Page 2 of Banshee's Lament

“You boys go on and do what you want, I’ve got her. Food will be ready in an hour or so.”

“Thanks, Dad!” I called out, already heading to the back of the fenced-in property where our tree fort was located. I knew Kracken would be arriving soon, but there was plenty of room for all of us.

Brick held our drinks while I climbed up into the wooden structure, then handed them up to me before joining me inside. As we popped the tops of our drinks and each took a long pull of the frosty goodness, I looked around, grinning.

Last year, we were at the clubhouse when RiffRaff told us to stay inside. It wasn’t a hardship; we were able to play the Nintendo on the huge television in the common room area. We were so busy chasing zombies, we didn’t even ask what they were doing and why we couldn’t help. Hours later, one of the prospects came in to get us and we followed him outside, stunned when RiffRaff told us that they knew we needed our own meeting space. There, nestled between several huge trees was a massive treehouse. I think we spent the rest of that day up there, eating junk food, going through old tattoo magazines, and making ourselves sick.

Maybe thirty minutes later, we both heard, “A little help here, guys.” Looking down, I saw Kracken with his backpack slung over his shoulders, struggling to get up without dropping anything.

“Hand it up, man,” I yelled, reaching my hand down so I could grab the straps. I knew he’d have more root beer for us, and probably some new magazines. His dad had subscriptions to several of them, including one that had tattoos, another that was all about motorcycles, and the one that was a favorite behind the other two, hot rods and muscle cars.

Not that any of us planned to use cages. Nope, we were going to be badass bikers when we grew up and ride on two wheels, regardless of the weather. Dad would laugh when I’d tell him that, then point out his big truck that easily carried all four of us wherever we needed to go. Since he was a total badass as far as I was concerned, I conceded that maybe, just maybe, I’d get a truck for those times when the weather was too inclement.

“It’s about time you got here,” Brick said once Kracken had pulled himself through the opening and dropped down next to us.

“Had a hard time trying to figure out which ones to bring,” Kracken admitted, opening up the backpack to pull out a stack of magazines. I wasn’t sure where to start; there were issues devoted to the latest tattoos, and several dedicated to new bike designs.

“Holy shit!” I exclaimed, seeing the stash. “How did you get so many at once?”

“Dad cleaned out the older ones,” he replied, pulling out his own bottle of root beer and popping off the top. “So, he said we could have these.”

We spent the next thirty minutes avidly pouring over them, oohing and ahhing over what we were seeing before I heard my dad holler for us to come down and get some food.

* * *

“Did you see her?” Brick asked after my mom took Ryleigh in for her nap. “She got up and started walking and came right to me!”

I grinned then punched him in the arm. “Just remember, she’s my little sister and I’ll have to beat you up if you ever hurt her.”

“Dude, she’s still just a baby,” he retorted. “Besides, I’m too young to think of settling down.”

“Yeah, we’re not even ten yet,” I agreed. “Still, I’ll be watching.”

“Dumbass.”

I didn’t want to tell him that it kind of hurt my feelings that RyRy had walked to him first instead of me. I was her big brother, not him. But he was my best friend, and he was hurting right now because his mother ‘took off’ and left him behind. I didn’t understand grownups sometimes, but at least she left him with us. We’d take care of him; that’s what family did, and the Roanoke Raiders were a big family, according to my dad. So, if my little sister wanted to walk to him first, I’d push it down because I still had both of my parents, and now he only had his dad. Well, his grandparents too, but his granny got sick and so he wasn’t able to go visit them anymore.

* * *

“Ban, the old ladies are in the kitchen, Brick will be here shortly to give you a hand, but I need you to keep an eye on the other kids while we have church,” Dad said. “The prospects will be out there too, but your job is to protect your sister. You understand?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied. We were celebrating Ryleigh’s third birthday with a huge party at the clubhouse, but from what I had overheard, there was a club or something trying to cause some problems, so him tasking me with this job was important. “I’ll protect her with my life, Dad.”

He chuckled while squeezing my shoulder. “Don’t think it’s that dire, Ban. Just, keep an eye on that little sprite. Ever since she started walking, she’s been fearless.”

I giggled while nodding. She was a ball of energy from the time she woke up until Mom managed to get her down for a nap. Then, once she recharged, she was on again up until it was time for bed. But I loved her and would do anything for her. That’s what Dad said big brothers did; they took care of their little sisters. Brick helped me a lot too, since we were ‘joined at the hip’ as my mom was always saying. Like me, he didn’t mind when we had to watch her because she made us laugh a lot.

* * *

I was pushing Ryleigh on the swings when I saw a white van pull up near the fence. Glancing around, I saw the other little kids playing, but I didn’t see the prospects, which was strange. They werealwayswatching us when we were outside while the parents were inside. A funny feeling settled in my stomach when I saw the two men getting out of the vehicle, their eyes focused on me and RyRy.

“Go inside now!” I quietly yelled to the other kids. “Get my dad and RiffRaff!”

Right now, I wished Brick was here beside me, especially when I watched both men scale the fence and come toward me. Grabbing Ryleigh off the swing, I started to run toward the back of the clubhouse and safety.

I never made it.

Banshee

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