Rory is the golden child.

It’s not an opinion. It’s a fact.

Everyone in her family knew it. She knew it. Her parents were even aware of their favoritism.

It is with good reason too. As everyone says, Rory does everything and does it well. She excelled in school. In every club and sport. Volunteered everywhere. She knows some martial arts. Lifeguard certified. Anything you can think of, she can do. She’s worked at nonprofits and hospitals until she found her passion. Creating programs to help youths that don’t have the proper resources get somewhere in life.

Her three siblings are another story. Harry is the oldest, only 11 months older than her. He was a highschool dropout with no job and mooching off their parents.

Morgan is next, two years younger than Rory. With their parents’ wealth, she grew up pretentious and privileged. She abused their power and influence to get ahead in life. Basically she does nothing but somehow makes money and never faces consequences. She’s made some tasteless comments but people are too afraid to speak against a Cors. Vapid in every sense of the word.

Then there is Nate. As the youngest, he is most careless, rude person you’ll ever encounter. Rory swears he never thinks about anything but getting his adrenaline up. He’ll put his own and others’ lives in danger just for the thrill. The only reason he isn’t in jail is because of their parents.

Their parents, Jillian and Jonathan Cors, are both highly successful in their own rights. Rory’s mom is a cardiologist and her dad owns a business that helps small start up businesses. They are well connected within their community. Everyone loves their parents.

Which makes no sense when they die in the midst of an attempted robbery.

OoOoO

Rory can’t believe that she’s wearing a black itchy dress, sitting on this uncomfortable chair as her parents’ will is being read out. This week has been the worst of her life. It can’t get worse.

But it does.

Names and items are being said, but none of them Aurora Cors. While money never mattered to her, she will admit that she expected something.

“And for the inheritance, under the set conditions, will be split between Harold, Morgan, and Nathaniel Cors.”

Gasps ripple through the room of family and close friends. Rory can’t tell who is more shocked. Her or her siblings. All of their jaws hit the floor as they all look at her.

For some unknown reason, she offended her parents, enough that even in their death, they had to make sure she knew.

“Wow, so much for the favorite child,” Nate says, grinning a toothy smile at her.

“I guess Mom and Dad finally saw that I am deserving of their legacy,” Morgan rubs in her face, though she knows that it isn’t personal. Morgan is like that with everyone, acting like she’s better than them all. Even their parents when they were alive.

Harry bumps her shoulder with his. “Well too bad, so sad, Rory. Better luck next time.”

His response somehow is the least rude.

“What are the set conditions?” Rory questions. “They get the inheritance under set conditions. What are those restrictions?”

“That is something to be discussed with the heirs,” Mrs. Linda, the woman reading the will, the family lawyer, answers calmly. She’s always so calm. Rory guesses she has to be with all the legal representation her brother has needed in the past.

“Which isn’t you,” Nate reminds her. She practically growls at him.

His laugh echoes in her brain as she is kicked out of the room.

OoOoO

How could her parents leave all the money to them? They trained her and built her up to be the heir to her father’s business. To be their legacy.

And they left her nothing to do that.

Harry would use his share to pay off his debts which compared to the other two is actually sort of responsible. Only sort of. Because who knows how much debt and payments he wracked up.

Morgan would blow all the money on fancy designer clothes and high end parties for the publicity.

Nate would possibly get himself killed by buying his own plane to just out of or some seriously concerning thing like that.

Rory takes a breath. She has been pacing outside the room that her siblings are in for the past hour. She needs to calm down and figure out what she wants.

What does she really want to know?

She wants to know why her parents left her out of the will. Probably not probable knowledge since they’re dead.

Maybe she should settle on what the set terms are for her siblings to get their part of the inheritance. That seems more reasonable.

The heavy door creaks open. Her head whips to the side, and she watches as her siblings file out. The last one out being Mrs. Linda. She can’t catch any of their eyes, except for Harry.

While Rory doesn’t think very highly of any of her siblings, Harry was the one she was closest to. Many people assume they are twins because for one month of the year, they are the same age.

Morgan and Nate look excited, having a bounce to their steps. In the other hand, Mrs. Linda didn’t appear to share their enthusiasm. Her face is all tense. Actually her whole body is. She stiffly walks past Rory. And as she does that, Rory barely hears her words.

