The summer skies with their raging heat had died down as the following days grew chilly and gray. Many on the streets looked on with glee as their brow was saved from the constant bombardment of sweat. Even Flora, who normally enjoyed the hot and summer weather next to the beautiful blue waters that they called home, was happy to feel the cold gentle breeze on her skin. Everyone was happy. All except for Elliot.

  It had been days since his talk with the herbalist regarding Flora's future. He had hoped that with time he could come up with a way to solve his problem. The first idea was that perhaps he could risk avoiding capture just until spring arrived. Then they could leave this city and find a smaller city, one they called villages in the books Elliot had read, one that was tolerant of their glow. But the voices of his parents gnawed at him.

  No one will take us. So we must live in the shadows.

  Then there was the issue of finding a village. Could their supplies last long enough out in the wild until they found such a place? Would there be roads on its outskirts to lead weary travelers to it or are they just as paranoid as Nuevo Paraiso? Elliot didn't know. Nor did he have the courage to take such a risk. Not yet at least.

  The only other option Elliot could think of was his original plan. To hide out until things settled down. Residents had grown tired from their search for him. Most pulled themselves up and went back to their daily work. It was not hard for Elliot to believe that the king would let the whole thing go. But the herbalist had told him that would not be the case. That the king will forever search for him until he is found. Elliot looked as members of the nearby mob started to excuse themselves from the group and walked away in defeat.

  Elliot couldn't help but chuckle. If these sobs can grow weary looking for me then why not the king. He was human after all. Everyone gets tired. Elliot wanted to believe his words but a part of him wavered in faith.

  “Eli! Are you listening to me?”

  Elliot glanced at his sister. Not realizing he had zoned out in his thoughts. “I'm—” Elliot rubbed his face. “I'm probably sleepy because of the weather. What were you saying Flora?”

  “I was talking about the weather.” Flora said.

  “Yes, yes, the weather is nice today.” Elliot said.

  Flora shook her head. “No! I mean it's the perfect weather to go back, isn't it?”

  Elliot could feel his blood pumping. He wanted to focus on solutions to their problems. He didn't want to think about how nice the weather was. “Yes—Flora. The weather… is nice. It's perfect enough to go….” Elliot tilted his head as he came to the realization that he didn't know what Flora was talking about.

  “Go back where Flora?”

  “To our home,” Flora made sure no one was nearby to hear her next words, “next to the waters.”

  Elliot's eyes lit up.

  He was so focused on what the herbalist had told him that he had neglected to realize that with the sun covered they could make their escape. Even if the guards were to strip him down they wouldn't get any results without the direct sunlight touching their skin.

  “Flora! You're a genius!” Elliot bear hugged his sister.

  If they were to take the supplies they gathered then it should last them at least a month if they rationed. By then the weather should become cloudier as the season changes to fall. This far north caused the colder weather to creep in faster than it would in the lands down south. Elliot remembered his father mentioning how the land they resided over, before what they called the fall of the great king, would house summer for up to three more months before the first cool breeze rolled in from the nearby mountains.

  “Is the old hag home?” Elliot asked.

  “She went to visit a patient. I was going to go with her but she told me this patient was really contagious and didn't want to risk getting me sick.”

  It was perfect. If he could go the rest of his life without seeing the old lady again it would be a blessing. She had made him worry over Flora's future. That he should turn himself in so that the city's search could come to an end and Flora would remain safe. He wondered if she was hoping to keep the pair in her home so that she could claim not just one prize but two.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Let's grab our stuff and put what we can in a knapsack.” Elliot said.

  “Ok. But you have to promise me something first.”

  This caught Elliot off guard. “What is it?”

  “You have to promise to tell me what's bothering you.”

  Elliot bit his lips. He didn't expect Flora to notice that something was bothering him. Maybe he had shown it on his face or in his body language. But the more he looked at his little sister, who stood a foot shorter than him, he came to realize how much she had grown. She was no longer the helpless babe that cried in his arms when their parents were taken. Nor was she the little girl who cried whenever he had to leave in search of food or work. Elliot was on the point of his manhood and Flora wasn't too far behind.

