Hello Prosers, I am in need of Beta readers for two separate projects. The first project am working on is a middle-grade/young adult novel, and I am looking for Beta readers. I have a nearly completed draft that I would send to anyone interested. The story is a science fiction/fantasy-based world set many years into the future. Humans have left Earth and found a better planet, where they have made their home. The book is focused on a group of children and young adults whose parents have been taken and they now live on the outskirts of the city, struggling to get by. Unfortunately for them, there are dangers without and traitors within.

I've enclosed a link for a sort of trailer to the book if anyone is interested in viewing it.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFS4Jor8og/33kgWfOagkoWGc4qvNxdKQ/watch?utm_content=DAFS4Jor8og&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

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The second project I am working on is a book of fractured fairy tales, the stories that we all know in a totally different way. It will be a book of short stories and anyone interested in beta reading would get each story as I write them.

If you are interested in either of the projects please message me so we can discuss further. Another option is for you to comment on this post and I will get back to you.

Thank you for reading, and have a great day.

This is the first page of prompts that I have for everyone and they will all be snippets of dialogue. Have fun and please tag me. :)

But really, did you honestly think you could trust a traitor?

How many times will I break your heart before you finally understand you can’t trust me?

You should have known, once a villain always a villain

I’m tired of being the villain, can’t I be the hero in someone’s story?

Shall we… burn it down? Burn down your town just as you burned our villages.

“You left us, you left us and you broke my heart.”

“I broke several hearts that day, including my own.”

Perhaps you have never seen the real me.

If you saw the monsters I hide, you would leave.

You created this monster and you blame me for it?

“They say I’m a monster”

“That’s okay, so am I”

She bit her lip hard enough that blood flowed, then she smiled as she wiped the ruby red droplets off with the inside of a pale wrist, “It worked.”

I don’t know how to stop fighting, I’ve been doing it on my life what am I if not a warrior?

“You’re leaving after I just started to trust you.”

“I’m sorry, but even if my story doesn’t have a happy ending I can at least ensure you and your family do.”

I promised you the world and I delivered, I just forgot to mention it would be on fire.

This book is for the sole purpose of posting the ramblings of my mind. Specifically, writing prompts I have created, story ideas and story excerpts. I'm hoping that people will enjoy using these for their own stories. I do ask that if you use one of them to please tag me so I can read what you have written. I would also ask that if possible you could keep you stories clean. I will post as frequently as I get inspiration or have time, so just keep checking back. Thank you for reading this and I hope you enjoy.

Isobel blinked in surprise as blood dripped to the ground by her feet. She let her gaze dart upwards to find Kyriss bleeding from a cut on his arm.

“You’re hurt.” She said softly.

His eyes narrowed, “You were not given permission to speak.”

Isobel nodded but continued to observe. Despite his bold claims, he was clearly in pain.

Moving slowly, she ripped the bottom of her tunic into strips.

She wound one of the strips around his arm, beginning to bind his wound.

“What are you doing?” He growled.

Isobel suppressed an eye roll, “Helping you.”

“Why?”

She shrugged, “You’re in pain.”

“I’m your guard, one of your captors.”

She continued her bandaging, “You’re a guard, not a monster. You are human, just like the rest of us.”

A shiver coursed down his spine, “You’re an odd one Isobel.”

A/N

This is an excerpt from a story I thought of. The main character is imprisoned in a fantasy work camp and most of the guards are brutal. Over time she beings to notice something different about one guard. I hope you enjoy reading this and I'd love to see input of where I should take this story :)

There once was a princess with ebony hair, flowing round her face and hides the emotions 

In eyes as sapphires so vibrant and rare, so often mournful for something lost 

Sadness for the life she was given, another the cost  

Her skin like porcelain so delicate and fair, hide scars deep to the bone   

Gowns of silk, spinning round in endless dances, endless dances, endless trances    

A voice softly calling “Enter these woods if you dare” 

Deep in the woodlands, these silent majestic sentinels of the forest blanketed in frost 

Band of outlaws, a bond deeper than blood, pain brings them together and in honor they stayed

These ties that bind them, ones that can not be seen, brothers under fire forever till the end     

Leader stands silent, waiting as he counted the cost, hunter would come, slaughter and kill

Evil has come, crimson wing, raven soaring overhead midnight black wings, they herald death 

Quiet he whispers, spark of Seidr in the air, “Come into the forest, enter the woods if you dare.”