“You don’t want to dig into this, Aurora,” she whispers.

But before she can ask more, Mrs. Linda continues to walk away like she never said anything.

What kind of cryptic message is that?

Turns out she didn’t have to approach Harry. He came to her. Gripping her arm, he hisses, “Don’t say a word. Follow me.”

Rory shuts her mouth immediately, her teeth clanking.

She lets him drag her to his room. It’s been a while since she’s witnessed the chaotic mess that is Harry’s bedroom. Clothes piled high in the one corner. He never does the laundry but tells the maids to not touch his stuff. Posters of bands she’s never heard cover his walls, practically wallpaper covering the hand painted mural that their parents had done for all their rooms. Random objects just tossed around.

Finding the one space that isn’t messy, his desk, she hops up and sits on it. “So what happened? What were the terms?”

Flopping on his bed that had clothes and books, he sighed. Like it took a lot of effort to answer. “It isn’t as clear cut as you would think, Rory. I thought it would just be setting some of it aside for the future or some shit like that,” he begins.

“You mean responsible shit?” She can’t help but chastise. It’s kind of in her nature to do so. She still remembers being in the same grade and reminding him of his homework and tests. He would normally flip her off and not do what she advised.

A dry chuckle leaves his lips. “Don’t be a smartass. You want to know, don’t you?” There is no malice in his words. Rory may not always like her siblings, but they are her brothers and sister. They are family. Whether they like it or not.

She nods.

“Good. Ok. So Mrs. Linda tells us that if we want the inheritance, we have to play a game,” Harry says.

The reveal almost has her flinching. That was not what she had expected, and from his furrowed eyebrows, he had not either.

“A game? Like chess?” She questions.

He stays quiet. This time, it isn’t because of the effort it took to recount it. Rory can tell the reason for hesitancy is confusion. And maybe pity?

But that doesn’t make sense because why would he feel bad for her not knowing?

Maybe it’s to protect her. But from what?

“It’s a bit darker than that. Our parents apparently knew of these dangerous games that rich people threw in participants and watched.”

She does flinch this time. Her parents knew of it? They were rich but that kind of wealthy?

“So they want you to watch the games? Or worse, pick someone to throw in?” She asks in confusion, still unsure of the conditions. Crossing her fingers, she hopes it was the first option.

That expression of pity grew even more. Like she was a child that didn’t know any better. It deepens the pit in her stomach that threatened to consume all her internal organs.

“No, Rors. Our lovely parents, post mortem, threw us in the game.”

Oh god. Her parents didn’t include her in the inheritance. She couldn’t even conceive of any other reason other than unknown resentment towards her, but they did it to save her.

It still doesn’t make sense. While her siblings aren’t amazing all the time, they don’t deserve to potentially get hurt. Her parents wouldn’t really put them in a seriously malicious situation. Right?

Rory thought she knew her parents. But they got themselves involved in something really bad.

And dragged her siblings into it.

——— So I recently read The Inheritance Games, but I began this story draft before I read it. I also watched The Inheritance (really only because Peyton List is in it). Both entities involve an family inheritances which did inspire me to finish this draft!

Mr. Dawson, our parents’ attorney, began reading their will as we sat in the cold conference room of the law firm they always used. I still couldn’t believe we were here at my parents will reading. One second my parents safely driving to the store and next thing I know a police officer is knocking on my door telling me that there was an accident. “We wish for the entirety of our estate to be split between our daughters Shana and Lisa.”

“Wha- what about me?” I asked.

“Well, I’m sorry Penelope but you were not included as a part of your parents will.” Mr. Dawson replied.

My jaw dropped open and I couldn’t believe was I had just heard. “How could I not be included. I AM their daughter just like Shana and Lisa.”

Later that evening we all went back to our parents house. But I just couldn’t contain myself any longer “HOW COULD I RECEIVE NOTHING!”

My sisters all got to split our parents ten million dollar estate. But I get left out.

“It not that big a deal Pen. The money doesn’t matter.” Shana, my oldest sister responded.

“Ya, maybe not to you since you got your money. Mom would always go on and on about how great I was. Yet everything goes to you two.” I just can’t believe that after everything I did for our parents they don’t include me in the will at all.

