Why is it that people take all the essential things in life for granted? And why are people more likely to see the value of possessions rather than their fellow man? Who knows if one day the person they mistreated or looked down on will one day be in a position to save their life...

"Lil. Are you okay? You seem to be lost in thought?" "I'm okay. Just, contemplating life's unanswerable questions again dad, there's no need to worry." "Well knowing you, I believe you may find an answer that will no doubt put everyone else to shame. But, try not to think too hard, you're still young."

"Yes, Sir. Anyways, how long will you be gone for this time?" "Well there's a big project in the company, as well as the situation with your sisters, and the apprentices. I may be gone for a couple of months." "oh...wow that's unexpected." "If it bothers you I could refuse or put it off for a while." "No, I can't have you do that for my sake. They may think you irresponsible or you'll just end up having to do it later. Just bring me back some cool souvenirs." "Will do. Now, where are your brothers?"

"I believe they're still sleeping, Ash was out working late and if i remember correctly Roam was preparing for the sporting tournament." "Well, I decided to visit with the intention of eating one of your delicious lunches before setting out. But, with those 2 sleeping in we may as well go hungry. I'll go wake them up." "Dad, please. Believe me it's better if you don't." "Lilly what are you saying exactly?" "Dad, they can't hunt,... or should i say it's not that they can't but that they shouldn't." "Explain."

"Ash wanted to show off, so, one day he lit a flaming arrow which caused the turkey to go wild as it caught on and spread fire to all the nearby trees while it became engulfed in flames. I had to put it down and had it not rained we would have lost more than just that small chunk of forest. We went without food that day and I had to plant saplings for an entire week.

And Roam invited some of his friends to campout and hunt on our land over the break. I went to check on them after 3 days. It turned out none of them were at camp, but there was a small mountain of foul smelling carcasses. I went angrily looking for them and found them surrounded by wolves with a dead baby deer behind them. I tried to convince them to leave the deer but they refused claiming it was some kind of trophy. So... I jumped off the tree grabbed one of their knives cut off the head and told them to leave the deer to the wolves. They were reluctant but I made them, arguing that they weren't gonna eat it anyways. When we got to their campsite, I made them clean up then promptly kicked them out. They hunted more than they ate and left the rest to rot. If I had let them stay I don't know what would become of the forest. I was busy catching fish and wild birds for dinner for most of the month until, the animals with enough sense to flee slowly came back."

Mr.Rhodes sat there stunned for quite a while. and wondered if it was even legal to allow such dangerous young men into society. He also wondered if he was a good father or if he, in fear for their safety, had been too neglectful of his children.

"Dad, i know what you're thinking and no one blames you. Ash just needs to remember that, the world isn't like his video games and Roam fails to realize that, all his actions carry consequence. We all have faults and people to keep us in check." "Thank you, Lilly."

Mr.Rhodes once again counted himself grateful for having a daughter like her. She had a gift when it came to making people feel better.

Lilly prepared lunch while her dad decided that it was time to wake up his sons and give them a lecture on responsibility before allowing them to eat. Unexpectedly their uncle Tiele (aka their dad's business partner) showed up to "deliver files" and then quickly found himself a seat and plate for food, which caused the whole family to erupt in laughter.

Finally it was time and Mr.Rhodes departed with the words, "While I'm gone Lilly you're in charge, don't let your brothers run wild, and don't forget to lock up at night. Try to act normal." "Dad, define normal."

A leopard cannot change its spots

The project has been set in motion while it may be time-consuming, I believe, the board members and their families also see this as the only solution to our current problem.

"Sir, we have completed most of the preparations for the banquet. Was it really necessary to send out a person to spy on Mr. Tiele?" "Of course it was necessary. This is the first time he has agreed to attend one of our events and we may finally convince him to sign on as a partner. The man is shrewd and rumor has it he only shows favour to a select few. We must learn everything we can about him." Tap Tap Tap "Sir, I have come to give my report." "Perfect timing, you may proceed."

"Mr.Tiele was consistent in following his usual routes from home to work then back. He works about 13 hours a day every work day. On day 4 of this week he managed to avoid an assassination attempt at a restaurant which, put one of his gaurd's life at risk as well as three of his workers. He was in a foul mood for the rest of the day leading into the next. He refused to eat everything set before him."

"Well, the man still has to eat. What was his solution? Will he even eat the food served at the banquet?"

"Well he, left work early with a file in hand, he sent his guards away with his car to act as a decoy, while he then drove himself to a house in the nearby forest. I watched through the window as he quickly, grabbed a seat, grabbed a plate, and ate two helpings of food. He even ate dessert with no questions, fear, or hesitation. He also laughed and conversed with the family for a long time before finally returning to work, then home. End of report."

