Grave of the Shadows (Starting!)

Liam Knightly

Liam stepped inside and shook his hair. A light snow was falling outside, and the whole city seemed even more gloomy and dark than usual. On top of that, the snow had sent most of the vendors home, and Liam's small package was the only product of an entire day spent searching for food. As the heavy wooden door closed, Tess came up with her arms open, ready to help with what she was expecting to be bundles of treats. She tried to hide her disappointment at the small brown bag and took it from Liam's arms.

"Sorry, Tess," he mumbled, running a hand through his hair, "no one wants to sell in the snow, and those who did were charging ridiculous prices because of their sacrifice. This will be okay, right? Celeste went out, too, maybe she's had better luck than me."

"Maybe," Tess answered, already ripping the paper to see what Liam had brought as she moved towards the kitchen.

"Food's here," Liam called up the stairs, waiting for the footsteps that would soon start making their way to the kitchen.

Celeste Conners

I run through the streets, Justia riding piggy back on me. After about five minutes, we find a small grocer. I walk in, the place nearly dead, no people in sight.

"Celi, I'll go and look for some candy. I think some of the other kids might want some." She says, smiling.

I nod and can't help but smile back. "Don't be too long. Liam is expecting us." I reply.

She nods and runs off. Rodr refused to come too, sitting at the living room table, twiddling his thumbs the last time I asked.

I traced the isles, getting multiple food just enough to feed us. I went to the check out and gave them some of my savings, having just enough, when Justia walks up with a nice amount of treats. After paying I run back to the others, stepping inside. Justia runs in, going to all the others. I walk to Liam, dropping the bags of treats on the table.

"I hope this is good." I flashed a smile.

Jackie Rockwell

"Food's here!" Liam called. I listened closely--usually there was a soft thump when Liam set his bag down on the table. But this time, there wasn't any thump. He must not have done as well today.

"Jazz, food," I called to my little brother.

Jazz appeared in the doorway, bouncing up and down expectantly. He was a sweet little kid--like a miniature, cuter version of me, who actually had something to smile about once in a while. "Hi, Jackie!" he said excitedly. "Come on, let's go eat!"

"You go ahead," I replied. "I'll be right down." Jazz stopped bouncing, looked at me for a few more seconds, and then started down the stairs. He was only seven, but he already knew what it meant when I said that--not enough food. I always skipped dinner when there wouldn't be enough for everyone. If I had to choose between feeding Jazz and feeding myself, I would always choose Jazz.

I got up slowly and trudged down the stairs, preparing myself for the worst. Sometimes, on bad days, even the kids went hungry. Liam always beat himself up over it, too. We were a precarious little bunch--pull out one block, and the whole tower tumbles. Rationing the food helped--kept us sane, at least, and got everyone a little tidbit of something. Food wasn't about taste for us, it was about survival; but a little taste of something good now and then kept our spirits up.

I sat down at the table next to Jazz. There was a single brown bag sitting in front of him. Liam slouched in his chair, staring at it dejectedly.

"Hey," I said, trying half-heartedly to cheer him up. "It could be worse. Remember that time we had to go down to the basement and catch mice?" Liam gave me a smile, but it was just out of courtesy, it wasn't genuine.

Alexa Noel

I watched Liam come in and hand over the package to Tessa. Silently, I followed her to the table and let her take out the contents. A bit of meat, most likely some unlucky horse or dog, and a loaf of bread. I began to heat water, maybe the meat would be enough to give it enough flavor to be called soup.

Just then Celeste arrived with Justia, both smiling in triumph. Celeste quickly took over my position by the little fire and started adding her goods to the stew. I was glad to let her take over, it seemed like Celeste could make anything taste good. Tessa stood nearby, eagerly pressing Justia for a list of all they had found and a detailed account of her day. I hovered nearby, waiting in case any of them needed help and listening to Justia's energetic voice.

