Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Snow and wind ragged, blowing small snowflakes into Caleb’s face as he kept walking, fighting the storm with all the strength he had. He didn't know where he was going anymore and didn't want to turn around and find out. 

His limping grew slower as he grew more exhausted. But he kept a tight hold on his sleeping younger brother, who carried under his tan jacket but kept him resting with his head on his shoulder. A few hours before was a massacre painful for Caleb to imagine. The starvation weakened the fort and allowed the Indians to attack and slaughter hundreds like cows. As their father tried to lead them to safety Caleb was shot in the leg and was left to die. But when Philip was given the choice to stay with his brother or his father, he was too naive to leave Caleb behind.

And so the three were separated. Caleb found a way out of the fort and never looked back. But now the adrenaline wore off and he couldn't fight the storm anymore.

But he needed to press on, but the cold nipped at his ears and his fingers and feet went numb. His lips were slowly turning blue and it was hard for him to breathe. Hopping a few steps more felt so much heavier than the last. But he needed to press on; if he falls, they both die.

But eventually, his joints were frozen, and he couldn't go on. But he swore he saw a candlelight in the distance. He suddenly was filled with hope seeing that it was a wagon in the distance. He opened his mouth to call out but nothing came out of his throat other than the smoke of his breath. His younger brother Philip, woke up moments before Caleb fell. He scrambled out of Caleb’s tight and frozen grasp and saw the wagon himself. He was much more bundled up than Caleb and was much warmer than his brother now almost frozen solid.

“Help us!! Please!! Help!!” Philip called fearful of watching his brother freeze to death before him. He saw the lanterns move closer, and he kept crying out, trying to shake Caleb awake.

Two men and a woman came running. Both men looked in their 30s with rifles attached to their backs and wore fur over their coats. One was brunette, and the other was ginger with longer hair. The woman was also wearing fur and was shorter than the two and maybe older with long raven black hair. Philip backed up looking at guns on each man's back.

“He needs help,” Philip shivers. Pulling Caleb close. The woman's gaze lands on Caleb, her green eyes wide in terror. She goes to pick up the frozen child of 8 and asks the men on either side of her to help get him furs and things to warm him up. As they walk back to the cart, Philip follows behind them. She brings him to the back of the cart with a round hood to protect them from the winds. The cart was much warmer because of that. She helped Philip climb inside and got Caleb wrapped in furs they had planned to trade. But they had to turn back to bring him to a town.

Philip did not remember much of the ride, just the fear he had watching the older women beg Caleb to stay awake and yell at the two men driving to go faster. He blacked out in his own fear until they reached their cabin and immediately ran in with the woman holding Caleb close and wrapped with fur Philip watched as one of the men brought wood inside to light a fire and both boys were put down in front of the stone fireplace while the woman ran to bring them large quilts. 

The cabin they were in was quite warm and smelt of pine and burning wood. Caleb was placed in the middle, close to the fireplace, covered in blankets. He was still somehow awake, blinking occasionally, but was unable to move. The two older men talked amongst each other about Caleb. Loud enough for them to hear but quiet enough to sound like a whisper.

“I've never seen a natural blonde before,” the ginger says. Philip glares but says nothing, keeping near his brother trying to use his body heat to warm him up like how Caleb did so in the storm.

“White as snow, he was hard to spot,” the other replied. The two men went up the steep stairs to go to bed while the young woman made a warm stew, and upon smelling it, both kid's stomachs rumble with hunger. The frostbite closed Caleb's wounds but later would have to be reopened to get the bullets out.

Caleb struggled to sit up, his knuckles slipped on the hardwood floor and kept him from gaining any form of balance. The woman cooking heard him slip and went to aid him.

“Let me help you, child,” she says sweetly, helping him sit up. Philip backed up but glared daggers into her soul. His face says, “If you do anything, you're dead,” just by his eyes. Caleb shivered but couldn't stop her, but by the wrinkle of his hooked nose, he could tell he wasn't a fan. The kind woman gave Philip a bowl of stew to feed the thin boy (distract him) while she helped Caleb eat. Caleb moved away and fought back with little strength. The woman frowned.

