I wasn't aware of how much time has passed. I simply laid there broken and used as Arrian had left me. I hoped that no one would find me. That I'd just die here and be forgotten. I was shameful and undesired and deserved death. Death somehow seemed like bliss to me at the moment. As I pondered the many ways I could die I vaguely heard the sound of my name being called.

"KYRA! KYRA ARE YOU OUT HERE?!"

It was Ezra. I could tell from his voice that he was frantic with worry. I wanted to call back to him. To tell him that I was fine. But if he discovered me he'd then know of my virtue being stolen. Would he disown me? Would he try to assist me?

"DAMMIT! KYRA WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

I had to let him know that I was fine. Well alive at least. He didn't deserve this kind of worry. I would face the consequences. Opening my mouth I attempted to make some sound to signal that I was here. Nothing came out though. My throat ached and was hoarse from all the screaming and crying that had occurred sometime ago.

I tried again. This time a small groan escaped my lips. It was something but not enough for my brother to hear. Still I couldn't give up. I tried and tried until I meekly called out his name. After saying it once I yelled out again this time louder. Once more I yelled for Ezra. The last one got his attention.

I forced my stinging eyes open and watched as my brother dashed towards me still in night clothes. Looking away I noticed that the meadow was lit up with sunlight. I then glanced to the sky and saw the sun was high. Must've been about noon.

"Kyra." Ezra sighed a look of relief briefly appearing on his handsome face only to be washed away by fear as he examined my beaten and tattered state. His hands clenched into tight fists. "What happened?"

Never had I seen my brother so overcome with rage. I shook my head looking away. Ezra's loud breathing was the only sound for a few minutes and then he spoke with a dark tone in his voice that was strange to me.

"That bastard! I will fucking end him!"

"Ezra.."I softly pleaded terrified from his violent outburst.

Not responding he scooped me into his arms. I winced slightly from the pain my damaged body felt. Ezra held me tightly to his chest. I could hear his heart pounding rapidly. Would he truly seek out Arrian? Would he attempt to avenge me? Worry now clouded my thoughts as he bounded us home.

My mother met us at the door. Tears streaming down that once beautiful face. Aria stood next to her looking like an innocent doll, no doubt she hadn't a clue about what just happened. Ezra sat me down on my bed then covered my body with blankets.

"It is all right sister." He said softly stroking my knotted hair. "You are home now. You are safe and loved. Do not think about the evil that has befallen you today. I will take care of it. I will take care of you. I swear."

Don't think?! All I could do was think. When I wasn't busy reliving my rape my thoughts roamed to what actions my brother would now take against Arrian. Sure Ezra was an excellent fighter but something about Arrian told me he didn't fight fair.

Ezra sat with me for a while humming to himself seemingly lost in his own thoughts. His presence soothed me and somehow I soon dozed off. My dream world was now blank, void of any life. No red eyed man no happiness nothing.

Saddened by the end of my "world" I forced myself back awake. Alarm took over when I noticed Ezra was missing from my bedside. I leaped up ignoring the pain it brought me and ran out of my room searching for my brother.

He and my mother stood by the front door clearly in a word battle. She hand her tiny hands wrapped around his thick wrist as if that would hold him back from leaving if that's what he wanted to do. Aria, who was observing the whole thing from the floor, grinned up at me as I neared.

"Lookie Kyra I lost a tooth!" She proclaimed shoving her tongue through the now empty space in her front row of teeth. I couldn't help but smile at her innocence.

"Good for you little one! Don't forget to save it tonight! The good fairy shall bring you a reward for it!"

Her already large brown eyes grew even more at this. She jumped up and ran to our room most likely to place her tooth under her pillow. I envied her. The world which was now cold and evil to me was still a bright wonder land in her view.

"Mother I'm going and that's final!" Ezra decreed sheathing a small dagger. The sight of it made me woozy. Of course there was nothing more that I wanted than to see Arrian suffer a horrific death but my concern for my brothers safety outweighed my personal desires.

"Please don't Ezra." I begged.

He and my mother both turned to me. Ezra hard and determined while my mother wailed at my sight and raced over to embrace me. Not that I wasn't gracious for her love but this was not the time for it.

"Kyra." Ezra started. "I am going to kill the man that dared to harm my precious sister. Look what he has done to you! You…Neither of you get it! I'll be back."

Ezra wheeled around and walked briskly out the door. I struggled out of my mother's grasp and chased after him.

"Take me with you then." I insisted. "If you are truly to murder that man then I would enjoy watching it."

He chuckled stopping to look at me.

