“Get him!” someone shouted as a tall athletically built male threw a punch.

Kenny ducked the punch coming his way and rolled his and upper body under and out of the way before throwing one of his own left quick jabs at the guy’s face. Kenny was slightly shorter than his opponent and not as physically built, but thanks to his own training he was able to know exactly how to counter and dodge any punches being thrown his way. His only other issue was his speed.

After landing the hit, a wild punch to his ribcage suddenly knocked the air out of his lungs. A sharp burning pain threatened to make him lose focus as he tried to take a step backwards to get away from the two attackers. That was a mistake since there was a third guy who Kenny didn’t see step into the circle and kick him on his back, pushing him forward towards the punch aiming for his face.

Kenny, luckily, moved just enough to not get his nose broken and have it land right on his cheek. Once more a sharp pain bloomed. Now he was fighting the sharp pain in his ribcage and on his face causing him to wince and slightly squint his eyes. Things weren’t looking good for him as the three attackers raced in to attack him once more.

All three attackers suddenly came to a halt as someone yelled out, “Cops!” This made the circle of people start to panic before they started to run. The three attackers sneered at Kenny as he stood there defiantly at them.

“You’re lucky,” one of them glared as he spat a glob of spit at the ground in front of Kenny.

One of the other two pointed at the younger male and female that stood not too far behind Kenny and snarled, “You’re also lucky you have a brother whose willing to step up for you. You better thank him for taking the beating you two pissants deserved.”

The last member of the trio was pulling on the other’s arms muttering they had to hurry. His attempts didn’t go unnoticed as the two men turned and followed him. Kenny waited until the three disappeared from sight, making sure they wouldn’t do something stupid like a surprise attack out of nowhere.

He then turned to look at his younger brother and sister. Both had the same light brown colored hair all three had inherited from their father, but that’s where the similarities ended. While Kenny’s hair had slight curls to it, his half siblings didn’t. They both had blue eyes that they received from their mother while he had dark green eyes from his. Both were slim, but their slimness only showed off how fit they were for their age.

They were slightly shorter than he was, but everyone predicted they would pass him in height one day. Kenny believed it. Even though they were boy and girl they were still twins and shared a lot of similar features. Both were athletic, smart, cunning, and troublesome. Very troublesome.

Kenny took a second to stare at the two before scolding, “What were you both thinking?”

Stephon, the male twin, looked away from Kenny as he stated with a cocky attitude, “They were in our way as we were walking and they didn’t move. So, we made sure they did.”

Kenny raised a brow as he heard the reason. He shook his head, causing a few strands of hair to fall over his eyes, and held back what he really wanted to say. This action caused Stephanie, Stephon’s twin sister, to scoff and roll her eyes. With as much attitude as Stephon had given, she stated, “What does it matter what we did. It’s your job to make sure nothing happens to us. Why did it take you so long to step in? You know mom would be pissed at you if something happened to us.”

Kenny narrowed his eyes as he glared at Stephanie. He knew she was right that their mother would be pissed if her precious children got hurt, but none of this would have happened if they didn’t disappear from his sight in the crowd. It had taken him twenty minutes until he finally found them. And like usual, all he had to do was follow the sounds of angry shouts and taunting voices.

“Maybe if you guys would actually listen when I say don’t leave my side then maybe it wouldn’t have taken me so long to find you,” Kenny stated as he looked from her to Stephon.

Stephanie scoffed again as she argued, “Maybe if you didn’t stop and stare at the T.V. at that corner store when it play that interview with Toxic Songbird then maybe you wouldn’t have lost sight of us. You know how dad and mom feels about the tower.”

“You know exactly how mom feels about Toxic Songbird too,” Stephon added.

The Tower. A mysterious place full of power, magic, and adventure. A place where, if, you get invited to go gives you fame, wealth, and status depending on how high up you go. A place full of dangers and monsters that you would need to navigate through and fight to survive. While many who go to the tower learn of its wonders, they aren’t allowed to talk a lot about it. It seemed like they were only allowed to let certain amounts and certain types of information out.

