Brynn couldn't sleep.

Not with this horrible feeling in her stomach. Like a massive, bottomless pit filled to the brim with everything she had to worry about at this point in time.

She had upset her brothers so they were mad at her, she had to go to school tomorrow, she once lived with Milo, she didn't have anything to distract her from her thoughts, she felt like she had to throw up because of the anxiety in her stomach and- oh my god she was going to be a legal adult in literally six years. She didn't know how to pay bills-

Brynn sighed frustrated and turned to lie on her back, rubbing her tired eyes aggressively. Her vision blurred a little until they refocused on the dimly lit ceiling, only illuminated by the fairy lights on her bed.

After lying on her back for a good four seconds, she concluded that she wasn't falling asleep this way. Neither would she on her sides. The only comfy way was on her stomach with her two arms pushed under the pillows cool fabric.

Maybe if she lay into the mattress harder, her anxieties would be pushed all the way back until she couldn't feel them anymore.

When she woke the next morning, she had two seconds of calm until last night came crashing back down on her. The familiar anxiety flared up and she felt like she could throw up.

She had no idea what time it was, but the light coming through her curtains gave away a light-dark blue colour and she hadn't been woke up by anyone, so she presumed it was early.

Dropping her head into her fluffed up pillow, she shut her eyes once more mentally preparing for the most likely uncomfortable day ahead, maybe even week.

She was correct to mentally prepare. The week was rather emotionally challenging for her.

She didn't really speak to her brothers, at all. Nor did they speak to her or eachother. It was especially awkward when they ate at the table together. Not even a smile, she didn't like it.

And anytime they looked like they wanted to say something, nothing would actually be said. If anything, it emphasised the silence more.

True to his word, Zayne left Brynn's phone on her desk every morning, but when she came home from school she was expected to bring it to his office.

The lack of phone didn't give her much to do, except homework and thinking about things. She had, however, managed to finish the entire David Walliams' section in the library. Free time with nothing to do had that impact on her.

The only time interaction occurred was on Friday night, five days after the incident between the siblings happened.

Brynn had gotten home, dropped her phone off on Zayne's desk and finished her homework at the kitchen island. Currently, she still sat at the kitchen island with her closed English book in front of her, gently tracing over her name on the front with her chin on her left fist.

She just lifted her finger off the V to go to the E when she heard steps entering the kitchen. The girl tensed, trying to ready herself for an awkward silence.

However, the footsteps continued to get closer until they came right behind her, then past her and around the island. Brynn looked up, seeing Zayne in his dark, navy blue suit.

Zayne stood, looking at her with narrowed-curious eyes, with his hands joined behind his back. Brynn sat completely upright, latching her hands together on her English book.

Brynn counted sixteen seconds before movement was made by her oldest brother.

The man unclasped his hands and used his left one to hold the left side of his blazer open, whilst his right one reached into the inside pocket. His blazer was just like her school one, cool, she thought.

He brought out a rectangular object, letting go of his blazer, and placed it gently on the marble counter perfectly straight, the top to Brynn. Her phone.

Brynn looked at the object she hadn't had for almost a week. Truth be told this punishment wasn't actually that bad. She thought they could have done much worse to her, much much worse than Milo could have. But they didn't- which confused the twelve year old. That's how punishments were supposed to work, weren't they?

Zayne cleared his throat, causing Brynn to look back up at his stern face. She gulped as stilly as he could, wondering if he was going to throw it at her or something. Maybe break it to pieces.

Zayne, on the other hand, placed two fingers on the cool glass and slid the phone in front of his sister's school book. Brynn watched him do it, slightly confused. Brows furrowed and lips thinned out into a line, she didn't dare reach for it. Zayne started to speak.

"Thank you for being so mature about your punishment, you can have your phone back," he stated tonelessly and removed his fingers from the phone. Brynn nodded slowly, but didn't make any move to grab the phone. "Thank you."

Zayne gave her a set nod; Brynn looked down at it too, simultaneously twiddling her fingers around, wondering what she do now.

Ask about the sleepover? It was tonight and she still hadn't asked, how could she? Her brothers were mad and there was no way she would get a yes when they were mad.

Aubrey said she's welcome to come at any time tonight if her brothers said yes. "We'll have extra popcorn for you just in case."

