Kiss of Death

Part 1

I was surprised to see the Sherriff's horse outside of my family's home. I was even more surprised when the door burst open and he stepped out with my brother in cuffs and my little sisters chasing after them crying.

I run over and ask the Sherriff what's going on.

"Your brother was caught trading magical items on the streets." The Sherriff looks at me with pitying eyes. It makes my blood boil. How dare he pity me as he takes my brother away.

"Well where are you taking him?" I was expecting the town jail but his answer shocked me.

"He'll be going to the palace dungeon." My brother Keegan's face drops when he hears this. My little sisters stop crying in shock. We all kn ow what happens to those who go the palace dungeon.

"Keegan what were you thinking? Why would you do that?" I hold back tears and try to think of how I can fix this.

"Roo, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." Keegan can't bear to look in my eyes.

"Enough of the sentiments it's time to go." A black carriage pulls up and my brother is thrown into it.

My sisters run down the road crying out to Keegan. I have to carry them back inside.

I want to cry. I want to scream. I want my brother back. I want my mom to hold me and rub my head like she does for my sisters.

But I can't. Now that Keegan is gone, I'm truly alone in this family. It was always us two against the world. Now what can I do except take up his mantle as the keeper of the family.

I spend the next few weeks looking for ways to provide for my family. When you're a 17 year old girl with a small build, it's hard to find work. I'm too young to get an official job. No one wants to hire me for heavy lifting. I absolutely despise housework so any job relating to that is a no. So for now I'm stuck with hunting and foraging to feed my family. As for taxes, that's a completely different story.

When my dad was alive, we didn't have to worry about any of that. But when he died, it was up to my mom. She couldn't handle the stress of raising five kids and doing everything and she fell ill. During that time, Keegan was only 15 years old. He worked hard looking for ways to provide for us. His handsome face and built body helped him greatly. His dark green eyes could charm anybody and with a tussle of his curly blonde hair, girls would swoon left and right.

"Rune where is dinner?" My mom comes into the kitchen slurring her words and reeking of alcohol.

"Ma, I had no time today I had school." I can tell she's drunk so I try to be as gentle as possible.

It didn't work. She's infuriated.

"You useless piece of trash. You do absolutely nothing. I wish I never had you. You're worthless." I know that she's drunk but that doesn't make her words sting any less.

That night, after I put her and my sisters to bed, I made up my mind.

I was going to go get Keegan back.