They say only the best get invited to adventure in the Tower, however, no one knows the criteria for that invitation. Some think its genetics. Some believe its talent. The only thing many know is once you accept the invitation and awaken your first Skill Tree, even the weakest ability makes you stronger than the average person.

The Tower has been an integral part of the world’s history for so long that they even started having specified classes at high school to prepare students for the possible chance they get that invitation. While it was rare for adults, the known time people would receive the invitation was middle of the year centered around those who turned eighteen.

Kenny, his best friend Gerald, and his crush Rachelle hoped that they would get an invitation. The three all studied and trained together at school for any possible combination of abilities they could possibly get from their first awakened Skill Tree. They were excited and looking forward to some excitement and adventure. Something that could get them out of this hellhole. However, the latest Tower Invitation happened yesterday and while Gerald and Rachelle had received their invitation, he did not.

Kenny clenched his fists at his side as he thought about his friends getting an invitation and he didn’t. He was happy for them, but at the same time he also hated he didn’t get one. Stephanie’s mentioning of what his father and stepmother thought about his dreams felt like someone rubbing salt in the wound.

Nora, his stepmother and Stephanie’s and Stephon’s mother, had verbally expressed her feelings on what she thinks about the Tower almost on a daily basis. She also expressed how much she didn’t want him to daydream about something he would never have a chance at. Her ‘planned future’ for him, as she kept saying when his father wasn’t around, wasn’t something as grand and adventurous as ascending the Tower.

His father’s views on the matter, however, were more of a mystery. He never explained why he didn’t want him thinking about the Tower. He did say that he wanted him to focus more on jobs that would help with the bills around the house. That and keeping an eye on his troublesome half siblings. All things he was tired of doing and wanted to no longer do.

“Speaking of your mother,” Kenny started back up as he clamped down on his irritation. “Dinner should be done soon. We need to head back before she starts freaking out.”

Stephon raised a brow as he looked at Kenny and asked, “What about the cops? Didn’t someone say they were almost here?”

Kenny waved a hand as he explained, “It’s a tactic some people use to break up fights. Let’s head out though before they actually do show up.”

                         

---

 

“What happened!? Are my babies safe?! My babies better not be hurt!” Nora suddenly shouted as she rushed past Kenny and towards Stephon and Stephanie. She gave them both a swift once over and when she didn’t see any scratches or bruises she turned around and accused, “What sort of trouble did you stir up this time? Don’t you know how fragile my babies are?”

Nora stood around five foot eight, the same height as Kenny. She had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes and a physique that was somewhere in the middle of slim and fat. She had on jeans and a random T-shirt Kenny never understood. After all the years he grew up around her, he really never understood her fashion taste.

Kenny closed his eyes for a long moment as he inhaled and held back the comments he wanted to make. Instead, he released the air he held in and answered, “I wasn’t the one who picked a fight with three guys twice my size or age.”

Nora looked at Stephon and Stephanie and then back at Kenny. She understood what he was saying and didn’t like it. She gave him a frown and replied, “That doesn’t sound like my babies.” Before he could argue, she swiftly interrupted by saying, “It doesn’t matter. They aren’t hurt and you look like you did what you were supposed to do. Go wash up and get ready for dinner.”

Kenny held back the sneer and remark he wanted to give the woman as he turned around and made his way towards the downstairs bathroom. As he walked towards the open door, a man slightly taller and a lot more muscular than he was walked out of the small study room. He had short light brown hair with a matching short beard and hazel eyes and was currently wearing his work clothes that had some hardened paint on them. If someone were to look at him they wouldn’t believe he was as old as he claimed to be since his skin and facial features made him look younger than he was.

It was his father, Kal. He must have finished coming up with a quote because the stern look on his face told Kenny that he was annoyed by another idiot who believed his work could be done at a cheaper price. His father was a painter. Someone who painted the outside and inside of people’s homes. Kenny didn’t really know the ins and outs of everything his job entailed even at the behest of Kal wanting him to learn more so he could help him.

Kal looked Kenny over and noticed the fresh bruises on his face. Kenny was slightly taken aback for a moment as he noticed concern on his father’s face as he asked, “Did they start trouble again?”

Kenny nodded, not trusting his voice. Kal continued as he asked, “How many?”