“Ungrateful much? Lisa and I were not the ones who used mom and dad as our own personal ATMs.” Shauna responded. I mean I might have relied on mom and dad for support longer than Shana and Lisa did but I wouldn’t say I used them as ATMs. They always were offering to help me out, giving me money helping to support the lifestyle they wanted me to have.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that I just wouldn’t be included at all. I deserve to receive something. Maybe I should be contacting my own lawyer.”

“You can try that, but I would say that mom and dad’s wishes were fairly clear. And that was that you get nothing.”

What the hell How could they Are you serious I am a victim of financial abuse Dis inherited Dis enchanted Disgrace Disgusted Get me a lawyer Imposter wrote this will I want ai authenticity It’s fake It’s not real It’s meaningless It’s just a piece of paper My parents are frauds I’m the favourite son They left the money to the cat But they loved me more than the world I was there centre of their soul I’m now a poor orphan

"..and the remainder of the aforementioned personal effects to be left to the Wadsworth Foundation." The lawyer tapped his pen at the bottom of the sheet, having finished his spiel.

Benny sat motionless. He could feel, more than see, his siblings exchange glances over his head.

The lawyer got up, shook hands with his older brother Andrew, and left the room, briefcase in hand. Tess sat down gently next to Benny, laying a hand on his.

“Ben? Are you okay?”

He forced a tight smile onto his face. “Just a bit of a shock. Totally fine.”

He hated the pity and understanding he saw on her face. “We’ll split it all three-way, of course,” she looked round at Andrew, who nodded vehemently. “Never expected Mum and Dad to do… this. Its so out of character for them, isn’t it?”

“I don’t want the money. I don’t need it.” It was true; he had made a small fortune of his own already, and any money he received now would just be a reminder that his parents, in the end, didn’t think him worthy of it.

But why? Why didn’t they think him worthy?

“I bet they just never updated the will,” Andrew said, flopping down into an armchair beside them. “It’s probably from 20 years ago; before you came to live with us.”

Tess clapped her hands together. “That must be it. It’s just outdated.”

Benny shook his head, hating himself for the second of hope he’d held. “The lawyer said it was dated from this spring, remember?”

He couldn’t bear to watch their faces fall. Pushing to his feet, Benny strode to the window, staring blankly across the lawn. None of this made any sense. He had gotten along well with both of his parents; better, even, then either of his siblings. Had spent every holiday here in this mausoleum, had called often, had helped with minor house maintenance when he could. He’d been a doting, loving son, and it still hadn’t been enough.

Was it truly as simple as that he wasn’t their flesh and blood? Even after their endless reassurances that the adoption meant nothing, that they loved him as their own?

Finally proof, at last, that that was not the truth.

But something about even giving voice to that deepest fear, that obvious answer didn’t feel right. A memory floated in, drifting on a phantom breeze; his mother several weeks ago, kneeling in the soft upturned earth of her garden bed. A ridiculously flopped hat sat atop her brow. Benny knelt beside her, his own hands crusted with dirt from the hours they’d spent toiling side by side, prepping the earth for planting. She smiled warmly at him and said, “Whatever fabrics shape this world, you and I are cut from the same one.”

He closed his eyes, tears prickling behind his lids. His mother, at least, had loved him. What had gone so wrong?

This story is about a 17 year old boy named William who’s parents unexpected death left everyone in shock. Will he now has to move in with his grandparents and figure out his family secrets and why he wasn’t in the will. This story is a first person perspective from William .This story starts January 11 2015

