The Radiant Rangers

Chapter 9

Nighttime stretched across the sky like a dark shadow. The birds were silenced, no one walked the streets and the only sound heard was the constant rumbles from the cars that crumbled the road throughout Juliet's neighborhood. The moonlight splashed down its watery, white-silver glow onto the town; bathing them, illuminating them. In the distance, the trees from the ever-so-large forest were silhouetted against the deep velvety sky.

Juliet entered her house, tired and exhausted after walking for so long. Her arms felt heavy and large grey bags were present under her eyes. Her dirty clothes still remained in her arms, covered in mud. She was tired as hell, weary with the burden of long-closed eyes. She could have easily pulled off being a walking zombie, dead on the inside but subconsciously awake.

"Aye sis!" Called a low voice. Juliet's brother came to the doorway. It was her older brother Malcom. Malcom was only a year older than Juliet and was practically the spitting image of her. He had thick black tousled hair and royal blue eyes. He wore a naughty expression on his face.

"Where've you been? You missed taco night last night!" He said in a raspy voice.

Juliet groaned. She loved tacos, but she had other things to worry about. Malcom gasped and took a step back. "Is that-" he tried not to hold back laughter. "A skirt?!"

"Dude, I'm so tired." She groaned. "Just let me go to bed." she tried moving past Malcom but he blocked her. "Why are you wearing a skirt?" he laughed crudely.

"I've been at Cynthia's house all day and we took a long ass hike in the woods." said Juliet. "My clothes got dirty so she gave me some of hers-"

"Isn't she the one that Jovian has a crush on?" Malcom cut her off and smirked. "The tall one with super pretty long red hair?" He made a girly pose and started geeking.

"Yes!" sighed Juliet. She shoved Malcom out of the way and he fell over. "If mom or dad asked where I was tell them I was at Cynthia's."

"They didn't even notice you were gone." said another voice. Juliet's eldest brother, Jack walked into the room from the kitchen. He held a cup of tea in his hand. He didn't look anything like Juliet; the only thing they had in common was the same hair color. He was more mature and wore a more serious expression on his face.

"Malcom," said Jack. "You should be in bed, it's a school night..." His eyes narrowed and he looked at Juliet, who was still wearing a skirt. "You too Juliet..." he paused for a second to take a sip of tea. "Why are you wearing a skirt..?"

Malcom stuck his tongue out. "You can't tell me to do shit Jack. I'm seventeen and I can do whatever the fuck I want."

All of Juliet's brothers were rough and often argued with one another. They were all very close in age. Jack was twenty three, Nickolas was twenty one, Jovian was eighteen, Malcom was seventeen, and the twins were both twelve. Juliet figured that as soon as her parents had the twins, they realized they had enough kids.

"Lil Julie has a skirt on!" yelled Malcom loud enough to wake up the entire house.

"Oh my god shut up!" Yelled Juliet. She punched Malcom in the arm and went towards the staircase. "I'm so tired just let me sleep man."

Malcom laughed and Jack shoved him. Malcom turned around and punched Jack in the stomach. Jack grabbed Malcom and flung him onto the ground. Malcom was strong, but Jack was much stronger. When Juliet saw the two of them fighting it was no surprise to her. Jack was the most mature in the house and Malcom was the least mature, so of course they would fight constantly.

"Oh, Juliet!" called Jack. "I almost forgot to tell you. Two men came to the door today looking for you."

Juliet stopped and turned back around. "What?" She asked.