She had her phone back, so she presumed her punishment- including the silent treatment- was over. She was going to ask.

"Uhm," she began, causing Zayne to narrow his eyes ready for conversation, "Aubrey is having a sleepover tonight," she gulped, looking up to see any expression on her older brother's face, but got nothing.

"And-and she said I was invited." Now that she had actually started the conversation, she realised that she actually sucked at explaining things, especially to her borhters.

"I was going to ask you sooner, but," she looked straight into his eyes, and then avoided his searing gaze, "y'know..."

She trailed off awkwardly, because they both knew why she didn't ask and she hoped it wouldn't make Zayne think that her punishment shouldn't be over.

Zayne said nothing, wanting her to ask him the question he knew she wanted to ask.

"And considering that you said that my, uhm, my punishment was over, then I really wanted to ask-" she cleared her throat.

Go on, ask me.

"Can I go?"

She finally breathed getting it out, looking up at him. "Please."

Zayne's eyes looked like they were restraining something for a couple of seconds. Then he slowly started to nod his head.

"What time?"

Brynn's back straightened up and she finally rose her head fully. What?

Now looking straight into Zayne's eyes, she saw he was deadly serious. It was a genuine question, there was no yelling, there was no punishment. It was just a question. A question that could mean she's allowed to go. How odd.

"Uhm any time after six," she recalled what Aubrey had said, the added on, "but obviously it can't be at like midnight because that's too late and they'd probably be asleep even though she didn't specify if there was a deadline but I guess it's kind of basic logic," she got quieter towards the end, unsure whether talking too much would make Zayne lose any small amount of interest he had.

She'd never been to a sleepover before, she'd never had anyone invite her to do anything. This was a big deal.

Zayne's face remained neutral. The only movement was him slowly nodding his head once again.

"Pack a bag then," he stated.

Brynn heart's stuttered a little. She could go? A wide grin plastered itself on her now glowing face. "Wait really?"

Zayne gave a firmer nod, amused though his face wouldn't show it. "You can go, I see no reason why you shouldn't."

Brynn could have names at least fifty reasons as to why she shouldn't be allowed to go, but she would never say them. She's allowed to go to her first sleepover-

"Thank you." She was so much more than thankful, she wanted to do so much more than say thank you. But right now, the simple words would suffice.

Zayne nodded again and Brynn didn't know what else to do. Was this her signal to go? She assumed it was.

Gathering all of her school books into a pile, she dug her nails under the bottom one to lift them up. She tried to make it look like she wasn't struggling with the weight, which was kind of obvious by the strained arms.

She maneuvered them into her right elbow crease and looked hesitantly at where her phone was on the counter. Then back up to Zayne, who was still looking at her. Then back down to the phone again. Her hand reached out to pick it up, rather slowly incase Zayne wanted to snatch it off her.

But he didn't. She tightened her grip on it and left taking some glances back to where Zayne stood still. When she was fully out of his view, she sped up a little until she made it into her bedroom. Nobody else seemed to be in the house, which was peculiar.

The thought wasn't dwelled on longer however, as Brynn's excitement overtook any additional thoughts she had. Placing her books on her desk, she started listing all the things she may need for the sleepover in her mind.

Something on her bed slowed her down on her way to her closet. There was a book with a sticky note on top of it. Brynn went over to check it out and scrunched her face up, she hadn't left a book there.

She read the title: 'Gangsta Granny Strikes Again.'

Her eyes widened, this wasn't even out yet and here it was, on her bed.

She read the title again. Then again. Then once more. Then she focused on the childish-like-drawing illustration on the front. Then she went back to the title. And then she opened the hard book cover and flicked through the pages. Her eyes widened and her breath got caught in her throat as she held in a small gasp. It was an actual book!

Once she'd finished flicking through, she turned it back to the front page and focused on the baby yellow-ish sticky note that was just under the middle of the cover.

It was the neatest handwriting she'd ever seen and it was perfectly centered on the square note.

I pulled some strings.

-Zayne.

Her excited smile downturned into a gape of shock. Zayne managed to get this for her? How in the world could she say thank you for this? This might have been the greatest gift anyone had ever given her- well, except for the rock Zach gave her.

The book and the rock are the two greatest gifts she's ever received.

