The fire and the girls.

Ext- Adam Duarte is walking. He’s humming as he walks. A smile is on his face. He closes his eyes for a moment. Stops and stands still. He takes a deep breathe to fill in the scene. He freezes instantly.

He smells smoke. He turns around and opens his eyes. His features twis to alarm. His mouth is wide open in worry. His features twist to alarm.

Adam: (mentally) Eva.He gulped. Sweat ran through his brow. He bit his lip. And ran towards the smoke. The grass slowly bit his legs. But still he ran.

Adam Duarte stopped and bent down in exhaustion. He closed his eyes. Taking breathe after breathe. Exhaustion running over his body.

He looked up and his eyes widened. He gulped. He stared. He slowly went out of himself. He looked. He denied. He looked again. He gulped. He blinked. His breathe deepened. Inside he was falling. Falling again and again. He was falling in a bottomless pit. His physucal body just stood there. His eyes were blank. A whimper escaped from,

He looked and looked at one direction, he stared. His mouth was open. He whimpered again. But it would not change the image of his sister’s dead body. She lay there. Her stomach was bleeding. Her eyes wide. Her body bent, like she was protecting someone.

Adam:( mentally) Or two people.

Two sets of smiles flashed through his mind. They were gap thoothed little girls. Both were smiling showing him a tooth. One was flashing it proudly to him. The other held it shly.

Hope: Will the tooth fairy come

Her voice was excited.

Adam:( mentally) so excited.

Joyn had looked at him shyly. There was a blush on her cheeks. She looked down. She looked up at him. He was looking at her. He smiled. Her eyes widened. Her ears reddened. She looked down again.

Adam had shook his head

They were probably dead.

-present day

Hope: Let me go!

That voice had screamed at the top of her lungs. Adam looked up. Hope in his chest. He blinked. He swallowed. He clenched his fist and grit his teeth. He saw red.

Adam: That som of a bitch.

He said those words under his breathe. But Thorfyn still turned around. He heard him. His eyes narrowed for a moment. Before he looked down. Down at the struggling little girls. Thorfyn then looked up. His mouth twisted in a grin. His hold on the little girla tightened, clarified by Hope and Joyn’s scream. They wailed at the top of their lungs. Tears in their eyes.

That was the straw that broke the camels back. Adam sprinted there, practically flew, just to miss Thorfyn and the girls. Thorfyn jumped. Joyn screamed, Hope looked wide eyed as Thorfyn picked them up and jumped his feet hit the ground 50 feet away. For a moment it looked like Hope forgot the situation. Her eyes were wide with joy.

Hope: Again!

Her eyes were wide. Her mouth in a smile. She looked ready to laugh. Thorfyn turned around, and looked at her. His eyes were narrowed. His mouth pinched. He was clearly confused. His face stated, are you not afraid. Hope narrowed her eyes. Her mouth in a frown. She looked confused. Thorfyn looked to Joyn. Her eyes were teary, her mouth trembling. Thorfyn nodded. Adam nodded. Both of them looked at each other. They sighed and nodded. Joyn at least was acting normal. Joyn looked at Hope. She frowned. She pinched Hope. Hope looked at Joyn. They stared at each other. They frowned. A silent understanding past between the children. They should both be scared. Unfortunately they both could not het back their fear. So they just lay their in Thorfyn’s arms silently and blinked.

Adam who could guess what happened, stared at the twins for a moment, closed his eyes and sighed.

Adam: (mentally) At least it makes it easier when they’re not afraid

Adam then opened his eyes and stared At Thorfyn. Thorfyn stared right bacj. Adam had his sword at the ready. Adam smiled, reached for his pocket and pulled out a cap. It was covered in blood.

Thorfyn blinked, he reached for the top of his head. He blinked. It was empty. He reached for his pocket, it was empty. The girls sqirmed. They wanted to be free. He glared at them. Hope looked at himz he sighed.

Thorfyn: (mentally) Pesky little thing.

