Her

Chapter 1

"Keep running!"

"I'm trying!" I shouted back.

An ache was making itself home in my chest and it was steadily sharpening itself. Soon enough the ache felt like a knife was carving into me. My chest heaved heavily as I continued to pump my legs. I suddenly realized that running was not the best chance I had and I would have been better off just giving in.

"Cyra, don't give up! Not yet at least!" My brother called once again.

I blinked through the tears that blurred my eyesight as I focused on his form. He was a few paces ahead of me, his scrawny form cutting through the wind with as much difficulty as mine. The only thing that kept him motivated was possibly the fear of a severe beating and the promise of the food in his hands.

I glanced back to see if our pursuers were slowing down. The delta's that ran behind us looked weary, they looked like they were giving up. A burst of triumph erupted in my chest and I used that to motivate me to run faster.

We took several sharp turns and managed to hide from them. Tucking ourselves in a grove of trees, we climbed high in the tree limbs.

"We did it." I wheezed, clutching the limb for support.

"Yeah, we did." He laughed, leaning back on a large limb.

"C'mon, split the food already then Calix." I hurried.

"Alright, alright." He said.

He dug into the bag and pulled out a loaf of bread and a block of cheese. He split the substances equally and handed me the other half. He took a bite of both and chewed happily before swallowing and continuing the pattern.

I carefully carved a slice of cheese and ripped two hunks of bread before making a sloppy cheese sandwich to nibble on. The food hit my empty stomach, making it groan. I gobbled down the rest of the bread and cheese. I licked my fingers, eager to consume any crumbs that might've escaped my notice.

"We have to go back. . ." He trailed.

"I know," I replied, whispering softly.

"Do you think we'll be punished?"

"I don't know."

He ruffled his auburn hair, a habit he did when he was nervous. His face was blank though, expression was gone from it. A slow breath was sucked through his teeth and he let it out as a sigh before climbing down.

I watched him with slight difficulty. I blinked as my one good eye managed to pick up his form once again. He was halfway to the bottom of the tree.

"Wait up!" I called after and started to clumsily climb down.

He stopped at the base of the tree and waited patiently. His arms were crossed and his head tilted back as he watched me.

"Ah!" I screeched.

My hands slipped and I started to freefall backward. Panic flooded my systems as I fell backward and the air whistled past me. I grunted in surprise as arms came around me and I was looking up at Calix's face.

"Cyra, I think you just broke my arms." He groaned and set me down.

"Well, if that's true then it's because of you being way too scrawny." I poked his shoulder and smiled.

"Ah yes, that is true," He stated, "I mean there is no way you're heavier than me unless you're sneaking food without me."

"As if." I snorted.

Suddenly, a pain flashed through my gut. I doubled over and let out a soft cry. The pain intensified and spread its way through my whole being before vanishing. I looked up to see Calix staring at me in concern.

"It's nothing." I waved him off and stood up.

"We should go back now," He said, "It's almost time for chores."

"Yeah, you're right." I agreed.

We made our way back, slinking through the forest with ease. I felt at home though when we came to the shoreline. A pebble beach stretched as far as the eye could see while waves lapped eagerly like hungry jaws at the shore. The air was heavy with the smell of salt, fish, and other people.

I rushed happily as seagulls cried over a crustacean. The birds scattered at my oncoming presence and I chased after them instinctively. I laughed and stepped into the water, the salt tickling my bare feet and ankles. I looked over to see Calix watching me with amusement.

"Stop acting like a pup, we have a lot of stuff to do." He said after several seconds of eye contact.

I huffed and walked away from the water. The smooth pebbles felt nice on my feet after running over the forest floors. The smoothness of them was like an old memory coming to surface. Nostalgia ran through me as I left the beach behind.

"We could've stayed a few more minutes," I argued.

"No we couldn't," He sighed and shook his head, "Now stop being such an irritating twin."

"I'm the older twin so you should listen to me," I mumbled.

He raised an eyebrow and looked back at me with interest. "What was that?"

"Nothing."

We walked until the house was in view. It stood against the cliff, looking large and menacing. I always thought the house looked like it was ready to swallow any unsuspecting travelers. The windows were large and thin, they were peppered all over the building. It cut from logs giving it a rustic look that should have inspired warm feelings in anyone but to me, it gave off a cold deadness.

I licked my chapped lips and we both headed towards the back entrance. When we came towards the back doors several heads turned towards us. Their faces were gaunt as ours, dull eyes followed us as we slumped against the side of the house.

"Hey look, the disaster twins are back!" A voice sniggered from the dull crowd.

"Hows that eye doing?" Another voice laughed.

I flinched and hid the scarred feature with my hand. I turned my head away and buried it in Calix's side for extra measure. I took a deep whiff of his scent, comforted by the smell of fresh air and leaves.

"Don't pay any attention to them." He said softly.

The jeering eventually stopped. No one had any extra energy to spare, hunger had tightened its grip on them and they settled down. It was silent except for an occasional cough or gurgle of an empty stomach.