Silent she walks, midnight peace is found, shedding royal duties now, release from heavy crown 

Whispers she hears down the hall telling of her demise and fall, those who wish her ill 

Schemers now to steal this golden crown, with plot and plan to tear the lady down

Nightingale calls a mournful song, lament for what will come, once peaceful kingdom

War! War, it comes on blackened broken ravens wings, mark on her wrist yet burning 

Wishing to hear that silent sound  “Enter the woods if you dare”

Outlaw prince eyes fierce and bright, eyes blazing in the dead of night

Silent we wait and silent we watch, sentinels standing in the sands of time

These hunters they come to the secret lair searching for a wilding prince with raven hair 

These hunters shall come devour and tear, kill and destroy, carnage they bring

Waiting, listening, a word from their king, king on a throne ever alone, made of stone 

Searching for the prince with raven hair, outlaw who whispers “Enter these woods if you dare.”  

 First arrow shot from iron bow, bell of death rings tonight, lonely night with such a fright    

 Enemy king from ore the seas, brings his hunters through the trees, wait and watch 

To the Attack, attack, Carnage they bring, death bells ring, Ring! Ring.

“Long live the king for the king has died’’ the people they sing “Long now live our reigning king.”

Their heir she flees from murdering throng, where oh where did it all go wrong 

No longer she waits she follows the voice that she hears, “Come enter the woods if you dare”

Escape into the night, the heir must flee the throne, alone now yet not alone 

Mark on her wrist it burns, wolf noble and brave, half a mark, half a heart 

Light of the moon guide me soon, stars show me the way, lion cub be brave 

Child of the lion, child of wolf, rising sun, brightening moon, your kingdom you shall claim

Guided by the pull in her heart, following the light of brightening, burning mark

Listening for the voice she one know, whispering “Enter the woods if you dare”

Outlaw prince, footsteps he hears, light and afraid as that of a deer, a fawn left alone

Burning on his wrist, as he wonders what sorcery is this, fates and forests, forests and fates 

Fates intertwined, wraith from the woods, intruder in camp, child of royal blood 

The marks they burn, draw strangers together, Wolf to lion, lion to wolf 

Lion of the forest, wolf of royal blood, My pack, my pride their hearts sing 

I have followed she said the voice my heart knows, “Enter the woods if you dare”

Halves of a whole, things heart knows, for never have I met you yet love you now, forevermore

Brother Sun lion leader of the pride, Sister Moon alpha of the pack, Sun shall have his Moon

Heart joined, fates joined, lives joined, what once was one became two and now once again one 

Ebony hair, emerald eyes, let our Lady be the wolf that she is, Lady Moon find you Sun 

Pack and pride have joined, stronger together now and forever, the Marks they join, one eternal 

With one the wolf and the lion they called, “Enter the woods if you dare.” 

Softest of whispers replies, “You are together now, the Sun and Moon together forevermore”

Aster stretched and got up from her chair; she had finished the book she had been reading and was ready for another one. She spent so many of her afternoons at the library that the staff saw her as a bit of a permanent fixture. She was reaching to put the book away when her phone rang. She quickly answered it and looked around in a panic, hoping no one had heard its loud ringing. 

"Hello?" Aster was confused, who could be calling her during her library time? 

"Are you Aster White ?" An official-sounding voice answered. 

"Yes, and you are?" Aster began to worry. 

"Your brother Lucas was in an accident and has been transferred to the hospital."

"Oh no," Aster felt terror overtaking her, "How bad was it?"

There was a sympathetic pause from the officer, "He was rendered unconscious almost immediately and hasn't woken yet."

Aster struggled to keep from breaking down, "Is he allowed to have visitors?"

"Yes, do you have a way to get to the hospital?"

Aster thought for a moment, her mind clouded by panic, "Yes, I can call my friend to pick me up."

She couldn't bear to hear anything else that the officer had to say, "Is that all?" she asked coldly. 

 "That will be all," The officer seemed to understand and hung up quickly. 

Taking a deep breath, Aster prepared to call her friend, desperately hoping she could talk without shattering.

The phone rang once before her friend answered. 

"Hi Aster, what's up?" Luna sounded distracted. 

"Luna, I-I need your help." Aster heard the desperation in her own voice. 

"What's wrong, Aster" Her friend now sounded concerned.

"M-my brother he..." She couldn't finish the sentence, everything that had just happened had finally caught up to her.