As the girl was packing things into her empty school bag, she thought of all the ways she could thank her brother. A simple thank you would never be enough. And it wouldn't be just the book she'd be thanking him for, it would be for everything.

Her mind though, could only do one thing at a time, and right now she had to pack because Zayne told her to.

She emptied her school bag out and packed everything she thought she might/ would need. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, pyjamas, another set of clothes, phone charger, phone, lucky rock and her new book- you never know.

She zipped her bag up and raced to her closet to get changed. She was dressed in loose-fitting, black leggings, a black vest and spent over seventy six seconds debating whether or not she should wear Zach's jumper to keep warm. The one he gave her when they were playing tennis.

She really missed speaking properly to Zach. Slipping it on, as well as plain back trainers, she slung her bag over her shoulders and made her way out of her room. Halfway down the stairs, she saw Zayne waiting patiently by the garage door.

They didn't speak a word as Zayne led them into the garage and to his white mercedes. Though Brynn wanted to say something. She really really wanted to say something.

So when Zayne swerved out of the parking space and the garage door opened automatically, she started talking.

"She lives-"

"I know."

Because, of course, the second Aubrey and Penny made contact with his sister, background checks were run. Who the fuck do you think Zayne is?

Brynn snapped her lips shut.

"Oh."

Two people who aren't good at making conversation in the same car was never going to go well for poor Brynn.

One of the only times Zayne spoke was when he went through the rules. The rules were self explanatory and Brynn planned on doing them anyway, but now that Zayne had told her she had to, she was going to make sure she did.

No radio or anything, just pure silence for nineteen minutes and thirty eight seconds until Brynn's thoughts got too big for her mind.

"When are they going to talk to me again?" she whispered quietly, although it seemed like it was the loudest thing Zayne had ever heard.

His head snapped towards her as he parked the car on the pavement in the not-busy street. "Pardon?"

"Callan 'n stuff," Brynn muttered, playing with her fingers dejectedly. "They haven't really been speaking to me." She moved her eyes to look at the house they were parked in front of.

Zayne took an inhale and tightened his right hand on the steering wheel, using his left pointer finger to bring her chin up and face him.

"They're not mad at you, you know, they're just," he sighed. "They're just not used to-" he started again but there was nothing he could say.

He knew what they were like, he just couldn't explain it to his sister. Words would never explain the uncontrollable rage built up in all of them. And mixed with uncontrolled worry which they weren't used to feeling, it resulted in silent treatment between all of them. But Brynn didn't deserve that. Not one bit.

"It's okay," Brynn assured, they both knew it was a lie. "Just thought they didn't like me anymore or something," she huffed to herself because when she said it outloud, she sounded stupid.

Zayne's brows furrowed the tiniest amount, but Brynn was already halfway out the car door, her previous excitement for this sleepover creeping back. Zayne grabbed something from the glove compartment and undid his seatbelt then got out as well, sliding his shaded sunglasses.

He round the front of the sleek car and positioned himself beside his little sister, who was staring at the property.

It had a brick wall in front of it, with a metal gate and bushes over it. The front lawn had two patches of freshly cut grass and a gravel pathway leading to the door. There was a beautiful front porch with two white pillars holding the roof of it up. It was a large, white single front door and on either side of it were two large windows with blinds. On the second floor, there were another two large windows, in line with the ones on the first floor and a slightly smaller window in between them.

Brynn took a deep breath playing with the one backpack strap, she was nervous. Zayne saw this.

"Just text me if you want me to pick you up at any time, okay? I don't care what time it is. Me or one of your other brothers, got it?"

Brynn nodded and gulped, "yeah."

She went forwards and lifted one hand to the lock on the gate. She bit her bottom lip. Her hand rested on it for five seconds before she turned back around and launched herself into Zayne's torso, wrapping her arms around his waist and smushing her face into his suit blazer.

"Thank you."

What she had just done registered in her mind and her arms and hands began to subconsciously shake.

Zayne was taken back. Had no clue what to do. His arms were risen above Brynn's shoulders and he was surprised.

Brynn made to release him before Zayne's large arms rested down on her shoulder and he forcefully pulled her back. He didn't know what to do, so they were rested awkwardly on her shoulders and back. He knew her thanks meant much more.

