Samuel's Pov:
"Mother, it's almost dinner time, but Noah hasn't returned yet. Shall I go find him?" She is standing cooking stew at the stove. She sighs. "It is probably best you do." I walk out the door into the brisk winter air.
It is mostly dark now which is not good. Creatures are going to start coming out. I walk quickly through the forest.
"SAM! FATHER! SOMEONE HELP!" I hear Noah's voice yell. I pull out my knife and bolt in the direction of the voice. "Noah!?" I run into the open area to see a group of cursed spirits surrounding Noah. Crap.
"Hey dumb dead people," I say as I walk into the middle of the circle with my brother. He's cut up all the face and has that disgusting goo that ghosts leave behind. "Sam?" I grab a tiny bottle that's in my coat pocket. "Back up or you're gone for good." There are 5 of them. All low-level ghosts.
The one that seemed like the leader started to speak up. "What are ya, a hunter?!" I pop open the bottle at throw some liquid on the ghost. I cover Noah before it implodes. "AHHHH!" BOOM. The goo goes flying everywhere. I feel the heat of it singe the back of my jacket.
The rest of the ghosts gasp and begin to scurry in every direction before I can kill them. Damnit. I turn to Noah. "What did I tell you?" He backs away from me and lowers his head. "Never be out after sunset that's what you told me."
I start walking out of the forest and he follows me. "We have a job. Goblins in Jackilson. We leave in the morning." I hear a muffled sob. I turn to my brother. He's crying. "I'm sorry Sam. I'm weak. Weaker than you and weaker than father. How am I supposed to help you if I'm weak? How do I protect our family?"
I realize how much pressure I'm putting on my 15-year-old little brother. He's just a kid. "Noah. You are strong. Trust me I know you are. Come here." I pull him into a hug. One that he definitely needs. "If you think you're weak then train your ass off to be strong. Got it?" I look at him and he nods. We finally exit the forest and return to the house.
"Mother we're back." She looks at us puzzled. "Ghosts." She chuckles and says, "Go clean up. We are about to eat." I pull off my jacket and hang it up. I sit down at the table with the medical kit. "Noah, let me see your face." He pulls up a chair and sits in front of me. "Would you like me to help?" Alexis asks. "No, you should help mother with the stew Alexis."
I wipe the lingering goo from his face. He has minor burns and a few cuts. I treat and bandage the worse burns and clean the cuts. Ella and Evan have already set the table. I turn to face the table. Everyone sits down and mother brings the stew over and serves everyone. "Thank you for the meal." All of us kids say in unison. Mother smiles and begins to eat.
I love this family. Every single one of them. Even though we are all different ages and we fight a lot, I still adore them. Ella is the youngest at 6 years old. Then there's Evan, he's 10. Noah is 15. Alexis is 16. Finally, I am 19 and the oldest.
When I was younger, before I could hunt, I helped raise the littles. But when I started hunting I handed that job to Alexis. She's so responsible and kind. I'm glad she's always able to help. Noah is slightly more reserved than I am. He's a good kid. Evan is very outgoing but can be angry. Ella is a sweet little girl who likes to be adventurous and she's extremely curious. I'm proud of my siblings. They are amazing people.
We finish eating and the littles clean up the table. I walk into the shared room. I get out a few patches. I get out a sewing kit and begin to fix my burned-up jacket. Alexis walks in and sits by me. "Do you want me to do that?" "No, but thank you, Alexis."
I finish sewing up my jacket and hang it on a hook. I take off my boots and lay down in bed. I drift off to sleep. The next morning arrives and it's time to leave.