Story Brook

Chapter 1

A boy dashed down a hill towards the village that occupied the bottom. He had bright golden hair, beautiful light blue eyes, and sun-kissed skin. He was also covered in dirt and some mud here and there. He happily bounced up to a sweets stand. 

The woman manning the stand smiled. "Why good morning, Story," said the woman to the child who smiled back at her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ashely. Do you have a piece of apple pie for my mother, a cinnamon roll for Elizabeth, and a piece of banana nut bread for me?" Story took out a heavy looking purse from his satchel.

"I always do, dearie." Mrs. Ashely searched her shelves and brought out the items he requested, but fuller.

"Whoa, Mrs. Ashely! You didn't have to!" Story's eyes were wide with surprise at the full pie, large roll, and full loaf of bread she had placed in front of him.

"Don't worry. Just pay the normal amount," Mrs. Ashely replied with a smile.

"Are you sure?" Story asked as he rubbed the back of his head. Mrs. Ashely nodded, and he took out two copper coins and a silver coin.

"Thank you and you're welcome, Story. How's your mother, by the way?" Mrs. Ashely asked while handing Story his bag of goodies.

"She's doing better. She said she felt fine before I left," Story answered with a small smile, but sadness was plain in his eyes.

"I hope she gets better. Enjoy the bread." Mrs. Ashely waved after Story as he left her stand. He returned the wave.

Before Story could leave the village, everything went quiet. He stopped dead in his tracks and spun around. The Royal carriage was entering through the gate on the other side of the village. The Prince and Princess leaned out the windows waving. No one moved.

The carriage stopped next to the fountain in the middle of the village. The two stepped out, and the people of the small village surrounded them.

The Prince and Princess were twins. They had the same caramel brown hair, dark brown eyes, and pale skin. The only differences were that one was a girl, and she had long hair that stopped at the small of her back.

"My dear people," announced Prince Shiro, "We have come here to tell you that our father has passed away just last night. We have come here to pick ourselves suitable mates."

Princess Victoria nodded as she stood next to the Prince. They scanned the crowd and began picking through the townsfolk.

Story turned to leave again. "Young boy." He stopped all movement. The voice sounded only a few feet away. Story slowly turned to see Prince Shiro standing near him looking straight at him. "I pick you."

Fear filled the boy at those words. The Prince could see it, and confusion spread across his face. Story took off toward the house on the hill. "Wait!" Prince Shiro followed after him but at a slower pace. Princess Victoria stared after them for a moment before going back too choosing.

Story made it to his house then slammed the door shut. He locked all four locks then set the bag of sweets on the kitchen table. It was quiet. "Mother? Elizabeth?"

Story heard small sobs coming from the back bedroom. He rushed into the room to see his little sister kneeling next to the bed with their mother's hand in both of hers. Story cautiously made his way next to his sister. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"When?" Story asked, already knowing when, but wanting his sister to say. He fought back tears.

"A-about t-ten m-minutes a-ago," Elizabeth choked out between sobs. Story searched the room . He pulled out a small box, that was elaborately decorated with lilac purple and baby blue roses, from a dresser drawer.

"Within the box was tons of gold coins, a white diamond necklace and a black pearl necklace.

"Here, Lizzy." Story held out the diamond necklace to her. She slowly made her way over to him and took it. Elizabeth hooked it to her neck, while Story did the same with the pearl one.

A knock sounded throughout the house. Story stuffed the box in his satchel and took Elizabeth's hand. They made their way to the door. Story undid all of the locks and cracked the door open.

On the porch stood Prince Shiro. Princess Victoria stood a few feet behind him. "Hello again, young boy. Why did you run from me before?" asked Prince Shiro. He wore a bright smile.

"What do you want?" Story hissed with more confidence than he felt. Protectively, he hid his sister behind him.

"You heard me pick you, yet you ran. Why?"

Terror flashed across Story's face before quickly being replaced with a scowl. "All Royalty is alike. You kill for no reason and take what you want from those lower than yourselves."

"So, is that right?" asked the Princess with her sickly sweet voice. Story hesitated, then nodded.

"Why don't you come out and face us instead of from behind that door?"

Story opened the door all the way. Elizabeth hot on his heels as he approached the twins. They stopped a couple of feet away from the duo.

"My, what a cute and beautiful little girl," said Princess Victoria as she looked Elizabeth up and down. Story hid her more behind himself.

"I want her, dear brother." Princess Victoria pointed to Elizabeth. The girl sunk to the ground and dragged Story with her.

"Shh. It's okay, Lizzy," Story whispered as Elizabeth started to sob. Two guards walked forward and grabbed each child. Elizabeth just sobbed even more at the loss of contact with her brother. Story fought back with kicks, squirms, and shouts.

"Well then, shall we go?" Prince Shiro gestured to the carriage. The guards set the siblings on the opposite sides of the carriage. The Prince stationed the side with Story, and the Princess, on the side with Elizabeth.

It had been hours since they had left the village when the Princess spoke to her brother. "Both of them should open up more the longer they stay with us." Princess Victoria had moved Elizabeth's sleeping figure so that her head was in the Princess' lap. Story was dozing off by the window. He said nothing still.

A white castle came into view as the carriage rounded a mountain. When Story awoke, he saw it and his eyes widened, surprised by how gorgeous it looked in the setting sun.

"Welcome to your new home," announced the Prince, staring at Story.