“This is meant to warm you up, child,” she says kindly, but she is losing patience.

Caleb took the spoon out of her hands to eat himself. His hands shook so much it was hard to keep anything on his spoon but he managed anyway

Both boys shoved their faces in stew eating quickly and a lot at a time, so fast Philip almost choked on a small potato.

They didn't remember the last time they ate. How long were they walking for? Caleb had tended to his leg wound but was not well enough to be able to walk normally.

Both boys could tall well, either, from what she noticed. Caleb never uttered a word other than wheezes and coughs. And Philip didn't talk enough for her to really know if he could.

Caleb felt so much warmer after he ate, and so did Philip. It wasn't long before Caleb could move again, and when he could, he moved away from the woman as far as possible, leaning his back on the wall. Philip was behind him as he normally was when Caleb was scared.

The woman ignored his fear and instead placed a few elk hides on the floor by the fire far enough to be shielded by the intense heat. She placed a few pillows on the hide, put a folded quilt on the pile, and walked past them to leave. In her mind, she couldn't really calm him down while he was not in any good state of mind, so she would leave and hopefully give him the comfort to go on his own.

She couldn't get attached to these kids as much as she wanted to. And as soon as she went to her husband’s room she was stopped by him by the door.

“We have to tell Hudson about this,” the tall ginger says sternly.

“Matt thinks the blonde might be an angel of some sort sent by God” he added.

“I think so too, he might be a messenger to him” she replied with a nod.

“So keep away from him; we don't need him corrupted by your sin,” the ginger spat, making the woman flinch.

“Yes my husband,” she says looking down as she walks past him

5 years ago Caleb and his younger brother Philip were brought to Gravesfield in search of a warm place to stay. The day after Caleb was brought to the church to be spoken by the minister, Hudson. As he walked through the town with his brother at his side he watched the fort eye him in awe. He was as white as the snow below him. His skin was very pale. The only flaw on his skin was the bruises under his eyes. His hair was curly and tied into a low pony with a small hanging noodle. His eyes held not a single sign of life and looked forward blankly. Everyone thought he was some kind of angel or a savor of sorts.

The younger brother grew jealous of the attention Caleb got. They were related yet showed no similarities. He wanted to be a hero like Caleb and admittedly thought Caleb was a god-like being as well. Someone who couldn't be killed or wrong.

But the town was scared of Caleb, and for good reason. He was strong and after taking the role as a community guardsman he only grew stronger as he got older.

He was never handed power on a bright silver platter however. If the people thought he was God's helper he was given tasks that exhausted him as a mortal and a child. But the pressure made it hard for him to say no. He was god’s angel, he had to for the good of the people. He was never given a home and as a parent he was left alone with his brother. 

The pressure to be perfect was crushing him slowly and only got worse when the first witch was accused. Young Miss Adelaide Loraine. A wild young woman who couldn't keep her mouth shut for the life of her. Accused of witchcraft for speaking with animals. Everyone came to him with a panic on their faces. Hudson asked him if she served the devil and Philip stood by his side looking at him, seeming to know more than he did and a grin. If he lets her go the people would live in fear of her and if he kills her he would be taking a life that never served the devil. Caleb was not an angel and certainly no saint. But with all the death he's seen he had no sympathy to keep her alive. It's a mercy kill in his eyes. And when he was asked whether she was guilty or not he nodded his head and she was guilty of her crimes of witchcraft. Philip looked proud as he was the one to accuse her. Philip and Hudson lead the witch hunts and Caleb was dragged in as gods judge.

Now Caleb stayed away from the fort and ventured out to get some time away from his reality. His leg that was shot never quite healed but he was luckily able to go on as normal. He didn't look like the child the settlement thought was a spawn from heaven anymore. While he still had some he looked beaten and sickly now. His eyes were much more droopy, the bruises only got larger and the whites of his eyes were a faded yellow. He had a huge scar on the right side of his face now healed only leaving a trail of stitches from his cheek and upper lip to under his right eye. His arms and hands were constantly covered in some kinds of cuts. And his hair lost its curl from him neglecting hygiene from his time in the army. He balanced on a fallen tree that got him over a small flooded stream. Spring came much later this year and so many lives were lost to its cruelty. Caleb was relieved he was spared. He was supposed to be finding a place for the bodies that lined the street but the smell made him nauseous. But he was gone for a while and now that he was thinking of it he should return home.

fumingurned back he didn't realize he was being watched. A young girl in the bushes was watching him with a small blush on her face. She was dressed like she was raised in the wild with a mismatch colored dress and unruly deep red hair. She recognized his deep blue jacket and white pants tucked into his knee high leather boots as part of a uniform. And knew he was some kind of soldier. So she stayed hidden and admired his looks from a distance before she had to go.