"What happened," Luna sounded worried.

Aster took a deep breath, composing herself, "He was in a bad accident, the ambulance took him to the hospital and he hasn't woken up yet."

"I'll be right there," Luna said quietly. 

"Thanks," Aster whispered as she collapsed into her favorite chair.

Her thoughts were racing, hasn't woken up yet, Lucas in an accident, hasn't woken up yet, unconscious immediately, hasn't woken up yet. 

And above all, the deafening clamor of, this is your fault, all your fault, this is all your fault.

"No, it's not. It's not my fault." Aster wept. 

She felt strong arms embrace her, "Shh, Sokay. Of course, it's not your fault." 

"Luna?" She whispered weakly.

The arms embracing her tightened, "Yes, I'm here. I've got you. Sokay."

Aster blinked up at her with utter helplessness in her eyes, "Why? Why is this happening."

Luna winced slightly, "I don't know, but it's going to be ok. I promise."

"Don't," Aster's voice broke, "Don't promise what you have no control over."

She composed herself and stood, "Come on, let's go."

They drove in silence to the hospital, both of them hoping desperately that they wouldn't get the devastating call. As they pulled up in front of the hospital, Aster looked over at Luna in terror.

"I can't do this," she whispered.

Luna smiled sadly, "Yes, you can. You are one of the strongest people I know."

Luna gently took her hand and guided her into the hospital. The woman at the front desk looked at them with suspicion, no doubt wondering what two teenagers were doing in the hospital unattended. Aster explained the situation while struggling not to break down, and glaring at them one last time, the woman waved them on.

Aster watched with increasing dread as the floors dinged past on the elevator, and finally, they reached floor number four ICU unit.

"I can't... Can't" Aster felt like she couldn't breathe, "Can't do this." 

Luna hugged her tightly, "Sokay, it's going to be okay. I got you."

Aster looked at Luna with tear-filled eyes, "Thank you, for being here for me."

"Always," Luna whispered.

Aster and Luna braced themselves, attempting to prepare for whatever would meet them as they walked into Lucas’s room. But nothing could have prepared Aster for the sight that met her as she entered the room, her brother lay pale and still on the hospital bed, surrounded by monitors and IVs. 

"Lucas?" she whispered brokenly. 

She walked over to the bed and found his hand under the covers. 

Tears fell from her eyes, landing on the stark white sheets, "How? How could this happen?" 

Luna gently embraced Aster, both of them quietly sobbing. 

At that moment, a nurse entered the room, "Are you Aster ?"

"Yes," Aster whispered, still holding onto her brother's hand. 

The nurse grimaced sympathetically, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't," Aster's breath hitched, "Don't give me apologies. I want to know if he will survive."

The nurse looked taken aback, "If he wakes within the next few days he has a higher chance of survival."

Aster turned to her brother, "Come on, you need to wake up. I still need you."

Seeing that it would be useless to try to get Aster to leave, the nurse quietly left the room.

Aster settled into a chair by her brother's bed, prepared to stay until he woke.

For three days she stayed, only leaving to grab food, and barely sleeping until her friend convinced her to accept the offer of a room in the small clubhouse attached to the hospital. 

Being concerned for her friend's health, Luna wouldn't let her friend reenter the hospital until she had taken a two-day's rest.           

"Miss. White?" a knock sounded at the door. 

Aster peeked hesitantly out of the door, "Yes?"

A nurse stood on the other side, "The doctor believes it safe for your brother to see you now."

"Give me a minute," Aster got ready more quickly than she ever had, bolting out of the door in less than five minutes. 

She followed the nurse up the elevator and to the ICU her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

The nurse turned and looked at her gravely, "I want to warn you, he's not the same person you remember. 

Aster froze midstep and looked at the nurse, fear blooming in her eyes, "What do you mean?" 

The nurse looked at her with sympathy, "He may not remember you, he hasn't yet remembered many things from before the accident."

Aster nodded resolutely and continued walking. She took a deep breath as she entered her brother's room, forcing herself not to expect the worst. 

Lucas was propped up in bed still looking weak and pale but much better than when Aster had last seen him. 

"Hi," She whispered weakly. 

"Hello?" His warm brown eyes were filled with confusion, "Do I know you?

Aster could feel her heart breaking, "I'm your sister,"

His dark brown eyes clouded for a moment before filling with pain, "I'm sorry, I don't remember."

