The Stories

Don't Go.

The bookstore comforted me. It comforted me from the harsh cruel reality of the earth we live on.

It got my mind off of how many villages me and my brother are wanted on. It got my mind off the sickening terror of my father's death. It got my mind off how many fights my brother has been in. It got my mind off of how many drugs and alcohol my brother abuses.It took my mind off of all the bad things in my life.

I was at the bookstore alone. My brother said he was right outside the bookstore waiting for me, but I knew as soon as I went inside the store he was off to the bar across the street. Villagers always asked me why a young girl like me goes to the bookstore alone. Well, that's the reason, I only go here so my brother can drink.

After I finished picking a book I walked across the street to the bar. I usually did this so I knew what I was doing. It was a Monday, which meant that my brother was probably in a fight with some barbarian right now.

I walked inside the bar and the smoke and alcohol filled my nostrils. I was used to it already. I've been in many bars around 18th century Europe. I walked to my brother's usual table, the one with so many people screaming bloody murder.

I knew most of the people's names already, Mark, Branwell, Will, Robert. I said hello to some of them as I walked up to the crowd.

My brother had blood and scratches all over him. He got thrown to the wall by a big man who barely had a scratch on him.

I walked into the middle of the circle. I did it as if it was so casual. Everyone froze and stared at me in awe. I knew some were thinking. "What's this ten year old kid doing here?"

"Its time to go home now big brother." I said calmly. Inside I was disappointed, saddened, afraid of what was to come. My drunken brother is no one to mess with. He could be reckless, joyful, rageful, depressed. Anything.

He smiled at me and chuckled, "Come on, Mary, one more drink!" He yelled. The big man kicked my brother brutally. My brother groaned. I gasped a little. I held in my terror

"Big brother, we need to go home now." I said trying to be as calm as possible.

The huge man picked up my brother from the floor and got him to his feet. "You're lucky you have a little sister, otherwise you'd be dead." The man spat at my brother.

My brother was drowsy and a mess, "Come on Mary, let's go home." We both walked out the bar. I gripped my fists.

He held on to my shoulder to keep his balance. I held in tears of embarrassment as we walked down the streets of the village. We've only been here two weeks and the villagers already knew my brother were bad news.

My brother walked around drowsily. His steps were twisted of drunkenness. The villagers looked at us both in disgust.

Then I felt my brother trip over a rock. He fell right in front of me. I tried to catch him but it was too late. He face planted onto the floor.

I sighed. All the other villagers snickered and scoffed at us. I grabbed my brother's arm and hoisted him up so I could drag him home. He was already out cold.

I walked along with his arm around my shoulder. His legs dragged on the floor while I carried him.

George, the baker, came out of his bakery shop to put out some bread on display. He looked at me and my brother and sighed, "Hello Mary. Your brother drunk again again I see."

"Yes Mr.George." I said politely
George was usually the only one really nice to my family.

"Sweetie, have some bread." He gave me a loaf of bread and I thanked him dearly.

George's face turned grim. He looked me in the eye, his green old eyes sparkled, "Sweetie, my dear. Its time you face the truth."

"What truth?" I asked.

"Sweetie your family is going bankrupt. With your brother buying all the alcohol and him not having money or a job. Isn't it time....."

My heart dropped. I knew what he was going to say and I knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. All the other villagers thought this thought too.

"Isn't it time you give up on your brother and move to an orphanage." George said with a grim face.

My heart dropped. I held back tears. I gripped my hand tighter around my brother's arm. I sighed and said, "Sorry Mr.George, I'm not giving up on my brother anytime soon."

I kept walking. I held onto the little pride I had left. Even the only person that had hope for me wanted me to give up on my brother.

Anger filled my body. I realized my brother had fallen into the temptations in the world. And that he never tried making money for the family. And that he never even cared for me.

I started running to the garden near the village. As I got deep into the garden I threw my brother to the floor in anger. He woke up with an attitude, "What the hell was that for Mary?"

"Don't you 'What the hell was that' me!" I yelled I'm anger. Tears streamed down my face "For so long I protected you! For so long I covered for you! For so long....you were my hero...."

I growled in anger, "And you didn't even love me back! What kind of sick brother doesn't even care for his sister! Maybe I should leave! Maybe I will leave you!" I turned away from my brother. I wiped my tears softly.

My brother looked at me. No emotion at all. "I can't believe you used to be the brother I used to have. The one that had played games with me and actually cared for me..." I gripped my fists.

Then suddenly my brother grabbed my hand, "Don't go...." He pulled me into a hug, "You can't go...I love you....your the only sister I have. The only family I have."

We were both in tears. We hugged each other tightly. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry big brother has been so distant....it won't happen again..." He whispered into my ear. Then rain started to fall.