But a bit if Thorfyn couldn’t help but warm up to her. He stared at Adam. Adam stared back. Both men would not look away. Thorfyn’s hold on the children tightened. Hope sqirmed. Joyn squeaked.

Thorfyn: Give me back my cap, Or I swear I’ll kill them!

Both little girls froze. They flinched. They looked at Thorfyn and blinked. They could see he was serious. Tears begin to drip from Joyn’s eyes. She wailed.

Hope was silent for a moment. She was perfectly still. She blinked and then screamed at the top of her lungs.

Hope: Let me go.

Thorfyn was tempted to use both hands to cover his ears. The children were loud. Louder than veing close to a banshee. And annoying. Very, very annoying. He was tempted to glamour them.

Thorfyn: (mentally) That it what cowards do.

Thorfyn shook his head and growled. He would not glamour the girls. He was not a coward. Adam blinked.

His mouth shifted to a frown. His eyes narrowed. He let out a growl. He reached for his pocket and dug a little. He smirked.

Adam: (mentally) found it.

He reached out and pulled out a yellow match. It was shiny because of the plastic. He switched it on. Fire begin to erupt. The flames teased the cap. Thorfyn’s eyes widened. He bit his lip. He looked at the girls, and then at Adam.

Thorfyn: You wouldn’t.

Adam let out a smirk. It wasn’t kind. When he spoke, his voice was void of emotion.

Adam: Let them go, or I’ll



burn the cap.

Both men stared at each other. They frowned. Thorfyn growled. Adam glared. Thorfyn blinked and stared at the girls. An idea came to him and he smiled.

He dipped his head, and whispered in Hope’s ears. Hope twisted her brow. She pinched her mouth. Her face morphed to confusion. She looked at him. She had stopped crying. She was too focused in What Thorfyn said now. She looked up at him, wonder and confusion on her face. Hope then looked at Uncle Adam. There was trust in her eyes. She blinked and smiled. It was the smile of a child who hoped a trusted adult figure would answer her question.

Adam gave her a tight smile. His eyes narrowed when he looked at Thorfyn.Both men stared at each other for a beat.

Adam: What did you tell her?

Adam’s voice was a growl. Thorfyn gave a grin. It was not friendly. He dipped his head again. His mouth near Joyn’s ear. He whispered the same words to Joyn. Joyn stopped, pinched her brows and shivered. She looked up at him. She took a deep breathe. She held Hope’s hand. She trembled and squirmed. But still she held Hope’s hand. Tears where in her eyes as she looked at Thorfyn. Her nose was dripping. Thorfyn smiled, and nodded. He then let them go.

Joyn held Hope’s hand and sprinted to her Uncle Adam, Hope being dragged by the hand to follow.

Hope: Hey!

Hope’s voice made it clear she was unhappy being dragged. But Joyn didn’t hear her. She rushed to her Uncle Adam, and let out a bucketful of tears.

Adam held out his arms and hugged them. He held them tight. Joyn sobbed, Hope held his shirt and burried herself in it, taking in his scent. For now they were safe. That was what mattered. Adam turned to Thorfyn, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Adam: What did you say to them?

His voice was calm, but there lay an edge there. It was like a snake in the grass, calmly waiting to strike on it’s prey.

Thorfyn grinned, his fangs glinting in the sunlight. Joyn hid under Adam’s cloak, Hope looked ready to touch his fangs. Her eyes were big. Adam and Thorfyn stared a moment at Hope. They blinked at her. Then looked away, and shook their heads. That one would grow up reckless. They were partially correct.

Thorfyn then stared at Adam, his grin back. It was less menacing now due to Hope’s facination. Adam still glared, but it just felt wrong now. Anticlimactic if you will.

Both of them stared at each other, before Thorfyn spoke.

Thorfyn: I used a spell on them, so that they will stop aging once they turn twenty.

