It was sunset. Every day Aphria Ronan looked forward to this time. Every evening she walked to the beach and sat on the sand to watch the sun hit the water and all the colors light up the sky and paint the ocean. It was her time of peace. Her time of thought. Her time of realization that another day was ending with no heartache.
But she wasn’t at the beach. There was no realization of peace in her heart. She was in the town square watching her brother’s neck about to be hit with an axe. She would never enjoy sunset again. Not with this memory bestowed in her mind. The colors of the sky were off in the distance, but soon the only red she would see would be her brother’s blood all over the ground.
“You shouldn’t be here.” Arland gave her a pleading look. She was standing in the front row to help ease his tension. At least that’s what she wanted to think she was doing. They both knew it was hard for her to leave his side. He helped raise her since she was a child when their father was given the same fate twenty years ago. Their mother died during Aphria’s childbirth.
Aphria swallowed back her tears. She would cry later. She didn’t want Arland’s last sight of her to be with puffy eyes. She didn’t want him to die with regret for his actions. “I can’t just leave.” Her voice cracked. She didn’t know what else to say. “I love you, brother.”
“And I love you, sister.” It was something they said every day to each other. In case an event like this were to take place. “Please be careful. They will have close eyes on you.”
She always loved her life. And hated it just the same. Every day was a dangerous gamble. Every day she broke more and more laws just to give people hope. Her family was the most notorious criminals in the land. The King wanted his townsfolk starving and begging to him. He didn’t like anyone who got in his path. And they repetitively got in his path.
Arland was finally captured that morning. The law stated that one must be caught performing illegal actions by an officer or guard in order to be jailed and sentenced. This was always an asset for the Ronan family. Though it was a liability for the people. Any guard could come and murder anyone they wish without any witnesses. They could steal food and crops and anything else that would create dismay.
But the law allowed Aphria to be out in public without being captured herself. Though everyone knew of her illegal habits, no guard could touch her. Because of this, she stood right next to her brother. “I know.” She was trying not to put too many thoughts into her head at that moment. But she didn’t have to try hard. The hooded man with the axe approached her brother’s stocks. All thoughts she did have left her.
She didn’t realize the crowd in the square was so loud with murmurs until there was nothing but silence. She couldn’t help at that moment but to let out a cry. Her brother looked her right in the eyes. It was a look she always knew. A look that always gave her comfort. The one with the slight smile that said ‘everything is alright.’ She nodded back to him in understanding. She had to let him know that she will be able to survive.. eventually. The man swung his axe down. Aphria averted her eyes. She couldn’t look. She just turned around and ran off through the crowd who let her by with no trouble. She refused to see red that evening.
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It was difficult for her to sleep that night. She spent hours just lying in her bed awake. Knowing her house was empty set a feeling in her stomach she couldn’t bear. Her brother’s room was across from hers. She would have to face entering in it at some point. If she did not do it at that moment, she would never. She stood up from her bed and wiped the tears from her eyes. But they reappeared when she remembered how often she had to run to Arland’s room this time of night. How often she had to bang on his door because he and whatever woman he was with were too loud and keeping her awake. That would never happen again.
She opened the door slowly. It was like his room was waiting for him. Everything was the same way he always left it; the bed was in shambles, there were books and papers all over the floor. All his furniture was coated in dust like he never cleaned before. She always nagged him for living like this. He always claimed that most geniuses lived in an unorganized environment. Aphria found herself smiling at that memory. Just slight enough to ease that empty feeling in her stomach. Not enough to heal though. But enough to survive. She had to survive for her brother, and for the people. Someone had to take care of the people. She crawled onto his bed and closed her eyes. Sleep finally took her. |
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