Chapter One: The end of the beginning [Cammi]

[Marree]

Bright, wide eyes stare up at the young girl. Innocence reigning over the whole situation without a clue as to what is going on for the baby in her arms. However, inside the girl, her heart beats quickly and her fingers tremble slightly as she holds the bottle within sight for little Lotus to see. A partial grin is given to the little baby, while her ears are prickled for any noise inside the room to descide; any voices to decide her fate.

"When are we going to get out of here, Ceci?" Her younger brother asks her, as his legs swing back and forth out of boredom, his vision stuck on the movement beneath the seat. Cecilia glances over to him and shakes her head at his behavior.

"Be calm, please. We just need to be on our best behavior so we don't get split up. And I'm not letting you or Lotus go anywhere without me... I'll die before I let that happen." She threatens as she cuddles her little sister against her chest a little bit until she squirms in her grasp. "Hungry, Lolo? I got milk for you..."

The bottle is tipped in the direction of her baby sister's mouth and she latches on immediately. Again, silence reigns supreme as the voices inside the room suddenly become lively and the suckling of the bottle disturbs her concentration. "Can you drink quieter?" She asks and kisses her forehead.

"Ceci... I miss them... I miss them all..." Jake whispers, his head lowered as he leans over and props his head on his big sister's shoulder.

"I know. Me, too." Cecilia wraps her arm around him while keeping the bottle propped up with her chin and her prized possession all coddled within her grasp. A sigh escapes from her mouth.

[cameo]

Dynasty Reagan

As pure usual, my stance is towering and petrifying during my stroll through the Public of District Two. Weekly my presence is desired upon the Town Hall for updates on my Colony of distasteful Orphans. Is food plentiful? Are all Children continuing to breath within my Land? Have displeased actions corrupted any of us yet? Consistently their preferences are ignored, but they don’t need to be aware of such. 

  “…Exactly. All are still being properly cared for, and trained for a Maze.” I assure the social worker with the identical words vocalized every week. “An inspection? Fine. Give me a few days though, the Rascals hate picking up after themselves.” And once again I’m excused from another successful meeting. As always my feet desperately flee for an instant escape, until my Eyes pause the common routine.   

A pack of three Innocence sorrowful sit across a bench I’d only wish upon my greatest enemies. The wooden seats solely accept the company of newly crafted Fosters. Pity seeps the confidence of my Eyes, as my direction alters towards the now parentless Rugrats. Fear raptures the features of the Boy, while lack of understanding bundles the Infant, and the evidently Eldest… determination flourishes her features.

  “Unfortunate position to be in. My condolences.” I speak before them, and swiftly capture a seat as well to deter the intimidating demeanor I often possess. “What happened little Ones? Perhaps I can be of assistance.” Uncommon sincerity laces with my offer, as I wonder across their Story.  

[Marree]

Cecilia Brontz

---

Cecilia's features hardly lock away from glancing to and from her two remaining silbings. The only two things in the world that would now limit her own ability to seperate from her family. They were meant to stay together and together they would remain if she had anything to say about it. The sound of footsteps deter her from her thoughts, causing her to lift her head and peer into the eyes of an older woman, hardly a few years her senior to notice the questions forming upon her features. A half smile given in respect to her but in all honestly she really didn't think it would go further than that at all. Until she sits down and then she's forced to make conversation with someone that she dare not even know.

Focused and thoughts going back to shelter, food and a home, the voice of the woman sitting opposite of them distracts her.

"Unfortunate position to be in. My condolences." Without words, Jake looks to Cecilia with so many questions and confusing gestures as to whom she is or what she was saying. She straightens up, readjusting Lotus in her arms and begins to rock back and forth with her back hitting the chair gently. A hand reaches up, mapping out Cecilia's face as heavy eyes begin to close and the lips of the older sibling delicately kiss the little tyke.

"Thank you." Is muttered and then silence approaches the grieving girl.

"What happened little ones? Perhaps I can be of assistance."

"I don't want to be rude... but you can't bring them back and that's all the assistance I need." The words aren't harsh but a mere whispering tone of hurt. Her chestnut eyes begin to gleam with tears that will not fall in front of her little brother for he stares right at her and then to the new commer.

"We lost four... in the fire."

"Jake... we don't know her." Cecilia defends their status, afraid of their future already as she raises her eyebrows at him. A mothering look of him doing wrong persuades the boy, altering his once saddened state. "Please. Just wait, will you?"

"I don't... Ceci, their DEAD. Jory... Gage... What else could go wrong? We've nothing to hide anymore. Why does it matter is she knows? She's just trying to help." Anger bubbles in the pit of the stomach for the boy and it comes out with such a strong remark against his sister and he towers over her when he stands. He shakes his head at her and storms off.