Ivan Shadowspear

I stared out at the city - my city - blanketed by beautiful, soft snow. Casually, I leaned forward, elbows resting on the balustrade of the balcony. I had a wonderful view of the central square, green treetops peeking out of the white blanket. The ornamental pond was frozen over. I might go there for a walk later.
And yet, I had one nagging problem... those damned kids. The Nights controlled the entire city, and yet, those little brats eluded us.
"You seem troubled, little brother," said the unmistakably light voice of my sister.
I turned my head to look at her. She was resplendent in a red gown, rubies glittering at her wrists and throat.
"Johanna. Elegant as always," I said.
She walked forward and ruffled my hair. Anyone but her would have sincerely regretted that action.
"In your twelve years of life, I've never seen anyone worry as much as you," she chided.
"That's because I have a city to run," I countered.
"Yes, about that," began Johanna. "Lao-chin wanted to see you. He didn't seem happy at all"

Rodr Conners

"Food's here!" someone called, and I sighed. Liam didn't sound very happy - it must have been a poor day for buying. Probably because of the snow; I supposed that was why Celeste had wanted me to go along as well, but another person to trail along wouldn't have lowered the prices or made food disappear.

I rose, and my suspicions were confirmed when I found the single brown bag. As I stood in the doorway, though, Celeste and Justia entered, looking pleased with themselves.

"I hope this is good," Celeste said with a smile. Somehow, she'd managed to get hold of fruits, some more bread, meat that looked like... meat - it wasn't recognizable, but I was used to that - and she'd even somehow gotten some sweets for the kids.

"That's better than I've been able to find recently," I said. "Where did you get it?"

ANNA NOEL
I sat on a mat laid out on the floor with a dirty old rag in my hand. I was busy cleaning my colt dragoon revolver when I heard Liam call out to us. It didn't sound like his usual bossy order for us to get our butts down stairs but it wasn't a sound that we didn't know either.
Not enough food I thought
I heard that Celeste had gone out this morning as well. I silently prayed that she would have more luck than Liam did.
I contemplated for a while on whether to go downstairs and claim my share of the scarce food or just stay up here and resume my previous task. I just sat there holding the gun with a dumb expression on my face as I let my head and tummy battled it out. In the end my stomach won.
I got up and dragged my feet downstairs.
Great now I feel guilty for being such a glutton I sighed as I was about to enter the kitchen when the smell of food invaded my senses, Celeste it seems did have better luck than Liam.
I walked in silently, feeling a lot better now that no one had to starve. I greeted everyone with a simple ‘hey’ as I took my sit and waited for Caleb and the rest to arrive

Tess

Tess could feel her mouth water as a brilliant smell lifted from the pot of stew and into her nose. Justia must of thought the same thing because she stopped talking and was staring at the pot; just like Tess was.

Shaking her head a little, Tess managed to get a grip on her senses. She could still feel the hunger gnawing at the inside of her stomach, almost as if it was going to eat itself. Pushing down her want for food, she turned to Justia.

"Race you to set the table!." She yelled suddenly as she dashed over the coverts and grabbed some plates. Justia can right behind her, dashing for what little silverware they had. The plates were by no means matching, in fact they were all mismatched with either cracks or chips in them.

Quickly they raced around opposite side of the table, placing out as quickly as they could. They ended at opposite sides as well. By the time the whole thing was over, they were both giggling and almost everyone had gathered at the table.

Spoiler

Hope this is okay.

Spoiler

Could you just swith to first person next time, July? Otherwise you're good.

Liam Knightly

The stew smelled good, better than it had before. I watched Justia and Tess hand out the bowls and sit down, both trying to hide their hunger. I served them first, then began filling bowls for the members who were slowly coming down. Anna came in sheepishly, knowing that there was not much food. She noticed Celeste's haul and sighed. I shrugged and handed her the soup.

"See? There's always enough somehow." I murmured, giving Jazz a bowl. He grabbed in and sat down, soon joined by Kyle and Rosette. They all fell to eating in silence, all consumed by the job of devouring the little that was set in front of them. After all, we never knew when the next meal would come.

