Given that at the time I am posting this update there remains serious concerns regarding the transmission and spread of the Coronavirus. Please continue to be healthy in mind, body and spirit despite all the interruptions with everyone's normal lifestyle and habits of living.

It is my sincerest hope that everyone, along with their families are not only well, but happy and able to maintain at least some of the activates they enjoy. If I am able to make you smile and forget your troubles, if only for a short while; then I've accomplished my goal.

Hello everyone! I realize much more time has passed then anyone (especially me!) would have liked since I updated last. The good news is my doctors were able to get rid of all the visible tumors. The bad news my cancer markers continue to rise despite the treatments like chemo. When combined with new symptoms suggests the battle isn't over yet. Until my medical team is able to directly determine where the cancer cells are located, or something appears on the scans. I'm sort of in a holding pattern. While admittedly not always easy, I count myself fortunate that I have an excellent medical team and a lot of confidence in my doctors.

To that end I've definitely returned to the world of writing. And I am VERY eager to make progress. To emphasize that point, the next chapter is almost entirely done save for a few minor edits and tweaks. I'm hoping to have that up and posted within a week.

Lastly, if you're a fan of Wizards of Waverly Place, or like my story Prophecy of a Shattered Identity and enjoys reading and offering ideas (grammar help is nice, but not required!) please send me a PM. I'm a bit stuck and could really use feedback.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your patience, support, prayers and well wishes. That means more to me then I can possibly express!

Chapter 4: No Place Like Home Warfare

Tori was thankful that the remainder of the school day didn't turn out the same way as her stage acting class. Even still, she did have to continue to put up with the irritation caused by the taunts and mocking by Jade. Making things worse the dark haired girl seemed particularly incensed that she had to perform much sooner then expected. Thanks to the bungled performance caused by Tori being hurt. As irritating as this might be, Tori was at least thankful that Jade hadn't made any more comparisons between Shelby Marx and her for the rest of the day.

No. The greatest challenge happened to come from the least threatening person in her group of friends: Cat. Perhaps most puzzling was that most of what the small female did didn't even involve talking. No, it was the frequent glances, the occasional pokes, the intermittent embraces made by the cheerful redhead. And while much of this wasn't necessarily out of the ordinary Tori couldn't help but feel like Cat suspected more was going on. The fact she continued to press for details about having such a large makeup bag, or why so much of it looked like it had been often used was more evidence to the former point.

The good news was that it was Cat who was possibly suspicious and not one of her other friends. The excitable redhead wasn't stupid, far from it. In fact she was very often quite observant. However, she did have very unique ways of showing that intelligence, or explaining exactly what she saw. Often she would not give up relevant information unless directly asked. Otherwise she frequently deviated and skipped from topic to topic, and subject to subject, interspaced with the occasional and usually just as unimportant stories about her brother and his 'special' problems due to some condition that was never revealed.

Without a doubt these facets made Cat the most distinctive out of her friends. However, it was likely for those same reasons that made the others oblivious about any inconsistencies the small redhead might have about her Latina friend.

That was why when the final school bell rang ending the school day Tori raced to exit the classroom door and out of the school. The second she made it home and saw no car in the driveway she breathed a deep sigh of relief. Not merely because she survived the school day with her secret and sanity intact – although that was a pleasant side effect – but because Trina wasn't home… yet.

Not wanting to risk losing even a single second. Tori hurriedly opened the front door, stepped through, and then raced up the stairs and down the hallway a few more steps to her room. Of course, not forgetting to close the front door again first without the lock reengaged. Anything to keep Trina out for even a few more seconds was well worth the effort. Or maybe, if she was truly lucky, her oh-so-lovable-sister would forget her house key and she'd have the most wonderful afternoon in months.

Tori couldn't help but smile happily at such a pleasant thought. She walked into her room as if on cloud nine; closed the door, turned on the overhead fan, ceiling lights and put down her backpack in fluid motions. While it was a lovely daydream she knew it was very unlikely she'd be so fortunate as for Trina to be so forgetful. Regardless, it wasn't enough to spoil her positive attitude. And so she again sighed happily and kicked off her shoes before falling backwards on to the bed. Now face-up she gazed up at the ceiling in silence with not a care or thought in the world, and simply enjoyed the quiet.

