Rebellious Constantly Running

Chapter Three

My feet ached in my ill-fitting shoes as I walked home. My stomach growled like a wolf at the pale full moon, I forced away my hunger. I managed to trade three squirrels for a new pair of hunting boots for Jason and a hare for some coal. I was hoping for some new clothes but I'd have to wait. Taking a detour into the forest, I picked some berries from the bushes, the ones Nat liked. I cut through the garden and knocked on the door of his family mansion.

"Hey," He smiled as he opened the ivory door.

I smiled back and held out the berries.

He handed me five drachmas in exchange for the berries.

"You look much better without all that make-up," He told me.

"I've got to feed my family," I muttered looking away to hide my annoyance at his blatant ignorance.

"Maybe you should stay here tonight, it's dark," He offered he sounded guanine, part of me wanted to go into the warm but I couldn't.

"I can look after myself, besides I have to get home."

"Here," He handed me five more drachmas.

I looked up into his eyes. They were a deep blue reminding me of ink, they were kind and trusting. Gods I wished I felt something when I looked into those blue spheres. "Thank you," I whispered.

"καληνύχτα," He said goodnight.

"καληνύχτα," I repeated.

I turned and walked away dropping the drachmas into my pouch, maybe this week we'll have enough to begin saving in case things get worse for us. It would be another couple of months before we'd get money from the Megalos family.

I pushed open our heavy gate and bolted it behind me I walked down the steps to our front door. I fumbled for the right key before unlocking the door and double checking that I had locked it behind me.

Jason was asleep on the sofa. He always tried to stay up when I travelled to the market. He looked so peaceful in sleep, all of his troubles had no hold on him as he dreamt. I covered him with a blanket and smiled to myself.

I took off my shoes and jacket and put them away in the cupboard. I went upstairs and into the bathroom. I looked in the mirror. The girl staring back at me wore heavy eyeliner and grey eye shadow as well as powder and lipstick but underneath, she was just an olive skinned thirteen year old girl. I wore the make-up to make me look older, not only to protect myself but to help me to flirt my way into trades. I washed off the make-up and looked back in the mirror. Now I was that thirteen year old olive skinned girl with big brown eyes and dark brown thick hair. I had three freckles on my left cheek that Rosie used to describe as the stars. My lips were cracked in thirst and my face sharp with hunger.

I had to travel far to a village that didn't know about what my family did. Sometimes I could get away with pity the others I had to flirt or trick. If things got really bad Jason and I would steal. I could have sold myself, I wasn't above it but the thought scared me not to mention that Jason would kill before he let me. I would do anything to keep my family alive.

I pushed open my little sister's bedroom door. She was sleeping soundly. I kissed her gently on the crown of her head and left her to sleep in peace. I then went into my parents room, my Father always made me wake him up to let him know that I was home.

"Dad," I whispered. "Dad?"

"Mum?" I shook her shoulder but she just laid there. My heart began too race. "Dad?" I shook him as well my hands came away crimson and wet with blood.

It was only now that under the dim light I saw blood all over the bed, I screamed. My body shaking with fear.

"No, no!" I shook them tears running down my checks. "Wake up, please wake up!" I cried.

If I had just stayed home I could have saved them...this was all my fault...I should have been there...

"Please don't leave me," I whispered still desperately trying to wake them.

"Helena!" Jason yelled as he ran into the room. "What happened I heard you scream?" He questioned. I didn't answer. "Helena?" He said walking closer cautiously.

"They're...dead," I stammered tears running down my cheeks I stayed staring at them silently begging them to wake up. Their eyes were glazed and their throats...why? Why would they kill them?

I broke the away starring at my bloodied hands instead. I had done this... I had killed them. "They're dead."

"My Gods..."

Jason hugged me tightly turning me away from my parents. I sobbed into his chest. Howling like a wounded animal, my knees failed me but Jason held me up. He had no words of comfort and all I could do was cry. I thought after all this time they would of left us alone, it had been seven years since Jason's parents had been killed so why would they leave it this long and why didn't they kill us too?

"I thought we'd be safe."

"Me too," He cooed.

"How do I tell Rosie, she's an orphan," I croaked lifting my head.

"I don't know Helena," He whispered. His green-brown eyes cloudy with tears.

A bigger worry filled my head they could come back for us. They could take us, split us up, brainwash us or kill us. No one knew what happened to those who were taken but they never came back and I didn't want me or my family to find the truth.

"We are going to have to leave here," He said determined yet full of fear. His thick brown hair was now plastered to his face. His parents were killed when he was seven. He never talked about it but I've heard him crying at night before. My parents took him in, that's why they are dead but I don't blame, not at all. The Dark One's made my parents an example.

"I know."

He hugged me again. Jason was my only friend really, we were the same age, thirteen but he would turn fourteen in January. He was pretty tall and sort of muscular with a very boyish face and he had thick brown hair that just brushed his eye brows. His eyes showed his past if you looked closely enough. They were always full of angst even when he was smiling. When we hunted it was the only time he seemed truly happy, he taught me to hunt if it wasn't for him my family would have starved to death a long time ago.