Dirty Little Secret ( DownCast & CrimsonMaster )

[CrimsonMaster]

Justin Reynolds had just gotten out of the shower, he toweled himself off, making sure every part of his body was dry. He dried and brushed his hair, then he slowly began to dress, putting on his underwear,socks, then he pulled on his black suit pants. A white dress shirt followed, then he put on a black tie around his neck, the last thing that Justin put on was the black suit coat that was laying on his bed. He checked himself in the mirror and sighed, this was a sad day. Today was the day of his parent's funeral, as bad as this day was for him, Justin knew it was going to be harder on his sister Harlie. But neither of the Reynolds children could have dreamt how truly terrible this day would be for them. Justin & Harlie had a meeting with their parents lawyer a Mister Alfred Ames at their home just after the services & reception was over. This meeting would have everlasting effects on how their lived their lives from that point on.


Justin was a handsome 21 year old, with brown hair, blue eyes and a deep tan gave him the look of a surfer, but he was just another rich kid who had more time on his hands then he knew what to do with. Justin was tall, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 185 lbs, he enjoyed working out and his ripped body showed it. Although he wasn't a surfer, Justin had played baseball and football while in high school. Justin continued to look at himself in the mirror, he didn't want to do this, he didn't want to admit that his parents were gone. Justin grabbed his sunglasses and walked out of his bedroom, he walked down the hallway then stopped at Harlie's bedroom door. Justin raised his right hand then knocked gently on the wooden door. After a few seconds passed, Justin reached for the doorknob and opened the bedroom door. " Hey Sis?.......You about ready? " Justin asked as he poked his head just inside. He didn't want to catch Harlie in a state of undress if she wasn't quite ready to go yet.

 

[DownCast]

Today was the day . Harlie thought to herself silently , standing in her room , looking in the body length mirror she had gotten as a Christmas present only a few years back . From her mother . Choking a bit at the thought , she was hardly able to compose herself now . She was unable to even fathom how she'd be at the actual funeral . Then the meeting with the lawyer . It was simply overkill . All of this was happening too fast , had she knew out of the two , she took it harder than her brother , even though she didn't like it . She had picked out a simple black dress , with a pair of fancier black heels . The dress hugged her in a few different places , but it was in no way provocative to the passing eye . That was certainly not what she had in mind for a funeral . Her jewelry consisted of a silver wolf pendant , a gift from her father for her previous birthday . Another choked sob protruded from her mouth , and she covered her eyes , sitting down on the bed . Right now she simply felt like a hug from her brother , the only one she had left , but she couldn't bring herself to bother him .

Harlie was 19 years old , her hair a long , thicker reddish brown blend , of course natural . Her eyes were oceanic looking , someone could get lost in them easily , she had been told by her mother . She stood at only 5 feet , 5 inches , and she was pleased with that . She didn't ever have the desire to be taller . Her weight was a rather unhealthy 100lbs , for her height it was too skinny, though you couldn't tell . She was well proportioned , but thicker in other places . Her skin was a soft tan , sunkissed really . She had been in the middle of thought when she heard a knock , and shortly after her brother appeared . She smiled , trying to hide the tears for his sake . "Yes , I'm ready" she said softly , keeping her head down , the smile had quickly faded . She still sat there though , unable to bring herself to stand and leave , and face all of this .

 

[CrimsonMaster]

Justin head slipped inside the room a bit more when Harlie said that she was ready. He saw that she was still sitting on her bed looking quite depressed. Justin had expected this, he knew how hard it would be for Harlie. She was the baby of the family and since Harlie was a girl, there mother treated Harlie like a little princess. Justin tucked his sunglasses into his right hand outside coat pocket as he entered his sister's room. He slowly walked up and sat down next too her on the bed. " Everyone is waiting downstairs.......We'll be heading for the church then over to the cemetery. " Justin's voice was soft as he spoke too Harlie. His right hand moved over taking his sister's left hand. Justin's fingers laced around those of his sister.

Justin slowly rose up to his feet, he then helped Harlie up. The brother & sister stood for a moment with out saying a word. They returned towards the door moving as one, almost like robots. Justin brought Harlie's hand up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. He gave Harlie a smile, but it was a rather sad smile. The siblings started to walk and soon where in the hallway. Moments later, Justin & Harlie were at the top of the stairs looking down at those who gathered in the house. Friends of their parents, distant relatives which neither of kids really knew and people who had worked for their father at his company. About 20 had gathered in the home, all waiting and looking up at the siblings. Justin kept a tight hold on Harlie's hand as they slowly started down the staircase. Once they reached the bottom, those who waited began to offer their word of comfort.

The kids were soon ushered outside to the waiting limo which would carry them to the church, then onto the cemetery. Justin's mind drifted back to the accident which took their parents. It happened the same day that their parents were leaving on a business trip. Jonathan Reynolds was the owner of a construction company which was in trouble. The economy had hit Jonathan's business hard, harder then he or his wife Mary would admit to their children. Three days ago, Jonathan & Mary left their kids and headed for the airport. They had high hopes that this business trip would end the company's woe's and put it back in the black. Sadly, four hours after leaving their home both Jonathan and Mary Reynolds were dead.

The light plane that Jonathan had rented to take him and his wife on their trip, crashed only an hour after takeoff. The Reynolds family leaved a good life. The construction company had made them plenty of money when times were good, but times change and the company was quickly in trouble. Harlie & Justin lived a carefree life, their parents always made sure that they had the best of everything. Jonathan quickly piled up a ton of debt just trying to keep his company going and his kids taken care of. Still, Justin & Harlie were kept in the dark about what was really happening. Now their parents were gone and Justin was left wondering whether he was able to run his father's company? Justin wouldn't have to wonder long on this subject since the creditors were already lining up to get what was owed to them. As bad as this was for Harlie & Justin, it was going to get worse. By days end, the two once happy brother & sister would be left with almost nothing.