Just as Tori was beginning to think that she might truly have the afternoon to herself, the notion cruelly ended with an all too familiar sound. Screeching tires followed by an engine being turned off. Almost simultaneously the car door opened and Tori groaned out loud. She knew that whatever hopes for a peaceful afternoon were seconds away from turning into a one-house warzone.

That was why Tori took the additional steps of covering her head with a pillow and, however futile it might be in the end. Prayed that somehow not hearing the ominous sounds meant that her terror of a sister wouldn't be home. She also redoubled her most sincere aspirations, appeals and pleas to whatever-powers-that-might-be-listening for her to be wrong. And still, somehow the tall-tale, ominous click-clack, click-clack, click-clack of stilettos against stone pavers continued unabated. Stopping only long enough for the even more alarming sound of a key going into a lock and the front door being opened.

Tori couldn't help but cringe. Both arms clenching the pillow tightly against her head because of what was inevitably going to happen in a few, all-to-short seconds: the quiet peace to herself was going to end.

And a second later it did with Tori deeply sighing in sadness as she instantly recognized the familiar female voice that was currently attempting to make her deaf by shouting at the top of her lungs over and over again.

"Ttttoorrriiiii!" came the same voice. "Tttttoorrriiii Ttttooorriiii!"

Crap! She thought. Please, what does she want now?

"Ttorrii! Ttoorrii!" the same voice insisted as it moved frenetically about downstairs. "Ttoorri! Ttoorri!"

Please God! I try to be good! I really, really do! Why did you curse me with a sister like Trina! Tori silently asked while grabbing another pillow to add to the collection already on top of her head. And as the additional pillow failed to help in succeeding in blocking Trina's voice; just as had happened so many countless times before. She never received an answer to her pleas. Instead the voice from somewhere below only became louder and more demanding.

"Tori!" shouted Trina before storming up the stairs to the second floor with heavy, thundering steps. "Tori! Why don't you answer me!" she screeched despite still being in the hallway. "I know you're home! How about you try talking to me instead of hiding like a pathetic coward!" thundered Trina before she swore in frustration from not receiving any sort of response.

Irritated Trina resumed yelling; willing herself to continue until not only getting what she wanted but also pleasantly driving Tori insane was a wonderful, additional perk. Using a 'softer' approach, one that didn't involve shouting crossed Trina's mind for the barest of moments but seeing her younger sister upset while doing her bidding. Well, such instances didn't come every day and the rare occurrence couldn't be turned down.

Which was why - very much to Tori's detriment - Trina, after hardly a gap commenced her windowpane shaking, ear bleeding, migraine inducing howls. "Damnit Tori! TALK. TO. ME!" the older girl tried once more. Somehow able to make the piercing waves of sound that was her voice grow even louder.

Tori groaned knowing Trina would never stop and only get more incensed until she obtained what she wanted. Making this even worse was that Trina didn't care in the least about such matters like convenience, time involved, costs and most basic of all how to respectfully and politely ask. The only saving grace offered so far by her wayward sister was the fact she hadn't ventured to peak inside her room. A particular stone that likely wouldn't remain unturned for very much longer.

A fact that Tori sadly knew, and worst of all meant she was trapped. Not that being stuck in her room was much of a reprieve. Even through the multiple layers of cloth the fluffy pillows offered, they only slightly muffled the sounds that seemingly continued to grow; piercing not only her ears but soul and made her want to wear a helmet made of concrete.

No true sanctuary existed since Trina was more then able and willing to turn into the perfect imitation of a she-devil. Casting fire, brimstone, sadness, misery and woe in every direction with utterly no regards whether the recipient was a legitimate target or merely an innocent bystander. To her, any and all causalities were acceptable as long as the end result was in her favor.

