Page 6 of Protector

My cheeks flush at the nickname.

I watch him catch up to King, and jealousy stirs through my veins. But I can’t just sit and let him go.

So, like every annoying, little eight-year-old sister would do, I follow him and my brother and intend to stay by their side for as long as I can.

Puffing out a big breath when I catch up to them, King and Puck turn around simultaneously. King rolls his eyes, like always, but Puck smiles.

My head feels a bit sweaty, so I quickly wipe it against my forearm.

“Puck, this is Bonnie, my sister,” King says, a little smirk on his lips now he’s realising I’m not going anywhere.

“Yeah, I know Bon.” Puck nods at me, his smile still shining.

“We’re going to the waterfall, Bonnie, so you might want to stay here,” King says, walking towards the trees again.

I let my feet carry me forward, and King turns, fiddling with my plait.

“Bonnie, you know you can’t swim that well,” he whispers, and I worry Puck heard and that he’ll laugh at me. I look down at the ground, sad I won’t be able to join in, when Puck comes up next to me.

“Don’t worry, Bon. I can teach you.”

I look up at him, and I mean, really look up at him, because he’s so close and so tall.

“But I might drown,” I say quietly. I know how clumsy I can be. I’m always falling over the tree roots in the forest and tripping over my feet.

“No, you won’t. I’ll protect you.”

He puts his arm around my shoulders like it’s the most normal thing in the world, following King into the trees.

I didn’t know that from that moment on, he would always have his arms around me, keeping me safe, protecting me from anything and everything.

Until he couldn’t anymore.

Age 10

“Bonnie, go to your room,” Daddy’s voice booms down the hallway as I try to stand my ground at the bottom of the stairs. I roll my eyes subtly, crossing my arms over my chest, and consider stomping my foot. I know it’s a silly game to play with him because, ultimately, he always wins. But I hate obeying his every command.

I’m ten years old now, and I still have to hide away.

It turns out that two years ago, when I got to stand at the top of the stairs and watch Puck’s arrival, it was a one-time thing. It’s because he was staying, and Daddy wouldn’t be able to hide me from him.

But since that moment, every visitor, like normal, I’m banished to my room when King and Dax get to stay. Even Puck is allowed to roam about like normal, even though most of the time, he will come and sit with me.

I wish I had more. More freedom, more chances, more friends. More everything.

I just want to fly away to Neverland, not stare at the four walls of my bedroom.

And I hate that Puck always feels the need to come with me. He shouldn’t be restricted to my bedroom whilst I’m stropping.

It’s that thought that always stirs my defiance.

I stand on the bottom step, my hand now gripping the bannister hard.

“Why, Daddy? King doesn’t have to go to his room!” At this point, I do stomp my foot. I know shouting at him isn’t a good idea, but I can’t help it. Sometimes I can’t keep my emotions in.

“Because King is earning his place in this family, little girl,” he spits, and I flinch.

“What does that mean?” I ask, genuinely confused.

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