Jackie

"See?" Liam said, handing Anna a bowl of soup. "There's always enough somehow."

"Way to go, Celeste!" I exclaimed, watching as the kids got their soup. A nice, hot bowl of soup was exactly what we needed, especially since it was so cold outside. I was always surprised at how much a little good food could brighten an otherwise dreary day. I guess I was a slow learner. That, or I just wasn't used to eating a lot. Probably the latter.

After all the little ones had their soup, I got a bowl of my own and sat down at the table. We were all silent, concentrating on the soup. I didn't mind, though. Sometimes it was nice to just eat. We didn't have to talk to each other. We all knew what the others were thinking--let's just enjoy this while we can.

Celeste Connors

I was day dreaming...Like always. I hear someone scream, "Way to go, Celeste!"

I almost scream, startled, and fall off my chair and onto the floor. "What? Oh Uh, Yeah. Luck." I muttered, standing. Justia and Rodr started laughing.

I shot them a look before they both shut their mouths, still supressing a chuckle.

"Daydreaming again, Celi?" Rodr asks me, smiling wide.

I sigh before sitting down again. "Don't worry about it." I tell him.

Liam chuckles a little too and so does Jackie. I glare at them. "Celi, You've been doing that for the last three days. Are you alright?" Liam asks.

I shrug, "I'm alright." I sigh. Justia looks at me, a slightly worried look across her face. I nod, "I'm fine, Justia."

She nods back and I take a deep breath, glancing around.

Kyle Knightly

My pencil glides over the page. I add a line here and a shadow there. I am sitting on the ground with my sketchbook on my lap. My rare and costly sketchbook that I had saved up years to buy. The cover was torn now and my pencil was half used. I lean back and close my eyes, remembering. Remembering when I was younger and didn’t worry so much, remembering when I could run and play, and smile. I hear Liam call up that the food was ready. I don’t want to eat. I rarely want to do anything these days except draw. Liem says there’s something wrong with me but I don’t think so. I’m completely normal right? I slowly sand up and tuck my sketchbook and pencil under my shirt. I go to the table where everyone is waiting for me. I mumble a “Sorry” and sit down quietly. I see Tess beside me already downing her bowl of soup. When she pours the last drop of it into her mouth I quickly switch our bowls so I have the empty one and she the full one. She looks at me and I nod. She downs that bowl of soup too. Tess, she’s so cute and sweet. She doesn’t know what’s going on. She doesn’t know that we’re in danger every day and that we might die of hunger. I remember when I was like that, but it feels like a dream. All I know is the present and all that is pain, hunger, and hardship.
“Aah!” I yelp and Liam gives me a friendly slap on the shoulder.
“Wake up Kye!” He smiles. How can he smile in a time like this? I nod and sit up straight. My stomach rumbles but I pay no attention. I’m thinking of what to add to my drawing next.

Spoiler

I hope this is ok

Rosette Lennar
"Food's here!" I hear Liam say. Before anyone can stop me, I run out of the door. I hate seeing people hungry, so I just don't eat. I sit right outside of the door. Celeste runs through the door with Justia on her back, and they don't even notice me. As I look towards the floor, I hear footsteps. "He, Rose. Come on. We have enough food for all." says Liam.
"I know we don't. Don't try to make me. I want everyone to get their fill. If there's food leftover I'll eat." I say frowning. He reaches out to grab my arm, but I'm too quick. I know how to disappear into shadows, so I do. I slip into some shadows, and crouch down, covering my pale face. I'm dressed in black, and my hair is black, so I fit in with shadows. Liam looks around, then returns inside. Hmm... They will take a short time to eat. I'll go back in when they are done.

Celeste

I see Rosette slip out the door and I take a bowl of stew and walk out to find her. I see her sitting by the alley and I slowly walk towards her, sitting next to her.

"Hey, Rose." I said softly.

"I brought more food. There's enough for us all." I said, slipping the stew in front of her.

I set my hand on her shoulder. "Eat. If you want to make us all feel good then don't worry us. Please?" I ask, flashing a slight smile.