And therein was the problem. In actuality regardless of whatever Trina's request happened to be. That wasn't really the issue that caused Tori – and so anyone else who had the misfortunate to be a similar position with Trina– such a great deal of annoyance and distress. The fact that she was in a lose-lose condition was the problem. While Tori might be thoroughly maddened by Trina's demands, any tactic that might be employed to encourage a change was not only refuted and ignored, but greeted with endless begging, pleading, and earsplitting shrieks and screams when anything was spoken contrary to her ultimatums. When Trina had ratcheted the situation to that level, the only question at hand was how much more misery, woe and damage to ones' hearing was one willing to tolerate before giving in.

That was why Tori closed her eyes and prayed once more, this time for Trina to be reasonable. And then with a final groan and deep sense of dread, stuck her head out from underneath the pillows and responded in the way she felt was most deserved. Albeit not in a way that Trina was likely to appreciate. Even still, knowing the potential escalation for more dire consequences, Tori was too annoyed, irritated and angry to do anything less. Damn the potential risk and damage to her sensitive eardrums.

Since previous experience had taught her that this horrendous game of patterns with Trina had no ending. With all the energy she could muster she determinedly shouted, "GO AWAY!" Instantly knowing that even after having said those fateful two words, she wished she'd both sink through the bed and disappear. Or better yet, more preferably somehow simply vanish and evaporate altogether, perhaps even reappearing at the gym. And if the former wasn't possible then in the next five seconds being physically anywhere but where she was would be preferable. And still she tried; hoping that the last ditch demand might, could just work a miracle and make Trina comply. "Leave me alone! Can't you go harass someone else for a change!" continued Tori even though it only further incensed her older sibling.

"Tori! Tori! Tori! Tori! Tori!" Trina shouted back while following the sound of her sister's voice with hurried steps. And in a series of astounding, rushed movements that the younger Vega could only follow as a single action that she swore had to be completed with the skills of a ninja and the usage of magic. Trina somehow was able to instantly enter her room and peacefully open the door. All when her hurried, frantic actions suggested she was committing the crime of breaking and entering and simultaneously appeared right next to the bed.

With Tori's stretched out form – even if her head was stuck under pillows – being impossible to miss. Trina was unable to resist the temptation. In a gesture purely designed to aggravate her sister, sat down on the bed and excitedly bounced. Getting no response at all - despite the older female knowing better - she did so again. For her efforts this time Trina earned herself a muffled, tense groan of discouragement from Tori. The younger of the two forced to abandon her hopes her sister would just shut up and leave her be after a minute or two of harassment.

"Why didn't you answer me!" questioned an insistent Trina. Not understanding why Tori continued to try to avoid being in her presence; predominantly around when it came close to her having to leave for gym practice.

"Maybe because I just-" Tori tried with complete futility as the older sibling stopped her midsentence.

"Blah, blah! Blah blah! Blah!" mocked Trina before she paused for a moment. Just long enough of a break for Tori to believe it was safe to talk and try speaking in opposition. Unfortunately, as fast as she acted it wasn't quick enough. Trina instantly seeing yet another an advantage, interrupted and resumed with the same previous mantra.

From under the soft pillow Tori's face immediately fell and quickly evolved into a scowl from the abysmal frustration. And while Trina couldn't see her sister's expression she knew Tori's mannerisms well enough to intuitively know that despite whatever games she might be playing now. Tori was far from defeated. She merely hoped her older sister would be easygoing and generous. Simply take the bait; leave and then peace would be restored.

A fact that was complete and total wishful thinking just as it had been time after time before. And as if to exemplify the point even further. Trina's voice loudly rang outward to resume the auditory assault on a pair of battered eardrums. "Blah, blah! Blah blah! Blah!" Trina said with renewed energy and a satisfied smile at hearing how exasperated her sister was becoming. A welcomed detail emphasized by her catching another series of loud sighs from below the stuffed, fabric fortress Tori had used to buttress her position on the bed.

A refuge that didn't last for long because Tori had decided to surface from underneath the pillows and partially turned to glare at Trina with utterly no effect. Trina continued on as if her sister's obvious expressions of disgust and annoyance didn't exist in the slightest. And with Tori feeling her blood pressure angrily rise, it reached the boiling, roiling point when she tried again to speak only for Trina to cruelly and painfully pinch her lips together with an uncaring, callous hand.

