The Evolution Solution

I Risked My Life For a Piece Of Paper

I walk through the woods, still shivering from my close encounter with the hounds. Killing truly isn't my style, but I'll do it if the situation forces me to.

"That mutt would have killed you. You did what you had to do. This will save Ilios and the twins." I have to keep reminding myself that I did the right thing by killing it. I love my siblings, and we will all need this to survive. But the fact that Ilios and I are growing older and the Evolution is finally affecting us reminds me of what my dad told me secretly right before he left.

" Fengari, you and Ilios are different than the rest. Your names symbolize this. You must learn how to save our family from the Evolution. You can save Imera and Nychta, but you must learn. If you learn what your names mean, you might just have a chance to save us all. I love you all but now I leave." He whispered to me, right before he turned straight around and out of our lives forever. It makes me furious just thinking about it, but then I start to cry. Looking staright down at the ground, I almost trip right over a huge log. Looking up, I see the big sign my father had put up. It was rusted, and used to have our family name, Lykos, in beautiful calligraphy. I stepped across the log and into our little camp. From the border, I can hear the fire cracking and the twins laughing. Shaking my head, I step inside.

Imera and Nychta practice their weapon skills. Hey, in this world, even ten year olds need to be able to fight off monsters and enemies. Ilios stands nearby, calmly shooting arrows straight into the center of the target. Repeatedly. Out of all of us,I am definitely the best fighter. Ilios and I started at five, when we could barely pick up a sword.

"Fengar! You're back! Did you get the medicine?' Imera yells out happily as soon as she sees me. She runs over to give me a big hug. Her twin, Nychta, walks slowly over to me and I make him give me a hug as well.

"Of course I got the medicine! Did you expect failure?' I asked them, and I walked over to Ilios. He's been looking sicker and paler constantly the past few days, and it's getting worse every day," Hey bro, whatcha doing? I got your medicine!" I said, hugging him, then I showed him the paper with (hopefully) what will save Ilios and myself eventually.

"Great. Now we just need to see if it works. Have you looked at it?" he asked me. He really seemed sick. He was running out of breath really quickly whenever we talked, and I realized that shooting his bow was very difficult for him in this state.

"No. I never had time. But it's here. I just know it."I said quickly, not truly paying attention to anything I said. The only thing that mattered was that little piece of paper. I unrolled the paper, and started to read. While I was reading, I could feel my eyes widening and widening. As I finished the paper, I almost let it fly away on the wind. I looked at Ilios, who was watching me read.

" This piece of paper," I started, " Is the most important thing of our lives." I said quietly, almost under my breath.