric again and again to make sure it's still there, your control over her still present. You yourself feel a mixture of anger and nervousness. You've never done anything like this before, accused someone of ****. You believe Denise with every fiber of your being, but you have no evidence for the police. Why didn't her parent's fucking notice? you ask yourself, but you know the answer to that. They didn't want to see it. Angrily, you click your tongue and put your hand on your girlfriend's shoulder from behind. With one she grabs your hand, the other lifts to the doorbell. The plaster on the walls is pure and white, just like the facade Denise had put up around herself before the vacation. You're almost sure you'll find hell inside, mud, blood and ****. Anyway, it feels like you are going to war, a queasy feeling but the **** conviction to do the right thing. You are fully convinced that you are doing the right thing, and yet you want to grab your love and run away with her under your arm. You don't want her to enter the place where the monster who caused her so much harm lives. Your hand twitches on her shoulder but Denise is stronger than you. The ringing of the bell behind the door sounds like the announcement of doom, but actually the melody is quite cheerful. Too cheerful for this place. And then the door opens.

"Denise honey!" a middle-aged lady, maybe forty, exclaims, hugging her daughter.

"Hey mama," Denise murmurs, hesitating a second before her hands close around her mother's hips. The woman cradles Denise in her arms for a few seconds and then releases her.

"Harold honey! Denise is home again!" the woman calls into an adjacent room from where the sounds of a soccer game can be heard.

"That's Finn Mama" your kitty says, brushing over her slender neck again and pointing at you.

"So you're the brother of Millie?" the woman asks. You simply nod.

"Millie is my little sister Misses Van Buren."

"Please do call me Olivia," the woman smiles. "Thank you for bringing her back to us in one piece." You can barely stifle a snort.

"Yeah... sure." Olivia... Misses Van Buren - you certainly won't call her by her first name - hesitates a bit, but then smiles.

"Well, then. It was nice meeting you Finn." She wants to take Denise by the hand and lead her inside. Your girl turns to you, her face speaking volumes.

"Actually, Misses Van Buren," you begin, your voice getting firmer by the second while you don't let loose of her hand. You have a conviction and if there's one thing you've learned in the last week it's that you have to stand behind your convictions. "Actually, I'd still like to come in" you say firmly, causing the lady of the house to stumble.

"Well... I guess that's okay" the woman says. Then a man appears behind her, apparently Harold Van Buren. He too hugs his daughter and looks at you questioningly.

"What's wrong boy?" he asks but his deep voice doesn't intimidate you. You have a mission and nothing can distract you from it or the happiness of Denise. Besides, you're in the right and on the right side of history.

"We need to talk." With that, you step into the apartment unbidden, Denise close on your heels, and so the two adults have **** but to follow you, puzzled. "Living room?" you whisper to Denise, who nods in the direction the noises are coming from.

Apparently, Mister Van Buren is watching a game right now. And of course he's already drinking at noon. At least only one can of beer on the table in front of the TV. But that's not why you're here, even if the sight doesn't surprise you. A rotting animal carcass in the corner wouldn't surprise you in a family that puts an angel like Denise through what her brother does.

"Where may I sit?" you ask kindly, and Mrs. Van Buren points to a red leather sofa that seats two. How appropriate.

"You can sit in Nathaniel's seat," she says kindly. Of course.

And then you all sit there. You, Denise, her mother, and her father. Olivia pours everyone tea and her father looks longingly at his beer can on the table, but refrains from reaching for it. Denise sits tensely next to you, her hands jammed between her legs and her eyes racing around the room. You sit very close to each other, so close that it's noticeable.

"How do you two know each other anyway?" wants Harold to know too innocently. The blood rushes through your veins as Denise tenses even more and you get a bad feeling. They don't notice her behavior.

"Like I said, Millie and Denise are friends. We spent the week at the lake together." You look at your kitty and your eyes meet. As your figure takes in her field of vision, your girl visibly relaxes. A good sign. "And in the process, we got to know each other better."

"Got to know each other?" Her father raises an eyebrow. "Denise hasn't been eighteen long you know." Say what? Your free hand clenches into a fist but you **** yourself to stay calm.

"I know," you reply, sounding innocent as well. But you can't keep up this game for long and your tone changes. "Denise and I have been talking for a long time you must know. When you live so close to each other for a week, you notice some things." Besides you, her breathing quickens and even her parents are starting to realize that this isn't a normal conversation.

"So... Finn. What were you going to tell us that was so important?" asks Olivia, glancing at her daughter, who shrinks under her gaze. You're about to say something, but Denise increases the pressure around your fingers. In a low, shaky voice, she begins to speak.

"Actually... I wanted to... talk to... you guys."

"Oh what's with you honey?" her mother asks in alarm, now realizing what her daughter looks like. Immediately her eyes dart to you in search for a reason. Denise begins to tremble. Now is the time. Now she is facing the mountain her brother has piled up for her. But you are standing next to her. Gently your thumb caress her tender skin without anyone else in the room noticing.

"Mrs. Van Buren," you begin your task. Denise can't hold on any longer and leans against you while her fingers nervously run over her neck.

"Are you pregnant?" Harold exclaims in horror, which only shocks poor Denise even more. You already don't care about the game that is played here and wrap your arms protectively around your girlfriend. Secrecy or not, Denise is your friend and you will prove yourself worthy of her.

"That almost could have happened Mister Van Buren" you counter, feeling Denise against you "But I'm not the one you have to worry about." That gives the two parents pause. The mother looks questioningly at her daughter, who only has eyes for you. "Where is your son Olivia?"

Several minutes later, two adults sit across from you who no longer resemble the people you met. You have slowly and matter-of-factly recounted what Denise told you. With each passing second, her parents have grown paler and now two ghosts face you.

"It must have gone on for years from what I've heard. He covered it up well, took precautions, the ****, the gloves, the discarded bottles, all impossible to check by DNA match. Clever." Your voice has lost all humanity as you recount the worst time in a loved one's life. At least the parents seem to have the same reactions, and you already feel some hope that Denise doesn't just have you in the world. "Your daughter has been through terrible things, and the behavior I've described clearly indicates to me that her brother has done serious, but not irrevocable, damage to her." Her mother is on the verge of tears, and her father just stares at you, stunned, the whole time. You certainly wouldn't react any differently should Megan or Maureen...Millie... tell you something similar. Denise is quiet as a young kitten and seeks protection at your side. You're caressing her shoulder in public now, but her parents probably haven't noticed yet. Actually, they would have to respond to you, agree with you or at least ask you questions. But again you have to realize that you have never been confronted with such monstrous thoughts. "I know these processes in attenuated form from my little sister," you explain, hoping to break the silence. In the meantime your voice has changed. If at first you were angry and disappointed that this disgusting task would be necessary at all, now you are glad. You feel Denise by your side, know that she is doing well with you and that her life will change for the better from now on. "It's not the end, even though it feels like it. Nathaniel has to face what he did and I understand that is a terrible task. But I think we all owe it to Denise to get through this task. I'm very sorry that I had to reveal this terrible news to you, but you have a right to know." You even manage a smile and Denise wraps her arms around your side. That's how you sit together facing her parents.

Then Olivia opens her mouth, closes it again, opens it again, and sets to reply. Her eyes are fixed on you and you are relieved to see a clarity in them that you know about yourself, once you have gotten over the shock of the terrible. Now everything will be all right again, Denise, my darling.