I struggled with the measly pile of branches in my arms, trying to think of a way to explain how I had glimpsed one of the rare mule deer of the old times without making myself sound like an incompetent fool. When my brain refused to help me out, I sighed wearily. I did not look forward to the beating my parents were surely going to give me for returning yet again without any food.

My bare feet blew dust lightly up as I walked, the leftover heat of the sun from earlier in the day making the sand scorchingly hot. Luckily, the calluses on my feet protected me from the worst of the burn. I had a small, filthy cloth covering my mouth and nose to keep the worst of the sand out of my system. 

I looked up at the evening sky, surprised to see so many stars dotting it. The stars tended to disappear more often than not, despite the open desert and the lack of artificial lights around. I sometimes wondered if even the stars couldn't bear to see us living so hopeless, so savage, like this. But then again, why would they care? Certainly, no one had so far; the gods had left us to fend for ourselves without a backward glance two hundred years ago. 

I shook the gloomy thoughts out of my head and noticed that some of the community people had decided to brave the heat in order to also search for food and water. I opened my mouth to tell them not to bother and slammed it shut when they glared at me. Well, screw you too. As if I cared whether they lived or died. 

Shaking my head in disgust, I finally reached the torn tent my family and I shared. It was situated on the outskirts of the settlement, where the vast open sand met the edge of the tent closest to it. My parents had chosen the location for the sole reason of the people not hearing what went on inside it. 

My insides clenched in disgust and fear as I remembered that tonight was my turn to sleep with my father and brother. I wanted to kill myself instead of ever sleeping with them again, but I knew I couldn't abandon Rowena for my selfish desires. I knew she felt revulsion at mother kissing and touching her in inappropriate places, but she had no idea how much worse father and brother could be. 

Knowing delaying will only get them madder at me and unable to care, I walked off a little and sat down on the sand, dumping the branches close by, then laid on my back to stare at the sky. It was rare for the stars to come out, and I wanted to fill myself up with their beauty to combat some of the wretchedness inside of me. 

My eyes widened and my breath left me in an awed gasp as I sat up and stared at the shower of stars that dotted the sky, chasing each other and disappearing to parts unknown. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We hadn't seen a meteor shower in many, many years, and I couldn't understand why I was seeing one now. Was I imagining the whole thing?

A quick glance behind me to the settlement showed that I wasn't the only one who had seen it. Many people had stopped and gaped at the sky, and for a moment, everything came to a standstill.

I looked back up at the sky and wished for something I have never allowed myself to think about, let alone contemplate. Surely, if the sky was celebrating, it meant something good was about to happen?

Please, I prayed to whoever was listening, closing my eyes tightly. Please let everything return back to normal. Please let my sister and I live a life of our choice. And please let the abuse stop.

I didn't know if my wishes were heard, and I didn't give myself time to doubt. Instead, I got up, dusting sand away from my backside, before I made the trek to the tent. I bypassed the still-frozen people, keeping my eyes firmly on the ground. Hopefully, no one will even notice I was there. 

As I slipped past a tent, I finally reached the one that housed my sinful family. Low murmurs could be heard as I got closer, and I paused a little away from it, so my shadow wouldn't be cast on the wall of the tent. I strained to hear what was being said. 

"...our turn now," my mother's silky voice was saying, a hint of annoyance coloring her tone. "We can't delay anymore, not when the rest of the families had done so."

"I realize that," my father's growly voice replied, suppressed anger clearly heard in his tone. "Who do you suggest?"

"Rowena," my mother immediately said. My brows furrowed, and I couldn't help but feel a sickening clench in my stomach. What were they discussing? 

"Why not Reema?" my father asked, surprise slightly overtaking his anger. 

"Reema is not innocent like Rowena is," my mother said, the annoyance never leaving her voice. "You and Omar made sure of that. No, it has to be Rowena. I kept her virginity intact." 

The sickening feeling in my stomach grew to bile that wanted to rise out of my throat. What the hell were they talking about? What were they planning on doing to Rowena? I needed to find out so I could warn her. 

There was silence for a moment, and then my father said, "Fine," in a curt tone. "We'll sacrifice Rowena to the Night Goddess tomorrow night. Let us hope it'll satisfy her and the damn people."

I couldn't hear what my mother said back over the sudden noise that had overtaken my hearing. Sacrifice Rowena? I knew my parents were sick and twisted—for more than the reason that they were brother and sister—but this went beyond even that. They had officially lost their minds. I would never let them hurt or kill Rowena. I would die first.

Suddenly, my feet were moving of their own accord. I almost felt my spirit leave my body, deciding to observe from a distance as my body took over, steering me in the general direction where the wildness met the edge of our camp. I had no idea why I was going there, but I knew if I had stayed in my spot, I would've murdered my parents and danced on their graves. The only reason I hadn't is because I didn't want them to realize I had overheard their conversation. Let them keep thinking none of us knew anything. I'll be able to escape with Rowena easier that way.

I finally understood that my body was guiding me to where it knew Rowena would be, hiding in her favorite spot behind a large sand dune, the only place she knew she could be safe in for a few minutes.

And that was indeed where I found her, gazing at the stars with a content smile on her face. When she noticed she was no longer alone, her eyes slid to me and her smile grew, making her chocolate eyes sparkle. In that moment, I knew I would do everything in my power to protect her, no matter what.

"We have a problem," I said.

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