by Lucas Jackson

Created on: July 11, 2008

Chapter 1

There is an eery calmness before the storm. A dreaded silence as two sets of eyes peer, unflinching, waiting for the other to make its move.

Night rolled in, cool and calm. Silence veiled the small neighborhood. All seemed at peace, all except for one, small two story brick layered home, where inside a thunderous storm had erupted. Crashing thunder ingulfing all depths, echoeing, penetrating each wall as minutes fearfully crept along. Two young children, quietly, huddled together, holding each other, in the narrowest, gloomiest corner of the attic, praying that this storm would soon cease, bringing peace once again to thier torn miserable lives. Marlene clenched Henrys shoulders, shivering, not with chilled bones, but with a dreadful despair as fear tormented, prying at her soul. Henry glanced down at his little sister Marlene, her once innocent eyes, reddened, waves of glossy tears streaming, cascading down her swollen cheeks as her hands and legs violently trembled. " Marlene" Henry whispered reassuringly. " Marlene, look at me." Her sweet innocent hazel eyes peered up into his own. Inside she knew that he would take care of everything. " Remember the song that mom used to sing to us every night before bed?" Henry asked. Marlene knodded, speechless. She had not spoken since mom and dads battle had erupted late this afternoon. " Remember those words of hope and freedom. Remember how they always made us feel so happy, inside." Marlene knodded again, her eyes gazing to lost memories. Henry kissed her forehead, closing his eyes, softly singing the words. " Amazing....... grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like... me. I once was lost, but now am found...." Marlene coiled her tiny arms around his stomach like a serpent, burrowing her head deep into his chest, crying softly, as he whispered each verse.

Downstairs, voices sliced through the darkness in shrill high pitched lioness roars. Two kingdoms, clashing in a battle for sole supremacy. As in all battles, only one dominate beast would survive this onslaught to reign another day. Both knew it ended, tonight. But how?

Henry stroked Marlenes damp, stringy hair, whispering soothing words, calming her. Holding her for what seemed like hours. Deep, down, he believed that he was to old to show his true feelings, so he camouflaged them with a blank stoned face expression, delicately wiping her tears away, wishing he could let his own pain escape.


* * *

Rage, her face shown of heated rage. An

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