Brothers Will Be Brothers

 by Abigail H.

Note from Mrs. M. This is a very clever "short" short story. Each new paragraphs begins with the next letter of the alphabet. It was fun to read, and I think you will enjoy it too.

Set right after Trouble with Treasure

"Andi, wake up!" big brother Chad made Andi's beautiful dream evaporate into thin air.

"But it's Saturday! Andi sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "And the sun's not even up!"

Chad smirked and turned to leave out the door, "I need your help with something in the barn."

"Don't we have hands to help you?" Andi said, but Chad was already gone.

Even though she was thoroughly exhausted from the night before, Andi thought it best to obey her easily angered brother.

Fumbling around with her clothes, she dressed quickly, and as she was heading towards the door a movement caught her attention.

Gripping the doorknob, she tried to open the door as a shadowy figure burst in through her French doors.

Her clammy hands slipped and slid off the cold metal object. She wiped her hands on her split skirt and tried again, but it wouldn't move!

It was locked! Chad locked it on his way out, but his harmless prank had turned sour.

Joints frozen in place; Andi stared at the tall, heavily cloaked figure. His walk seemed to favor his left leg and was very familiar.

Kicking her brain into gear Andi forced herself to move. She jumped at the shadowy figure, but not after ripping her quilt from the bed.

Landing at the feet of the figure, Andi pushed herself forward with her feet and yanked at the figure's legs.

Moaning, the shadowy figure toppled to the floor.

Nary a second had passed when Andi threw the quilt around the man, wrapping him up like a spider her prey.

Obviously, the figure was stronger-- since he was a man-- but Andi fought hard and made a small hole to reach her hand into his gun belt.

Pushing her hand into the gap, she felt for the revolver.

Quickly and without warning, the shadowy figure untangled himself and gently shoved Andi to the floor.

Reaching for the revolver the figure stepped closer.

Stunned, Andi stood. Her heart was pounding so loud she felt for sure he could hear it. She backed up to put some distance between them, but the shadowy figure moved just as fast, revolver drawn.

Tripping over the slight lip in the floor separating her room from the balcony, Andi collapsed.

Under her she could see Chad whistling a happy tune as he waited by the front door.

Voicing her fears Andi tried to shout to Chad, but only a whisper of despair slipped between her lips.

Whisking Andi to her feet, the shadowy figure shoved the pistol into her gut and pulled the hammer back.

Xenophobia-- the fear of strangers-- crept into Andi's heart as the stranger grew closer. Sweat dripped down her face. Andi's brain told her muscles to do something before the consequences were weighed.

Yanking the hood off the figure, Andi gasped.

Zanzibar sounded like a nice place right about then, for right in front of her, laughing his head off was Mitch!

The End

Note: Just a prank Andi's brothers played on their unsuspecting little sister!