Fated To The Kings: His Silver Hand novel Prologue

The Three Sisters

11 and A Half Years Ago

"Rie, please don't forget Mish's vitamins. She will need that for her lungs. I will be out until lunch. When I get back, I'll bring us something to eat. Stay safe, sis."

Her sister Anna pulled her close and embraced her lovingly, soothing her and at the same time drawing strength. Rie gave it without second thoughts.

Anna bent down to kiss Mish's pale cheek. "Lock the door to our room and don't come out until I get back."

She smiled and nodded. "You take care, sis. Don't worry about us. We'll manage." They always do.

Anna smiled tearfully. She loathed leaving her and Mish by themselves but she had to work to feed them. At barely fourteen, she shouldn't be burdened with taking care of two minors -- she's a minor herself -- she does it anyway. Without reservation.

All three of them should be in school. They couldn't afford it. Mom had died a few months ago and they were adopted by a crack-addict aunt and her pervert husband.

Rie hated that vile man. He has touched her in places he shouldn't be touching. She managed to escape every time. But for how long? Her skin prickled at the thought.

Anna never knew. The trauma, the helplessness she felt and experienced at the hands of their uncle. She adamantly refused to add more burdens to her tired shoulders.

***

After some time she decided to risk it. There was a battle going on in her tummy and Mish was hungry. She couldn't hear anyone outside their cramped bedroom. It should be safe for her to venture out.

No one's in the kitchen. She managed to sneak and cooked three fried eggs and toast some leftover bread. She went back to their room as silent as a mouse.

Mish needed all the nourishment she could get. She was very thin and sickly.

She fed her sister and ate whatever's left on the plate. The plates could do some washing but she'll do it later when she was sure that the devil was not around.

The warm body cuddled closer, making her eyes droop. She looked so small and fragile despite her age. More like a toddler that seven years old. Rie grimaced.

She woke up to pans banging on the stove. What the...

He's back. And by the sound of it, he was either as high as a kite or he was boozed. She was counting on the latter. He'll fall asleep in no time.

He was whistling an off-key tune. Damn! He does that when he was alone. She shuddered in fear, it was a sign that he wanted to touch her.

Goosebumps traveled through her skin. Eyes round like saucers and her ears sensitive to all the sounds he was making.

Rie ran to their door and locked it. The small clock on their wall says it was half-past one. Anna should be back at any moment.

What if he will go for her sister? Tears began to stream down her face. She held Mish in her arms. Thank God, their youngest sister slept soundly.