A Life Not Worth Living

By Blieu Muun

Harry MacDougall ran through the streets of Heifong 5 as fast as his legs could carry him. He didn't know where he was going, nor did he care. In his eleven-year-old mind, he was doing exactly what Ron had told him to do, run, and nothing else mattered.

It had started back at the hotel, when the Kei pirates -- at least, Ron *said* they were Kei pirates -- attacked *them* and tried to kidnap Harry. Ron had heard Harry screaming and managed to stop them, but ordered Harry to flee and not look back while he took care of the 'rats' who had messed with the wrong people.

Or so Ron had said. Much of Harry's life revolved around what Ron said. If Ron was unhappy with the way Harry behaved, Harry changed to please his brother. If Ron was upset with another person, Harry did his best to agree and help his brother with whatever it was he needed done. When Ron came back from work tired and sore, Harry was there to make him feel better, even if he didn't really do much, he tried. In return, Ron made Harry's life wonderful, giving him exotic presents and letting him have just about whatever he wanted. Harry loved his half brother, and he was certain Ron at least *liked* him, even if they *weren't* completely related.

"By mother only," Was what Ron had told him, and even then not really. Harry's existance had started in the science laboratories, and then Rhey MacDougall, Ron's mother, had stolen him after volunteering to carry the growing specimen, which later turned out to be Harry. He didn't really know much about his past before that, but Ron always told him he was special in a way that no one was, no matter what anyone said. Then there was something about the Dragon people, but Harry didn't remember for certain.

"Gotcha, little brat!" a man hissed, grabbing Harry from the front. Harry screamed and kicked the man in the shins, only to have a hand grab his shoulder. He yelped and fought against the second man.

"Harry, it's okay, it's me. Harry!" Ron cursed when Harry kicked him sharply in the groin. Slowly, Harry opened his eyes.

"Ron? Ron! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Harry cried, wrapping his arms around his brother's neck. He never noticed the first man lying dead, slumped against the wall of a building.

"It's okay, Harry. Come on, let's go.