I don't realize when it was, but it wasn't too long ago that I started to realize I had feelings for my brother Jackson. We weren't related by blood, but I knew Jackson would never love me like that, because he is far older than me and the kindest brother in the world. You wouldn't believe me, but Jackson is hard not to love. All he ever did was smile and laugh. He was helpful, always picking us up when we went down, and always fixing our messes. He would play with us everyday, and rub our heads and put us always before himself. He was just so full of light, his eyes were just so full. That's why to this day I blame myself... To this day I hold the regret of what happened that day. Because I am the one who killed Jackson..
Jackson grew up never knowing his parents. They had died in the war and he was sent to the orphanage at a young age. The conditions were bad, run by an elder woman who barely got paid. She was constantly done with her job and because it was so near the castle, no one was looking for someone to adopt. And when they did come, Jackson was never an option. His red hair drew everyone towards him, but he was too abrasive. He wasn't the first pick, and as he grew older, he watched people come and go, but he only remained. But Jackson was fine with that. He was ready to leave the orphanage and find work in town. Start his own life. But by the time he reached 18, the orphanage lady had retired, she had had enough of the bad condition, and Jackson found himself begging for new people for the job. He mailed the kingdom every week and sent out signs for people, but no one ever came. The town was full of people who were expert of their class, no one really had time. Jackson looked upon the orphans, mostly too young to understand their situation. He couldn't leave them. He didn't have the heart. He loved them too much. He risked his future for them, because it was the only family he had.
That day they were playing in the fields in front of the house, the house was right next to the thick woods, perfect for playing in the sun. One of the little ones, Kira, found the most gorgeous rock in the world, and they decided to kick it around, having the time of their lives. Jackson lead most of the games, helping the little ones with kicking the rocks. Everyone was laughing and smiling. But after a long day of exercise, Jackson brought everyone inside for chores, and activities. He was always busy, when he wasn't playing with the kids, he was cleaning around the house, cooking food, sewing up shirts. There was never a point in the day where Jackson's life was focused on anything other then his family's. Jackson was making another good dinner, the the house was barely lit, the sound of giggling children in the halls as they messed around after their chores. Sari loved today, she didn't want it to end, playing with that rock, her perfect family, and Jackson, the kindest and best guy in the world. She wanted to remember this day forever. She wanted that pretty rock. Jackson had told them not to go out after dark, but Sari really wanted to get that rock for the family. So she went out, and searched side and far for the rock, her fingers in the dirt, messing around. She would find it, put it in her bag, and come home. That was the plan, but that's not how it happened.
Jackson worked neatly in the kitchen, Cindy attached to his hip and he hummed a small tun for her as she giggled, he turned the stir in the pot as Ginu step the table. "Have you seen Sari?" He asked her without turning around.
Ginu fidgeted. "I'm not supposed to tell you.. But she went outside to look for the rock.." she mumbles.
Jackson turns around with an eyebrow arched. "What?" He asks. "How long ago was that?" Ginu mumbled a little more, but no one could ever lie to Jackson, no one could. Everyone in the house adored him.
"A while ago..."
Jackson exhaled through his nose as he set down Cindy in her high chair. He shook his head and pinched the skin between his eyes. "I warn you guys not to play during the dark. I'll go get her."
He sighs and walks out of the orphanage. It's cold. Very cold as Jackson hugs himself. "Sari! Come out~!" He called with a slight laugh. "Now is not the time to play." He continued to walk around. Without his glasses it was always pretty hard to see but he was so used to it by now that he was able to function. His eyes narrowed in the clearing, seeing if she was hiding behind a bush. She always had this habit of hiding when she was in trouble.
His heart suddenly stopped when his eyes caught the ground. His face drained white as his breathing picked up. On the ground was the rock and Sari's bag, something she would never leave hanging around. It was a gift he gave to her for her birthday. She brought it with her everywhere. She barely had him wash it, much less would leave it just lying around.
The world began to grow really slow. He picked them up, grabbing onto them for dear life as he started to running, screaming her name, looking deep inside the world, fearing the worse, having a full on panic. These woods always had a bad wrap. The capital was full of so much business. You only lived near the castle if you were the best of the best of your job. Which means if you weren't and couldn't move, you would become too broke and homeless to even survive in the capital, meaning you would usually result in crime. Crime was a huge market on the capital, since successful people thrived there. The king was a fool to make this orphanage in these woods, where it was too dangerous to survive.
He was stumbling, looking everywhere. Without glasses it was already hard enough for him to see, but in the dark it was even worse. He was feeling hopeless. He needed to find her, he was like a worried mother hyped on adrenaline.
That was until he heard voices.
"Keeeep quiet! I can hear someone not far." A deep a raspy voice came from a clearing. It was hushed, but Jackson had always been very good with his hearing. Jackson was quiet . He wasn't the best at stealth, but he did his best to keep quiet as he approached, every step trying to get rid of his weight. When he was close enough he could peer past a tree. His heart leaped in his throat. He could Sari's familiar blonde hair, so strange against the dirty ground, tussled about her face. A man held his giant hand over her mouth as she kicked her legs out back and forth, fighting for her life. The man straddled her on his knees, glaring down her with this face the horrified Jackson to his bones. He was frozen in fear, but his body moved on it's own, the nager whelming up inside him.
"Let her go now!" He screamed, jumping out of his hiding place and latching onto the man holding Sari down. Trying his best to get that big man off her. Jackson only had his height on his side. He was quiet a tall man, but had always been very weak and lengthy. But even so- he fought like crazy even if the guy seemed three times his size. He arched his back out, pulling as hard as he could.
|Sari screamed behind the man's hand, trying to get air. But the man wasn't effective by Jackson's hit and struggles, no rather he acted as if jackson wasn't there at all, his hand not moving over Sari.
"Sari! Sari!" Jackson as he tried harder, his words turning into pleases, now about to see the eyes of his sister as she struggled, the tears streaming down her face. He needed to try harder. He needed to do something. Why did he feel so hopeless. Why did it seem like everything was happening so fast?
The other man came up from behind and grabbed both of jackson's weak arms. He was smirking as he pulled him back. Jackson hadn't even noticed the second guy there, and barely that he was being taken away. The situation hit him like a truck, kicking his legs back at he shouted nothings and tugged away.
"This must be the guy watching over these little runts. God look how weak he is. Can't even get a punch in." He snarls a laugh, the second guy held him with no effort, and it's tone seemed so mocking.
Jackson grunts as he tries to get out of his grap, his shoes digging into the dirt, needing to get to Sari, who was trying to scream, tears falling down her face. He didn't care what was happening to him, his eyes were keen on Sari, his body doing the most he could. He needed to save her! She needed him! More then ever. Why wasn't his arms moving? Why couldn't he move?