"It's ok," Aster forced herself to smile.

Sensing that this visit was becoming too painful for Aster, the nurse gently ushered her out.

"W-will he get better," Aster shook as she tied not to shatter. 

 The nurse winced, "The diagnosis is that he will regain some of his memories, But..."

"But what?" Aster felt as if she already knew what the nurse was about to say. 

The nurse sighed, "But, he may never fully remember you and what you meant to him."

Aster gasped quietly in pain and squeezed her eyes shut, memories flashing by her. Precious moments that might never be reclaimed.

"Is there anything I could do to help him remember?" Aster asked quietly, refusing to allow herself to despair.

"Well," The nurse thought for a moment, "You can show him pictures, tell him about you and how close you used to be."

Aster nodded, "Anything else?"

"You can also try and forge a new bond by doing things together like you used to."

"Ok," Aster nodded again, resolute.

"I admire your strength." The nurse told her.

Aster looked at him with steady determined eyes, “He is my brother, he would have done the same for me. I won’t give up on him.”

The nurse smiled sadly, "Of course, of course."

"When can I go back in?" She asked softly.

"Tomorrow, it would be too much stress for both of you to start today." The nurse replied as he walked her back to her room.

Aster spent the rest of the day looking at the pictures on her phone, little windows into the life she had with her brother.

Aster slept fitfully and was awake as soon as the sun rose. She knew that there was no way the doctors would let her visit her brother that early in the morning so she spent the time mentally preparing for what she knew would be one of the hardest days of her life. She watched videos of places her brother had taken, she scrolled through his Instagram posts surprised by how many of them were about her. 

"I've been so stupid," She whispered tears running down her face. 

She realized that she had taken his love for granted, and how strange it was, only when she feared losing it did, she understand.      

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a nurse came to bring her to her brother's room.

"How is he today?" Aster asked hesitantly. 

The nurse seemed to know that she wasn't only asking about his physical condition, "He seems stronger today, we have attempted to prepare him for your visit but he shows no sign of remembering you other than as the girl who visited yesterday." 

Aster drew a shuddered breath, some small part of her had hoped that Lucas would miraculously get better. 

“I can do this. I must do this.” She told herself as she rode up the elevator yet again. 

Aster had always thought of herself as a strong person, but she felt that she would shatter if her brother rejected her.

The nurse turned to her before entering the room, “you don’t have to do this, we have qualified staff who can help your brother. No one would blame you if you didn’t go through with this. We all understand how hard this must be for you.” 

“He’s my brother, I love him, and I am determined to bring him back.” Before she could lose her resolve, Aster walked into the room. Lucas sat propped up on the bed as before, his dark hair messy and eyes still sleepy. The sight was so familiar that Aster almost broke down again. 

“Hello,” she said softly, trying to smile.

“Oh, hello,” Lucas’s voice was warm and welcoming.

Aster walked over to the bed, “How are you?”

Lucas gave her his signature confused puppy look, “I’m okay, just tired and sore.” 

Aster huffed, they probably had him on all kinds of painkillers. After ensuring that her brother was not in too much pain, Aster made small talk for the next half hour before the painful question came. 

“I-I'm sorry,” he paused, brow furrowed, “who are you.” 

Aster looked at him, heart-shattering. His brown eyes were gentle and confused, and she could sense ‘something’ missing. She could do this, not for her, but for him. 

“I am Aster, bookworm, owner of a huge craft graveyard, pet lover, and your sister.” She reached out to touch his hand but stopped when she feared it would be too much too soon. “I’m your sister and I love you.” 

“Oh,” he whispered, a lost look finding its way into his eyes. 

“T-thank you.” 

Aster smiled sadly, “Sooo, do you want to watch a movie or something?”

“Sure, do you want to...” he gestured shyly at the bed.

She smiled again, this time a real smile, and they spent the rest of her visiting time watching movies.

She and Lucas spent the next few days watching movies and bonding. Until the day of their first ‘fight’, Aster had attempted to begin showing Lucas pictures, not realizing that her brother was in more pain and therefore stressed. 

He was propped up in bed looking a little paler than usual when she walked in.

Aster couldn’t help herself however and began showing him pictures. It was going fairly well until she asked him if he remembered taking her to see a movie.

"No, No I don't remember," he snapped eyes full of frustrated tears.

Aster tried to calm him, "I know, I'm sorry."