  He didn't try to lie to her. “I will. When we're back home.”

  When the pair were a few blocks away from the city gate Elliot couldn't help but notice the lack of people. There were always a handful of people walking the streets near the city gate. Those that were brave enough to prove their elders wrong. But today it was like a ghost town. Cries of laughter and, did you spot the zapojin yet? I got a family to feed with that money!, filled the air all around the city market. The small roads taken by locals who lived there were lively, but not near the city gate.

  Elliot gave Flora's hand a quick squeeze. Flora looked at her brother with a quick smile before the cart began to tilt to the side. He grabbed the other handle before the cart spilled the food they had bought with some of the gold they brought. Leaving the rest with the old herbalist and keeping the copper and silver.

  “You know the plan right?” Elliot asked.

  “I wait until you cross and then come after saying I was bringing the farmers food.” Flora said.

  Elliot smiled at his sister before quickly turning and going around the corner.

  Elliot's mind paused but the rest of him took longer to react. By then it was too late. The vast green forest and open field was nowhere to be seen. Two large wooden gates, which remained open up until sunset, were closed shut. The two red coats who stood tall next to the gates saw how the young Elliot brisked towards them. By the time Elliot’s body responded to his command to stop, the guards had gestured at him to come forward. Elliot wanted to run as his body felt hollow but he knew the act alone could cause them to suspect that he was the thief weeks prior.

  “Come quicker, boy. We have a few questions for you.” The first guard said.

  When Elliot stood in front of the two guards the second guard spoke. “By Captain Love's order we hereby command you to take off your tunic and face the sun.”

  Elliot did as he was told. He turned and lifted his shirt, eyeing the corner where Flora had peeked her head. In the brief moment where his tunic blocked his head from view he shook his head at his sister to run. But Flora did not get the message or chose to ignore it as she continued to watch from afar. Elliot knew for the meantime she would be safe. The city was after a boy, not a girl thief. There was next to no reason to suspect that he had any siblings.

  “Now face the sun.” The first guard commanded. Elliot noticed the rough patches of facial hair on his face.

  “Make it quick! We're as bored as ever waiting for our relief to arrive.” Said the second guard. Elliot could smell the rancid smell coming off of his uniform. He wondered how long it's been since the guard showered.

  Elliot took a step forward and allowed the covered sun to envelop him. The shock from seeing the guards had made his heart race but he knew he was in no danger. Not while the clouds engulfed the sky. Moments that felt like an awkward eternity passed and a gentle breeze made Elliot shudder as the wind touched his naked skin.

  “That's enough. Put your tunic back on.” Said the first guard.

  Elliot did so and as he made his first attempt to walk away a hand landed on his shoulder.

  “Hold up. We didn't say you were free to leave. Why were you heading to the gate?” The second guard said.

  “To play in the fields.” Elliot said. “I usually play close to the walls with a few friends of mine.”

  The two guards looked at one another. While the older folks tended to stay inside the walls because of their paranoia for a tale as old as them, the younger generation tended to be braver and ventured as far as the outskirts where the field ended and the forest began. But Elliot didn't like the look the guards had on their faces. They seemed almost hesitant to believe Elliot's lie. No matter how sound it was.

  “Just to make sure we would like you to come with us.” Said the first guard.

  Elliot's first instinct was to run but the voice of the herbalist played in his head. Give up your life, so Flora may live hers.

  Elliot could feel tears forming. The gates were closed and he was being taken. Perhaps now would be the best chance for him to give himself up. If the herbalist was right about the king then he would never stop looking for him. Never stop until he is shackled in chains and locked up in the castle high up the mountain. Where the sun never touches and all he would be left with would be his thoughts. How he couldn't keep his promise to his parents. To stay alive for them and for Flora.

  Elliot glanced over to where Flora still had her head peeked out of the corner. She was mouthing something to Elliot but he couldn't read what she was saying. Then one of the guards pushed him to walk in the direction of the barracks.