Adam stilled. He shook his head as if in denial. Thorfyn nodded. Slowly to punctuate the point. Slowly to enjoy every second of it. He grinned. Adam clenched his fist and glared at the fairy. He reached for his sword. So did Thorfyn. Both swords raised, Thorfyn and Adam were ready to attack each other.

Hope and Joyn: No!

They screamed at the top of their lungs. Joyn rushing to Thorfyn. She kneeled to him, her eyes filled with tears.

Joyn: Please don’t hurt uncle Adam!

Joyn clenched Thorfyn’s pants. Her voice was wavering, and squeaky. She was crying. Thorfyn looked at her, eyes wide. He was dumbfounded. His mouth open, he stared at Hope.

Hope extended her arms, her shoulders hunched. Her feet flat on the floor, Thorfyn scoffed, he could easily defeat such a weak enemy.

Thorfyn: (mentally) It’s not even worth it.

Thorfyn looked closed his eyes, sighed and looked at Hope again. Her eyes were filled with tears. She was crying and clearly afraid. But still she did her best to protect her beloved Uncle. Thorfyn had to respect that. He looked at Adam.

His eyes wide, his mouth agape. He looked conpletely confused. He then looked at Joyn, then to Hope and then again. Understanding his him. He knelt down, to the little girl’s eye level. He smiled at her.

Hope turned around, her eyes hesitant. Her mouth was trembling. She looked ready to cry. Big fat tears begin to spill out.

Adam wiped them away with one hand. He opened his mouth and his voice was gentle, soothing even when he spoke.

Adam: It’s ok Hope. I’ll be fine.

He stroked her hair. Adam then turned his gebtle gaze to Joyn. Joyn who looked ready to run to him and cry. Joyn held her ground, turned around and looked at Thorfyn. Her eyes pleading. Thorfyn closed his eyes, shook his head and sighed.

Thorfyn: (mentally) There’s no point.

He sheatged his sword, so did Adam. They glared at each other though. Hope nodded. Her hands at her hips she opened her mouth ready to lecture the grown ups.

Hope: As mommy always said, Violence is not the answer.

She glared at both men, trying to imidate her mommy. She then looked at her mommy. She stilled. Her mouth trembled, her eyes watered. She stared at one spot. Adam looked at where she was staring. He blinked. His face morphed to one of sorrow. He looked at Hope. She looked back at him.

He held out his arms. She ran to him, and sobbed.

Adam: There, there. I’m here.

Adam’s voice was soothing. He petted her hair gently. He wasn’t sure what to say to her. He hummed. She stiffened then relaxed. And cried some more.

Finally her tears stiffled. She turned around Joyn also turned around. They then looked at each other, their eyes meeting. A silent conversation passed between them. They nodded. They then looked up at Thorfyn. Joyn’s mouth trembled but she tried to narrow her eyes into an angry scowl. Hope? Hope had tears in her eyes and an angry scowl.

Thorfyn mentally sighed. He could guess they were trying to look intimidating. They looked about as fierce as hissing kittens. In short, adorable and angry but not very scary. Thorfyn stared at them, they stared back. It was a staring contest of sort.

Thorfyn looked away first. The little girls looked at each and nodded. Thorfyn then looked at the little girls, a blank expression on his face.

Thorfyn: Is there anything you two want to say to me?

His voice was serious, with his gruff voice made him sound angry. To little kids an angry grown up was very scary. They both took a step back, but then resumed their glare. Both Hope and Joyn stared at each other again and nodded.

Hope and Joyn: Why did you kill mommy?!

They spoke in unity. They were identical. To humans it was normally creepy, To Thorfyn who had never seen identical twins before it was an abomination. He shivered, clearly afraid. But only for a little while. Thorfyn was a soldier, through and through. He would rather look fear in the eye and die then live as a coward. He stared at them.

Thorfyn: Because she betrayed me.

His voice was calm, devoid of the hurt he felt. It was serious. The children’s eyes were wide. They looked at him mouth open. And then closed it. They nodded in understanding.

Hope and Joyn: That makes sense.