"Kyra I couldn't fight with you present. I don't want to have to protect you while trying to kill him."

"You needn't worry about me brother." I growled. "I can protect myself.'

I immediately knew that was a horrible argument. Though Ezra had taught me when I was younger how to fight clearly it didn't work so well when I was completely overpowered. Still I wanted to accompany him. He was my brother and he was doing this for me. There was no way in Hell I'd let him take on Arrian alone when Arrian himself would most likely have some friends help him brawl.

"Do you really doubt my ability to fight?" He asked in a mock disappointed voice.

"No!" I protested. "But slime like him will not be alone Ezra. All I want is for you to be safe."

He sighed and turned away.

"Love you Kyra." He called back to me as he began walking. "See you later."

I watched him walk down the street that led to town until he was no longer visible. I couldn't stop him nor could I protect him. Disappointed I slunk back into the house where my mother waited with open arms. I walked by her and straight to the living area where a large window face the street was.

"What are you doing?" My mother implored watching as I stripped pillows from the furniture and arranged them next to the window.

"Waiting." I muttered sinking into my post.

My mother asked no further questions and left me to be. For hours I stared blankly out the window anticipating Ezra's return. My mind was reeling with horrific scenes of possible fights. All my imaginary fights were not in Ezra's favor. I tried to fight off the images by playing with Aria when she came to join me at my "fort" a little later. At least all this kept me distracted from my inner turmoil.

It got darker as time passed. I was now insane with worry. He should've returned by now. Something must've happened. He wouldn't keep us waiting. Perhaps he'd gotten arrested? However if that were the case someone would've informed us by now. Well maybe not. With the exception of my birthday party that happened months ago, people generally strayed away from our home with my mother being a scarlet woman.

"I brought you tea." My mother said joining me and Aria after the sun had completely left the sky. "It will help you sleep."

"I don't wish to sleep." I spat shoving the cup back to her. A small frown played on her lips.

"Kyra…"

"He will return." I affirmed cutting her off. "He told me he would."

"I know he will love." She agreed smoothing my hair. Something in her voice led me to believe that she didn't fully mean her last sentence.

I shook violently. If my mother didn't believe he'd return then would she be right? Mothers have some sort of intuition someone once told me. They can usually tell when a child is hurt or…

My mother departed then returned once more holding a quilt. I allowed her to cover me with it. I had to admit it was warm a very comfortable. I shifted a bit on the pillows to gain a better position. I yawned and in minutes sleep conquered me.

My meadow was barren now, the grass brown and patchy. I kneeled trying to salvage something. This was my escape, my secret place and now it was gone.

"I'm sorry my love."

I looked up into two crimson orbs. He was back! Maybe not all was lost. Without hesitation I flung my arms around his lean torso.

"I thought you'd left." I sobbed.

He let out a musical chuckle then took my chin and placed his lips to mine. Cold and sweet.

"I'm sorry." He said once more before vanishing.

"No!"

I shot up clenching my chest. It was just a dream. A very vivid dream. Suddenly it all came back to me. I was supposed to be waiting for Ezra to come back. Surely he had returned by now. I got up and quickly made my way across the room to find my mother and Aria and hopefully Ezra.

A strange sobbing noise met my ears. My heart dropped when I recognized the sounds belonged to my mother. There was only one thing that would cause her such despair at the moment.

"Momma?" I yelled running through the kitchen following her crying the best I could. "Mom?!"

I found her at last in Ezra's room. She was kneeling over someone in the bed. I lingered in the doorway for a moment too frightened to discover what had become of my brother. I took a deep breath then moved forward.

What laid in Ezra's bed was a man that had several deep wounds decorating his middle and lower half. His face was hardly recognizable. Long gashes tore diagonally through his face. This wasn't my brother. It couldn't be. Where was the face that was always full of laughter? Why were his vibrant green eyes so empty? Why was he so cold? And why the fuck wouldn't he just move already!

My knees gave out as grief infected me. This couldn't be real. It just couldn't be. On the day that I had already lost so much I wasn't going to lose my brother as well. I didn't think I had any tears left in me but somehow they came out causing more pain to my damned sore eyes. I wrapped my arms around myself trying to relax before I had a panic attack. This was too much for me to take! He died for me! Why! Was I that important to him? Was I worth him losing his precious life! No. I wasn't .

"Kyra?" A tiny voice asked uncertainly. I forced my eyes open to see my little sister looking at me and my mother confusion etched on her small face.

I was in no shape to explain the situation to her nor was my mother. I simply pulled her in my arms and never let go.