DAWN’S POV I was lying on the bare floor inside of the room when I started to hear some footsteps approaching and I got up. It was already dark and no one had come to see me since I was brought into this room. I have had nothing all day, not even water. Maybe my father has finally instructed someone to get me something to eat and drink. If that is not the case, I might as well die of hunger inside here. That would not make any difference to him though, all he wants is to have my dead body and I would only make things easy if I die of starvation. Before the person would arrive I went and opened the door. I checked the iron protector outside and found that it was still locked. I sighed and waited for whoever it was. Soon the person arrived but it was a little dark at the passage and so I could not see him properly. “Who are you?” I muttered but was greeted by silence. The person said nothing. I took a step back. I have decided that should it be one of the zombies, then I will lock myself in here and die instead of being taken away by them. If I should die, I don’t want to wake up as a zombie, not ever. “I said who are you?” I asked again determined to lock myself in the next chance I get. The person put on the touch with him and said. “Dawn” “Brother Sam...” I cried. I know that voice, I could tell it anytime, any day, and anywhere. It is my brother Sam, and he is here to see me. All along I thought I will never see him again. “Dawn” he called again, but this time his voice was a bit croaky. “Sam, you came to see me. I thought I would never see you” I replied. “I have to come, Dawn. I don’t know why it is this way, but I have to come to see you” he replied. He opened the protector with a key and entered. He locked the protector and put the keys in his pocket. “You know I can't get you out, right,” he said. I nodded. “Yes, and thanks for coming” I replied in gratitude.“I would like to ask what happened, but would it make any difference?” he asked. I shook my head and tightened my eyes. There is no need for him to ask because I have nothing to say to him now. “I knew it,” he said and cursed under his breath. “I wish it was different, Sam, I wish I could tell you right here and now that all of this is a lie. I wish there was a way I could lie to you and wish all this away, brother, but this is what it is” I said. He looked into my eyes, I could see the hate and care in his eyes, all mixed together. I could tell what trick his emotions are playing on him. “You know I will never forgive you right?” he finally spoke. With the way he spoke, it was obvious that he would have taken back his words if it was up to him. But what is hindering him from believing in me, is it his bond to the Pack, or is there something else? “You’ve got to trust...” I tried to persuade him but he was not having any of it. “To hell with that, sister...” he retorted and looked away. “I wish not to use that phrase on you again. You are no more one of us” he looked at me and continued. “But then, that would be lying to myself. You will always remain my sister. But you must know that there is an extent I could go. For now, I can only make sure that you don’t die of starvation, but I won't try to stop whatever is coming for you...” “Brother...” I called as tears began to flow from my eyes. I never intended to hurt anyone by my action, let alone my brother. He loves me so dearly and I am greatly pained that I cannot stop the hurt he feels, at least not at this moment. I hate to see him hate me this way. “Stop, Dawn. You did an act and you know the consequences for it. Why did you return, or do you think no one will find out? You have no regret for what you did to your people, you’ve lost your conscience or you’ve totally forgotten its use?” his voice was already raised by the time he was done. Endless tears flew from my eyes. I never intended to hurt him this way, I never intended to hurt any of them. “I didn’t mean to...” “Please stop it, Dawn. I came to bring you food and water. Father is out now and he would only be back by tomorrow” he said. He lifted his cloth and brought out a carefully wrapped food and a bottle of water. “And mother...” I asked as I collected the food and water from him.All I wanted was for him to tell me that mother is fine but he replied coldly. “You have no right to ask of her...” I could not restrain myself anymore, and I began to sob profusely. I cannot bear to see that my mother is deeply hurt by what I did, and worse still, I cannot explain anything to them, I have no defense for the time being. “You must stop crying and eat now unless you also want to get me in trouble. You are condemned and should be shown no mercy” he urged in anger. I immediately wiped my eyes and started eating. I have already caused them so much trouble and now I would not want to get him in trouble for looking out for me. I am grateful for his kind gesture. “What will become of me, Sam?” I asked. “Death” he replied without any form of empathy. “I know” I murmured. “So why ask?” he asked contemptuously. “I just wanted to know how,” I replied with my mouth full. He giggled and cussed inaudibly. “Only father would determine that. I hate to think of it though...” he stopped abruptly and would say no further. I could tell that he hiding something so I stopped eating and stared at him. Seeing my reaction, he shook his head and decided to continue. “Father is a stranger to us now. I wish it hadn’t turned out this way, then I would have sent you far away from him the moment you returned. You don’t deserve to see him like this” he was uncomfortable as he spoke. “I learned he now breeds zombies” I murmured. He got angry at my words. “You have said enough, Dawn. You are not even back and you are already listening to rumours. Is this what you are now?” “I am sorry” I responded and continued with the food. “Can I ask a favour?” I requested. “Say it” he demanded. “The queen of the Pixies, can you reach her for me?” I pleaded. I knew that I was asking for too much from him, but who knows, he might just decide to oblige me. Seeing the queen would be a lot easier for him than for Gina. He is a beta and would have unfettered access to the packhouse. “What?” he exclaimed. “I...” “You have not repented of your wrongs” he yelled. “Please go to her, I must not be allowed to die like this. Admit it, even you want to see me live” I cried. “And what makes you think she would care one bit about you? You were used Dawn, wake up” he replied painfully. “You don’t know her, Sam. You see sister would...” I stopped. I did not know when the word spilled out of my mouth. “Sister, you want to be like your sister?” he asked and his eyes flickered on me. “Oh goodness, why am I cursed with sisters?” he lamented. “I am sorry, I meant to say the queen” I pleaded. “You want me to go to the queen?” he asked. “Yes, brother Sam” I replied. He grinned and gnashed his teeth. “Have you seen the state of Carl and Hedrick?” he asked. I was taken aback. No one has mentioned the two of them since I arrived. What has happened to them? “Brother Carl and brother Hedrick...” I muttered. “What happened to them?” “They are in that precarious state all because of your queen. They are worse off than death. Your evil queen should have taken their lives instead” he yelled. Even with the dim light, I could see the tears flowing from his eyes as he talked about our brothers. “But no... it can't be... she can't... they are our... brothers...” I stammered. In my confused state, I have used the word 'our brothers' but Sam did not seem to read any meaning into it and I am glad that he did not. “Now you see the magnitude of your offense,” he said and walked out angrily. My mouth was still opened wide in disbelief when I heard the sound of the protector lock and I knew that once again, I am all alone in this room.