Philip worked hard for his position as a witch hunter. And he fought to keep that role. He didn't really get along with any other kids because of his need for control and how hot headed he was. A majority of the time either Hudson or Caleb would smack him on the back of the head just to get him to shut up during court hearings. He grew up into talking more, he was more social than Caleb when he was a little younger but now years later after watching the bodies pile up on the streets he couldn't attach himself to anyone else but Caleb. The amount of times that Caleb made him watch him having to carry the frozen and sick bodies in a cart as a way to send a message to him about blindly trusting anyone let alone stray from God's word. The more Caleb played into the godly role forced upon him the more Philip believed it. The more Philip believed every word and every message that Caleb gave him. And it made whenever Caleb let any witch Philip accused go hurt the most. He wanted to be as good as him, to be seen in the town the way he was. But no matter what he never could be him. He was seen as “Caleb’s younger brother” , the last person on anyone’s mind.

Now he sits in the court house being the fill in for Caleb while he was out doing god knows what.

“When would Caleb be back?” one man in uniform asks sharply, causing Philip to wrinkle his nose with annoyance. He stood from his chair and spoke.

“Whenever he feels necessary, but what you want could be answered by me as of now” he hissed back tightening his jabot around his neck. 

“He would know more about the situation at hand, sit down” the man added with the same annoyed tone. Philip huffed with a scoff but sat down when he felt a glare come from Hudson next to him.

Caleb opened the door behind the men and without a word took his seat.

“Ah! there you are Wittebane!" The man smiled slightly.

“I thought we would have to answer to the youngest” he grumbled. Philip shrank in his seat once he saw Caleb side eye him before rolling his eyes.

“Speak you needs” Caleb spoke up with a husky voice.

“We come from Jamestown-” he says before he was cut off by Caleb. Caleb let out a chuckle.

“Oh really?” Caleb sneered taking the members of the court back by his sudden behavior change.

“Sir we-”

“Oh! You're here to ask him for something?” Philip spoke with amusement in his tone before Caleb quickly shut him up with a hard slap to the back of the head.

“We were all starved and we have nowhere to go” the man begged.

“not my problem, did you pass the bodies laying in the street on your way here? We can barely supply our own” Caleb spoke sternly.

“Caleb, if they can prove themselves useful, maybe they could stay,” Hudson says softly.

“Fair enough, how many are you?” Caleb asks, keeping his sternness.

“Just me and my wife sir” he says meekly upon Caleb’s tone. Philip smiles seeing such submission after the attitude he had given him.

“Fine, but we won't supply you with anything” it hurt for Caleb to speak much so normally he only spoke during hearings. But now he felt a burning in his throat.

“This meeting is over” Hudson and a few chairman got up to leave, until nobody was left but Caleb and Philip. And before Philip could leave Caleb stopped him.

“Sit,” Caleb spoke sternly. Philip felt a chill down his spine but obayed. Looking up at Caleb with fear in his eyes

“What right do you have to speak for me” Caleb scolded raising his voice only a little before he broke into coughing. Philip stood to try and help him but was pushed away. His back hit the chair and pushed it away.

“Do you not like your title boy?! Do you want to keep your place here!” Caleb hissed with a raspy voice stepping forward. Philip backed up and shook his head, his eyes wide in fear.

“Keep that mouth of yours in check! Fools with no control are the weak link in our society!” he snarled. Philip’s eyebrows lowered to argue but then he realized how right Caleb was.

“All those who hang now are there because they acted up! Acting afool! I will not have my own blood fall as they did! Do you understand!?” Caleb thundered pulling Philip by the cowlick of his brunette hair to get him closer. Philip yelped and pulled back.

