The Fallen

Chapter 2

Eclipse was startled out of her trip down memory lane by a shrill shriek.

"ECLIPSE!!!"

Said person looked up to see three figures running towards her and braced herself for the expected impact. She was not disappointed. Even being ready for it, that didn't change the fact that they almost toppled Eclipse over as they launched themselves into a group hug (read doggy-pile) with Eclipse in the middle/bottom.

"Umm, you guys, I can't breath!"

"Sorry not sorry!" came the resonated reply.

Nevertheless, even as they said that they were already getting off of her. Once he was standing, Ben held out his hand to help Eclipse up. Eclipse stared at it for a bit before taking it and grabbing it and was brought to her feet. Upon standing, the others all began to talk at once.

"So...how have you been?" - Ben

"Eclipse, you worried us! Don't you dare do that again! Honestly, maybe you should, you know, let us get caught once in a while, instead of self-sacrificing yourself!" - Mary

"I missed you! Who fostered this time? What was it like there?" - Zelly

"Jeez you guys, one at a time, anyway it wasn't the worst I've been to. This time it was the Dalca family. It was umm... different." Eclipse stated, slightly exasperated. "So... who's hungry?"
"WHAT?" the other 3 children chorused, in a questioning tone. "What does food have to do with anything?"

"I'll take that as a yes." was the vague and mysterious response.

Eclipse set down her bag and opened it. Inside there was food heaped up to the top of the bag filling it so much that since the bag was now open there was some falling out. All the children's eyes lit up with joy.

"You brought a FEAST! Thank you!" exclaimed Mary.

The siblings just drank in the sight of all the food. It wasn't every day that they got this much food (if any) and this way there wasn't a risk of getting caught for stealing food nor for being alone (namely without adult supervision).

They all hastily seated themselves in a circle as Eclipse began to distribute the meal. They all ate contently in silence, for it had been a while since they had had a well-sized meal (minus Eclipse). 

As they were eating, Eclipse thought about her biological family. Her mind had begun to wonder when she had started thinking about her last name, Peftastéri, which meant 'falling star' in greek and how well it fit her, just like her first name. More importantly, she mused, she would always, ALWAYS prefer Peftastéri to the horrid last name of her so-called father. 

Just thinking about that monster was dangerous. He had scarred her for life mentally, messed with her emotions and had made her into the introverted, intimidating and slightly menacing-looking young lady that she was. She somewhat recalled that once upon a time she had been a little star, bright and happy. Oh, how the times have changed! For even the greatest of stars fade and fall eventually. 

Her name Eclipse Peftastéri fit her perfectly. An eclipse is when the sun gets covered by darkness and that was exactly what had happened to her, and though slowly the light was beginning to show once again, it had taken over 5 years to heal that much. She feared it may take her whole life just to get over what the wicked man that had raised her had done. A quick flash went through her head, a memory of his face in a cruel sneer staring directly at her approaching menacingly. Eclipse shook her head trying to get him out of her head all the while an involuntary shiver went down her spine. Granted, she had a good reason but that didn't change the fact that she felt embarrassed for showing vulnerability. Where she grew up if you showed weakness the beating you'd get would only be worse. The olive orchard she was raised at, in itself was beautiful but when knowing all the dark secrets it held, the beauty seemed to diminish greatly.