"No, you don't know. Everyone either expects me to be someone I don't remember, or they treat me like I'm made of glass." 

Suddenly, all the monitors began beeping, and Aster was ushered out of the room. 

A nurse escorted her back to her room and called Luna, realizing that Aster was too upset and in shock to be alone.

 When Luna entered the room, Aster sat on the bed, staring blankly.

"Are you ok?" She asked gently, trying to prompt her friend to talk.

"No," Aster whispered.

Luna hugged her close, "I know, I know this is hard for you."

Aster sighed, some emotion returning to her eyes, "Everyone says this must be hard for me, and believe me, it is. I can't help but think that it must be harder for him, being trapped inside his own mind. I know he loves me, somewhere, somehow." Aster's voice broke and she took several deep breaths to compose herself. "I wish I could do more to help him break free. No one, especially such a loving and kind person, should have to suffer this."

Later on, Lucas is sent to rehab with Aster, he is recovering but still doesn't remember her.  

Clutching the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles turned white with the pressure, Lucas glared at her.

“Who are you!” He shouted, voice filled with anger, confusion, and pain.

“I’m Aster, ridiculous bookworm and owner of a huge craft graveyard. I’m your sister...” she broke off with a son, “And I love you. I love you so much.”

“Why?” He whispered, eyes wide and vulnerable.

Aster didn’t think it was possible, but her heart shattered yet again. 

“Because you are my brother, because you are an amazing person. And I love you, I always have and I always will.” 

The anger in his eyes faded and all that was left was confusion and overwhelming exhaustion. 

“Come on,” she whispered gently, “you must be tired,”

“Mhm,” he took a few shaky steps toward the bedroom.

Aster carefully approached him, “Do you want me to help?”

“No, I don’t think I can handle it right now...” Lucas looked at her apologetically, “I’m sorry.”

Aster forced a smile, “It’s okay. I understand.”

She watched sadly as he walked off, leaving her to her grief and loneliness.

“Goodnight, I love you.” She whispered, soft as a sigh. 

Aster desperately wanted things to back to the way they had been before when both of them were happy. 

Aster got ready for sleep in an empty daze that night, all of the brokenness and pain of the past weeks catching up with her. 

 Aster woke to a hand gently stroking her hair away from her forehead. She sat bolt upright and stared around her wildly, eyes finally settling on her brother.

“W-what, what are you doing?” Aster said the first thing that came to mind.

“Msorry,” Lucas whispered, eyes downcast. Aster saw the warm brown of his eyes begin to cloud over, the spark she had just seen fading and becoming the impenetrable shell he was so often hidden behind.

“No, it’s okay. You just startled me. It’s okay.” She said gently. 

Aster let her eyes flutter shut, lying as still as possible, “S nice, don't stop."

Lucas paused for a minute before he began gently finger-combing her hair. Aster let herself relax, enjoying the feeling of calm. Gradually, the combing stopped, and a gentle tugging began.

"What are you doing?" She murmured sleepily, looking up at Lucas.

"B-braiding your hair..." His voice was full of uncertainty and eyes blown wide like a deer about to bolt, "You used to like it... before 

Now Aster was the one frozen, "You remember...? Before?"

He shrugged, looking at the floor, "Just bits and pieces, flashes of things and fractured memories."

Aster sat up quickly and hugged him close

"Oh," his voice was breathless and surprised.

Slowly and hesitantly he hugged her back, "I-I love you."

"I love you more," Aster whispered smiling fondly, "I love you so much."

Alternate ending 

Aster blinked back tears as she stared at the fresh grave, how could it have ended like this. The last few days had been a blur, and all she felt was sorrow. 

Aster woke up slowly, a smile on her face as she remember the events of the previous night. After many long, stressful days her brother had remembered her. Smile still fixed on her face she got up quickly, getting ready in record time. As soon as she showered and dressed, she was in the small kitchen preparing her brother's favorite meal. Soft and fluffy scrambled eggs, pancakes warm and smelling of cinnamon, and a glass of cold milk. Grinning, she piled the bounty on a tray and walked carefully to her brother's room. 

“Lucas? You awake?” She called, hand ready to open the door. 

She listened for an answer and was confused when she got none. Even after the accident, her brother was a light sleeper and got up early.

“Lucas? I’m coming in.” She slowly opened the door.

When she entered the room, she found her brother still under the blankets.

