DarlaHe definitely looked different from normal. Maybe it was the eccentric look he had on his face. That evening, when he first came in, his hazel eyes couldn't stop staring at me for a second. I found it creepy. Well, anyone would.He was a complete stranger that my Grandpa had decided to bring home. His thick dark black hair had water dripping from it, and his shoes squelched at every step he made. He appeared drenched from going under the heavy rain.This was during the late hours when Pa had returned from his usual farming routine. Expecting to meet just grandpa, as usual, I had earlier gone to open the door with a feeling of excitement. Holding onto the unsteady door knob that I had learnt to get use to, I bent it down and as it was finally opened, it revealed a young boy about my height but I certainly was some feet taller, only a few, standing next to Pa. Though the boy that stood beside grandfather had a petrifying scowl on, I remained unflinching.I could see mud stains a

Kaleb Mother, as always, with her angelic voice, she would sing to I and my twin. Mother was a Forelene and her husband was Rocainian. The history of these people went way back. They were enemies that would pass on their hatred from generation to generation. Some of these Rocainian children didn't even know why they hated the Forelenes. I didn't know.Finding out you were a Forelene living amist the Rocainians was a punishable offense by the law. Death by torture, stoning, and sometimes slavery if lucky. So, it could be said that my parent’s union was forbidden, but they still found a way to keep it a secret.I wondered why they risked such. They never spoke about how they met so we never really knew the story.Rocainians were said to be strong ruthless wealthy individuals that would rather die than let someone stomp on their pride. Pride; it was everything to them. It seemed impossible but I grew up with these people as family. It was like learning two cultures at once. Mother ta

KalebWe were still on the run. To confess, for a moment I became grateful for having such a brother. As my eyes closed, trying to already accept death’s embrace, my brother was using that brain of his. I could beat him countless times in fighting, but when it came to critical thinking skills, I was not a match.He thought of a plan for us to get rid of the chasers.“Listen to me!” he called my attention. He spoke out loud enough for me to hear. “They’re not shooting at us yet! Maybe their orders weren't to kill us but probably capture! We just might be able to escape! Kaleb, this may sound foolish but might as well be our only option! We’ve got loose the horse!”“What?” Indeed it sounded foolish.How were we going to make it on foot? Was he saying we could run faster than horses? I blindly followed his orders. It was either die doing nothing or die following Alec's eccentric idea. We were going to die anyway. I had already concluded in my mind.We kept riding on the horse until we g

KalebS|n: surnameI felt giddy. My eyes opened slowly and the first thing my eyes met was a big thick clothe strewn over me. I looked around to see myself lying beside harvested farm produce. My body moved rhythmically to the movement of the carriage I was in. I wondered what had happened and how I got captured again. After all my efforts, I still ended up being taken as a prisoner.Although I found the farm produce on the carriage strange. I began to recollect what had happened. I remember escaping on a horse, then fell off due to my unbalanced position and lack of control over the hostile horse. I knew I felt rain pouring on me, and that was it. I had blacked out for the rest parts. I felt a severe headache as I rose up. My hands were free which was another weird thing I observed. Why would they capture me and let me move freely in a cart that wasn’t escape-proof? I could escape if I wanted to. Maybe I was wrong. I couldn't escape since I was weak and weary. I removed the doub

DarlaThe both of them cheerfully danced to the tune of the music. The singers at the festival did not fail to showcase their melodious voices as they performed. Kaleb nervously stared at Beryl in complete ignorance of what to do.She held his hands like a captain stirring a boat, controlling his every step. He was so bad at it, I thought in my head almost laughing out loud.Of course I maintained my non-interested look and behaviour, but the sight was so lovely. I felt my cheeks lift from their usual grumpy position. Looking at Kaleb, was it just me or he actually seemed really shy, not just because of his unfamiliarity with dancing, but just being around Beryl?I was still standing there, enjoying this blissful show before I suddenly felt my body move. It followed the hand that dragged me.“Dance, Darla. Dance,” Beryl said to me as she stood in our middle, with our hands locked in hers doing the cancan dance.I admit, it was actually fun. Freeing one's self from hate and worries onc