My Ray of Sunshine

Prologue

I rolled my purple sleeves up my arm and tucked my hair into a low ponytail. My twin brother, Jack, looked over at me with a smile. "You ready?" He said, brown eyes shining with mischief. 

"Course," I grinned, standing up and slipping into my flats. Only ten and we had been stealing stuff like second nature, and honestly, it was. Jack slid the window open and allowed me to climb out before following. Momma and Papa were still sleeping as the sun was just barely starting to rise above the bay. "It's so pretty," I breathed, staring at the colors leaking into the sky. 

"Yeah, now let's go," Jack hissed, pulling me along. 

We don't steal for fun, you see, there's this gaggle of kids our age and younger who are orphaned. Basically, they have no parents. So, Jack and I have made it our mission to help these kids when we can. Once we were finished helping the kids, we headed back. Jack lifted me through the window where I met an angry Mamma and Papa. I rubbed my arm nervously as Jack climbed through the window. 

"Jack, Raya, where were you?" Momma growled, tapping her foot slowly with her arms crossed over her chest. 

"Um, out for a walk," I said. It wasn't totally a lie since we were technically walking. 

"The truth, Raya," Papa hissed, taking a step toward me. 

"We were out for a walk," I said again. That's when Papa's hand connected with the flesh of my left cheek. I immediately felt the hand print on my face, I knew it was red, I knew it would bruise, and oh lord it burns. I gently felt my cheek, wincing when I brushed my fingers over the spot. 

"We were helping other kids!" Jack hissed, stepping in front of me protectively. 

"What're you gonna do, boy?" Papa asked, a sort of venom tinging his voice. 

"Protect my sister," he answered. 

"You're ten, there ain't nothing you can do to keep her safe, Jack," Momma and Papa said in unison. I placed a hand on my twin's shoulder, showing him my support. 

"I will do whatever it takes," my twin hissed. 

"I'd do the same for him," I cut in, holding Jack's handing. 

"Fine, guess you kids can go live in the Refuge," Papa hissed, grabbing my ponytail and dragging me down the hallway. 

"Ow! Papa, let go!" I screamed, slamming a closed fist into his wrist until he dropped me. I fell to the floor, sliding away until I was able to stand and run. Jack grabbed my hand and pulled me along, locking us in the basement. 

"You okay?" He asked me, examining my small frame. 

"Yeah. We can use the tunnels we built to get out," I gestured to the wall. "You go first." 

"Be careful, Ray," Jack called as he crawled through the tunnel. I was about to when I heard the basement door swing open.

"I will," I smiled before closing the wall and opening the window, attempting to crawl through. 

A large hand wrapped around my ankle and pulled me back, slamming me into the concrete floor. Black flooded my vision and I was soon out like a light. 

Someone shook me awake, a boy with curly, dusty blond hair and blue eyes. "Do ya know him?" The blond asked, pointing at the window. 

"Jack!" I yelped, trying to get up, but only managed to fall backward. My head felt like someone was beating it with a brick over and over. I slammed my eyes shut. "Help me over there, please." 

"Name's Anthony," the blond smiled, spitting in his hand and shaking mine. 

"Raya Kelly," I forced a smile. 

"Ray," Jack breathed, fogging the glass. "Hold on, I'll get you out." I placed my hand on the glass, only slipping into sleep. 

Anthony's POV: 

Raya fell limp in my arms. I sighed, they always come in like this. Although, the Delancey's and Weisel didn't do anything to her. Her brother, Jack had similar injury marks. "Hold on, she's asleep," I explained, setting her on my bed for the time being. "Okay, what happened?" 

"Our folks don't like us because we're not super good, so Papa beats us. Ray's in here because she couldn't get away," Jack explained. I looked over at the girl, a pained look etched on her face. "I need to get her out. She's all I got." 

"She's in no shape to leave this place," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Albert and I could go with ya. Timmy can take care of her and we'll figure out a way to get everyone outta here." 

"But-" Jack started. 

Albert interrupted him as he appeared by my side, "it's for the best." 

"Timmy!" I hollered, watching the taller kid sidle over. 

"Yeah?" He asked, dark brown hair still as messy as usual. 

"Can ya take care of the girl?" I asked, pointing to Raya. 

"Sure," Timmy agreed. 

"Great. Jack, pull the lever on the outside while Albert and I push," I explained, waiting for them to get ready. "Go!" 

We all pushed/pulled, getting the window to creak open a bit. Albert slipped out first, followed by me. I quickly closed the window and pulled the other two into a bush. "Okay, let's go." 

"Where?" Jack asked, unable to tear his eyes away from the window. 

"The Lodging House," I explained, dragging my best friend and Jack along behind me.

"Guys, this is Jack," I introduced him to the rest, secretly hoping Kid Blink would let him stay.

"Kid Blink, how do you do?" Our leader asked, spitting into his hand and shaking Jack's.

"My sister's in the Refuge," Jack explained panicked.

"We's gonna get 'er out, but it may take a bit," Kid Blink explained. Everyone nodded and Jack sat down.