Sibling Bond

         Number 12 was thrown back into his small cubicle, only emphasizing the pain from the recent whip wounds. Groaning in pain he should be used to, he slumped back into his chair and started typing again. It was bad enough he got whipped again, the last thing he wanted to hear is ‘typing’ being shouted. With eyes fixed on the screen in fear of making another mistake, it took more than a moment to pick up on the small whispers being sent in his direction.
         Someone was outside, motioning that he follow. Number 12 hunched over more, typing faster. An annoyed grunt was heard, then “Dexter…come here” was whispered. Instantly, his head jerked up. It sounded so familiar, yet so far away.  Only one person called him by his real name anymore, yet he could never claim it again. Slowly standing up, he looked out to see the one person that has been kind to him despite their years and current situation.
         A small smile formed on his face to see her. Now Mandark’s chosen queen, she was always in the best of professional clothing, wearing her best smile, and bright blue eyes. Their heights had evened over the years, as they almost matched now and he didn’t have to look up anymore. Her hair remained in pigtails as before, only with lovely ribbons to tie them up with. The bounce in her step and bright sunny thinking stayed thoughout. It’s what kept her who he remembered. But currently, she looked concerned. Taking his hand, she led him into a small room, and found in the cabinet a first aid kit. The whole place was hidden and bare. Only a few unnecessary items rested here, leaving an empty feeling. No computers, no cubicle designing, and no commands to get back to work. It was almost comforting. He wouldn’t mind a small place like this. Sitting down on the bench in the room, Number 12 slowly took off his white lab coat to reveal multiple colored and decorated Band-Aids on his back, covering old wounds. A few were starting to peel off from time. And a few were cut in half or pieces from the recent chastisement. The event had been humiliating enough; he didn’t want to look at the damage caused.
         “I hate to see you like this Dexter.” Number 1 now looked upset, slowly peeling off the old ones and dabbing a cotton ball with alcohol on the sores that needed to be tended to. Number 12 flinched at the stinging, whimpering a bit.
“N-Number one  --”
“No Dexter, that’s not my name.” She stopped him in his tracks as he winced at the pain, “D-Dee… Dee...” She nodded in approval, carefully tending to her brother’s lashing wounds. 12 may be his number, but nothing would stop her from calling him who he is.
“T-th-that hurts”
Her eyes still carried the kindness as before, though it still surprised him now that she would dare break rules and show care to him even in this state. “Why…why do you do it, nu – Dee Dee? I’m a failure.” He hunched over more.
         “You just don’t get it, do you?” Dee Dee started to cover his back in fresh band aids. Her brother gave a confused look. “You’re my brother. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll always take care of you, like you took care of me.” Dee Dee offered a smile of hope. Though Dexter had no understanding of what Mandark saw in his sister, he felt some relief coming back to him.
Gently patting his back she turned him towards her. “You’re healed, for now. Be careful….please.” There was fear in her voice. Fear for what else could happen to him. “T-th-hank you Dee Dee. I don’t know where I would be without you. I…I’ll do my best.” Sitting up a bit straighter and smiling warmly, he slipped his coat back on. She replaced the kit, making it so it appeared as nothing was disturbed. Standing up, his lanky build would have matched her, or even a bit taller, if he hadn’t been so used to slouching. But it felt much better than constantly seeing her legs clad in tights, having to look up to speak to her. Times had changed, but they hadn’t.
         Leading Dexter quietly back to his cubicle, they both found Mandark in the small square space, glaring angrily. “Number 12! I demand an explanation of why you were out with my angel of beauty.”
“She… I…” he started to stutter and shrink back, stopped by Dee Dee’s outstretched hand. “I simply took him out to have a little chat” She clarified with bite in her voice, hitting her brother in the back of the head, “To ensure he would not make another mistake”. The tyrant smiled and took her hand. “Thank you dear, it’s nice to see you share my thoughts. But leave the punishments to me; you shouldn’t have to worry yourself with this failure’s nonsense.” She secretly made a disgusted expression towards Dexter, repulsed by Mandark’s ways but glad to keep her brother out of another penalty. The two left Number 12 to his designing. Despite the conditions, he held on, playing back her calling him by name in his head. It was consoling to know that someone was out there for him in this harsh world.