Sacrifices and Responsibilities

Sacrifices and Responsibilities
Lilieth 
I didn't think things could get worse than they already are. 
I was wrong. 
When Cadeon finishes telling us about Anice being tortured for being an Emberborn by the same people she gave information to, I have this feeling that I imagined everything he said. I think my mind split for a moment. 
How can that be?
Shock's written all over everyone's faces. Silence falls upon us for several seconds, but Mom breaks it by saying, "I'll go. I'll look for her."
"It's too dangerous, Mom," Corey argues. 
"I'll go with you," Golen suggests, putting an arm around her. "She's our daughter, after all. We're the ones who have to get her."
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea," Corey counters. "I should be the one to help Mom look."
Golen fixes his eyes on Corey. "If you think that I'm not capable in any way because I've been captured before, you're mistaken. That was different—I was caught off guard. If there's anyone who can find Anice, it's me."
Mom lets out a sob, and Golen comforts her without saying a word. Deo and I exchange a look. She hasn't commented at all, and neither have I. Right now, I'm finding all of this confusing. I wouldn't say I'm happy with the news. This isn't a relief to me. I'm not thinking well done. 
Corey isn't done with his arguing yet. "Two people can't go there and find her. They're dangerous people. If you're caught, it's done for. You'll suffer the same fate as her. I suggest we go with a bigger group. Ignis Draven can—"
"Corey," I interrupt. "It's clear he doesn't want to get involved. That's why he asked Cadeon to give us the news. Look at what Anice has caused—she single-handedly set us back. She betrayed us, and broke his trust."
My brother runs a hand down his face in frustration. We can't even blame Draven for not wanting to help. This is his pack. He's been building this for so long, and it was destroyed because someone decided they wanted to get revenge on him for his cold honesty, maybe on the rest of us. 
The fact is that Anice doesn't care about us, yet we're making plans to rescue her from something she brought onto herself. 
Mom will put herself in significant danger because of her, and it would be inhumane to ask her not to go. I know she won't listen. 
It makes me hate Anice a little bit more. 
"It's just us," Golen claims. "We'll have to do with what we have. I won't ask any of you to come—Anice is our responsibility."
"There's no out in this," Corey spits. "Don't stand there and act like you're doing this out of love when you don't even know her."
"Do you? Do any of you know her? Did you know her well enough to expect something like this? I'm her father whether you like it or not, Corey, and when something like this happens, I'm the one who has to step in, not you."
"That's bullshit!" Corey exclaims. Deo tries to reach for his arm, but she ignores her. "All of a sudden, you want to play the role of a caring father? It doesn't suit you, Golen. I'm her brother. I'm the one who watched her grow up. If anyone should risk their lives for this, it's me. If anyone should pay for the mistake she made, it's me!"
"You give yourself too much credit," Golen retorts. "You couldn't have raised her when you were a kid yourself. It's easier to blame my absence than you."
"I don't care what—"
"Corey!" Mom hisses angrily. "That's enough. The decision has been made! You're going to stay here because you're needed here, do you understand me!"
I can tell by the look on his face that he isn't happy with the decision, and when Corey's in this mood, he can't be stopped. 
I exchange another look with Deo. Despair's etched into her face, and I instinctively know that she's thinking about the baby. This is a risky plan, and if Corey joins them, he could die. With this temper of his, there's a high chance something tragic will happen. 
But perhaps if he knew about the baby, he wouldn't be so eager to go. 
Deo should've told him about the pregnancy a long time ago. 
"You can't make me stay, that's the truth," he argues. "I'm going whether you like it or not. That's my sister. Regardless of what mistake she made, she's my blood. You're not going to fucking stop me."
He turns on his heel and walks away from the group. Deo follows him, reaching for his arm. When he refuses to listen, she yells at him loudly enough for everyone within hearing shot to turn their attention to the commotion. 
A few angry words are exchanged between the two of them. Cadeon and steps closer to me, but because there might be people looking, he doesn't try to touch me. I can't wait to get back to our tent, which is pretty hidden from the other ones. 
That's the only time we have privacy. 
"What's going on?" he asks me in a voice so low only I can hear. 
"I'll tell you about it later," I respond. 
Deo must've told him about the pregnancy because he wraps his arms around her and lifts her in the air. Goddess, does that mean he'll stay? I have no clue. 
"We have to go," Golen says to Mom. 
I turn my face to look at them, and Mom and I make eye contact. It suddenly hits me that this could be the last time I see her, all because of Anice. I go to her and she wraps her arms around me. 
In my ear, she says, "I know you're angry at her, and maybe even at me for doing this, but I hope that one day, when you have children of your own, you'll understand."
I let the tears fall and hug her back fiercely. 
"She's just a girl," she adds. Her voice is low because she's holding back sobs. "You're all so young. She didn't know the full extent of her actions. I'm sure she didn't. That's why she was foolish enough to go to those Alphas in the first place."
I pull away. I refrain from commenting because I know it'll only sadden her, and what's the point? Mom caresses my cheek with the back of her hand, tilts her head to the side, and smiles. 
"Take care, my love. Make sure your brother doesn't do anything stupid. You were always the most sensible one. I'll come back—I promise."
My gaze flickers to Golen, who turns away, too. For a handful of beats, all I do is watch them walk away until they disappear. 
When I look back at where Corey and Deo were, I discover that they're gone. 
"Come on," Cadeon says warmly behind me, "let's go to our tent. You need some time to think after all this."
"I have to make sure Corey won't do anything stupid."
"I'm sure he won't. I don't know what Deo told him, but it was significant enough to make him forget whatever's going on."
I join his side and we start to walk through the village to get to our tent. "She's pregnant."
"Is she? That's good news."
"She's worried."
"Anyone would be."
When we get there, I sit on his lap and he pulls me close. It's so good, the feel of his arms around me after a long day. 
"Do you think they're right?" I ask. "For risking their lives?"
"I don't know," he admits. 
"Would you have done the same with Timmon?"
"If he'd risked your life and everyone else's? I don't know, but I don't think so."
I sigh. This is the part that's so tricky to me. I don't want to hate Anice—I'm not built to hate her because we're siblings. But what she's done is virtually unforgivable. 
Her age is no excuse for her behavior. We were all twenty once—I'm only a year older than her. I would've never acted this way out of jealousy or possessiveness or whatever the hell her problem was. 
"It'll be alright," he assures me before kissing the top of my head. "You'll see. One day you'll wake up and—"
The sound of screaming makes me tense up, and then I hear someone say, "Attack! Everyone run!"
I almost sob. 
Not again.