I was awoken by a sudden halt from all the sounds. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and grabbed Parkers hand for assistance out of the car and I could hear Stacy whisper whoa from under her breath. I went to the back of the car to grab my bags, but as I turned around, I felt a frozen cold hand on my bare shoulder and a few shivers went up my back a couple times
"Ms. Aniperria, let me take those bags for you. Or would you prefer Ms.Nolite?" A random voice broke the silence. I assumed it belonged to the hand on my shoulder.
"Uh Cieco is fine. And yes please, I could use the assistance Mr.-" I took his hand off my shoulder and waited for him to fill in the blank.
"Oh, I'm just Bautled. I am just the butler, no need to be formal with me." I could feel my bags getting lighter so I assumed Bautled took them, so I just followed the footsteps I heard trotting away. It  took me a few minutes to register that he said butler. 'Are we rich? And who is Ms. Aniperria supposed to be?' These were the two thoughts that kept circling my mind.
"And you must be Cieco, the middle child. I heard you think your family is cursed and I've also heard you have a bad temper. Well that won't be tolerated in your new home. Tell me, what's your disability?" A voice in front of me interrupted my train of thoughts.
"Yes I'm Cieco, Cieco Maud Nolite. This family is cursed and I'm not hot-headed, I'm just protective over my siblings. Also I'm blind" I could understand right away this was our new mother, the question was is she a better mother?
"I'm your new mother so no need to be protective. Call me Ms. Aniperria, or mother," she said and I could feel her power unfold before me as she stood up. I heard her footsteps receding and I felt my shoulders loosen. 'Did I seriously just stand up straighter for her?' I thought to myself. 'Wow Cieco, you've gone soft!' I wanted to punish myself for becoming soft and thinking like that, but I ignored the urge and was led to my chamber.
"Oh this one is for sure mine! It's so pretty with its laced sheets and white fluffy pillows. I would be happy to live right here forever." I heard Stacy flop onto a bed. I walked to the opposite side of the room from where I heard Stacy's voice and I felt for a bed.
"Oh these are just beautiful Cieco! And comfortable, don't you think?" Stacy's voice chimed from the other side of the room.
"Yeah, very." I couldn't quite grasp what she was saying or what I was saying because I was still distracted. I had never stood straighter for anyone except Hunter, Parker or Stacy. What was happening? Two seconds in a new home and I'm already trying to suck up? I turned all night trying to figure out what type of spell this witch had cast on me.

The next morning I woke to silence. Silence everywhere. Stacy wasn't talking, Parker wasn't being clumsy with his toys and no one else was in our room. I got up and walked around to find the closet. I felt a sign on the door, but there were small bumps on it. 'Is this, braille? I've heard about it, but Carolina never wanted me to learn it.'  My mind raced around. I couldn't figure out why she didn't want me to be able to read braille. Would I seem smarter than her? I chuckled at that thought. I threw on some clothes and ran downstairs, following a pancake aroma.
"Ah, there you are my dear. You slept in quite late." I heard Ms. Aniperrias' voice chime in once I was in the dining room.
"Morning Cieco!" Stacy's voice came from beside Ms. Aniperia's. I waved in her direction. Parker came and escorted me to my seat.
"These pancakes are delicious. Thank you Ms. Aniperria." Stacy told her.
"Oh, it's all thanks to the cook. MYGERRIA, my children would like to give their thank yous." I heard her clap and two grand doors flung open.
"You, are very welcome. I am Mygerria, your cook and I hope you children enjoy it." Mygerria said. I nodded as I heard her footsteps receding.
"Cieco, dear. It has come to my understanding that you can't read braille, so I have set up some lessons for you. There are braille signs around the house already." Ms. Aniperria, told me and once again I just nodded.
"We have a doctor in the house 24/7 for Stacy and I've started to learn sign language to talk with Parker, but he also has lessons with a tutor to learn how to properly write us messages." the house was going to be our house of improvement, that was for sure. The rest of breakfast was just Ms. Aniperria telling us what we were doing for the rest of the day and when our lessons were.
After breakfast was finished, I was led to our room and given new clothes to change into and told to sit while I waited for my new professor. I waited for a while and just sat on my bed until Stacy came and made the room fill with joy. We just talked and I slowly relaxed, maybe this could be our forever home. Once that thought entered my mind, everything just started to click into place. I stopped thinking that our new mother was a witch and I accepted our new benefits. A loving home, with my siblings and not a care in the world. I forgot all my problems, made new friends and learnt to read braille. Life was all on track.
