Brothers.

18

"Who are you?"

Josh lifted his head from his arms. His neck had a cramp, he had slept with his head on the bed next to Luciana and the rest of his body on the ground. Now he regretted it. His body was as stiff as a board.

Josh looked up through foggy eyes, it was still early dawn and dark in the room.

Lucian leaned on her arms and was looking down at him. She looked better, the redness fainting from her eyes.

"Yes, Luciana?"

Her hand went to her mouth and Josh saw tears rise to her eyes even in the dark. Her brow furrowed and she muttered, "How do you know my name?"

He took her other hand in his and pressed it against his lips.
"It's me, Josh, my dear. Don't be afraid you're safe."

She quickly pulled away from him and plastered herself against the wall. Her voice trembled when she said, "Who-who are you? What am I doing here?!"

Josh frowned and stood up. He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to her, but she tried to get away from him, not that there was anywhere to go.

Josh pulled away from her, hurt by her actions. He frowned, "What is wrong, Luciana? It's only me, Josh."

She wasn't calmed by that, but stayed against the wall like a frightened rabbit. Her eyes shone in the dim light, "Why do you keep saying your name like it's supposed to help? Just let me go! I'm scared!" Her tone rose and Josh winced.

Someone was going to come inquire any second now.

He came up right, a frightening thought forming in his mind.

"What's going on in here?" Dimka entered. He was still half asleep and half naked as well. Luciana's eyes bulged in her head and a scream formed on her lips, but Josh was there in an instant with his hand covering her mouth.

She screamed in his hand and clawed at him, but Josh held on. He didn't want to wake anyone else.

Dimka watched them with a surprised expression, "Josh, what's going on here?"

"Luciana, she-she seems to have forgotten me somehow or so I think..."

Saying it out loud made his assumptions so much worse. What should he do if she really doesn't remember him? He couldn't just ditch her and forget she came here in the first place. She was special to him and besides in no condition to survive earth on her own. If he left her she may well be raped and killed on the first day. No, he had to keep her here.

Luciana still struggled in his arms. Josh sighed deeply and whispered in her ear, "Go to sleep, sweet Luciana."

Black particles ran from his hands into her body.

Her hands fell away from him and her eyelids closed instantly. Josh shuffled to the edge of the bed and climbed off. He then laid Laucian on the bed. She was snoring softly.

Josh turned to Dimka. He looked at him with massive eyes.
"How did you...did you just put her to sleep like that?!"

"Hush, Dimka! Or do you want to wake Margeau?"

The boy nodded quickly. Neighter of them needed a frantic woman right now.

Josh passed Dimka and entered the main room. He left the hut with Dimka on his heels. They sat down on a patch of newly grown grass a few feet from the house. Josh looked at the rising sun, but did not see the beauty of it. How could he? Luciana had lost all her memory and who knows what else had happened? He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sunrays on face.

"She's special to you, isn't she?"

His eyelids fluttered open. He nodded slowly, but didn't say anything.

"Does she have part in the events that forced you to leave your home? Does she... Did she know how much she meant to you?"

His hand swept over his face through his black hair. Josh leaned against a nearby tree and answered without looking at Dimka, "I was stupid enough to bring her into it without her even knowing, " he looked in the direction of his room where Luciana must be resting quietly now, "She did know for a short while at least, but that doesn't matter. Either she nor me won't be staying here much longer."

"Why do you say that, Josh?"

"Now that Luciana is here, my brother will find it easier to track us down. I reckon he will be here in maybe two months' time with the Sisters standing ready."

Dimka's voice sounded strange when he spoke, "You have a brother?"

"Technically, no. We thought we were, but then... It's quite a long story. One I'm not going to tell you now."

Dimka grunted and puffed out his breath, but said nothing about that, instead he asked more realistic questions.

"What will he do when he finds you? Will he kill you?" Dimka asked.

Josh sat up and faced Dimka, "He can try, but I'm going to kill him first if he does try."

The human boy got to his feet, "Well, we must warn the people about the threat! We must be ready for them!"

He moved, but Josh caught his wrist. He was oblivious to the black particles covering his hand. Josh warned Dimka, "You will say nothing of this."

"Ow! OW!" Dimka howled with pain. He pulled his arm away from Josh. His entire hand and wrist were seriously burnt. Dimka looked at him in horror.
"What have you done!"

"I-"

"What's going on, boys?"
Margeau stood in the door. She was dressed in a simple shift and her hair was a mess, but her eyes were alert.

Josh jumped to his feet and stepped in front of Dimka. Black particles creeped over Dimka's wound and his arm appeared unhurt.

"Oh nothing, Margeau dear, we were just chatting when Dimka accidentally placed his palm on something sharp."

Margeau eyed Josh, but nodded. Josh smiled.
"Would you do me a favour and wake Luciana up? I think it's time we enjoy breakfast?!"

Margeau went back into the house. A second later Dimka spun Josh around to face him, he pointed down at his wound, "What is this?"

"I'm sorry, Dimka, I lost control for a moment. But it won't happen again."

Dimka looked he was going to explode, "You're sorry? You burned me with your bare hands? What's wrong with you?!"

He stormed away before Josh could reply. Josh watched him go, reliving a memory of a very similar conversation with Gabe not so long ago.

"What must I do with Luciana?" Josh wispered to the rising sun. Disappointed to find no answer, but not surprised at all.

Josh returned to the hut.

On the inside three people awaited him he was not sure were friends anymore.

A woman who doesn't trust him

A boy who has been hurt by him

And an angel who has forgotten his love.