Chapter 12

Both Flynn and Eugene, who were still bruised, when Saturday dawned bright and early, couldn't wait till breakfast was over. They wanted to just leave without waiting to eat, but knew it would be better than missing a meal and getting in trouble with Miss Anne.

So what did you get from the cook for snacks today, Eugene?

I got some cheese and bread. We can eat that for lunch. The cook even told me I could get milk and pastries if I came back after breakfast before we leave.

Cool. Before they could respond any further, the breakfast bell rang. Yay breakfast – let's eat fast so we can get going.

Afterwards, the boys headed to the kitchen, collected the additional snacks from the cook, and headed out – being careful not to be seen.

Even though they had set out optimistically, both boys were getting a bit discouraged. It was noon and they had been searching for hours. They had searched around the old cabin ruins and almost a mile in each direction before meeting back up where the captain had found them months before.

I don't think we're ever gonna find her, Flynn. But she has to be here somewhere, right?

Of course she does, Eugene. She couldn't have just vanished.

But where could she have gone?

I don't know but she's bound to turn up somewhere.

The boys were quite discouraged by this point. Flynn was having more trouble trying to stay optimistic, but he wasn't about to let his twin know.

Should we head back to the orphanage? It doesn't look like we're ever going to find her.

Sure, Eugene, we can head back. Don't say that, we will find her. I just don't know when.

With that in mind, the boys gathered their belongings and headed back to the orphanage. When they got back, Marcus was waiting for them.

"Just what do you two think you're up to? You can't just leave whenever you want. I should tell Miss Anne about this. Hmmm. What do you think, Peter? Should we tell Miss Anne? Or just beat them up again?"

"Miss Anne isn't going to do anything to them, Marcus."

"You're right, let's beat them up again, Peter. You take Eugene, I'll take care of Flynn." Marcus wasn't happy with either twin and he wasn't about to let them get away with doing whatever they wanted.

But before Marcus could do anything, Miss Anne showed up and announced that Flynn and Eugene had a visitor.

"Follow me, boys. Your visitor is in my office. Don't keep him waiting."

The twins followed Miss Anne out of their bedroom and down the stairs to her office, wondering the entire time, just who would come to visit them.

Flynn, I'm scared. What if it's someone who wants to adopt us? Or maybe just one of us? Then we would be separated.

Don't worry, Eugene. We'll be ok, no matter what happens. I'll always be with you.

Do you think Marcus will beat us up again once our visitor leaves?

I know that he will try, Eugene, but I'll protect you.

Ok, Flynn. I trust you.

When the twins entered the office, they were shocked to see just who had come to see them. The Captain had just turned around to greet them when he noticed the bruises. Unsure of whether or not the headmistress had been the one to hurt them, he said nothing about them.

"Hi Flynn, Eugene. How are you?" The Captain asked.

"Good, Captain." they answered quietly.

"Would you like to show me your room? I would like to see where you're staying."

"That would be ok, wouldn't it, Miss Anne?" Flynn looked to the headmistress to make sure he had permission to show the Captain the room he and his brother were staying in.

"Go ahead, boys."

They were quick to leave before she could change her mind. Although, it wasn't far, before the Captain stopped them.

"Boys, why are you all bruised up? Is Miss Anne cruel to you?"

"N-n-n-o." Eugene responded.

"Then what exactly happened? Did you get into an argument with another boy here?"

"Umm…."

The boys hadn't had a chance to come up with a believable story yet, so they were worried about what the Captain would say if he knew.

"There's no point in lying about it. I can tell you were hurt by someone. Now WHO did it?"

Eugene flinched and looked at Flynn. His twin would come up with something.

"Captain, one of the boys got mad at us. He decided he had to teach us a lesson 'cause we didn't want to just do everything he told us to do. So him and his friend beat us up." Flynn answered the captain's question reluctantly.

"And what exactly did Miss Anne do about it?"

"Nothing, Captain. I don't think she even knows what happened." Flynn's response was quiet. Or if she even cares. he thought silently.

"We shall see about that. Let me speak with her. Who were they?"

"The b-b-boy we share our room with and his friend did it." Eugene was the one who answered this time.

The twins continued to lead the Captain into their room. Marcus and Peter were just leaving when the trio entered the room. Marcus didn't notice the Captain at first, and was quick to remind the twins just who was in charge.

"So you two are back, huh? Guess your visitor didn't really want to stick around long. Don't think you're gonna get out of the beating we're gonna …." Marcus stopped mid-sentence when he realized that the boys weren't alone. "Uhhhh…"

"Hello. You must be their roommate. How nice to meet you," the Captain said quietly. "It's nice to know that these two are being well looked after and protected from bullies…"

Marcus stuttered. "I-i-I, um. Yeah, sure."

"What's your name?" the Captain asked.

"I-i-I'm Marcus and this is Peter."

"Well, Marcus, Peter. Since you are helping to watch these two, maybe you can answer something for me."

"Sure," Marcus and Peter responded together. They didn't know who he was, but could tell he was important as he was wearing his Guard uniform.

"I'm glad I can count on you. So, what I want to know, is just how Flynn and Eugene got all these bruises. It looks like someone beat them." The Captain stated calmly.

Caught off guard, Marcus wasn't sure what to say.

"Or could it be," the Captain said quietly. "That you two didn't exactly protect them. And instead, you beat them?"

"I-i-I, well…" Marcus stammered.

"Did I forget to mention that these two are under the protection of the King and Queen? They don't like it when someone under their protection gets hurt. Maybe I should let them know what has been going on."

"Are we really under the King and Queen's protection, Captain?" Eugene asked.

"Yes you are, boys. They worried that you would find it hard to adjust since your mother still hasn't been found and wanted to make sure you were ok."

"C-c-captain? As in Captain of the Guard?" Marcus stammered.

"Yes, Marcus. I am. So, do you think you can make sure that these two boys don't get hurt again? I wouldn't like to have to report you to the King."

"Y-y-yes, Sir. I can do that." Marcus responded. He was quick to tell the Captain that he would help watch Flynn and Eugene.

"I'm glad you can help me. Well, boys, I need to be on my way. How about you walk me out to my horse?" The Captain gestured to Flynn and Eugene to precede him out of the room.

After the Captain had left, Marcus and Peter looked at each other.

"So what if they're under the king and queen's protection. I don't care. I'm gonna get those two brats. And show them what happens when one tells about these little activities without permission." Marcus muttered to Peter. "I'll do whatever I want to them. I will just have to be careful not to let the bruises show next time. Leave them under their shirts or pants so they can't be seen."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Marcus?" Peter asked. "I mean, he's not just any guard he's their captain. He's bound to figure it out, somehow, even if they don't tell him."

"It's not a good idea, it's a GREAT idea, Peter."