“Yes! Yes i understand!” Philip yelped in pain. Caleb let go realizing how harsh he’s treating him. As soon as he let go Philip stumbled back grabbing his cowlick with tears welling in the corners of his eyes.

“Leave. Now.” Caleb hissed pointing at the door before Caleb could get any more mad than he was. Philip scrambled to his feet and rushed out the door like a dog with his tail between his legs. Hudson entered just as he left and saw Caleb fumeing. Caleb took a deep breath as soon as he saw Hudson.

“What am I going to do with him?” Caleb sighed.

Chapter Text

“You could always give him to the church.” Minister Hudson suggested as he walked past him, looking forward, but felt Caleb’s glare back as much as he tried to ignore it.

“And I said no.” Caleb turned his head back, his arms crossed behind his back. 

“You know it would be for the good of his own soul, we can't have him be tempted while you run off.” Hudson looks back at him to meet his gaze. Hudson looked at him smug.

“I can keep him away from the square if he bothers you so much” Caleb rolled his eyes turning to leave uncrossing his hands as he pushed open the court doors.

“Now Wittebane-” Hudson began grabbing Caleb by his wrist before he could leave. Caleb whipped his head around to look not at him, but at the hand that grabbed his wrist. Caleb’s brows lowered and his nose wrinkled into a snarl. He pulls his hand away before he spoke.

“You will never take my brother from me” he growled calm enough to scare any civilian. All except Hudson.

“Not even God could fix him, someone like you wouldn't be able to either. You know what's right Caleb, its either bringing him closer to the devine right or he hangs” Hudson lowers his brow stareing directly into his hazel eyes. he knew Caleb hated eye contact, it made him nervous. But as expected Caleb looked away turning to the door.

“I've heard enough” Caleb hissed through clenched teeth and let the door slam behind him as he left. Hudson stayed there until the door shut with a grin of his face. If Caleb was really devine that “brother” of his was truely corrupting him. If he could keep Caleb from turning to the devil he could secure his place in heaven and keep on his path of righteousness. He just needed to get that kid of his to follow or get out of his way. 

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Philip scribbled his frustration into his journal he had stopped himself from crying but he still had redness under his eyes from his tears. In his mind he was just trying to help, Caleb doesn't talk much so he thought speaking up would help him. He didnt expect Caleb to blow up the way he did. He stopped when he heard Caleb come in. both brothers locked eyes after Philip turns his head from where he sat in the dining room. Caleb sighed.

“Pip i'm-” Philip glares down at his book.

“Dont be like that Pip” 

“I only tried to help you” Philip grumbled. Caleb walks closer until his hand was on Philip’s shoulder.

“I know, and I shouldn't have pulled your hair” Caleb kneels down to get to his level.

“But you have to understand, your in danger if you keep talking like that. Hudson wants you dead if you keep stepping out of your rank” Caleb says calmly but had a stern tone.

“Untrue! i'm a witch hunter just like he is!” Philip stood in shock and betrayal.

“He says your straying from God” Caleb keeps his stern tone.

“No i'm not!.. Honest!!”

“I know, just lay low for a while. If you can try and help with sermons instead of just listening-”

“I’m your blood, your devine, wouldn't you know if I had a place in heaven or not?” Philip butted in. Caleb didnt know how to respond, he knew he wasn't some kind of angel but if he lied and said he was then what kind of brother would he be if Philip was doomed to hell and couldn't catch it?

“I'm not next to God now am I?” Caleb replied hopeing Philip wouldnt argue.

“That's… true…” Philip looked down.

“I won’t let the devil touch you, okay? But I can only help if you also help yourself,” Caleb looks at Philip with kind eyes.

Philip nodded.

“What am I going to do if they think I strayed too far?” Philip asks his eyes watered.

“I will handle it, I will never let them hurt you so long as I live” Caleb wipes the tears from Philip’s eyes before pulling him into a hug.

“Pinky swear?” Philip asks once he pulled away sticking out his pinky.

“Philip you’re 10 you are too old for this”

“You’ve never broken a pinky swear”

Caleb nodded before locking his pinky with his.

