"Where are we going?"

"Shh… We'll be there soon."

"But Coby-"

"Shh!

Two-year-old Eris uttered a tired sigh. Cobalt looked down at her. "Getting tired?..." The little girl gave a silent nod. Cobalt stopped in the middle of the tracks. "Alright… I'll carry you." He lifted his little sister into his arms and continued on.

"Thank you, Coby…"

"Uh huh."

It'd been a year and 2 months since Cobalt had left home, taking his 10-month-old baby sister, Eris, with him. His father had finally snapped, and after years of horrible abuse directed at his 19-year-old wife and 3-month-old toddler, he'd murdered his wife during a heated argument. It hadn't taken Cobalt long to realize he and Eris would be next, if he did not do something. In a matter of hours, he and Eris had stolen away while his father was in the midst of yet another drunken stupor. The children had aimlessly wondered the streets since that time, begging for money from passer-byes, and even stealing what little they could get away with, just to get by.

Cobalt shifted under the little girl's weight.

"Coby?"

"Yeah, Eris?"

"Can you tell me where we going?"

"I'll tell you when we get there." Truth was, Cobalt wasn't exactly sure where they were either, only hoping they were getting close. Than he saw it. May's Home for Orphans. Although the little boy couldn't read, he'd seen enough about the place to at least know children unwanted by their families lived there. He shifted Eris to his other hip and approached the building wearily. It was as silent as a tomb. Cobalt came closer and found himself on the front step, stating up at the huge brick structure. He slowly set Eris down on the stoop, than bent down and met her gaze. "Eris, you stay here, now." He swallowed. "Big brother has to go away, okay?"

Eris's lower lip trembled. "Coby has to go?..." Cobalt swallowed.

"Yes. But I promise-" Eris heaved a sob.

"No! No go…stay wif me!" She clung to her older brother – her only protection. Her eyes flooded with tears. Cobalt held his only sibling tightly.

"I promise I'll see you again, Eris." He whispered in her ear, tears sliding down his own face. "I promise I will. I'll…I'll never leave you for good." Eris took in big shuddering breaths.

"You…you promise…" She whispered, gazing into Cobalt's silver eyes. Cobalt knew what she wanted to hear. He's whisper it to her every night they slept on the tracks – a constant reassurance that no matter what, he'd never turn out like Father… Cobalt believed, deep in his heart, he'd never come to that.

"I promise, Eris."

Cobalt stayed with Eris until the little girl finally drifted off to sleep. As soon as the little girl's sobs had quieted, Cobalt climbed to his feet, after giving his baby sister a tiny, loving kiss on the forehead. Then the 4-year-old stole back into the night.