‘’William its time head to your grand parents house they’re waiting in the car for you’’ shouts Williams aunt ‘’ok ill be down in a second’’ i shouted as i take in my last moments in the hours I’ve lived in since i was 5. I start to head downstairs when i stop looking in my parents room i notice a boxi grab it and walk downstairs and out the door. As i finish loading the car i look at the house one more time ‘’bye mom bye dad ill remember you always’’ i say under my breath as tears start to roll down my cheeks. Trying to hold myself from sobbing i hop in the car and we start heading to my new home. After a long car ride with complete silence i make my way up to my new room not sure if I’m ready to start over again at life. When i walk in i start unpacking my bags and boxes when i finally reach my parents box. I was hesitant to look through it but I realized i have to find a way to get past this maybe going through this stuff will help as I’m scrimmaging through all their old stuff i found a paper that reads ‘’Mr and Mrs laims will’’ I’m not sure to read it but what could happen its just a will. As I’m looking through it I don’t see my name anywhere only one name ‘’Bianca Riley’’ who could be Bianca Riley I don’t know any one with that name. Just then my grandma comes into my room i shoved the will back in the box and said ‘’oh hi nana do you need something’’ ‘’ no just wanted to let you know dinners ready’’ said nana ‘’ok ill be down in a second’’ i said exited wondering what’s for dinner nana is the best cook and baker in the family. After she left the room i put the rest of the boxes in the closet and headed down for dinner. I sat down and was exited to see it was lasagne ‘’so William we have to talk to you’’ said grandpa ‘’we signed you up for school we have a friend who’s daughter also goes there shell show you around’’ said nana ‘’we also are so sorry to leave you but we have to go on a business trip for your grandpa but it’ll only be for a week but well have someone come check on you every days so no partys’’ said nana. ‘’I promise no party’s im not early a party person anyways’’. We finish up dinner and head up stairs for bed as i get in bed i keep wondering who Bianca is and why she’s the only one in their will as im caught in my thoughts i slowly drift off to sleep. The next morning i have to get up and ready for school so i get ready and head don stairs for breakfast but there’s nothing there but then i remember my grandparents left for their trip So i grab an orange and start walking to school as im on my way a white sedan stops next to me and rolls don their window ‘’William right’’ said the girl ‘’yeah how’d you know’’ i said hesitantly ‘’well don’t worry about that but my name is Alyssa, Alyssa Riley’’said the girl ‘’Riley’’ i said under my breath feeling numb at what i heard ‘’you ok?’’ Said Alyssa ‘’oh yeah im fine im’’ i said ‘’well hop in we got to get to school’’ said Alyssa i get in it smells like flowers. After a long awkward car ride we finally arrive at school and Alyssa brings me to my first class. ‘’Here it is this is Mrs.k she teaches science’’ says Alyssa ‘’Thank you Alyssa ill take it from here’’ said Mrs. K as Alyssa leaves ‘’welcome you can take a seat in the seat in the back on the far left’’ said Mrs.k as she smiles i head over to my seat. It’s been 30 minutes already and class is almost over and only 1 hour till lunch and hour and a half passes and its finally lunch i grab. My uch and im not sure where to sit until I hear some one calling my name ‘’William over here’’said Alyssa oh great i have to sit with her this is going to be awkward so I go to sit down with Alyssa and her friends. Finally lunch finishes and I only have a couple more classes. ding that’s the bell schools finally over. “ come on I don’t have all day” says Alyssa “ what do you mean I’m walking home” I say “ no your not your grandma insisted you have to come to my house any ways let’s go” says Alyssa. I sighed and got in the car. When we finally arrived the house was huge and had big doors we walk in and it smells like cupcakes. “I’m home” yells Alyssa “ oh great I just finished icing the cupcake why don’t you help me add some sprinkles” a woman voice yells “ our guest is here I drove him” says Alyssa “oh my I’m so sorry let me introduce myself”yells the woman she walks over and introduce duces herself “hello I’m Mrs. Riley I was told you were coming today but I must’ve forgotten” says Mrs. Riley “you can call me Bianca though that’s my first name” says Mrs. Riley hmm Bianca Riley I feel like That heard that name before.”why don’t you help me with the sprinkles Alyssa, William you just sit down and make yourself feel at home” as I sit down on their big comfy couch I think about were I know that name “omg the will that’s the Bianca Riley” I whisper just then they finish the cup cakes and bring them over “her have one William” says Bianca “thank you” I say I took a bite they were delicious but then I started feeling drowsy just then everything goes black! I wake up in a dark room tied to a pole I look around and see my parents! “Mom dad I thought you died where are we”I said “well that wasn’t your grandparents were secret investigators and we were investigating this case but they caught n we will never get out that will was fake she’s using it to take all the money” says mom just then the room fills with gas and everything goes black. __ __ __ _ _THE END

She couldn’t breath. All the straight A’s and violin lessons All the books she had read. the textbooks the annotated All the being ignored and sacrifice All she wanted was to be seen.

To be recognized and see their pride. But it was never enough.

Behind broken telephone lines and before rusted bicycles. they would play in the midnight sun. Till they grew up.

The amount of sacrifice was never enough to be seen. A facade to everyone else, seeing their “perfect” daughter. But didn’t even get a mention at their funeral.

