Alexis Mulligan

They had been trekking through farmland and marshland, snow fields and desert plains, endless hiking through forests and over mountains, past beaches and through jungles. Finally after what felt like an eternity of lifetimes, they saw it. A perfect new land. In their minds their people didn't need to worry, although I knew better. They stood atop a mountain which overlooked a green and sheltered valley. In the distance the sea was a glorious glittering blue scratch in the clearest crystal sky, and mountains stretched back endlessly behind them. Jace Mulligan turned to his sister Alexis and smiled. He believed that they had succeeded. She however, felt a little guilt at what she was about to do. Together they had found a place where they could escape the harsh weather of their own lands, and yet she would return alone with the news. But of course, I knew better. The pair bunkered down for the night, one feeling excitement for his new life to come, and one feeling remorse for the life about to be lost and yet passionate for the bliss that she believed to lie ahead. The sun began to set over the now blood red ocean and the siblings drifted off into a deep sleep.

Alexis and Jace had begun the long journey back to their homeland. They were both eager to see their people and show them the paradise they were to soon live in, but Alexis was starting to feel a little unsettled. Was fame and glory really worth the death of her own brother, or was having family more important? She pondered this question for hours. Jace was her only family and friend, but she had always felt resentment towards him. He was the smart and athletic child, the firstborn. He had the looks, the brains, and the talent. All this went hand in hand with success, and was also what filled Alexis with an envious hatred she often could barely contain. To Jace their childhood had been a dream. He had breezed his way through anything and everything with his sister by his side and his sword in his hand. Never once had he stopped to think of what his sister felt, and alas this was what turned her sour thoughts to poison.

I watched as they trekked back the way they had come, and I watched as Alexis had not once but twice been close to murdering her own flesh and blood. Each time, she thought a thought that brought her back to reality and she would cry herself to sleep that night. This pointlessness went on for days, and I watched as Alexis Mulligan slowly lost her sanity.

The Mulligan siblings were nearing their destination. It was only a few days hike away. Alexis knew that she must do what needed to be done if she wished for fame and glory throughout time. As they settled down that night, Alexis decided she would not think anymore. She would wait until her brother was sleeping and get it over with.

Night fell, the flames of their fire grew to nothing but glowing embers, and Jace's breathing slowed as he fell asleep. Alexis took her dagger and shuffled across to her brothers sleeping form. It was at that moment were some would say the evil beat the good inside the young woman's fighting mind, the moment when she took her brothers life.

And so Alexis Mulligan went down a hero in her people's history, telling everyone that her brother had been a coward and had fled at the first signs of danger. But I knew. I knew the truth that haunted Alexis Mulligan for the rest of her short life. She had sinned to bring herself glory, but secretly, in a way that scared her deeply, she was savagely satisfied by what she had done.