“Three,” Kenny finally said with almost as much of a collected and stern tone as his father. “Didn’t get their names, but they looked to be close maybe a couple years older than me.”

“How did it end?” Kal asked still staring at Kenny.

Kenny understood he wasn’t asking if he had victoriously beat the crap out of the attackers. When teaching Kenny how to defend himself, he always drilled into him that he shouldn’t fight to win, that he needed to make the attacker or attackers believe they were the stronger ones. He never understood it, but he followed his father’s teachings if only not to cause any issues with him.

“Their egos were still intact, and they didn’t look like they would come looking for revenge,” Kenny said, annoyance filling him inside.

Kal nodded. “Okay. Good job being an older brother and protecting them.” He then walked away, leaving Kenny standing there failing to hold back the irritation on his face. Before he could say something he would probably regret he swiftly turned around and went to wash his hands and face.

In the bathroom he got his first look at the bruises he could feel starting to form. He didn’t waste any time turning the water on and splashing it over his face and some of his hair. He placed both hands on the sink and let some of his hair dangle over his face. He then closed his eyes and took in a deep ragged breath.

This was his ritual before going to dinner almost every other day. He wanted to collect himself, center himself, before his half siblings and stepmother made him feel off balance. By doing this it would allow him some time to expunge the poisonous thoughts and attitude he had to absorb throughout the day before having to absorb fresh batches back in. After a few seconds he finally opened his eyes, dried his face and hands and went to the table.   

 Kenny poked around his food as everyone sat at the table. Stephon and Stephanie were talking animatedly as Nora ate her food and listened. Kal ate his food in silence as he looked to be in thought. When there was a lull in the twin’s conversation Nora glanced at Kenny. With a slight frown she said, “Quit playing with your food. Or are you trying to say my cooking isn’t to your standards?”

Kenny rolled his eyes as he pierced his fork into a cluster of mac and cheese. Dinner tonight was boxed macaroni and cheese with a small salad. Both didn’t require a lot of attention or effort to make. Her comments about her cooking was both a bad joke and a non-existent thing, but he couldn’t say that, or he would start another argument.

With a grumble, Nora questioned, “What’s his problem?”

“I think it might have to do with the fact his best friend and his out of his league crush got an invitation to the Tower and he didn’t,” Stephanie replied. Her words made Kenny shift his narrowed gaze on her. “Before the fight happened he stopped and watched the interview with Toxic Songbird.”

Nora scoffed at the mentioning of Toxic Songbird before muttering, “That poisonous wench again. She’s nothing but a fraud.”

Kenny saw the brief twitch in Kal’s hand as well as made a frown after hearing her say that, but then he smoothed his facial features out quickly.

Nora hadn’t noticed the brief change but instead laughed as she teased while staring at Kenny, “Putting your head in the clouds again huh? If I were you I wouldn’t waste time hoping for something you’d never get. What you need to do is figure out how you’re going to start paying bills around this house.”

Kenny’s attention switched to Nora, his narrowed eyes remained as he stared at her. His irritation from Stephanie’s comment still growing as he listened to Nora. He was about to retort, but was interrupted as Kal interjected, “There’s not much for him to think about. He’s going to start working with me.”

Nora turned her attention onto her husband and gave him a half smile half frown as she stated, “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What if he messes up and causes issues that would make you lose money? I don’t think we would want that to happen.”

Kal gave Nora a half smile of his own as he said, “There’s nothing to worry about there. I plan on having him start with the easy stuff first and grow from there. Besides, with his help taking care of the smaller things it’ll make the other things go quicker and easier for me.”

“You better learn well,” Stephon said after swallowing a mouth full of noodles and cheese. “Once I take over dad’s business I am going to need a well-trained monkey to take care of all the hard stuff.”

“Stephon,” Kal quickly, but lightly scolded. “He is not a monkey.”

“Yeah Stephon,” Nora agreed. “You can’t call him that. Monkeys aren’t that helpful or loyal. Instead, he’ll be a well-trained dog.”

Kal frowned as he turned his attention to Nora.