The awkward hug lasted about six seconds before Brynn pulled away a little, making Zayne loosen his hold. She pulled away fully and didn't look up at him as he straightened out his suit and cleared his throat.

She didn't want to look up at him, that was really embarrassing for her. Instead, she went to the gate again and unlocked it all the way this time. Not looking back at Zayne, she walked down the pathway trying not to let the anxiety of being in a new place get to her.

She stepped up two concrete steps to the porch and knocked twice on the door, hoping to god that she wouldn't embarrass herself or something.

The door swung open to reveal Aubrey in hot pink fluffy pyjamas with a red, puffed out face.

"Brynn, you're here! Come on!" she grabbed Brynn's jumper sleeve and dragged her in, not giving Brynn a chance to wave goodbye to Zayne.

The door remained open and a man and woman came into view from the opposite direction the girls went. They were looking back and chuckling at them before looking out the door at Zayne, their postures straightening up and faces mixing with fear. Zayne knew them from their profiles when the background check was done.

The woman, Georgie Camber and her husband, Ray Camber. Aubrey's parents. Ray worked as a lawyer and Georgie worked as a sergeant. Respectable people. Help with charities on their Saturdays off. Two children: Aubrey Camber, age 12, and Nicky Camber, age eight. Not had so much as a speeding fine. People he'd be okay leaving his precious sister with for one night.

And it's not like he didn't have the entire street covered anyway. Who the fuck do you think Zayne is?

He gave them one last look. A look that ensured his sisters safety for tonight and strolled back to his car. Aubrey's parents' faces morphed into relaxed expressions meanwhile Aubrey had dragged Brynn off into the main living room.

It dimly lit and had white couches pushed against the wall and three mattresses laid out in the middle of the room. The mattresses had one giant white sheet laying over it with treats scattered everywhere and a ton of fluffy pillows. The make-shift beds were facing the large screen TV which had a movie playing and under the TV was a large fireplace with a cover over the roaring fire.

Penny was sat on the mattresses watching Jumanji when she saw Brynn being dragged in and thrown on the beds by Aubrey. "Brynn, you came!"

Brynn chuckled and took her bag and shoes off, leaving them beside the couch. Aubrey grabbed a blue bowl of popcorn and held it in front of Brynn. "Told you we'd make you one just in case."

Brynn smiled and took the bowl, putting it to her right side, "thank you."

"So how did you get your brothers to let you come?" Penny inquired, pausing the movie.

Shrugging, Brynn replied, "just asked."

"I'm glad you could come," Aubrey stated, grabbing a piece of popcorn from her bowl, "we would have been bored without you."

Brynn snorted, "well you are both quite boring."

Aubrey threw the piece of popcorn she had at Brynn, managing to get her eye. "I'll make you sleep outside."

Brynn smiled, shifting to make herself more comfortable on the mattress. "So what do you usually do at sleepovers?" She didn't want to mess anything up; these were her first friends.

"Not much really," Aubrey answered, shrugging. "We eat all the junk food we can, sometimes stalk people online and watch movies until our eyes can't stay open any longer."

"Oh and sometimes we play knock and run on Malcolm and Sids' house a few doors down," Penny chimed in. Brynn furrowed her face.

"Malcolm and Sid live around here?" she asked.

"Yeah, but they don't know I do," Aubrey answered, mindlessly playing with Brynn's left sleeve. She had a habit of getting distracted by playing with Brynn's or Penny's clothes.

"You honestly haven't known true, pure joy until you've seen Malcolm Donover get so mad he kicked his front brick wall and broke two toes," Penny snorted, picking some popcorn from her bowl. Brynn envisioned that in her mind and inwardly peed herself.

"Now let's watch the movie."

Whilst the girls watched their movie, Zayne was almost home. Eyes and face hard as his glare was forced upon the road. His right hand was clenched around the steering wheel so tight it creaked and his jaw was tight as his foot pressed harder against the pedal.

Speeding into the large driveway, he parked the car messily and got out before it fully stopped. His face had a hauntingly, spine-chillingly expression.

He faced his six brothers, dressed in their black jeans, shirts and leather jackets. Callan and Silas leaning against Callan's black mercedes, smoking their toxic sticks. Brayden stood opposite, his hands in his pockets. Zach stood to the left of him and Ezra was on the other side of the car from Callan and Silas. Zaiden stood to the right of Brayden, foxing something on his jacket sleeve.