“I swear to you i will never EVER let anyone hurt you” Caleb repeated. Philip smiled slightly.

“There is a witch hunt this evening, maybe I could show that i’m following god then” Philip thought out loud. Caleb cringed in his mind, he hated the sounds of screaming and ever since he came back from a brutal battle he was more hesitant to witch hunts.

“That works” he says with a nod keeping that fear down.

                                  >>><<< 

BONG BANG BONG

The church bell rang loudly a quarter past when the brother had sat down for supper. At that time Caleb was taking down the laundry while Philip was dragging the basket up the stairs and into the house.

“Its the witch hunt!” Philip smiled dropping the basket by the door before rushing up the stairs to change into his “witch hunting outfit” which was just anything but his casual clothes. Caleb on the other hand didnt share the excitement and went to put on his blue jacket to complete his uniform and waited by the front door for Philip to finish. Philip rushed downstairs wearing his wooden deer mask and followed Caleb as they left running a bit ahead.

Caleb stayed behind but as soon as he heared the screams of the “witch” they were burning Caleb struggled to keep walking forward. The pebbles in the path he walked on changed to look like silver and gold bullets. he looked up trying to ignore what he saw. The grass grew darker and a pit formed in Caleb’s stomach once he smelt the burning rotten flesh of the woman being burned. The fire seemed to spead from the light it made on the houses and grass.

He was watching the whole town burn..

He froze hearing just the screams and begs to be let go as the town cheered. His legs were rotted into the ground as much as he tried to run. The fire consumed the crowed and made its way to him. Each flame seemed to be reaching out to him the pops and cracks the fire made as it burned sounded like screams of hundreds of people at once. But Caleb was forced to listen.

He couldnt breathe nor could he move. And only had to watch as the fire consumed him.

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“Caleb…”

“Caleb!!...” 

“Caleb!”

Caleb gasped for air and coughed as he tried to get up. His head and heart was pounding so hard he couldn't even slightly lift his head. He backed up slightly and realized he was laying on the gravel with a young woman around his age sitting on her knees behind him. His back was pressed against her knees. Philip was infront of him who along with the woman behind him tried to keep him laying down.

“Stay down, me and Philip will get you home” the woman says pressing two fingers on his neck while Philip watched in fear not knowing what to do.

The woman tending to him looked messy, her deep red hair had twigs and leaves her green corset was stained with mud and he felt the sheep wool below the corset as his head was lifted into her lap. There was a small crowed with Hudson nearby watching him get then carried by this strange woman who seemed to have calmed him from being possessed. She clearly was a servant of god if she was able to calm a man from being possessed by the devil’s magic. Hudson lowered his brow before he took his leave. So did the rest of the crowd once Caleb was taken away.

Once home Caleb was placed down on an old mattress in his room.

“Is there anyway I can help Evelyn?” Philip asks standing by the door. Evelyn placed her hand on Caleb’s forehead.

“Run to the well and give me a pail of cold water and a rag” Evelyn spoke kindly sitting on next to Caleb. Philip ran off immediately. Caleb’s eyelids flickered open as he let out a grumble of pain. 

“Stay still, you’re okay” Evelyn backed up a little.

“Get some rest okay?” she asks standing up and went to take off his jacket. Caleb flinched but was too sore to stop her. He only nodded and watched her hang his jacket up before Philip came in and let his tiredness take over and fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Philip watched this newcomer named Evelyn pressed a wet rag on Caleb’s forehead. Caleb flinched and grabbed her wrist with little to no grip.

“What happened?” Philip asks, moving closer. Evelyn didn't know if she should tell him the full truth. She knew the town's superstition and worried Caleb or her would be accused.

“I'm not sure fully” Evelyn sighed, prying Caleb's hand off her wrist. Caleb's hand falls in front of his face completely limp.

She gets up and looks at Philip who stood by the bed.

“Give him space to rest, okay? He'll be healthy soon” Evelyn looks back at Caleb and hides her unease well once she notices the yellow in Caleb's eyes or the redness of his skin. She couldn't tell the boy this or her identity would be revealed. She had to act dumb as much as she hated it with every fiber of her body.

