The Uprisen

Chapter 3

September 2nd, 2002

Keegan pushed his little sister's arm away from his face while he changed the channel on TV from Teletubbies to Spongebob Square Pants and said, "It's my turn Waverly!"

From the kitchen, Stephanie Lurwick scolded her children, saying, "Waverly and Keegan: share the TV or no one gets to watch it."

A small voice pouted, "But I wasn't even doing anything!"

As he passed through the living room on his way to the kitchen, Jeff Lurwick told his son, "Keegan, don't talk back to your mother. Waverly, you had a turn, now it's his." He gave his wife a look like: When did this become our lives?

As she shrugged, he walked behind her and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled, feeling like she had won the lottery by marrying this man.

Then, five year-old Willow walked into the kitchen holding a bronze dagger.

Before the young girl could say anything, Stephanie frantically disarmed her and asked, "Willow, where did you get this?!"

"I found it in your closet, Mommy," the girl said innocently.

"What were you doing in our closet, Little Miss?" Jeff asked his young daughter as he took her in his arms.

"I was looking for crayons...I wanted to make you guys a pretty picture."

"Mom, when is it my turn?!" Waverly shouts from the living room.

"Not yet! I haven't seen this episode yet!" Keegan exclaimed desperately.

Jeff closed his eyes tightly, thinking of a way to make a compromise for the TV. When he opened his eyes, Willow's pine green eyes stared at him thoughtfully. She was his only child that got his eyes, and it was the only way that helped him tell the twins apart when they were babies. Eventually, Willow and Waverly developed unique personalities, and Willow's curiosity was staring at him.

"Jeff, can you take care of Keegan and Waverly? I'm going to put this in a higher place," Stephanie asked her husband.

He nodded, and carried Willow into the living room, then placed her on the couch next to her sister. "Do you guys know who hasn't had a turn yet? Willow. So, Willow, what do you want to watch?"

"Ice Age!" she said happily.

Keegan and Waverly wanted to argue that they should watch what they wanted, but they decided against the thought in order to keep from upsetting their father.

Jeff put the VHS tape in the player, then walked into the kitchen to make popcorn for the kids. When he opened the pantry door, he was surprised to find a man dressed in black holding a dagger against his chest.

The man, whose face was covered with a ski mask, whispered, "Don't make a sound."

Before Jeff could react, Stephanie walked into the kitchen and held back a shriek. She quickly and quietly ducked behind the corner, then herded her children together as she held her finger to her lips. From the living room, she heard the two men struggle, and she whispered, "Keegan, take your sisters to Mommy's bedroom, and lock the door, okay?"

"What's going on, Mom?" the twelve year-old boy asked.

"Keegan, please just listen. I love you all, okay?" she said with panic in her eyes.

Waverly and Willow pouted, and silently cried, but the three children quietly hid in their parents' room.

Stephanie ran into the kitchen, and grabbed a frying pan. She rushed toward the man who pinned her husband against a wall with a dagger pointed at his throat.