"Yeah! Yeah! You have problems that are sssooo important," commented Trina while using her other hand to simulate a talking mouth. "But mine are life and death!" she shouted while purposely invading the younger Vega's personal space. Their noses mere inches apart before she returned to her feet and stood. Once again deliberately standing near Tori in a very methodical and unwelcome act that caused the youngest of the pair to crossly recoil and scowl.

In addition the latest assault on Tori's ears made them ring nastily for a few unpleasant moments. At her limits and now pushed beyond Tori stood and squared off with Trina, staring at her face to face. Openly challenging the older female. No longer concerned or worried about the possible trauma to her poor, abused eardrums. True, the stance she adopted sacrificed the miniscule protection distance offered from the high-pitched screeches Trina so effectively welded. A fact that she was reminded by as the last of the painful ringing faded away.

However, it was too late. All of the former didn't matter now. No, too much had transpired and Tori was completely infuriated by Trina's antics. More then the former and most decisively of all, she was absolutely tired of these daily war games. One way or another this test of wills and painful tolerance to acoustic, vocal weaponry was going to end.

Of course, if Trina realized, understood or even cared about any of her younger sister's intentions she made absolutely no sign or show of doing so. Despite she knowing that Tori was very close by having spoken with her mere moments ago. Trina was well within easy and comfortable speaking range. However since Tori had opted to respond with the answer she least wanted to hear. Her sister had totally and completely slighted her yet again purely by ignoring her entirely, saying nothing at all instead. And that was when Trina decided that she had needed to provide Tori additional incentives to react in a more pleasant and favorable manner to her loving, doting older sister.

This time Trina used a full second to cross an additional few steps before – somehow louder then before – shrieked at Tori. Immediately and rather cruelly reminding her there was another person standing in the room.

More then put off and refusing to be baited by Trina's childish attempts at attention; Tori rolled her eyes and dared to ask what Trina was talking about. Inwardly she knew that not only would Trina hate the response but also more then likely any demands that might possibly involved them together in close proximity, or most dire of all: placed in the same room.

"You promised! You promised! You ppprrrooommmiisssseeeeddd!" wailed Trina while expressly dragging out the last word for emphasis. Unfortunately for her, all of the effort was for naught because while Tori was – for the once and likely only time today- actively listening. She still didn't have a clue. A fact Trina immediately picked up on due to her confused, blank stare. An expression Trina was more then familiar with because Tori almost always followed it up with a 'You're crazy!' or 'Out of your mind!' response. Something that Trina was not in the mode to address, which was why she spoke before Tori and fully elaborated. "You promised to take me to practice at your gym this month!" the older Vega whined and she crossed her arms indignantly. "It's the end of the month! And you have to keep your promise!" she continued to maintain.

"No I didn't!" a thoroughly shocked Tori quickly responded while feeling a rush of anger begin to percolate in the pit of her stomach. The annoyance Trina demonstrated earlier now bordering on the edge of a physical confrontation. "Mom asked me if I minded and I said yes I did!" corrected Tori. "Which means that I get the final say. And I say, no. You can't go to practice with me at the gym!"

"See!" Trina cried out with a smile. "You just said it yourself! You promised! And I get to go!"

"I did not! I D. I. D. N! O! T!" Tori carefully and very specifically spelled out the simple words to make her stance crystal clear. "I repeat, DID NOT say you could tag alone. I have another huge match coming up and the last thing I need is you causing trouble or making a scene! I won't, I absolutely won't risk being thrown out of my own home gym because of your childish behavior!" Tori explained with her best, I'm-serious-and-don't-push-your-luck voice.

"That's not fair!" complained Trina while throwing her hands up in the air in a sign of protest. "You can't undue a promise!" she shouted at Tori. The one thing she truly hated was being told no. And the only thing she hated more then the former was being told no by her little sister. Since Tori had, once again broken her carnal rules then it obviously meant anything and everything was fair game to get her to cooperate.