"Ready?" Zayne called, receiving six nods and smirks in return.

---

Ryland Samueles shut the door behind him, locking it with the chain.

"Mum, you in?!" he called to the seemingly empty house. He walked to the living room.

"What's for tea-?" he froze at the doorway.

Ezra looked up from where he was manspreading on the small couch, holding a glass of water and his gun on his lap. "I was thinking pizza?"

Ryland's face fell and his entire body turned cold. "I-I-"

"No?" Ezra stood up in mock hurt. "What? You want something else? What do you like, hm?"

"Why are you here?" Ryland backed away a few steps.

"No I know what you like. You like dressing up in that clown costume, don't you, Ryland? Hm?" Ezra menaced, getting closer.

Ryland's breath picked up as he back himself into the hallway and further back until he reached the kitchen. The fridge door was open and a figure was looking into the fridge. It slammed shut, revealing Brayden.

Brayden sighed, "man, there's fuck all in here." He turned to Ryland, whose eyes widened further. The latter creeped back again, away from Brayden in the kitchen and avoiding Ezra in the living room doorway.

He gripped the half broken stair banister and shot his way up, needing to call someone before he literally dies.

Rounding up the top of the stairs, it took him three steps- leaps- to get to his mum's room.

Before he could enter, however, Callan stepped out blocking his path and causing him to smack into his chest. "Shit!"

Callan mocked his concern, holding the right side of Ryland's face, "oh fuck sorry." He gripped the side of his face firmer and slammed it into the door frame next to them, making it crack. "Oh look what you did to the fucking doorway."

Ryland groaned, his vision going every which way. He backed away, gripping whatever wall he could, going to his own room knowing it had a lock in it.

But of course life wasn't going to be that fucking good to him.

Zach stood, holding Ryland's clown costume up inspecting it. Zaiden stood next to Zach, grimacing at it.

Zach pushed forward towards Ryland, holding the costume out so it pushed uncomfortably against Ryland's chest. "This yours buddy?"

Ryland winced at the loudness and at the hard push on his chest. His dirty, greasy blonde hair in the way of his face and his musty green eyes clouded with fear and pain. Zaiden stepped forward.

"I wouldn't let him see it, might get a boner or somethin'," he snarked, smirking smugly at Ryland's wince.

The royally fucked man ran away as fast as he could, to the bathroom which was at the top of the stairs. Before he could grip the handle, the door swung open. He wanted to cry at the sight of Silas' raged face.

"No you just get off on scaring little girls in it, don't you Ryland?" Ryland shook his head rapidly. Silas furrowed his eyebrows, mocking confusion. "No?" He shook his head insistently again.

"You don't recall threatening a little girl? No? In the gym's car park?" he walked forward, backing Ryland up to the stairs.

Ryland's best bet was telling the truth at this point. So he nodded hesitantly. Silas nodded, "yeah and do you know who that little girl was?" Ryland shook his head.

"Brynn Verlice."

The cogs turned in Ryland's head before it clicked. His face went as pale as a sheet. He was more than fucked now.

Silas saw it click. "Yeah, you're getting it now, aren't you stronzo?"

Ryland whimpered, spinning around as fast as possible and launching himself down the steps, almost tripping over every two steps. He looked back when he got to the bottom. Silas, Zach, Zaiden and Callan were smirking up the staircase, Brayden had his arms crossed in the kitchen doorway, glaring and Ezra was sneering from the living room doorway.

His back hit the worn down door and he hissed, quickly spinning around to fumble at the weak chain lock. Once it was unlocked and the door knob was turned, he literally cried in relief as he mustered up any strength he had left to fling it open.

He just cried when he saw Zayne there.

Perfectly straight with his hands at his sides and face hard. "Ryland."

Was the last thing he heard before Zayne's fist smashed his eye in and he was out to the world.

He collapsed against the poorly carpeted floor and all the Verlice brothers' eyes followed his figure. His figure that was slowly crumbling into nothing.

Zayne stared expressionlessly at the crumbling mess of a man and felt satisfied for the time being. "Callan stuff him in you car," he ordered, straightening his cuffs which were now splattered in blood.

