Thorn: Alright guys!I'm glad to inform you that Jinx and I have fulfilled our promise to provide you with a collaboration story. We hope that this is the best of both our worlds. Hope you love it I mean, of course you will, duh. Just kidding. :D Seriously though, please review and let us know what you think. We are anxious to hear from our beloved reviewers. Tell us!

Sam/ Samuel

I stood outside, admiring our massive back garden. It was impressive, I must say. There were beautiful wildflowers that Mom and other volunteers kept weeds from invading, bird baths where birds sat, chirping, ponds where fish swam and jumped, and a fountain. The marble fountain was by far the best attraction in the yard. It was of two Greek woman clad in a sash that covered half of them, standing tall with their legs bent seductively, holding pots over their heads that were tilted. From these pots, water spilled out, arcing gracefully over the women. Around the bottom of the fountain were pennies, quarters, dimes, and nickels beginning to erode away like the rest of the fountain. This fountain was where all the children came to make wishes.

As I admired it, I felt a tug on my shirt. I looked down at the culprit, my little brother Dunkin, who was making his own signal for being thirsty. I smiled, "Go ahead and drink out of the fountain. The water's fine."

Sammy gasped, "He'll get led poison! Don't tell him that, Sam."

"Sis, it's copper, you can't get led poisoning from that.

"Yes you can. How would you know?"

"How would you know?"

Now doubt we could have continued for many hours like that if I hadn't fallen silent because of the dark approaching form of our father crossing the yard. From the classic scowl on his face, I knew this wasn't going to end well.

Sammy, oblivious to the oncoming natural disaster continued with a very mature, "Nuh-uh."

"Are you two fighting again?"

Finally Sammy turned, spotted the oncoming threat, and replied with an, "Eep!"

As children, it would have been at this time that we were sent outside to argue. This saved our parents a few unwanted headaches. But, seeing as how we were already outside, his customary, oh-for-the-love-of-God-be-quiet look worked just fine. Dunkin chose this moment to "speak up". Holding forward his sketchbook for Dad to view, he began flipping through the pages quickly. Normally, I would've waited for my turn to see, but I couldn't help but notice Dads lips twitching into a smile and his shoulders shaking in a silent laugh.

I leaned forward just in time to catch the ending. My eyes were met with a small cartoon-styled Dunkin slamming a hammer down onto midget-sized Sammys and Mes like a game of Whack-a-mole. I scowled down at the dark Bambi-eyed face of Dunkin, "Cold, bro. Cold."

Uncle Simon had taken it upon himself a year ago to teach Dunkin how to speak with pictures, seeing as how this young child had never spoken a word in his short eight years of life. Not that I could blame him, because I knew of the way he'd lived before Mom and Dad "adopted" him. The more accurate word might be abducted, but it's up for debate.

Dad shook his head, "Break it up, you two. Dinner's ready."

With that, the three of us fallowed him towards our large Victorian home. Back in the day, it might have been an old swanky hotel with its brick walls and marble trim, but now it looked dirty and un-kept. Once we went through the large mahogany doors into the kitchen, I was met with the mouthwatering aroma of cooked meat. I felt Sammy's hand grab me to prevent me from launching myself at the poor, unsuspecting man carrying a platter of a delectable rack of ribs into the dining area. We followed him into the dining room with Sammy's hand still locked around my wrist. It was as if she was restraining an eager puppy.

I looked at her with a frown, "You know, Boo, I get that it's not your fault you're this jumpy, but seriously?"

She frowned back at me, letting go of my wrist so that she could go sit with her friends.

I, on the other hand, decided to do the more responsible thing, like an older brother should, and planted myself by Dunkin, ruffling his near-white hair. I still couldn't believe the color of it. How he managed to mistake bleach for shampoo is beyond me.

Sitting on Dunkin's other side was Mom, Chloe. Her strawberry blonde hair framed her beautiful face which held blue eyes and a button-nose that matched my own. I had always been told that my skin was a perfect mirror of hers, but seeing her glow almost luminously made me seriously doubt it. No way was I that feminine. My Dad, Derek, was tough-looking, but handsome, and, to be totally honest, terrifying. He had glowing green eyes that went with Sammy's and a tanner skin tone which she inherited as well.

The relaxing lull of conversation had just kicked in as we ate our dinners when a loud Clang sounded behind Dunkin. The poor boy jumped out of his skin, diving under the table, and sending his chair flying back. I could feel him trembling against my legs that he now clung to.

I scooted myself back, but remained seated as I looked over my shoulder to see a boy grinning snarkily. I grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanking him towards me, and off his feet. The words that escaped my lips were more of a growl than English language. They were stern and menacing. "Need some help, kid?"

The boy shook his head, a look of absolute terror on his face.

I placed him on his feet gently, straightening the wrinkles I'd placed in his shirt. "Careful not to cut yourself."

With that, I peeled Dunkin off my legs, sat him down in his now-up-right chair, scooted him towards his meal, and said, "Eat up, Doughnut."

Then, I looked at Mom and Dad, trying to read their facial expressions. Just when I saw what might have been approval, they turned back to their own plates. I watched as Dad leaned over Moms shoulder, "Hey, honey, are you-"

"Yes, dear." She interrupted, scooting the remainder of her food towards him with a smirk.

With a secret smile to her, he dug in.

Jinx- Hey all, I'm still alive! In case you noticed better grammar, you can thank Thorn for that. We are very proud to bring you this collaboration so don't forget to Fav and Follow.

And you see that review button? You wanna bang thatO.O