Sunblind by Michael Griffo Page B

family?”
    My grip is so tight I expect The Weeping Lady to shriek in pain. The tips of my fingers are white, and I loosen my hold slightly just so I don’t accidentally break off a branch and reveal my hiding place to the bickering siblings below. They’re still about two hundred yards away, but they’re walking in this direction, so in no time at all they’ll be passing right underneath me.
    â€œWe’re all in this together, Nap,” Nadine answers. “You know that.”
    At some point I stop listening to their words, because even though I hear them clearly, I have no idea what they’re talking about. However, I am learning a great deal by listening to the tones of their voices.
    It’s come as no surprise that Nadine is the louder one, the angrier one, the one who seems to be steering the conversation. In their twinlationship it’s clear that she’s the dominant force, the one with the more aggressive personality. Napoleon has always been the follower. I don’t know if he’s technically younger or if Nadine, being a girl, is just more authoritative, but Nap definitely takes a backseat to his sister. Until he decides the ride is better up front.
    â€œThe only thing I know, Nadine,” he replies, “is that somewhere along the way you appointed yourself the boss of us all.”
    While Nadine’s voice is brittle and loud and shrill, Napoleon’s is quiet. But within that softer sound lies some unexpected strength. Their roles have become reversed; the butterfly’s wings are made of steel, and the bee’s stinger is easily bent.
    Stopping in her tracks directly beneath me, Nadine makes her brother turn around to face her. I don’t know if his words shocked her so much that she can’t move or if she’s adopting some strategy to make Nap have to react to her sudden actions. Either way she appears to be unsettled.
    â€œA long time ago I made a choice,” she says, trying hard to keep her voice even. “A choice to control my fate and not be a pawn in someone else’s game.”
    Now when Napoleon’s voice echoes throughout the empty land and into the air, it sounds different. Because it’s the sound of laughter.
    â€œYou really think you’re in control?” Napoleon asks when his laughter finally subsides. “You’re being used just like I am.”
    Nadine’s lips form a smile, but there is no indication whatsoever that she’s going to laugh. It’s the creepiest, most malicious-looking smile I’ve ever seen. I press my thighs and ankles closer to the trunk of the tree and tighten my grip so I don’t slip. There is no way that I want these two to see me. I have got to keep my presence hidden because I know—somehow—that they’d rather kill me than let me live if they discovered I overheard their argument.
    â€œI’m not being used because I’ve chosen what side I want to be on!” Nadine rails at her brother. “Now you’ve got to do the same thing!”
    For the first time Napoleon raises his voice, and it’s as unexpected as thunder on a beautiful summer day.
    â€œI have made a choice!”
    Breathing deeply, Nadine takes a step closer to her brother. “And whose side are you on?”
    Not backing down at all, Nap moves into his sister. It’s like he’s suddenly found courage because he doesn’t think he has an audience.
    â€œMine.”
    I can tell that it’s the wrong answer even if Napoleon can’t.
    Without saying another word, he turns and starts to walk away, letting his fingers graze against the trunk of the tree. He peels off a piece of bark and flicks it into the air. If he looks up to watch it fly he’ll look right into my eyes, so I melt even closer into the body of The Weeping Lady, wishing that I could somehow burrow inside of the tree to completely disappear so Napoleon won’t see me. But before