The Hidden Orphan (The Chronicles of Mistar - Book 2)

Seven · · · Dusk

The Wood, Between Blood Valley and Offland, Opa

A SHIVER CRAWLED ALONG DUSK'S SPINE. The cold rushing water made his bare feet numb when he stepped into the river. He looked back to see Red hiding behind a tree like a coward. Maybe he wouldn't be good for Cadi after all, Dusk thought.

"Cadi," he called.

Red had told him Cadi stayed by the river when she hid from him. Dusk only hoped Red hadn't lied. If so, Red would be in a world of hurt.

From the bank, on the other side, Cadi stepped out from behind a large tree. Even from far away Dusk could see his little sister roll her eyes.

"What?" she asked, throwing her arms up in the air. "Decide to come after the weakest one, big brother?"

"I didn't want to. Red made me."

"Red?" Cadi sneered as she scrunched up her nose.

Red jumped out behind his tree and cried like a baby. "No, I did not! We made an agreement!"

"True," Dusk replied, trying to draw little attention to himself. He waded slowly across the river, trying to make himself as little noticeable as possible. What he truly wanted was to get Red and Cadi in a fight so he had more time to sneak over to the other side of the river and quickly tag his sister out. Luckily, it was working.

"Stop acting like a child!" Cadi shot back.

"Who said I wasn't one," Red laughed. "I can act however I want."

"Not when it's a man acting like a child."

Red smirked. "I'm not a man, but if I had to choose the older of us, I would definitely not choose you."

"Smart, coming from a person who doesn't act like it," Cadi laughed as she crossed her arms.

It was working. Dusk was halfway across the river, only a few more feet until he could reach out and tag his sister. Truthfully, Red and Dusk had planned this fight and Dusk didn't think Red could pull it off. Dusk figured that he never really noticed how much Red got on Cadi's nerves. He still couldn't believe it was working. It made Cadi forget all about her brother wading into the river.

Acting flustered, Red put his hands into fists and muttered, "You're stupid." It was almost as if he really was a child.

"What did you just say?" Cadi said, taken off guard. "Whatever you just said made no sense."

"I know," Red smiled triumphantly as if he won a huge battle.

The battle wasn't won yet.

"Why are you smiling crazily?" Cadi asked.

Red cleared his throat, making more time but very little, before he said, "Because I feel like it."

Rolling her eyes, Cadi muttered, "You don't have to do whatever you feel like. You can restrain yourself you know. Maybe a straight jacket would do."

Dusk couldn't tell if Red was acting or if he just looked personally offended. "I'm not a psycho, Cadinon. I don't need a straight jacket." Red didn't sound like an offended little kid anymore. His voice became dark and serious, making his throat give the voice of a dying man. Cadi didn't seem to like it either.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, taking a step back.

Cadi glanced down at her brother, his hand only a few inches away from her ankle. Since the bank of the river was high, Dusk's toes barely touched the sand swirling around his shoes with the strength of his arms holding him up. She yelped, her foot flying in the air threatening to kick Dusk's face.