“Scarlett,” Bradley cried, sniffling. “You’re my sister! I love you!” Scarlett sneered. She grabbed his forearm, near his elbow-joint. Under her thumb, a small ‘x’ was ingrained in Bradley’s skin. The ‘x’, his family mark that connected all his relatives, sent a wave of dispair and sorrow over him at his sister’s touch.

Bradley’s watery eyes blinked, and tears spilled. “Please, Scarlett,” he whimpered. “You’re my sister. You’re my family.” Scarlett scoffed.

“You’ve broken the bond. Family means nothing,” she spat. Bradley grabbed the identical ‘x’ on her arm. She didn’t feel a thing. “Family means nothing,” she whispered.