Caleb was very very sick, and his little episode during the witch hunt was a symptom of it. She just couldn't leave him to die either.

As Evelyn left the room she paced in the kitchen while brewing Caleb some tea. Would using magic really be worth the risk? Or is she being naive? All these questions started to eat away at her. What would her father think? If she left someone to die in front of a child too young to know how to care for himself? When she heard him coughing upstairs she made a decision.

She was going to help them.

She hid a spell circle behind the kettle as she walked upstairs with it on a tray. Philip stayed to the side knowing full well there wasn't much he could do to his knowledge but he took notes on what she did.

“What is so evil to have corrupted him like this?” Philip thought to himself, tapping his pen onto the paper trying to gather his shattered thoughts enough to put it into words.

He was corrupt after the witch was burned, what else could have happened?

“He says your straying from God”

Was this God’s punishment? He’s straying so now Caleb pays the price? 

What would Hudson think? Hudson had Caleb on a leash he would know immediately if he had corrupted Caleb. 

When Evelyn came down the stairs she noticed Philip tapping his pencil onto the paper quickly. She set the tray in her hands on the coffee table infront of Philip and gently grabbed his hand holding the pen and kneeled down to look at him directly.

“Whats wrong?” she asks with a sweet tone.

“Is Caleb going to be okay?” Philip asks looking at her before pulling his hand away.

“Yes, Give him time and he’ll be fine, he passed out he's gonna have a headache” Evelyn nodded.

Philip nodded in return. He would be killed if Hudson saw. If he is to blame he would be the next on the chopping block.

“Do you know who could have done this?” Philip asks with a little fear in his eyes.

“What?.. Nobody did that to him, he got scared and had a panic attack and passed out” Evelyn let that truth slip out of her own confusion forgetting that humans were very strictly religious and didn't know medicine like she did.

“so it wasn't my fault?” Philip asks

“No, its natural and once he gets some rest he’ll be just like he was before” Evelyn nodded standing up while Philip put his journal to the side. 

So thats what Philip did, he gave Caleb space to recover and took over the chores before Caleb could get up and do them himself. Evelyn came by to check in but Caleb was increasingly hesitant to let her help. Evelyn had gained a bit of favor from the town after that night because in their eyes she had stop Caleb from being corrupt so walking in and out of town wasn't a hassle as it used to be. 

Minister Hudson on the other hand hateing seeing the two together. Caleb started to meet her after church so Evelyn could question him about his heath as he healed but it distracted Caleb during the sermons too. He even started to prove the innocence of witches even more. What was she doing to him? He growing more distant from the church and that could mean that Hudson could lose the person who could guarantee his entry into heaven. 

He turned his head to look at Philip who was sitting next to Caleb across from him while a volunteer gave a speech. 

Maybe that kid could be of use to him after all.

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“Morning Caleb!” Evelyn called happily once she saw Caleb leave the church. She jumped up and down waveing to him with a bright smile. Caleb saw her in the corner of his eye and grumbled to himself before he made his way to her so she didnt look like a fool. As they walked home Evelyn started to skip happily.

“I brought you some pies” Evelyn holds her woven basket with a checkered cloth covering the goods to the side of her careful not to swing it too much. Caleb’s face flustered with red for a brief second.

“Evelyn you didn't-” Caleb began before Evelyn cuts him off.

“I did, look at you Caleb, your so very thin and I want to keep my friend fed” Evelyn nodded with a proud look on her face.

“My family loves makeing food anyway so I brought you jams too with the wild berries I found” Evelyn hands him the basket which felt warm and smelt heavenly.

“What kind of berries?” Caleb asks

“I made jams from blackberries and raspberries, and the pies are plum and elderberry” Evelyn smiled brightly. Caleb lifts the cloth to reveal two medium sized jars of black and red jam topped with the same print of fabric and two small pies kept in a nice box made from thin wood and a small loaf of bread on top.

“I cannot thank you enough” Caleb’s eyes were wide in surprise with just how much she brought. Evelyn flicks her wrist.