"I'm sorry... he's upset right now." She stands, startling the little bundle in her arms for a moment and that hand once again goes to her face; eyes closing. "Maybe I should let him blow off some steam... I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude I just can't... I'm only fourteen. I shouldn't have to deal with this." Those tears of grief and anger linger near the edge of her eyes, threatening to escape, but with one blink, they are gone - cascading down her cheeks in two straight lines. [/div]

[cameo]

Dynasty Reagan 

Sorrow sulks from the eyes of the Eldest in such a stern manner, as though refusing to let it break her. Her responses bite with the cruel reality she’s being forced through. Three have endured a horrific event, yet each portrays a different reaction. And her tongue lashes an illustration of the struggles she’s plagued with. Will our equal dedication collide us, or haul her in an opposite direction?   

Whenever the word but intrudes in the beginning of a statement, there’s often nothing good to follow. For example, I mean no offense but… But…with ashes still burning their attire, I swallow the subtle sting of a rejection; though that’s far from declaring I accept it. “Are you sure?” I second question her decline for a helping hand. Evidently she has yet to be introduced to the unwelcoming fate of orphaned siblings. Then the younger Brother breaches out a voice, and wields a potential chance.

  A saddened grin curls across my lips from the information he delivers; and remains even when his Sister announces I’m a stranger. Four dead within a single memory? That must be difficult to absorb, especially at such ages. She requests for him to wait, but what for? And before I’m capable to interject with my knowledge on this kind of circumstance, he’s rupturing from all he must have bottled in such a short time span. Further and further my sympathy for them enhances. Then when his rant halts, he flees. 

  “I understand.” Is assured, while my tone vocalizes that no apology is necessary. It’s challenging in every way to be the Head of the family, even more so at fourteen. Responsibilities are endless, and all crucial decisions rely on Shoulders far too petite for such. Tears stream down her innocent features, evoking a kneejerk urge in myself to comfort her… to gently approach, and offer a sheltering embrace. Except that nurture was not an aspect taught to me, and the distance strives to linger. What support can I possibly provide, when I’m only equipped in assisting in every other way? 

  “My Mother died three years ago, when I was your age.” I share in a rather leveled pitch, despite that the topic of her always-resulted in disarray in the past. “Left me in charge of my Household to... It gets easier.” I encourage for a raised chin. Hopefully this Rugrat was the Eldest before, raised for this position. 

  What am I to do? Such potential radiates from each of them. While its uncertain if they’d survive amongst my gruesome Tribe of a family, let alone thrive. “Let’s just make sure you guys get put into a good home, and not separated.” When the unforgiving occasion happened to me, I learned that preceding a step at a time stains anxiety if only a bit. “And don’t worry too much about your Brother. Boys deal differently.” With that I welcome myself in the determination of settling them all in a single pristine foster house.  

[Marree]

Cecilia Brontz

---

How can you understand? Cecilia questions herself internally as she denies the presence now sitting nearest to her. Of the tension now hanging all around her head, she somehow accepts the words that escape the elders mouth. With such profound knowledge to be designed for her ears alone, she lets her gaze drop to Lotus's sleepy exterior. Those nodding off eyes barely able to see her clearly enough to realize that she's already slipped away further than she could get back. The unconscious land where everything is perfect now surrounds the baby. Her cheeks gain definition with the smile tugging on each side, causing Cecilia to portray a saddened grin.

"My Mother died three years ago, when I was your age. Left me in charge of my household too. It gets easier."

Chestnut hair, unkempt and unwavering to a brush, jostles around her shoulders gently as she refuses the words that come off the tongue of a stranger all too easily. "When will it get easier, cause day one seems like it'll never be any other way." Her bite stings harshly even though her voice is merely a whisper. The tone of the words are the only accusation for the woman sitting next to her to state that she is wrong in every way. Until she looks up, a scowl screws up her face for a milisecond until those gentle eyes of the girl seep into her soul.

The frown disappears into a soft look of despair.

"Let's just make sure you guys get put into a good home, and not seperated." What she says makes her stomach drop. With Jake gone for the time being, and she left alone with the tiny baby, only four months old, the grave future that could tear them apart lies just within those doors and the disembodied voices that she was trying to listen to.

"I will not be seperated from my siblings. They are all I have left. If I loose them too, then what's the point? I'll just... I'll find a way to stay together, if it's the last thing I do." She proclaims to the stranger. Without notice, a jumbled crowd of voices approach the door followed by some bellowing laughter.