• • •
"Do you really think this is it?" Stacy asked,  munching on her apple.
I looked up from my book, and raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"Do you really think we can finally be happy?"
I sighed, not wanting to crush her hopes, "Maybe, Stacy, just maybe."
She walked away and I looked back down at my book. I flipped through the pages rapidly, when I heard a weird choking noise.
"PARKER!" I heard Stacy yell.
I dropped my book and ran as fast as I could. Slamming the door open,
"Stacy! What's going on out there?" I yelled at her.
"PARKER IS CHOKING!"  My heart stopped and I stood there, not comprehending what was happening.
"Cieco, you idiot!" Stacy screamed, "Call the police or something! Don't just stand there!"
Her voice broke me out of my daze and I fumbled on my phone.
"Hello, is this 911? Please help! My little brother is choking or something! Please, please please." I pleaded, desperately and they asked for information like how he was doing and what our address was.
I rushed over to Parker, following Stacys' voice as tears ran down my cheek. I held his hand as I waited for the ambulance.
"Please, Parker," I whispered, holding his hand to my chest, "Don't die. I need you."
• • •
"I'm sorry, Cieco," Ms. Aniperria wringes her hand, looking at the floor.
"NO!" I scream, "Please – don't tell me he's dead!"
She shook her head, "Is that what it sounded like? He's recovering quite nicely, actually."
"Oh thank god!" I breathe.
"Unfortunately," Ms. Aniperria starts cautiously, "We've realized that we just can't afford to continue supporting you."
I stared in confusion, "What... what do you mean?"
"It's just... all of you kids have medical issues – and we don't have the money to pay for the treatment. Parker just underwent a surgery that cost $500." My heart dropped for the second time today.
"I knew this would happen, why did I let myself think this could be our forever home?" I pushed past her for Stacy so she could lead me to the washroom.
"It will be fine Cieco, at least Parker is okay," Stacy comforted me, but I just smiled back and asked to be alone. She understood and went outside to guard the door so I could be alone.
'This is all my fault, I'm supposed to watch them and make sure the bad luck can't hurt them anymore then it already has. I'm an idiot and I have to pay closer attention,' I just thought to myself.
"I knew it was too good to be true, god damnit!" I punched the mirror in frustration and felt a shearing pain. I swore to myself and heard the door slam open.
"Oh my god Cieco, what did you do? You're bleeding," Stacy took my hand in hers and sighed.
"I'll get some bandages, you come sit in the lobby," She led me away from the washroom and I held my hand  in my shirt. As Stacys' footsteps receded, I thought to myself about memories. One certain memory that kept playing in my head was one of me and Hunter.
•••
"Hey Hunter, you want to go to the field today?" I had knocked on his door.
"Can't Cieco, It's spring."
"Oh, right the hayfever is really bad right now."
"But if you want, we can go and find a new place to hangout, for whenever it's spring," he reached for my hand and held it in his. I firmed my grip and dragged him outside. I was about to turn back to ask if he knew any spots, but then he started to shake me.
"Cieco," he said over and over again.
"Cieco."
"Cieco," his voice started to sound like Stacy's.
"Cieco, get up."
I sat up very quickly, "Stacy?" I rubbed my eyes and stretched.
"You fell asleep, Parker is awake. You want to see him before Denn and Benn get here?" I nodded and let Stacy drag me to Parkers' room.
"Parker?" I asked and felt for his bed and his hand grabbed mine.
"Parker, I'm so glad you're okay!" I hugged him.
"He signed that he knows about us having to go," Stacy told me.
"That's okay too, I knew they weren't for us anyways," I just smiled.
•••
Soon enough it was time to go and I let Parker escort me to the car and I was about to get in when I heard the sounds of sirens and a door whip open. 
"Oh my God, is that Hunter? What's wrong with him?" Stacy said and my heart had dropped for the third time in a day.
"What do you mean is that Hunter?" I jumped out of the car and followed the sound of the commotion, only to be restrained by Denn and Benn.
"Let me go!" I stomped on their feet and ran into the hospital and followed the sounds of chattering from the doctors.