Acquainted

Part 1

"She's proof you that you can

walk through hell and

still be an angel"

r.h. Sin

One: 1 November, Paris, France

     "Sister, you're too slow! Please!" Alexandre said as he grabbed the hand of his sister. She adjusted the bag on her back and moved faster so she could run at the same speed as he was. "Alex, please! We must arrive safely! Mother wouldn't like if you were careless and fell on the way to visit her." She scolded softly causing her brother to slow down. He held her hand even tighter as they both walked through the crowded streets of Paris. She stopped and looked at her brother. His black hair was falling into his face and was windblown from running. His cheeks were pink as if the cold air had kissed them in welcome. She zipped up his jacket and fixed the scarf he was wearing. They walked hand in hand and entered the gated community. Everyone brought flowers, picnic baskets, and had blankets to sit on.

     "Sister..." Alex said with a sad pause "We should have brought flowers for mom." He looked away from his sister disappointed. He knew it wasn't his sisters or his mothers fault that they were poor, but he wished they weren't so he can buy fancy things like the other kids. He was younger than his sister by 3 years which placed him at the age of 4 and his sister at 7. She looked down at her brother and noticed his little frown. She pushed the hair out Alex's face and smiled at him. "Alex, close your eyes and don't open them until I say." She said as she unzipped her backpack. She laid down a small blanket and took out the little bag lunch she made her brother. She had Alex put his arms out and she gently laid a bouquet of white chrysanthemums on them. He gasped as he took in the scene before him. "How did you— I thought I told you not to open your eyes Alex!" His sister cut him off, feigning to be angry. She simply motioned him to sit down next to her.

    After a moment of them getting comfortable and Alex greedily taking the food from the bag his sister had packed, he slowly looked up at her. "Sister, where is your food?" He noticed his sisters eyes narrow and she quickly looked away and smiled. "Alex I'm not hungry. Don't worry about me. This is for you." She said as she moved his hand which was offering her a cookie. "Mom would want me to share..." He said softly. "Right mommy?" He asked looking at the grey stone with his mothers name on it. He put down his food, crawled to the headstone, and wrapped his lanky arms around it. "Mommy, sister isn't eating..." He said, almost begging for a response. "In fact, I haven't seen her eat much at all. Aunty isn't feeding us a lot, and I try to share with sister, but she doesn't take it. Instead she scolds me and makes me eat every crumb. Its my job to protect her mom, but I'm too little. i cant... Im not strong enough... Im sorry I'm a horrible son." He cried into the stone. He felt his sister shift next to him as she cried silently. "Alex... She would be so proud of you." She looked over her little brother. In her eyes, he was the last gift her mother gave to her. "She wouldn't want this life for you... I will get you out Alex. Even if it kills me." She said after wiping her face. Fresh tears spilled from her brothers eyes. "Sœur, je vous aime. S'il vous plaît ne dites pas que comme un au revoir ... promets que vous ne me quitte pas! Promets-moi!" Sister, I love you. Please don't say that like a goodbye... Promise you won't leave me! Promise me! Alex let go of their mothers headstone and wrapped his arms around his sister sobbing into her chest. Her eyes widened at the fact that he was using French instead of English, but it caused her to smile. She responded back in French "Alexandre, je vous promets de vous sortir. Je promets de ne jamais vous laisser volontiers. Mais si je dois, je vais mourir pour vous protéger. Peu importe ce qui se passe, je vous aimerai toujours, petit frère. Personne ne peut changer cela. Personne ne peut couronner mon amour pour toi. Vous êtes mon cadeau. Tu es ma lumière. Vous me donnez raison de continuer. Je te protègerai." Alexandre, I promise to get you out. I promise to never leave you willingly. But if I have to, I will die to protect you. No matter what happens, I will always love you, little brother. No one can change that. No one can top my love for you. You are my gift. You are my light. You give me reason to keep going. I will protect you. His eyes widened at her words and he cried even more. She suddenly felt someone pulling her away from Alex.