Page 19 of Ring Around the Rosie

I laughed. “You have no idea.”

“Hey, what's the deal with him and the boy? Foster, was it? He said they were half brothers, and he’s always with him. It’s kind of weird, don’t you think?” Wolfe pointed to them, and I looked over at Foster. He was so stoic and calm for a kid his age. Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever really saw him running around or acting like a normal kid. Instead, he just kept to himself and stuck to Sabbath like glue. And right now, he was…

Oh shit.

“Wolfe.”

Wolfe turned as we both watched the arrow shoot from Foster’s bow. It whizzed fast towards Solomon and barely missed him as he dodged it and fell to the ground. The arrow hit the red bullseye of the target behind him and Foster smiled. Solomon scrambled to his feet and charged Foster.

“Oh shit.” Wolfe ran in their direction as I followed. “Hey! Sol!”

We both watched as Solomon snatched the bow from Foster’s hand. “Never release a nocked bow when someone is standing in front of the target!” He was both angry and scared, obvious by the sweat that rolled down his face and past his reddened cheeks. “Give me your arrows!” Wolfe and I stopped a few feet away and watched as Sabbath casually stepped in front of his brother. My stomach twisted at the anticipation and fear of what he might do.

Solomon and Sabbath stood inches apart. Sol was fuming and fired up, whereas Sabbath was oddly calm. He gently pushedSol back. “Calm down, big boy. He’s just a kid. It was a simple accident.” Sabbath wore such a smug look while Sol was just pissed.

“Accident?” Sol pushed back. “He looked right at me and fucking released his arrow!” Sol’s raised voice caught Willie’s attention. “Had I not moved, his arrow would be deep in my chest.”

Sabbath grinned. “But it’s not, is it?” He smacked Sol’s arm playfully as he turned away. “Count yourself lucky.”

Sol shook his head. It was as if his teases pushed Sol too far. He whirled Sabbath around and swung, landing a punch along his jaw. Wolfe and I rushed to separate the two as they struggled and began to fight. “Wolfe!” I shouted as I tried to peel the men apart. “Get the kids out of here!” He nodded and did as I asked. Willie rushed over and helped him. “Hey!” I forced my body between the two. “Enough!” But as I stepped in, Sol swung. His fist slammed into my temple, and I fell forward into Sabbath’s arms. My ears rang and everything became blurred and fuzzy for a moment.

“Oh shit!” Sol backed up. “Aster, I’m sorry! I didn’t?—”

Sabbath lowered me to the ground and examined me closely. “Hey,” he whispered as I groaned. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” I didn’t feel it.

My hand reached to my head, and pain erupted through my skull. I noticed blood on my fingertips and began to panic. “Fuck,” I breathed.

Willie walked up and shot a death glare at the men. “What the hell is going on?” he asked. “Well?”

Sol grabbed his head. “I didn’t mean to!” I knew it was an accident, but it still fucking hurt like hell. “Aster, I—I’m so sorry!”

Wolfe plopped down next to me, and Sabbath looked at him. “Get Thisbe. Now.” Wolfe nodded and took off. Sabbath thenremoved his shirt and placed it under my head as he lowered me to the ground. I noticed the same long silver chain necklace he wore years ago, and in that moment, it felt like I was seeing the Sabbath I once knew. The one from so long ago.

I groaned as pain vibrated through my head.

“Easy,” he whispered. “You’re going to be okay.”

Sol walked up. “Aster, I’m so sorry. I?—”

Sabbath rose and swung, hitting Sol across the face and nearly knocking him over. He then pointed at Solomon as Willie helped him up. “You ever fucking touch her again, and I’ll fucking kill you myself!”

“Hey!” Willie blew his whistle. “Cool it, boys! That’s enough!” Willie looked at the two men. “Now is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” He glanced back and forth. “Huh?”

Sabbath wiped his mouth and spat at the ground. “Your boy Solomon here got all pissy ‘cause Foster shot a stray arrow. Pathetic really.”

Sol tried to shoot forward, but Willie restrained him. “He was aiming for me!”

“Hey!” Willie held Sol back. “Take a walk, Sol!” The counselor eyed Willie. “Now. And be glad I’m not reprimanding you for hitting Aster.” Sol scoffed and walked back towards camp in a hurry. Willie approached me, but Sabbath stopped him. The two eyed one another, as if having some silent conversation.

“No one touches her, except Thisbe,” Sabbath growled.

Willie made a face. “What about Foster?”

“What about him?” Sabbath tilted his head.

Willie sucked his teeth. “Was it an accident?”

Sabbath grinned. “You tell me.”

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