Why Tori wouldn't just cooperate and do what she wanted, Trina couldn't understand. After all, little sisters were supposed to worship the ground older sisters walked on. From Trina's perspective that was the way things worked in the world. And why Tori couldn't see the plain and clear logic of such a notion; Trina totally didn't know. Somehow though, she had to start to reinforce the way the hierarchy of the house worked with Tori. And that was why she flatly ignored whatever garbage Tori responded with and once more shouted back. "I don't care what you say! You're such a meanie! You promised! And you still won't let me go! What did I ever do to you? I do everything I can to make you happy! I never ever cause you trouble! And when I want one, teeny tiny thing from you this is how I get repaid?" Trina lashed out, speaking faster and louder until it was nearly impossible to make out what she was saying at all.

The madness had gone on for too long and Tori had had more then enough. She couldn't stand a moment more; much less risk hearing damage and a pulsing headache that was going to turn into a migraine without at least a few moments of precious silence. More important then perhaps even that was she had to get going and leave soon if she wanted to be at the gym on time. The very last thing she wanted to do was make her coach upset due to lateness.

Whether Tori wanted to be on time or spare investing in a good pair of hearing aids in the near future. The reason didn't matter. Being forced to endure variations of this same kind of argument multiple times a week, over the course of multiple years had given her not only extremely thick skin to Trina's taunts. She had learned a variety of tactics which allowed her get out of the fire without a certain big sister interjecting herself needlessly and gaining control over all aspects of her life.

Even though it was quite risky to do. Tori was deliberately baiting, stringing Trina along and purposely, and deviously escalating the confrontation. That same hard won experience had taught Tori that the more agitated and faster speaking Trina became. Her neediness and self-centeredness increased as well, but at the severe cost of becoming much less observant. And this was the exact moment Tori had been waiting for.

The point where Trina worked herself into a total frenzy; when she turned into an electrified-jack-rabbit-with-energizer-batteries-on-crack incarnate with just a hint of utter madness. With hands covering both ears and her older sister doing an excellent job of putting to shame a candy-deprived two-year-old temper tantrum in the middle of a grocery store. She returned to the closet in her room and grabbed the duffel bag that held all her needed training gear before slinging it over her shoulder.

Why Trina refused to move and remain planted where the argument began, Tori didn't know. There wasn't any logic or reason behind Trina's motives and she just assumed it was yet another attribute giving credence to a spark – or forest fire – of insanity. Regardless, it was a rare benefit that Tori wasn't going to complain or question since it was this trait more then any other that had allowed her to stay out of prison due to the intense desire to murder a certain female sibling that was older.

The only difference was Trina somehow sensing that Tori was walking away being somehow able to increase the volume of her voice, yet again. The new octaves ringing unforgivingly against the younger Vega's eardrums, a gritty sandpaper against her brain as she braved the sound waves of mass destruction.

"TORI YOU PROMISED!" Trina screamed, pausing for a second to greatly inhale before belting out the same diatribe. "TORI YOU PROMISED!"

By now Tori had moved down the stairs and whether Trina was aware of what was transpiring or not she didn't care. And by the time she had passed through and closed the front door she had her answer.

"Tori you promised!" the muffled voice came from somewhere within. Causing Tori to shake her in disbelief once again at the amazingness that was her sister Trina. Lacking access to a car and even though it was a bit of a hassle and chore to do so, Tori started the short walk to the gym.

The brief time needed for Tori to reach her destination wasn't only more then adequate for her headache to fade and hearing to return to normal. The time was also pure heaven because even though she was surrounded by the sounds of a small city, there wasn't the faintest note or tone of the auditory piercing screams she was a victim too not so long ago. Happy to see the training center in sight Tori smiled and eagerly crossed the street and the last hundred feet of sidewalk to the entrance.

Tori quickly opened the front door and disappeared within the interior just in time to miss the red-apple colored car that pulled into the parking lot. A teenage female getting out of the drivers seat, her stilettos making a tall-tale, ominous click-clack, click-clack, click-clack against the pavement as she made her way inside the gym.

Thank you very much for reading. If you enjoyed this chapter please take a moment to rate and review. Your comments and critiques inspire and encourage me to continue writing. I do my best to respond promptly if you have any questions or simply want to talk. Please send me a pm.

Until next time, be well!