"Maybe she'll be able to grow up without knowing. Save her from the pain of the past. The boy is too old for that, but he'll..." The door opens without notice and three patrons stand there with jolly grins and look straight to the girl holding the little baby.

"Miss Brontz. Dr. Clarey here is going to be looking after Little Lotus for a while until more stable and permanent living conditions can be accomadated for you and your family. I understand that..."

"NO! We stay together. I won't let us get split up... I"m all she has -" Cecilia stands up quickly, jostling the baby in her arms, pushing her up against her chest in a protective manner while the older gentleman holds his arms out for the infant.

"Now, we don't have enough space at Dr. Clarey's house for anymore than one and his wife is more than capable to raise a sweet little girl like Lotus." The judge chimes in again, but fear of the split comes up so fast that Cecilia's facial features begin to spill liquid tears.

"I lost my mom. My dad. My two baby brothers. I can't... I won't lose my baby sister, too. And what about my brother? Where are you taking him?" She tries to reason with them, suddenly finding out that what happened just a day ago, might seperate them all for life. She realizes that the two lives that she now holds dear are still living without the ability to hold them close.

"We've got him set up with a foster home, with a family that has two kids of their own and a dog. It's only temporary until we can get you all into one place." Cecilia dips her head down, nuzzling her baby sister, while a familiar voice shows up behind her.

"Ceci.. what's going on?"

[cameo]

Dynasty Reagan 

It’s impossible to neglect even the minor memories from the day I cradled my Mother’s collapsing Life within my arms. As my vision cautiously gazed across each of her fatal wounds, it felt as though every impact was carving into my own exterior. Even the wisest Healer living amongst us was unable to restore her rupturing existence. The only option remaining was to hold her until she grew cold, begging for her to awake. And I can still recall the critical sensation that it would never get better. 

Unintentionally a subtle, sorrowful, half chuckle, half sigh scuffles through my response, during an event that doesn’t deserve such. But the spunk that rests beneath Cecilia’s youthful, round cheeks demands that reaction. There’s no convincing her that reality will eventually shift in her favor, just as I would have rejected three years ago. For now I can solely ensure that things will look up for these siblings, by assuring they’re not separated. 

As predicted, the Eldest is devastated by the mere mention of being parted from the only family she has left. Instantly a harsh ache strikes through my heart. Blood doesn’t link me to any of my siblings, though I would murder to keep us all together. And before I’m able to promise that I’ll secure their unity to somehow, the undesired outcome unravels in an approaching, distant conversation. 

Again, exactly what is assumed dreadfully dwindles the upcoming fate of these Youngsters. The baby is certainly prime material for adoption, and the other two will be disposed of wherever. A brutal twist consumes the emotions I swore I rid of; and especially so when Cecilia clutches to her infant Sister for deer life. She stands, and as do I. Instinctively I step a bit in front of them, just incase the Capitol employees decide to initiate force. 

At pristine timing, her little Brother appears with dire concern dripping from his voice. This family will not be torn, not on my watch. “May I talk to you three for a moment?” I request to the doctor and two social works, with an insisting gesture of each of my hands upon two of their shoulders. Simply put, I don’t take rejection. But for once, debate baffles my next strategy. 

“I believe these three would be better placed with the Nikon Residence.” I suggest, going through the list of comfortable foster Homes. Easily I could snap my fingers, and have them assigned to my Colony… except there’s vague confidence they’ll strive among us. They could be chewed alive by a few within my family, literally…just like my Mother was. The brutal are welcomed, with no funds to risk any less. Or they may very well be assets I’m allowing to slip by. I can’t endure the lone thought of potentially endangering them though. 

“That foster house is filled. They definitely can’t afford three.” But releasing them to the unknown, without each other after they’ve been inseparable for their entire life…that’s even more dangerous. 

“The Daltons’? The Mercantiles’? The Johnsons?” Only refusal is returned to my desperation. They can’t be split! Are these damn Capitol Grievers that greedy! That selfish to make profit from an adoption? “Fine! They’re joining my Colony!” I demand, and no surprisingly receive distasteful expressions in exchange. 

“You only have enough adults to care for two more. And you’ve never even taken in anyone under the age of six!” It’s as if they’ve prepared for my disapproval. 

“There’s a first time for everything. And lucky for you guys, we just had another sibling turn eighteen. That’s four more kids we can take in, right?” I grin wickedly towards them, and don’t even wait for a response. I’ve learned their system over the years, mastered it even. They will never overpower me. 

How am I going to adapt three innocents to my group? Difficult tasks have been embarked plenty of times in the past, though none even remotely to this. “Come on. You three are coming with me.” I welcome in quite a mixed manner.