White Sands, Red Blood

Chapter Three

Heya! So I understand how long it has been to update this new chapter, and I just want to say I'm sorry, I really am. Not only was writers block a helluva lot harder than I thought, but school and everything sure didn't help. Anyway, enough blabbering, here's chapter 3!

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"Wake up! Wake up!" said a screeching and high-pitched voice with a thick French accent; Fredereque.

I grudgingly opened one eye to look at the spoiled teen in the blinding light. The first thing I saw was her blue skinny jeans and black flats and, when I looked up, saw her in a blue light, tank top with a black cardigan. Her hands were on her waist and her hip cocked to the side with attitude.

"Can I help you, Your Highness?" I asked sarcastically, opening my eyes fully and lifting my head to hers slightly.

"Well," she said with a devious smirk, "I could zink of a few zings if you-"

"Citizens," proclaimed a loud, booming voice, "Rounds will begin within the next two hours. Prepare your homes for inspection."

"I hate that thing." proclaimed Shenya, unaware of Fredereque's presence.

"It is a bit annoying." she responded. There were times where I loved Fred, like a sister she was supposed to be, "But so are you and I have to put up wit you all zee time.", then there were times I regretted that statement.

"Lovely to see you're horrendous face in the morning too Fred." snapped Shenya.

"You know I hate being called Fred!" she exclaimed, " I was given zee gracious name of Fredereque and you will respect zat.". I rolled my eyes.

"Is there a reason that you decided to come and mingle with us Fred?" I asked, standing and stretching.

I could see the anger in her face but she simply said, "Mom wants zo see each of you before the Inspectors come."

"What order would her royal highness want it to be this time?" Sheya asked, sarcasm heavy and present.

"Zee boys first, zen you," she pointed to Shenya, "zen you." she pointed to me, "I got my meeting over wit before you lazy slobs woke up."

"Oh sure, what did she tell you that you spend too much time with us, your loving siblings?" Shenya asked in feigned politeness.

"Shenya, it's not worth it. We have to fix up everything before they get here."

"Fine." she grumbled and started with the tedious process of waking up the boys.

"Are you going back up there?" I asked Fred as I started rolling up the sleeping bags.

"No, I probably can't since she'll be meeting wit each of you.". I simply nodded and got back to work.

"Do you need help wit zat?" she asked genuinely.

"Don't want you to break a nail."

She laughed, "Don't worry about me.". She sat down beside me and tried to figure out how the bag worked. I laughed and helped her.

"So what's sparked this need to help huh? It's new to you." I asked.

"Maybe I saw Mother for who she zruely is."

"She yelled at you, didn't she?" I asked, just now realizing that she looks like she had cried recently. Fred only nodded, "I'm sorry." I told her. That was all, she flung herself on me in an embrace which I hesitantly and lightly returned.

When we broke apart I noticed Shenya staring questioningly at us. I waved her away and gave her an I'll explain later look.

Just as all the sleeping bags were stored neatly away in a hidden closet and the floor continued to have its dull monochrome color I saw the two boys ascend the large staircase into the dreaded room.

I was scared, just as I always was when they went up to see her. Never will I know what goes on up there, I ask but I have always believed Mother used the Secret Serum on the pair.

It's experimental, the Secret Serum, only made in labs that litter the facility. Something that only someone of a high power could get their hands on. I didn't understand how someone who was so lowly like my mother could get her hands on something that isn't even on the shelves. Perhaps it was her many suitors that came in and out of her room constantly? One did look very official now that I thought about it.

It hurt my head to think about it too hard and I came back to James and Jacōb going up to the room. I had never personally been in the room when the twin boys were in the room so I didn't know what went on behind those shut doors, but I felt that it wasn't good at all.

On I went, folding the dirty piles of rags we were forced to call clothes neatly and placing them in drawers that we never bothered with until Inspection ran around.

Granted I had never been inside another person's house, I hoped that they were as bad as it was here. I was instantly hit with a wave of guilt at my selfishness but my thought never wavered. I did want someone to have it as bad as us so that we were not alone; so that we were not outcasts in our own un-willful way.

I felt a hand shaking me on my shoulder and got pulled out of my thoughts to see Fred looking at me with her mouth moving and, slowly, her words started taking shape:

"Did you 'ear me?" she asked, "I said she's ready for you."

I snapped out of my daze and answered, "Oh, uh, okay. Thanks."

Without another word I put the last shirt away and started the trek to the room my mother incessantly called home.

The stairs were always the scary part; white and rail-less . I didn't think I had a fear of heights, but looking down at the little dots that I knew were my brothers and adopted sisters made me worry about some unforeseen wind being strong enough to push me off the steps and to the dullness that made up my home.

After what seemed like an eternity, I reached the door. I stood there, staring at the door and catching my breath, I really hated those damn stairs. With one final glance back at my family, cleaning and preparing for Inspection, I turned the golden knob, the only color in this dreary house, and opened the door.