The Far West's blazing sun ruthlessly struck the arid fields where Jessy Jackson and Alex Henderson worked under the orders of the old farmer Geovane. In the shade of a knotty oak, Luva, the old and favorite orphan of the old man, peeling potatoes with mechanical precision.

  Jessy, shirtless, a scarf tied around his head, cast black looks towards Geovane, who barked orders while nervously scraping his gray beard.

  -"Move, a bunch of lazy people! If you do not end before sunset, no meal tonight!"

  Alex, sitting on a haystack, sneered by adjusting his dusty hat.

  - "Don't worry, old. We work better without your book voice."

  Geovane gave him a glossy look, but he knew he couldn't do anything against Alex's distributed. Jessy was content to hold her teeth.

  Jessy and Alex were inseparable. Their differences, however numerous, made them complementary. Where Jessy was cunning, calculating, and sometimes cruel, Alex compensated by his economic cunning and his love of luxury. Together, they formed a formidable team.

  -"You know, Alex," launched Jessy, swinging a shovel on his shoulder, "this old Geovane will eventually die in this field. And what are we doing?"

  Alexa shredded his shoulders with nonchalance.

  - "We will find a combination. As always. Don't worry, Jess. We are the best."

  Luva, who listened to them discreetly, sketched a rare smile before returning to his tasks.

  The relationship between Jessy and the farmer was explosive. Although Geovane seemed to despise them on the surface, he made them an implicit confidence to manage his farm in his absence. However, arguments often broke out.

  - "Jessy!" howled Geovane. "You still broke one of the plows, a kind of small thug!"

  Jessy, his arms crossed, replied with her usual arrogance:

  - "It's your old scrap that does not want. You have to invest in new."

  Geovane exploded, but Alex intervened, calming the old man with a skilful proposal for repair in exchange for a surplus of rations.

  In the evening, after a exhausting day, Jessy and Alex stretch on the roof of the hangar, looking at the stars.

  - "Do you think we will always end up here, to trime like dogs?" asked Alex.Jessy remained silent for a moment before answering:

  -"No. We are better than that. I don't know how, but we'll go from here. And believe me, we'll be talked about."

  Alex smiled in the dark.

  - "With you, Jess, I'm ready for anything."

  In the shade, Geovane observed them from the window of his room, a mixture of pride and fear in the eyes.The sun was slowly flowing towards the horizon, dying Lake Silver Creek with golden shades. Grim, Richard, Eva, Jack and Catrina were sitting around a campfire, the shadows extending behind them. It was a rare opportunity for them all to find themselves thus, away from the city, far from their father and the responsibilities they wore. Grim had proposed this fishing outing, feeling that a change was approaching in their lives to everyone.

  Jack and Catrina, the youngest on the band, laughed while trying to catch small fish with coarsely cut sticks. Richard, the eldest after Grim, was sitting a little further, combing his wet hair with his fingers. Eva, for his part, helped to prepare a meal with what they had been able to catch. Grim observed them with tenderness. His eyes were soft but imbued with unspeakable sadness.

  Richard was the first to break the silence. He looked up with his work and looked at Grim insistently.

  - So why this sudden idea of ??fishing, Grim? he asked in a voice.

  Grim smiles slightly, stretching an improvised cane in Richard.

  - Because it's been too long since we didn't take the time to enjoy, Richard. And I feel that we may not have many other opportunities like this.

  Eva, who listened carefully, approached and sat down near him.

  -You say that as if you were going somewhere, she launched with a touch of suspicion.

  Grim fixed the sparkling water of the lake before answering.

  - Not immediately. But we all know that things change.

  Richard frowned.

  - What do you mean, exactly?

  Grim turned to them, his serious look.

  - I mean that we will not always be together like that. Life will force us to take different directions.

  Eva crossed his arms, staring at him.

  - And you ? What direction are you going to take?

  Grim haus his shoulders, sketching a sad smile.

  - I don't know yet.

  Richard sighed deeply, observing the flames of fire.

  - Do you think we will really be ready when you decide to leave?Grim haussed an eyebrow.

  - I'm not going to leave, Richard. Not now, anyway.

  Eva launched a look at Richard, then addressed Grim.

  - It's just that we are all afraid. You are the one who holds us together. If you go away, we will have no one left to protect us ... especially with father.

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  Grim is silent, leaving the weight of Eva's words to settle. He knew she was right, but he refused to show how it affected her.

  -Father is not crazy, he said finally. He just went through things that we can't understand.

  Richard straightened up suddenly.

  - Not crazy? Grim, he scares us. He scares you too, sometimes.

  Grim shook his head.

  - It's not fear. It's trouble. He was a different man before. Strong, loving ... Then something broke in him.

  Eva nodded gently.

  - Do you think there is a chance that he becomes again as before?

  Grim sighed deeply.

  - I hope so. But I cannot guarantee it.

  Jack and Catrina bring lightness

  Jack, coming back with a freshly caught fish, approached with a triumphant smile.

  - Look at what I found! he cried, proudly raising his trophy.

  Catrina burst out laughing.

  - It's barely larger than an earthworm, Jack!

  Jack pulled his tongue before putting the fish near the fire.

  - At least, I do something while you are sitting in talking.

  Eva laughs, momentarily breaking the heavy atmosphere.