“Oh, no need for that, I want to keep you healthy and a good way to start is to get you eating” Evelyn teases as she nudges him gently with her elbow. Caleb slightly smiles, Evelyn’s bubbly attitude was growing on him a little.

“But I do ask if it is okay if I use your porch to dry my herbs?” Evelyn smiles shyly.

“Is that what this is for then? To bribe?” Caleb teased as they got further from town. Evelyn noticed Caleb was more kinder outside of town, she was already made aware by Philip but now she saw it for herself.

“Maybe?” she says shyly.

Caleb scoffed.

“Well you didnt need that i would have let you”

“Really? Your not worried about the thing about witches here?” Evelyn asks.

“No? It's ingredients for cooking is it not?” Caleb raised a brow as they walked up the steps to the porch of the Wittebane house.

“Yes it is i'm just worried about how others would see it” Evelyn replied with a nod.

“Who are they gonna tell? Me?” Caleb smiled. Evelyn chuckled.

“Thats true” she smiled. Philip was waiting for them at the table writing down a few things before he heard the door creak.

“Took you long enough” Philip teased with a huff. Closing his writing. 

“Hush, Evelyn brought us some food” Caleb places the basket on the table and sorts the items inside onto the table. Evelyn stays on the porch hanging herbs she stored in her pouch on her hip from the beams on the porch.

Philip’s mouth waters at the smell of the sweet pies and Caleb sets them on the counter by the window.

“What kind of jams are they?” Philip asks opening the jar of blackberry jam and smells it.

“Dont stick your nose in it!” Caleb lectured before going to slice the bread to give the brother’s their share.

“Blackberry and raspberry” Caleb replied takeing the jar from Philip and useing a spoon spread it onto the bread and took a bite.

Caleb froze as the sweet taste of sugar danced on his tongue and the bitterness of the berry mixed at once as he swallowed slowly.

“Is it good?” Philip asks going to reach for the jar before Caleb slid it closer it him.

“No, no you wouldnt like it” Caleb says through a mouthful. 

Philip reaches further over the table.

“Let me try!”

“No! You would hate it!”

“Caleeeb” Philip managed to get the jam away from him and spread it on his own slice of bread. Once he took a bite his eyes widened.

“Wow” Philip says once he swallowed

“Do you hate it?” Caleb chuckled.

“Quite the opposite” Philip shakes his head his teaseing going right over his head. Evelyn walked in and paused seeing the brother’s jam covered lips.

“Did you like it?” she asks hideing a snicker. Both brothers nod in unison. Evelyn smiles.

“Good eat up, I can bring more tomorrow”

“No, no need we can handle ourselves. I can hunt and-”

“Caleb”

Caleb and Philip freeze.

“You can hunt if you want but i’m bringing food becuase I want to” Evelyn says sternly. Caleb sighed.

“I cant stop you it seems” he says.

Philip looks at the two smileing to one another and lowers his brows, a pit of jealousy forming in his chest.

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“Philip Wittebane” Minister Hudson called before Philip could leave the church. Philip freezes and turns around. 

“Dont be afraid child, I just want to have a quick word with you” Hudson honeyed his tone. Philip believed the fake kindness in his voice and walked back to where Hudson stood behind the podium at the back of the church shuting the bible he had set out.

“Yes?” Philip asks meeky, standing a few paces away.

“That brother of yours… do you also notice the change in his behavor?” Hudson asks with a voice fit for his role.

“No… he.. he normally runs off” Philip replied

“But with a girl?” Philip’s eyes widen.

“What are you implying sir?” Philip asks.

“Caleb is the closest to god than any of us, but he's straying to the devil’s temptations, boy, do you not see it?” Hudson hissed.

“I-”

“FOOL!!” Hudson’s voice booms slamming the bible with a loud CRACK onto the podium. Philip flinched.

“That girl possessed him to cause a fake to make us believe her!!” 

“If you don’t save him NONE of us will be among god” Hudson roared. Philip stood back his eyes wide with fear. 

“Yes sir..” Philip peeped out.

“If he falls you will be burning with him!! do you hear me boy?!”

“Yes sir” Philip nodded.

“Go now, I espect you tomorrow bright and early” Hudson turned away pointing at the door. Philip nodded and bolted out the door.