She laughed softly, “Still asleep?” 

She set the tray down and walked over to her brother's bed gently shaking his shoulder. She froze when her hand fell on his shoulder, which was stone cold. 

“Lucas?” She whispered hesitatingly. 

When he still didn’t move, she knew the truth and collapsed at the side of the bed. 

“No!” She screamed desperately, “Not now, please not now.” 

Aster felt numb, all other sounds faded and she could no longer see her surroundings. All that was left was the crushing despair that she had lost her brother, her rock.

“No, don’t leave me, please.” She whispered. 

Aster watched as they filled the grave, and all she felt was emptiness. Her heart was empty, and she was lost. Her brother, her rock, was gone and she was adrift on an endless ocean.

I pour the tea, one cup, two cups. I don't know why I bother with the second when I know she won't drink it, perhaps it makes us both feel better.

"How was your day?" She asks softly, perching on the edge of her chair.

I frown, "Work is tiring."

"I'm sorry," She brushed a hand gently over his shoulder.

"I don't mean to complain," I sigh, "Sorry."

"No," She smiled softly, "I want to hear it all." 

"H-how are you?" I am still clumsy in asking.

She gave me a gentle smile, "The same."

I nodded, biting my lip.

"I'm sorry," I finally blurted out, "So sorry."

She stood and came over to my side, "Oh Mi Amor, it was never you're fault." 

"I could have held on, I could have done..." I began, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Nothing, you did everything you needed. You stayed by me, held my hand at the end, and now you care for our son."  She soothed.

"But I miss you," I sobbed, "I miss you, and our son will never know his mother."

She smiled sadly, "But he has you, the best of fathers."

She brushed a featherlight kiss to my cheek, as she began to fade, "You don't need me now, I know you will never let our son forget his mother. I love you Mi Amor, and I love our little one, stay strong for me."

"I will," I whisper promised.

She smiled one last time, a smile full of love, sadness, and triumph, as she faded away.

"And I love you," I whispered.

Suddenly, a piercing cry came from the other room, and I laughed, "Coming, my little man."

Voices shouting from downstairs, sobbing, Screaming, scraping chairs

Monsters hiding under­neath my bed, or maybe their just in my head

Sharp blade against my skin, once again the voices win.

Feeling so many things I can't quite pin

Hello darkness, you welcome me in.

Another day, do it all again.

They ask me if I feel ok, I wonder what I'm supposed to say.

Voices in my head won't leave me alone, I feel I don't want to return home.

And yet, smile, makeup, long sleeves, I'm fine I say, nothing wrong with me.

Another cut deep and deeper still rain patters on the windowsill,

Vision fades what can I say, all I want to do is Feel.

I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay, Just keep on crying in the rain,

I just can't take this pain. Elevator counts out the floors,

One, Two, three, four. On the roof, say goodbye to you,

everybody wants to fly. On the edge Freefall, wind wins through my hair

Flying, fleeing, cold atmosphere wind whips tears from my eyes,

or could it be that they are mine?

Won't somebody stretch out a hand?

One more week of playing fine, remembering all that was mine.

won't somebody give a hand

catch me now before I fall, does anyone care at all?

Just lend me your hand

lend me your hand

Your hand

hand

Farewell

“This is unacceptable!” A girl with flame-red hair, half covered by the hood of her cloak which hid most of her face from view, braced her feet and glared at the official standing in front of her.

“These are your rations. We do not have extra to pamper lazy urchins.”

The girl scoffed, pampering indeed, these rations were barely enough to survive.

Holding the official's gaze defiantly, she picked up the sack and spun on her heel, stalking off.

Dust plumed from her footsteps, and she fought back a cough. Any who lived on the outskirts of society, always at the mercy of the Enforcers, knew that showing weakness of any kind was signing your own death warrant. Anyone who showed even a hint of illness or injury in front of an Enforcer 'mysteriously' disappeared soon after.

“Pampering urchins,” she scoffed, “We are the ones who care for your children, clean your clothes and cook for you. When we are gone, where will you be?”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a black-cloaked figure sneaking up and slitting the edge of the official's cape with a gleaming dagger, tying it so he would trip when he tried to walk again.

"Nice work," the red-haired girl whispered.

"As always, Thirteen." A low, rough voice answered to her left.