  - We all have our role here, Jack. And you are clearly the chief fisherman.

  Grim looked at the two young people having fun with a smile. They were proof that there was still joy and innocence in their group, despite everything they had gone through.

  As night fell, the group settled around the fire to share a simple but warm meal. The silence was comfortable, punctuated by the crackling of the flames and the noise of night insects.

  Eva finally broke the silence.

  - Grim, do you think we're going to stay like that forever?Grim reflects for a moment before answering.

  - Nothing ever the same, Eva. But that doesn't mean you can't stay close.

  Richard nodded, the thoughtful look.

  - As long as we don't let life keep us away from each other.

  Grim smiled slightly.

  - Exactly. No matter what happens, we will remain a family.

  The night continued peacefully, each member of the group taking advantage of this precious moment. Jack and Catrina ended up falling asleep near the fire, exhausted by their day. Eva and Richard remained awake, chatting in a low voice of childhood memories and their dreams for the future.

  Grim, meanwhile, remained silent, observing the stars. He felt both full of gratitude for this moment and weighed down by the responsibilities awaiting him.

  That evening, he swore to protect his fraternity as long as he could, no matter the sacrifices to make.The sun was slowly declining, enveloping Silver Creek in a golden light, while Grim was walking quietly with his brothers and sisters on the way back. Jack and Cathrina laughed and run in front of, carefree, while Richard and Eva, the most mature, walked next to their big brother, exchanging a few words. The atmosphere was peaceful until a familiar silhouette appeared in the distance.

  It was pink, dressed in a simple but elegant dress, her face lit by a shy smile.

  - Grim! She called, attracting the young man's attention.

  Grim raised an eyebrow, surprised but delighted to see her.

  -Continue without me, he said to his brothers and sisters. I join you later.

  They obeyed without asking questions, although Richard and Eva exchanged a worried look before leaving.

  Rose approached, her sparkling eyes with sincere concern.

  -Grim, I wanted to talk to you, she said gently.

  - All is well, pink? Grim replied, his calm but curious tone.

  She hesitated for a moment, playing with a wick of hair.

  - I heard things ... rumors, on you and your father. And on a possible departure.

  Grim frowned, avoiding his gaze.

  -People talk a lot to Silver Creek, but they know nothing, he said, shrugging their shoulders. Don't worry about me.

  - How not to worry? I know you, Grim. You hide everything behind this mask of bravery, but I see that it weighs you.

  He looked away, touched by his words but unable to admit it.

  -I used to manage things alone, he replied finally. It's not easy, but everything will be fine, I promise you.

  Rose put a hand on her arm, a simple gesture but full of warmth.

  - You don't have to wear everything alone, Grim. I'm here, even if you don't want to admit it.

  Before Grim could answer, a sarcastic voice broke the moment.

  - Well, what a touching show. The poor boy and his princess in distress.

  Grim and Rose turned around to see Mason Whitmore, dressed in his usualLuxurious clothes, a sly smile on the face.

  -What do you want, Whitmore? GRIGNA GRIM, already on the defensive.

  Mason approached slowly, his boots hitting the ground with a calculated noise.

  - Me ? Nothing at all. I was just going there, but I couldn't ignore a scene as ... fascinating.

  Rose frowned.

  -Mason, leave us alone.

  But Mason ignored his request, his eyes fixed on Grim with a glimmer of contempt.

  -You know, pink, it exceeds me that someone like you drags with ... that, he said, designating Grim from top to bottom. A guy like him does not deserve a girl like you.

  Grim hugged his fists, his dark gaze fixed on Mason.

  - Be careful what you say, Mason.

  - For what ? Because you're going to hit me? Go ahead, show everyone to what extent you are an impulsive failure.

  Grim took a step forward, but Rose interposed.

  - Stop, both! Mason, you have nothing to do here. And Grim, don't get into his game.

  A confrontation under tension

  Mason laughs gently, raising hands as a sign of false innocence.

  - Oh, I'm just talking. It’s not my fault if your serving knight is so sensitive.

  Grim hugged his teeth.

  - I won't let you talk to me like that. Neither in front of Rose nor elsewhere.

  - You won't leave me? Amusa Mason. And what are you going to do? You're nothing, Grim. Just a kid lost in a city that doesn't belong to you. I am Mason Whitmore. My name, my money, and my power are more than anything that you can ever do.

  Grim walled again, his face burning with anger, but Rose put a firm hand on his chest.

  -Grim, look at me, she said gently but firmness. It’s not worth it.

  Rose's gaze managed to appease Grim's rage a little, but he launched a last black look at Mason.

  - Continue to speak, Whitmore. One day, all your money and your arrogance will not save you.

  Mason still laughs, turning around.

  - We'll see that, Williams. But by then, try not to dream too much.

  A heavy end of emotionWhile Mason walked away, Rose sighed, visibly disappointed.

  - Why are you always allowing yourself, Grim?

  Grim looked down, ashamed but always furious.

  - I couldn't let him humiliate me like that. Not in front of you.

  Rose shook her head.

  - You have nothing to prove, Grim. Not him, not mine.

  She moved away slowly, leaving Grim alone on the way. The young man stayed there for a moment, looking at the horizon, his spirit bubbling with anger and frustration.