A fire burned too bright, a star shined too bright.

The sun in the middle of the night.

And now, here she was. A fool built on lies and false promises.

Without friends who she had to give up. And family who left her without a second thought.

She is alone.

Disinherited Left alone What a heretic Noone to phone

No more money Broke and cold Bread and honey Full of mold

Too old for school Get a job Too young and cool Needing is odd

The will. It lays in the lawyers hands like a block of gold. It IS a bar of gold, at least to me,

I know father and mother left me the most, we all know it. I see the jealousy in the eyes of my sibilings.

“ Are we all ready?” The lawyer asks “ Yes!” I accidently shout “ Okay then…” he starts reading

80 thousand to Jack, the oldest and the forgotten

30 thousend to Lila, the second oldest and the least favorite. I think even that pitiful amount was too generous.

100 thousend to Stacey, The average. My father and mother liked her but not as much as me.

Down the line of my 7 sibilings. Some thousands, some millions, all depending on how liked they were.

I wait. If they all got this much, Imagine how much I will get!

The last of my sibilings. I wait for me with anticipation.

“ Okay we are all wrapped up! See everyone at the next meeting. We have some more things to work out.”

My sibilings start leaving. What happened? There must be a mistake.

“ Hey! There MUST be a mistake. I was not called in the will. The name is Henry.” The lawyer looks through the will.

“ I am sorry, but nothing.”

Nothing. Nothing. NONE. How? I am the favorite, we all know.

I scream

“So why’d you do it, Denny?” Frank shouted.

“Take it easy on him, Frank. Maybe it was an accident. Candles left burning during a bubble bath. You like spa days, Denny?” Tim said.

“No, Tim, I’m sick of these psychos. Sick to death. This room reeks of smoke. He burned his parents, his own parents. Quit your bleating, you damned psycho. Why’d you do it?”

“It could have been a dropped cig or something. A few drinks, old movie on the Telly, then night night, burn burn. It could happen to anybody. I’ve done it, Denny. Watching Columbo with a few beers. You like Columbo, Denny?”

“Firefighters already talking arson. We are just waiting for the OFI initial report. But I don’t need no report. I know it was you. Forty years old still living at home with mommy and daddy. Sick of waiting for that inheritance weren’t you, Denny?”

“I love Colombo. Remember Saturday night mysteries. Those were the bomb, back in the day. I remember watching those when I was a kid. Eating grilled cheese sammies with my mom watching Peter Falk or MacMillian and Wife and that guy with the hat. You ever do that Denny like before your folks burned alive?”

“Cold, Tim, that was cold. Now cut this bloodclot crying, Denny. You’re not the victim here. You set your house, your family home with Christmas mornings and Thanksgiving dinners at the kids’ table. You set your home on fire and burned your parents while they slept. For what, Denny? For money? It’s a nice house, big house, pool in the yard. Your dad’s retired with money in the bank. Did you just get tired of waiting for that payday? Murderers can’t inherit, you numbnut!” Frank screamed, as he flung back his chair and pounded the table.

“Frank, calm all the way down. Take a break. Go get Denny a Coca Cola. And hey grab me a diet Sprite and some SunChips. Denny here has been up for hours. You hungry, pal? Denny, while Frank is out of the interview room let me help you. Here’s a legal pad and a pen.

"Frank is pretty riled up. I will try to control him. You want to get out here and get some sleep at your aunt’s house. Your Aunt Josie is on her way here now. You can go home with her if you just give Frank something. Let’s pretend if you did start the fire. How would you start a fire? Where? Write me a story of what could have happened on accident. Good job, pal,” Tim said, pushing the legal pad across the metal table.

Det. Tim Pilmer ushered in an officer to babysit his chief subject and stepped into the police department hall. Weak sunlight met his eyes. Stretching, he went in search of his diet soda.

“Frank, we got the confession.”

“Turn him loose, Tim. The arson report is back and it looks like faulty wiring.”

Marked by blood her parents died Raised her right they did try

The girl they rejected became protected not by the will of money not in her name

But for the shadows that plague her brain The shadows of night the girl in the moon

The Queen of the Shadows is very true She’s not a monster but not sane

Her writings are not plain Scattered with words of truth Painted in blood the stories do tell

Not of happy moments but of living hell All because she was cut out of her family’s will