The girl nodded in the direction the voice came from and continued on her way. As she reached a dilapidated row of homes, she pulled the hood of her ragged gray cloak up even further, hiding her memorable hair and eyes in shadow. She carefully pressed the doorbell: One long press, two short presses, and another long, her code so the occupants would know it was safe.

A careworn woman opened and stared at her with mistrust. "What are you doing here?" she questioned

The girl reached into the sack and pulled out one family's worth of rations, "Trust me, this is not a bribe or a trap." With that she handed the package to the still-skeptical woman and walked off.

The girl slowly scanned the area, if an Enforcer discovered her she would be killed and families would starve. When she ensured that it was safe, she continued to walk, dodging windows. Although she helped these families with food, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't turn her in for a reward. The girl turned a corner and froze as an Enforcer stalked past, she hid behind a large grey boulder, her cloak blending into its surface.

"No, please! I have children. Please let me stay with my children." The girl's eyes narrowed as she heard the panicked screams.

Slowly she crept toward the origin of the sound, keeping her eyes open for Enforcers. Hate and fury brewed in her green eyes as she watched a young mother being dragged away from her sobbing children. Such was the cruelty of the Hive; the rich wanted servants, and the poor had no choices. She watched as the mother was painfully restrained and the enforcers branded the children. The eldest desperately tried to shield his sisters but it was useless. The Enforcer easily shoved him out of the way and pressed the branding gun to their arms.

"Three children: 51, 29, 32. Take the pod." The Enforcer spoke without emotion, as taking mothers and hurting innocent children was just his everyday job.

She slipped her hand into the hidden pocket of the cloak and pulled out a minuscule dart coated in a poison that would make the Enforcer too ill to move for days. She smiled bitterly as it hit its mark perfectly. She had her own small acts of rebellion.

The red-haired girl held her breath as the Enforcerwinced and looked around for the source of the pain, but of course, he never saw her.

As soon as the Enforcer walked away, she made her way over the shell-shocked children. The eldest, a boy, was about ten, his little sister appeared to be seven, and the youngest a toddler.

As soon as he caught sight of her the eldest pulled his sister behind him and held the little one tighter, “Don’t come any closer.”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Scarlett showed them that she held no weapons.

The eldest scoffed, “That’s what they all say.”

“I’m not an Enforcer and I don’t work for the Capitol,” Scarlett said calmly.

The eldest boy glared at her, pulling his younger sisters even closer, "Who are you then?"

Instead of answering, she showed them her arm, a number thirteen was forever branded in her tan skin.

"One of us." The eldest slowly relaxed, "What's your name?"

The girl blinked, she rarely told anyone the name she forged for herself, but she felt compelled to tell this child, "Scarlett, my name is Scarlett."

"Why are you here?" The eldest asked suspiciously.

Scarlett suppressed a sigh, "I came to take you somewhere safe."

The eldest raised his eyebrows, "Safe?"

"I can't tell you where, all I can tell you is that many other children find safety there." Scarlett understood his caution.

The seven-year-old looked at her with tears in her frightened eyes, "I wanna be safe."

The boy hugged her close, "You will be, I will keep you safe." He looked back at Scarlett, "We will come with you, not because I trust you, but because I can't protect them on my own."

Scarlett nodded and stood, “Well then, we should leave now.”

Her fragile hand holds the key, the key dripping red. Another wife unfaithful, another dead.

"I'm sorry my lord. I didn't know, I'm sorry," She pleads.

I feel myself losing control, I don't want to do it, not her, not now. I try to hold on to my mind,"Run" I choke out, But the curse twists my words, twists me into the role of the villain.

She backs away, eyes filled with fear. I feel my my fingers, suddenly foreign to me, reach for my sword. Why do I have a sword. I lunge, chasing after the fleeing woman, the traitor. I shake my head, pause, she is not a traitor I care for her. pain shoots though my head, where is she?

I spot her. Foolish girl, you're not very good at hiding.

I raise my sword, ignoring her pleas. She grabs a torch and I smile, now, she is changing the game. Don't worry little girl, I'll still play.

She throws the torch, setting the tapestry on fire. Suddenly, everything is an Inferno. Fire in my mind Fire in my castle. A voice screaming in my head. Please, please leave me alone. I'm supposed to get the girl, I have to kill her. I clench my fists, but I won't. She will be the one that survives. I force my fingers to drop the sword, I stand among the Flames, the legend of King Bluebeard is over. It burns with the castle; it dies with the man. The monster is no more.