They spoke in unison again, which creeped Thorfyn out. Adam stared for a moment a bit. His eyes and mouth wide open. He stared at the twins for a moment. Stared a little longer. Noticing his attention, they stared right back. They smiled at him. He sighed.

Adam: Mentally: logic of a child

Adam glared at Thorfyn. Thorfyn glared back. This staring contest lasted for a beat. Adam blinked. So did Thorfyn.

Hope and Joyn: It ended in a tie!

Thorfyn shook his head and Adam spoke.

Adam: They need to be raised in the mortal world.

His voice held no sign of compromise. But still Thorfyn pushed. He grinned.

Thorfyn: That’s why I’m willing to compromise.

His voice held a hidden glee. He smirked. He would vicously rub salt to this wound.

Thorfyn: They can’t sleep for twenty years after all.

Adan froze, his face twitched. He opened his mouth and then closed it. His eye twitched. He looked ready to jump and attack. Hope pulled his sleeve, her eyes set in a stern motion. She looked ready to lecture him. Adam smiled. He knelt down to her level and ruffled her hair.

Adam: Ok we’ll settle this peacefully.

Hope nodded like a scholar.

Hope: that’s right Uncle Adam.

She had her arms crossed and was nodding. Joyn alongside her. Adam smiled as he looked at them before glaring at Thorfyn.

Thorfyn: You get them for the day, I get them for the night.

Adam clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes. His mouth turned downward to displeasure. He glared at Thorfyn but nodded. Thorfyn had pulled off a faerie victory, pulled out by deciet and trickery. As if faeries could win any other way.

Thorfyn grinned. He glared at the quivering girls. Then pushed them to Adam. The sun rose.

Thorfyn: They’re all yours.

The girls shook as they looked at him. Thorfyn looked at them with contempt.

Thorfyn: (mentally) little cowards.

Adam glared at Thorfyn. Thorfyn simply turned around and walked away.

The girls then opened their mouths and begin bawlling. Adam knelt down and hugged them.

Adam: There, there. It’s ok.

His voice was soft. Soothing. And soon he was able to comfort the twins.

And so it was, Thorfyn would take them in the night, Adam would get them by day. Hope would yawn at times, but her body had gotten used to the lack of sleep. Hope and Joy could no longer eat salt however, and Hope would whine from the lack of salt in her popcorn. She would squint at the buttered popcorn and try to will salt into it. Adam would chuckle. And ruffle her hair, but knew she couldn’t eat salt or turn to ash. Hope would pout, Adam would ruffle her hair. But still she would not eat Salt.

On Thorfyn’s side, he thought them swordsplay, hand-to hand combat and ensured they knew everyway to kill a man. Wide-eyed they nodded and followed. Thorfyn expected to raised soldiers, what he did not expect? Was to love them and treasure them more than anything.

Eleven years later…

Int- Thorfyn’s castle.

Ward of a faerie war lord, who answered only to the high king himself. It sounded glamourous and straight out of a faerytale. Hope was even brough to the mortal world every morning.

Orianna: Stop fidgetting sweetling.

Orianna was Hope’s foster mother. Thorfyn’s second wife. She had been a friend of Hope’s mother.

Hope sighed as the Taylor stitched another end to the dress. Orianna sighed as Hope hissed when the needle stabbed her skin.

Orianna: That’ll be enough.

The faerie taylor stopped. Hope frowned. But only slightly.

Hope: (mentally) Had it been me, I would have been ignored.

Orianna smiled and smoothed Hope’s hair. Hope gave her a small smile and leaned to the soothing touch. It was serinity.

The door creaked open. Thorfyn entered. His blonde hair and green eyes catching Hope’s. Hope looked at him and blinked. She felt a flash of fear, but also love. She gave a small smile as he ruffled her hair. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. She beamed.

He looked at Orianna who nodded. They did not marry for love after all. But they were companions and that was enough.

Thorfyn smiled as he looked at the daughter he loved more than anything, she smiled back at him. Beneath that smile, was a fear he would kill her.