Callan grimaced, "what? I don't want his blood all over my car."

Zayne shrugged his blazer off, draped it over his left forearm and loosened his tie. "Just stuff him in the boot. Dislocate what you have to," he murmured tonelessly, bored with the amount of attention they have to give to the poor excuse of a man.

Callan scoffed and stomped down the stairs, gripping Ryland by his hair and ragging him up to drag out to his car.

---

Brynn was sat in between Aubrey and Penny, their movie just coming to an end, when Penny asked her question.

"What's it like living with your brothers?"

Brynn was taken back by the question, not really expecting it, particularly at this moment. She shrugged. "I don't know."

She thought about it a little longer. "They're nice."

Aubrey piped in, leaning forward to join their chat, "just nice?"

Brynn nodded, "why so interested?"

Her two best friends shrugged and Penny answered, "because nobody knows what they're really like. They're really stone faced, especially on the news and social media and stuff."

Brynn furrowed her eyebrows, "the news?"

Penny continued, nodding eagerly, "yeah they're always on it. Well there's always pictures with them. People are really interested in their lives, they're mysterious," she emphasised the last word jokingly.

Rolling her eyes, Brynn inquired more, "they're really on the news often? I knew they were known but I didn't know they were known."

"Oh yeah," Aubrey nodded, confused as to why Brynn didn't know this. "So are you, you know?"

Brynn paused, her anxiety rocketing. "What?"

"You're on the news Brynn. And in newspapers. You didn't know?" Penny asked, confused also.

"Here wait I'll get my parents' newspapers, they never throw them out," Aubrey went to do as she said, leaving a curious Penny and a panicky Brynn behind.

She didn't know she was on the news. Or in newspapers for that matter.

Aubrey came back, "here." She dropped about fifteen magazines and newspapers down. "That's what I could find."

Brynn made her way through the piles, looking at her face on every one of them. They were never full face pictures though. The angle always seemed off or one of her brothers were cleverly shielding her from it. Either way, it was undeniable that they were of her.

The titles were absurd too.

"Little Verlice Sister in Britain?!"

"Verlices' Hiding Sister: Read page 78-85 to figure out why!"

"Little Verlice Enrols in High School!"

There was a newspaper cover that had Ezra and Silas storming out with her by the gym. She remembered that day. They did not look happy and she looked guilty.

The title read: "Baby Verlice Already in Trouble??"

That title was so condescending.

And there was another with a picture that sent horrifying shivers down her nerves. A picture of her coming out of school on the left and a picture of Milo, probably from his licence or something.

His cropped grey hair and sinister black eyes never failed to make her heart stop. Slowly burning into her entire being he was. Her breathing picked up and she looked away to see the title.

"Youngest Verlice Sent To Live With Brothers After Tragic Death of Stepfather."

Brynn felt awful, yet couldn't help but think, tragic?

"Are they still making these?" she asked a little shakily to nobody.

"No, pretty sure your brothers sued," Penny explained looking at the covers too. Brynn nodded, at a little peace knowing there won't be any more. But there still was some.

"I just need some water," she muttered standing up.

"I can get it for you," Aubrey said concerned. Brynn denied, "No, no it's fine. Need to stretch my legs anyway."

She exited the room and made her way to the kitchen, finding Aubrey's mum doing some work at the kitchen table. She didn't want to disturb her, so she went to back out but Aubrey's mum caught her.

"Hey sweetheart, you okay?" she smiled kindly. The nickname didn't feel the same as when her brothers called her it, but it meant to Brynn that this lady was nice.

Brynn nodded rather reluctantly, "yeah sorry, I was just getting some water."

"Oh let me sweetie," Georgie stood up.

"Oh no don't worry I can do it myself I don't want to disturb you," Brynn assured, feeling a little guilty for dragging the woman from her probably very important work.

"You're doing me a favour, honestly," said woman assured, opening a cupboard above the sink and getting a regular glass out. She filled it up with water from the tap and walked over to hand it to Brynn.

"Thank you," Brynn grabbed the glass. "It's no problem, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask, okay?"

Brynn smiled a bit and nodded, knowing full well that she'd never do that.

---

It would literally be such a shame if people gave me academic and writing validation rn. -->

Literally such a shame.

Also hey btw xo

<3