Kenny felt his irritation grow to a new high. He wanted to argue and tell both Stephon and Nora how he really felt, but he also knew that wouldn’t get him anywhere. Instead, he let out a long breath, stood up, and started walking away from the table.

“Ah, ah,” Nora called out with a look of disapproval. “What do you think you’re doing? Sit down and finish your food.”

“No thanks. I’m not hungry,” Kenny said as he tried hard not to look at them.

“If you’re not going to eat it then at least put it away,” Nora demanded.

Kenny stood there for a long minute. A victorious smile grew on Nora’s, Stephanie’s, and Stephon’s face as they thought they had gotten another one over him. That smile swiftly disappeared as Kenny retorted, “Why don’t you get a trained monkey or a loyal dog to do it.”

Kenny then started walking away as he heard the comments fly out of the three people’s mouth. He came to a halt as Kal suddenly said, “Kenneth. Go to my office and wait for me there. I need to talk to you about some things.”

Kenny wanted to say he wouldn’t, that he was too tired to deal with whatever he wanted to put on him again. However, as he turned his head far enough to get a good look at his father’s face he saw something in it that told him not to. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt like his father really had something important to tell him. Internally, Kenny screamed for a long moment. After that internal scream he felt his body slump a bit as he replied, “Alright.” He then walked away before the others could say anything else that could get under his skin.

               

---

 

Kenny watched as Kal enter the room and shut the door behind him. Kal didn’t say anything as he made his way around the desk and sat down. He took a moment to sit back in his chair and closed his eyes as he rested his head on the back of it.

As Kal did this, Kenny got a good look at him. A really good look. He was so wrapped up in the troubles his siblings caused, and the mental abuse Nora gave him he hadn’t see what he was seeing now. The man looked tired. Not the type of tired one had when they wanted to sleep. Instead, it looked like the type one had when they were stressed and annoyed from problems they didn’t voice.

Kenny smiled slightly. That was type of man his father was. Someone who tried to take on more than he could just to make sure his family had enough. After his mom disappeared to gods knows where after he was born, he had to not only work hard, but also take care of him. According to Nora she claimed his mother was some junkie looking for her next fix. She made sure to remind him of that every time she claimed to be a great mother to him over the years.

Kal kept doing this until he met with Nora. With her around he didn’t have to worry about Kenny not having anyone to look after him. He wasn’t sure if his father had any other family member because all of his life he only knew his father and he never mentioned anything about any other family members. Sure, Nora’s family was there, but like her, they weren’t too keen on him either.

Whenever any of her family members were over he kept out of sight unless their kids were over. If they were then he had to keep an eye on the twins since they had a habit of stirring up trouble and causing fights with them. He was always tasked to be the one to separate them because he was the big brother and had to be the responsible one. A task he grew to hate so much over the years.  

Even though his father had given him this arduous task he never asked for and was always gone working, he never grew to hate him. Sure, there were times he was mad and wanted to punch him for being stupid and allowing the others to get away with so much, but he understood how much he had on his shoulders.

He respected the man. He was the one who taught him how to fight, or rather defend himself. He taught him so well that even when he was in an obvious losing fight he could either barely squeeze by and ‘win’ or not lose too badly.

Kal’s sigh brought Kenny out of his thoughts. He opened his eyes and looked at Kenny before saying, “I’m sorry for their attitude.”

Kenny stared at him blankly. His eyes looked down at the ground. Those weren’t the words he wanted to hear from him. If anything, he wanted him to thank him for not snapping back worse than he could have. Thank him for keeping at the task he could have easily avoided or dropped doing at any time so his siblings would learn the lesson they so needed. Alas, Kenny didn’t voice these thoughts, but instead said, “Don’t be. It’s my job to protect them…isn’t it?”

Kal stared at Kenny. With another sigh he said, “Don’t say that. Being an older brother isn’t a job. It’s a responsibility. One that you get to have since they don’t know any better.” Kal saw the look on Kenny’s face and added, “They might not appreciate you now and don’t understand what you are doing for them, but they will…One day they will.”

Kenny looked away from his father so he wouldn’t see the scowl that appeared on his face. He knew those two didn’t care and probably never would. With a mother like theirs, they will probably keep believing they were owed the world. After taking a moment to recompose himself, Kenny looked back at his father.