Mr.Briggs sat and pondered for a while who were these people who held this man's unrestrained trust? What was their connection to the ruthless shark and king of the business industry? In his mind these people presented a profitable opportunity and possibly even the key to his assured success.

"Run a background check, get me all the information you can on them, and give them an invitation to the banquet, these people may be useful to us yet. Dismissed." "Yes, sir."

What determines a friend? What qualities would others use to justify calling someone their friend. Just like water acts as a mirror to reflect your face so does your life and friends reflect the heart of who you are. But, what if you don't have friends? If bad company spoils good character then the opposite could be true as well.

"I'll have to experiment with that theory one day..." "What theory did you come up with this time Lil?" "Maybe you'll have the honor of knowing someday Ash." "Yeah, right. Anyways why did dad leave you in charge, if I'm the oldest?" "Hmmm, I wonder maybe he was worried you'd burn the house down." "Yeah, Lil, I just have two things to say. One, that innocent expression doesn't fool me and two I can't believe you told him." "Ash, you know I mean you no harm. You're my brother and I love you but I also care very much for this home it's the only memory I have left of mom. Do you want me to leave with step mother? To learn to 'become a proper lady' so that you can be in charge of this place?" "Lilly she was my mom too and that's not what I meant. I know how much this place means to you, I just wish dad trusted me as much as he trusts you." "I mean he trusts you enough to look after me. You and Roam even got the chance to go to school. We can't have everything we want in life." "Sis do you realize you're probably the only person complaining, about not going to school." "They may as well make the most of it. If they don't they're the ones missing out, believe me."

Knowledge is power

"Ash hurry up!!! We have to leave now if we want to get good seats." "What's the runt competing in this time?" "Roam is not a runt. He's taller than both of us." "Only by a cm." "My point stands. He's competing in the martial arts tournament. I've been helping him train." "Of course you have, your skills are legendary." "You dare to use sarcasm with me?" "Only a little, but i gotta say your teaching skills are quite impressive." "Thank you, now let's go."

As soon as she opened the door, they both saw and shared an awkward moment with the man in the suit who was poised and ready to knock. Ash then quickly moved in front of his sister.

"Who are you, who sent you, and why are you here?" "I come here on behalf of Mr.Briggs to invite your family to the company banquet. In truth we are inviting you to cook at the banquet as a sort of favor to us." "Thanks for the invitation. I don't cook and I was previously invited by the company to attend." "So you work for the company, even better, your assistance is required." "Required? So you're going to fire me if I refuse?" "Hello everyone, I'm still here. Pleasure to meet you and all that. Speaking frankly, my brother can't cook. I also do not work for you and am in no way obligated to do you any favors." "Ummm... miss, I wa-" "I don't believe I was finished speaking. Further more I don't like your tone, so you better start changing it for the good of your company. Don't try to use my brother against me there are plenty of other companies in the city. Also seeing as you need me and I am in no mood to help you, it is in your best interest to convince me. Otherwise, you may leave our land."

The man stood stunned at the door. No mere peasant had ever dared to turn down a request from Mr.Briggs. In the seven years he had worked for the company he had encountered only a handful of people who had the capacity to render him speechless. Having ties with Mr.Tiele this girl had to be anything but normal. Her identity aside, she was right, she's the only person who could be entrusted with this job.

"Miss, our boss has recently received the possibility of a partnership with Mr.Tiele. A few days ago he was nearly poisoned at a restaurant. We are now worried that our competitors may use spies to poison him and place the blame on us. There is also a chance he may forego eating." "So you followed him... and stumbled upon your solution. Me." "Yes." "Well... I'll consider it, right now we have somewhere to be. If you delay us by saying one more word the answer will be no. Do you understand?" He nodded once in response. She smiled. "Good. According to the invitation given to my brother the banquet starts at 7 with food served at 8. If I show up you'll have my answer."

She realized they had missed the first round of battles which left her a little peeved. Then they watched as their brother dodged, blocked, and struck his opponents all the way to the top 3. His perseverance and training had paid off. He never seemed to stop moving. He tried out every sport and got awards in 80 percent of them. After the event they had agreed to meet up but, Roam soon became surrounded by a flood of people.

Lilly knew her brother had been getting into fights lately which had left her worried. Looking at the crowd though you wouldn't know it. She was happy for him and slightly jealous. She wanted to cry out in frustration. There's a season and time for everything. So when would it be time for her to stop living in the shadows like a ghost.

"Well looks like we'll be waiting for a while, so?" "So what?" "Have you decided?" "I'm going to do it. I can't be mean to uncle Tiele. You're going too and it's more convenient for us to stick together. That company's boss also needs to learn to respect privacy."

I don't want regrets. Everyone has plans but no one knows what the future holds in store. If I want to see a change I have to initiate it. This is my life, my story. And...

Everyone's journey begins with a single step.