• “This sucks. This really sucks.” An alleyway in a countrywide city was being filled by city dwellers. Teenagers. Children. The fire, flashlights, lit city streets, and the smoked out moon were the only light, along with the city lights. A teen, age fifteen, male, spoke out, breaking the silence of voices. Two more spoke up in annoyed unison.
    “Duh!” The twins yelled. Age ten, female. Delilah and Daffodil. Their black hair shined slightly, not from cleanliness but rather from grease. Their High cheek bones and pale skin forced them to resemble ghosts. A younger girl named Daphne, age five, ran over to one of the girls and wrapped her arms around the girls leg. She resembled her two sisters ghoulish characteristics. Daphne cried out, “SCREAM! Don’t SCREAM!” Her sisters comforted her while Zach, age fourteen, slumped to the ground. He sighed dramatically as his stomach gurgled.
    “What did we get today for food?” He said quietly, saving his voice unlike the sobbing Daphne. Jacob, the first to speak, dragged himself over to Zach, who looked up at him like an innocent puppy.
    “As usual, we have stuff out of garbage cans. Chewed up remains. Junk. You still hungry?!?” Jacob said, his temper rising. Hunger did not suit him well.
    “Yes.” Zach answered, still moping.
    “Fine.. Fine!!” Jacob ran back and grabbed a paper sack. In one motion he grabbed what seemed to be bread and threw it at Zach in a hard throw. It hit Zach’s face and fell into his lap.
    “You’re a jerk.” Zach said calmly.
    “Shut up!” Jacob screamed. Daphne’s now quiet sobbing had once again turned into even louder shrills, and she wailed to everyone. Delilah ran over to Jacob and slapped him swiftly.
    “God, Jacob!” She said quietly. “ It took us forever to make her stop screaming! What if someone finds us? This part of the city isn’t totally abandoned! Do you want to go to prison? What if-” Jacob cut her off quickly.
    “Maybe we should! In prison at least they feed you! At least you don’t die from starvation and water poisoning! Look at us! We drink water from the sewers! We eat food people have already chewed!” He was yelling wildly.
    “Jacob!”
    “I’m not crazy Del! I’m thinking of turning myself in.” Daphne ran over to him and grabbed his leg. She pulled at it with all her might, but it wouldn’t budge.
    “Stay!!!! Stay!!!!”
    “C’mon Jacob,” Zach said, “We’ve all been together for 2 years now. You really want to leave us just so you can get locked up and fed junk?”
    “Yeah Jacob, why don’t you help us more?” Daffodil questioned.
    “Because I can barely take care of myself!” He looked down at Daphne who was now punching at his leg.
    “Daphne, that kind of hurts.”
    “So does you telling us you want to go to prison!” Delilah hissed.
    “Del, they feed us, they give us shelter, they assure safety, why not?”
    “Because your being a big baby about your life!” She replied with a raised tone.
    “You want to get killed out here? What about Daphne? She’s younger than us and the best she can do to defend herself is throw a couple weak punches!”
    “That’s why we need you here to help us! We need to protect the children in this side of the city! The queen-
    “What about the stupid queen?!?”
    “Jacob, don’t say stuff like that. We could get in a lot of trouble.” Delilah’s voice had lowered.
    “ I can’t take it anymore, alright? Tomorrow I’m going to turn myself in. Anyone want to join me?” Jacob was looking around at everyone. They sat silently. Delilah was glaring at him.
    “Fine.” He walked over to where a pillow was and laid on the ground, slamming his head on the pillow. They sat silent, then slowly, one by one they grabbed their own pillows and went to sleep, Daffodil cuddled between her two sisters.