Elijah ran to him feeling a little relieved he had found one missing Ward. "Bram, have you seen your sisters?"

The cat ran off and hid under a cart when Elijah ran towards them. Bram looked up sourly. "No! An' I won't talk to them anymore!"

Elijah sighed and frowned. "There is something going on . I will explain it one day. Please.. have.you.seen.them?" He looked at Bram and got to his knees to beg the boy for information.

"Why can't I know it now!" The boy whined. He hated being the youngest. "Nobody ever tells me owt but to shut up and do what they tell me! I can keep secrets too!"

Elijah shook his head. "I have to make sure I'm right. I would never spread a rumor. Please Bram. It's important."

Bram folded his arms. "I haven't seen them since Anne hit me. And I'm gonna tell father she hit me and that Alice is growing fat!"

Elijah frowned. "Don't, Bram. Dont say a word. You don't like it when people say mean things about you. You need to show the same consideration."

"But Anne hit me! And Alice ran away! And they are mean!" The boy whined.

The cat walked off, looking for more interesting company.

"You called Anne fat and she's under a lot of stress. And you ran away as well." Elijah sighed. He wanted to honestly just walk away for a few hours.  But he had to make sure they were safe. He'd never forgive himself .

"She's still mean...." Bram sulked. "I haven't seen her..."