The Sweepers

Chapter two

     " The greatest division that ever happened in the human history was the rise of 'the sweepers'  that happened some time back." Ryan piped in out of nowhere then smiled ridiculously.

     " Wait, you read the book?" Chris asked shocked by the change of events. She felt Tina's eyes hard on her, she almost spilled the coffee.

    " You eeerm..... You know you weren't supposed to read that. You are only six Ryan what if you found...."

   " Don't worry Chris. I took it from him before it was 'too late'." She quoted with a smile as she headed for her bedroom.

    " There were some words I couldn't understand," Ryan continued the moment his mom left but reading the situation his aunt was in thought better than to press any further."I didn't get a chance to read it all but if you need a translator, come get me." He winked as he tucked his unfinished assignment under his arm and headed for his room too. Just then Tina walked back with a concerned look on her face. She placed the book soundlessly before her sister then rubbed her hands slowly.

     " You two got along pretty well." She humphed softly. Chris automatically realized how hard she was trying to hold back her words.

    " Am sorry. I was tired and forgot about it...."

     " No. Not about the book. It's just that I feel you uuhmm... Moved on real quick. You know after Vic and everything?"

    " I understand what you are saying. You don't have to explain anything." Chris said reaching out for her hands. She smiled. Her always beautiful smile that often made Chris think of her as the goddess of it.

   " It's getting late already."

   " Oh yeah. I need to get going."

   " Good night Chris. Though I think you should consider sleeping here once in a while." She complained walking her to the door.

   " Yeah I can think of that but you know we can't leave our old lady alone at home. Good night to y'all."

   " Tell Mom we'll be there for the weekend," she shouted after her.

   " I sure will." She shouted back. She heard Tina close the door behind her before she hurried off to catch a cab home. She couldn't help thinking why her sister had to broach the incident of the past. Though she had claimed to understand whatever her sister was saying she couldn't help but wonder if she had gotten over whatever had happened. The memories pounded and grounded her too. Why did her sister think she had just moved on that easily? It took her courage to get over the lose of her only brother Vic. She stopped a cab and got in.

    She chewed on her tongue softly as she thought of Tina. She was one person who was so hard to read. She rarely exposed her real feelings. Her expression always differ from her real emotions. However every time she opened up a little, Chris couldn't help but feel uneasy. Her emotions would weirdly become stiff and she would end up on the losing end with barely any words to comfort her sister.

    She was lost in thoughts that she didn't realise she was already home. The driver's agitated voice brought her to reality and she quickly paid him before heading to their house. It had begun to drizzle and she felt a little light headed. The day's exhaustion was catching up with her though she had taken coffee earlier. She pounded on the door for several seconds before her frustrated mother showed up at the door.

    " Am not deaf Chris and why do you like darkness so much?" She combined the words quickly. Her mother was a fast speaker and not everyone could comprehend what she saying.

   " I was at Tina's." Chris quickly said before her mum would start bothering her about her seeing a boy but afraid to let her know.

   " She will be here for the weekend."

   "Ooh really. She finally gave my advice some thinking."

   "Well, I can't say that. What's for dinner?"

   " Veggies for dinner."

   " Wait what! Not again mum. It's been four days in a row."

   " We skipped yesterday."

   " Yeah. I know I'll definitely grow lettuce on my head some day."

   " With me anything is possible girl." Chris groaned loudly as she went to change. If only she knew she would have taken advantage of having dinner at Tina's.

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   She looked at the trident on her hand with complete distaste. She loathed the day she was bethroned as the queen. Though she tried to hold it in she knew she wasn't so strong for that. The rules that were placed to rule the royals were so severe. Berry swallowed hard and bitterly.

   " All of you get out!" She thundered sending all of the maidens out. But that was better for them than watching their own Queen destroy herself in agony. Berry let out a loud howl that resonated round the palace wall. She threw the trident with all her might missing the messenger who walked in within inches had he not ducked.

   " I thought I had asked you to leave." Her rough voice made it sound more of a demand than an obvious question.

   "Am sorry you Highness but Princess Cherry is here to see you." Before she got a chance to reply the door opened again to reveal her sister. She was definitely here to add salt to the already injured heart of hers.

   " I couldn't find an appropriate time to approach you My Lady." She said nonchalantly dropping on her knee to pledge her loyalty.

   " I know what you are here for Cherry. Just get it over with."

   " We've lived together for such along time, siz. I never thought you knew so little about me." She spoke with a feign sigh as she walked towards the throne. But who didn't know her?

   Cherry was the talk of the kingdom. She was the envy of the entire kingdom. Though peace was something that still reigned in that place, it was all thanks to her. All her hailed praise would hurt Berry. However much she found her respect as the Queen her sister still reigned in the hearts of many. But one thing still remained clear in her heart. The strong feeling that one day Cherry would take over the throne was still there no matter how hard she tried to make herself believe she was the eldest. But she felt greatly disillusioned to the fact that she had made it easier for Cherry to conquer her desire.

    " You got pregnant out of wedlock Cherry. You know it's against our customs." Cherry went on with her voice still provoking. She tapped on the wooden table soundlessly creating an unheard suspenseful rhythm in the condescending air.

   " You still don't get it, do you?" Berry roared lightly unsheathing her sword. " I don't want to fight you. You can take the throne if you want it."

   " Then what kind of a queen will I be if I don't show my ability to fight for them? Mmmh? I don't want to be called a coward." She slowly unraveled her robe to expose her swords. Berry flipped from her throne landing a few inches from her sister.

   " You've always wanted the throne then why are you hesitating now?" The hatred and bitterness in her heart was quite audible. A wry smile appeared on Cherry's face before she momentarily dropped her swords on the table.

   " Am not here to fight you. I mean not now that you are pregnant with my niece or nephew. The fight can always wait." She walked to the opposite side of the table then picked up a drink and sipped on it. She looked up to meet the eyes of her sister. She was astonished. That was what she was expecting. Shen had hit the target. To play with her heart.

   " I bring to you a choice my Queen. Hand me the key then accept the curse of being ousted then I take the chance to help you from there or you fight me. Which I don't think is a very good idea."

   " I can't give you the key Cherry. I was the chosen one to defend it."

   " Then a fight it shall be. Let's meet tommorow at the grounds. Sleep tight my queen." With that she made her way out her men at her toes. No one was keen enough to notice the smile on Cherry. Though Berry had been hard for quite sometime about handing the key to her, Cherry knew a mother's love always wins. 

   She was the only one who knew the real reason why she urgently needed the key. She would do anything just to get it. Berry dropped her sword too and sat on the seat before her deeply in thought. Her sister's words were captivating. But then why would her sister choose to have the key over the throne. She had always wanted to rule because she never supported her subordinate position to her sister not even when they were young. She was ever up and about looking for fame. Cherry touched her womb softly. Something was really off.