Kal took in a deep breath before letting it all out at once. He had that same look on his face he always had when he was about to say something Kenny wouldn’t like. “I know you were dead set on hoping to get that invitation to the Tower,” Kal started. “I want you to know that I am glad you didn’t get it.”

Kenny shifted and was about to open his mouth but stopped as Kal raised a hand to stop him. He then continued, “The Tower isn’t all fun and games like the tv and the schools make them out to be. It’s a dangerous place where you could die easily.” Kal looked away and towards the wall of the room.

Kenny glanced at the direction where he was looking. The spot his eyes were at was close to the closet door. He wasn’t sure why he was looking there let alone why he had a look of longing on his face. Kenny knew his father wasn’t the biggest fan of the Tower, but for all of his life he never understood why that was. Maybe he didn’t get an invitation, and he was sour about it? Maybe he had friends or family that went and died?

Kal looked back at Kenny and continued, “You shouldn’t go somewhere where your life could easily be thrown away without a single thought.  Especially for stuff as vain as fame or fortune. Both can easily be taken away. Instead, you should focus on your future here…with your family. Your siblings need you and I do too.”

Kenny hadn’t realized his face grew into a sneer until he saw the disappointed look on his father’s face. “I know it’s not something grand, but with you here we can grow as a family, and you can continue your responsibility as an older brother and keep your siblings safe from…”

Kenny quickly stood up, cutting his father’s sentence off. He was starting to get mad the more his father talked about family and responsibilities as an older brother. He didn’t want to hear it anymore. He knew he was being disrespectful for cutting his father off mid-sentence, but for his own sanity he just wanted to go to bed now. With as much of a controlled and calm voice as he could muster, Kenny said, “Nice talk. If you’ll excuse me, I’m pretty tired being responsible for those two and wish to go to bed.”

Kenny started for the door and before he could open it Kal said, “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear. We all have to make sacrifices in life. However, I want you to know I am proud of you…”

Those last five words took Kenny aback. He snapped his head back to look at his father, confusion warring with anger written on his face. His father has never said those words before. No, never wasn’t right. It had been a very long while since the last time he had it just felt like never because of how long it had been.

Like a cold wave of water, his irritation and anger simmered. It was still there, but after that surprise attack, he was confused. Stumbling on what to say, Kenny decided not to say anything but instead nod his head and then left the room. He could hear the sigh his father made as he closed the door behind him.

Walking into his room, Kenny swiftly closed the door behind him, sat on his bed and dropped to his back. He closed his eyes and placed an arm over them as he replayed the words over in his mind. It wasn’t fair. To tell him that he was happy that his son didn’t get to have his dream happen and then go around and say that he is proud of him? It was like a gut punch.

He’s happy his son is suffering and ‘sacrificing’ his dream to make sure two spoiled brats were safe from getting the punishment they all knew they deserved? What kind of father does that? Instead, he should have supported in his son’s dream or shown sympathy to his son when he didn’t receive the chance to chase it.

Kenny internally chuckled. Sympathy? Why would he ask for sympathy? He’s never seen sympathy before in a day of his life. Understanding. That’s something he could understand. Understanding was something he had to fall on to make it day to day. Understand why he needed to be the one to be responsible for his two bratty siblings. That was easy. Their mother wouldn’t take responsibility for their actions, and his father was always at work so he couldn’t. That left him.

If he was gone then there would be no one who would take responsibility for the chaos they caused. Kenny smirked at that. He would pay money to see Nora actually take responsibility for her spawns. That would be a sight to see.

After thinking of that another thought came to mind and he let out a long sigh. Understanding. He understood that if he was gone then the hard work on making money for the family his father did would probably need to be used on whatever trouble those two would cause.

Kenny understood why his father wanted him to be responsible. He always understood. That’s why he did it. He did it for his father and to lessen the worries he had. But the truth…it really wasn’t his responsibility.

With an irritated whisper, Kenny said, “Damn it. Why didn’t I get that invitation…”

“Oh? So, is that why you never responded? You never received it?” A singsong voice suddenly said as something powerful washed over him and the room.