Punishment
Follow the leader was the game that Ginger had decided they would play today at the park. She would be leader of course and Brigitte would have to follow silently after her and mimic Gingers movements as the skinny red head lead them around a made up obstacle course. Little Brigitte kept her sighs to herself and was careful not to roll her eyes, least Ginger see. That would only lead to another tantrum, another extracted promise to keep Ginger quiet or in the worst cases, to get Ginger to speak to Brigitte again. She had learned long ago that it was easier to just do what Ginger wanted to do.
"BRIGITTE!"
The tiny brunette flinched at her name. "What?" Ginger stood there with a smug look on her face. She was all of ten years old.
"You missed a step. Do the course again." Brigitte glanced back over her shoulder at the concrete tile in the dirt. They were suppose to be crossing a river of lava, according to Ginger, and could only step on the tiles. Lost in her own thoughts, Brigitte hadn't bother with the last two. "Really you should be dead", Ginger went on as the smug faded into one that gave Brigitte a considering look . A plan was forming behind those hazel eyes as Ginger stared at her sister. "Those are the rules and you broke them. You should be punished".
Ginger could think of the sickest punishments. In a nine year old's eyes at any rate. Holding your breath till you passed out, squeezing sharp rocks in your hands till they bled, smearing dogshit on your clothes, Ginger was clever when it came to anything gross. Especially when it came to Brigitte. The older girl liked to push her sister, to see just how embarrassed or scared she could make her sister.
A wicked grin came to Ginger's face. "I know. Come on". There was no arguing with that order, Brigitte simply lowered her head and followed Ginger away from the park. She started asking questions when Ginger lead them to a cluster of trees far away from the watchful parents and laughing children.
"Ginger, where are we going?"
"Just in here. Come on, don't be such a baby."
The insult stung but Brigitte just scowled. "I'm not a baby, I'm just asking."
"And I'm just telling you. Now come on". Ginger reached back and pulled Brigitte further into the cluster of trees. Brigitte smelled it first and knew something was wrong. Sickly sweet at first but then the scent of rotten flesh crept upon them.
"Ginger, what's that smell?" A grin widened but Ginger said nothing for Brigitte could see what it was now and she stumbled back, gagging. "Oh gross!". It was a crows nest, knocked down and in it where the remnants of the crows. Two adults and eggshells pieces that looked like someone had stamped on them. Brigitte looked at Ginger questionably, her sister couldn't have done something so horrible. Brigitte wanted to believe that but still the question came out of her mouth. "Did you...?"
"No", Ginger said flatly. "Some boys did it". The way she said it however lead Brigitte to believe that Ginger wouldn't have minded doing such a thing herself. She certainly didn't have any pity in her voice as she studied the carcasses, ignoring Brigitte for a moment. "I want the skulls", she finally said before turning to Brigitte. "Get them".
"What?" She couldn't believe her sister. Brigitte couldn't touch them, the crows were dead and rotting. Flesh was still clinging to parts of the skull on one bird and the other...Brigitte saw something white and moving. Something that made her not want to look at the birds, let alone touch them. "I can't!"
"Don't be such a wuss. You broke the rules, this is your punishment." It was as simple as that and Brigitte knew nothing she could say would change Ginger's mind. She choked back her disgust and kneeled on the grass. Reaching for those ruined bodies Brigitte gave into yet another order.