"How was your day at Mrs. Harsbarry's girls?" Mana asked us during supper that night. And at the worst time ever. How could she after papa just announced that he was going out of town for two weeks to find work?

I signed in annoyance at her untimely attempts to make conversation. She always did to try and lighten the mood. On top of that, I could read her like a book. She never knew when to give up.

There were a few minutes of empty silence at the table until Sofia responded. "It was the customary routine. We pruned, winterized, and watered the roses." She gracefully spooned up her soup, taking small sips. Mama gave an approving nod at that answer.

"Yes, but did you give the quilts we made to Mrs. Harsbarry?" She asked. I snarled a yes at her. I really wasn't having it tonight.

"Aw, come on Liselotte. What's the matter with you now? Why are you always so grumpy?" My ten-year-old brother Gavriel asked.

I didn't answer. I stood up and turned on my heel. "I don't feel like sitting here any longer, may I be excused now?" I coldly asked, slamming my bowl into the sink and stomping up the stairs.

"Liselotte, I'm sorry. It can't be helped." Papa said, his eyes repleted with regret as I slammed the door to Sofia and I's room. I leaned into my bed, crying my eyes out. I respected papa's decision to go out and travel for work. But ever since the hurricane that had befallen our village and taken away elder brother Calix just last year, the economy had crashed and people had either been evicted from their homes or died from starvation. The only friends I had, the places I once adored; dead. All those things were taken from me, my source of happiness gone.

I wiped away my remaining tears, referring to the last thing Calix had ever given me as a present on my twelfth birthday, December 19th. A book containing the old legend of the Elven Realms.

The story was all about this kingdom where Elves resided. It talked about the King and Queen of Fealettia- Bervon, and Theia. How they ruled their kingdom in peace and prosperity. But that peace and prosperity were occasionally spoiled by the lifelong feud between Fealettia and Evonin- the capitals for the respective northern kingdoms of Khthonios (the Demon Realm) and Eileithyia (the Elven Realm) . It was never stated why Khthonios despised Eileithyia so intensely.

I examined the damask rose that was attached to the side of the book. Out of thin air, splashes of pink, gold, and green appeared, then diminished as quickly as they have appeared. A piece of rolled up parchment. I picked up the parchment, unrolling it to read its contents.

Four simple words:

"Sofia and Liselotte... help."

I felt a chill go through me. Why were our names on this? The rose glimmered, going from a light pink to a dark plum color. Precisely, the same shading of the roses on Mrs. Harsbarry's garden. Even the smell was precisely the way I remembered, syrupy and cloying.

I had to tell Sofia. Yes, I hated her so but she detected it too. It's only fair that she knew.

So I waited for Sofia as soon as I took my bath, examining the details of the book further. Other than the rose shade, nothing else had changed. Did Calix gift this to me for some significant reason? Did he put the rose there secretly before his perish? I needed answers.

"What was that all about down there?" Sofia's consonant, subdued voice asked.

I turned around and faced her little doe eyes directly. "If you're talking about why I went upstairs then I'm confident you know why."

She signed softly to herself, situating herself on my bed. "Look, I understand you miss Calix... we all do. But it's been a year now. We need to stay strong. For Gavril, Papa, and Mama. Calix wouldn't be too pleased with your behavior, that I know."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Oh please, give me a damn break. How would you know what Calix wanted? All you and Calix ever did for these past few months before he perished was bicker over his latest girlfriend Kenna." I seethed.

She combed her honey brown locks angrily, her lips pursed together at my words. "It's true Liselotte. We did argue over Kenna but you don't know what the truth was, nor would you understand it. Calix was charming, reckless, and a smooth talker, not to mention very handsome." She whirled her head at me.

"Those characteristics make a deadly concentration you know," I swore she italicized deadly to make some sort of statement.

"I was merely attempting to persuade Calix to make better choices. As his sister, it was the best I could've done." She revealed, falling silent as she continued to comb her tresses.

What kind of choices did Calix himself make in the first place? What does she even mean by 'better' choices? But I didn't feel like discussing those matters any longer with her. I took the book, pointing to the attached rose.

"Do you notice the difference in the shading?" I asked, awaiting her response. Sofia glanced at the rose suspiciously, her doe eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Calix gave you that book as a present on your twelfth birthday, did he?" She inquired, fingering the rose nostalgically.

I nodded. "He did. I'm going to investigate whatever lies through that archway. The rose replicated the ones on there." I told her.

She proceeded to finger the rose cautiously. "Well, I guess but I will not get involved or anything if you get caught, understood?"

I expected that sort of response from Sofia. She despised doing absolutely anything with me.

"Fine, whatever. I wasn't planning on inviting you anyways." I said in a snarky fashion.

She didn't say anymore. She didn't even bother saying goodnight like she usually did. She blew the candle out and went to sleep. I did the same. But no matter what I did, I kept tossing and turning. I couldn't stop thinking over the parchment that randomly appeared.

Where and whom did it come from?