Unkissed. (Rated R)

13.♣️

Like lighting the reins crack, in response the horse neighs in the darkness before charging down the main road, clopping sounds fade away like a distant clap, leaving me alone in the middle of the night.

I am stilled, frozen, A single child out in the open in the middle of the night, an opening for anyone passing by, and a freebie to the ones that search.

It's not until the man fully disappears is when a nagging feeling buzzed in my system. There Something screaming in my gut telling me that I should have gone with him, or stay away from the home, a voice beckoning for me to run. But where too? What feeling could possibly strike a more terrifying thought than walking into the house?

I couldn't move, watching the empty road as if the carriage was still in sight not minding my current surroundings. A single dim light flickering from the home next to me before dying out entirely. There was something strange amiss, I felt it in my bones, something unsettling.

A Howl hoots in the distance, the only sound in this strange silence. Like the universe itself was trying to tell me something that I couldn't understand. Maybe it was the statement that puts me at an unease, rendering me unsettled.

A shift in the wind as I finally convinced myself that that was the answer to this problem, I was ready to run with that statement, forcing myself to agree. But than I glanced upwards to the faceless sky, odd. The stars were burning bright near the castle, yet not even the moon was out tonight.

Another breeze flows through the curled strands of my hair, this time with a strong gust, it whispers my name. Soft and ghostly is my name being said out into the distance, hastily I bring my head down, legs ready to make a break for it now that I have finally caught my common sense when I saw him than.

The ghost of my brother, standing in the middle of the street.

A stern look upon his face with wide eyes. Maggots wiggling in his open wounds as he stared right at me. Even he beckoned me to elude the scene and run as far away as my legs could take me, but even dead he should remember how cruel this place was if your a lonely child with no riches to your name.

It's a symbol if my brothers ghost comes to me, it means death is near.

I knew than whatever feeling I felt, wasn't all in my head. My right of worry wasn't for not, something isn't right with this night and now I know tonight I will regret stepping inside.

***

Nothing out of place, but then again this home was a pigsty, my toes meeting the cold ground, wincing deeply at the furry rats that scramble by me, hissing and squeaking. Heavy Sounds of deep snores and groans welcome me as I enter, despite the creaking floor my steps are careful and trepidatious.

Forcing myself not to glance at the dark corners of the shadows, afraid my brain would create scary figures, haven't been the same since speaking to the king. Were they in my home? Those rusty doors are never secure enough, how many are in here now, Watching my every move.

I'm not at full ease until I make it up the steps, just in time for the lights in the kitchen to beam open.

Harsh grave grunts from my father's chest as he heaves a thick phlegm before spitting a thick load into the sink. Mucus making a splatter sound effect before being rinsed away. Distastefully I make a face hearing the gurgling sound as its being drained - for heaven's sake I drink from the tap during the heat.

Leisurely I turn to look at him from the top of the stairs, he rounds his way towards the couch and I caught him fully nude. I wouldn't have mind it if I went blind in this moment. Same usual sluggish behavior, delirious and out of his mind as he wobbles over to the couch, sitting before his pile of white powder.