Sephonia: The Stolen Children

The Warning

The next morning, Mia woke with the sun blaring through the curtains, piercing her blue eyes, beckoning her to start her day. Her eyes were heavy, almost refusing to open at all. She took a deep breath, clearly annoyed at having to wake up. She knew it was probably already late as the sun had already risen and she was usually awake for the sunrise every morning. Yet still, her body did not want to rise.

Mia rolled over to look at Makayla, who was probably still passed out. She always slept in late. Mia's unfocused eyes skimmed over Mak's bed, but to her surprise, it was empty. This was unusual. Makayla was never up earlier than her. The surprise was enough to wake Mia up the rest of the way.

She crawled out of bed, groggily and headed over to her dresser. The thing was on it's last leg and it seemed like the drawers would collapse into themselves any day now. It had been her's for eleven years now, and desperately needed to be replaced.

Mia opened the first drawer gently. It made a horrid, squeaking sound, making her cringe. She pulled out a collared dress, so white that it could probably blind anyone near. But white was pure and represented all good things in life. Mia closed the drawer back, cringing once more and pranced over towards the old vanity on Mak's side of the room.     After struggling clumsily to put on the dress, Mia sat at the vanity, debating what to do with her mop of hair.

Just as Mia was beginning to brush through her hair, Makayla bursted through the doors with a big, goofy smile spreading across her face. It was refreshing to see after the events of the previous night. It was as if it had never happened.     "Where have you been? You're never up before me!" Mia smiled graciously as she combed through her hair.

Makayla threw herself onto her bed, seemingly in a trance of some kind. "I was downstairs with Rue annoying Ziek," she stated. This was no surprise to Mia. Ezekiel, their elder brother by ten years, was not the kindest person nor was he patient but Makayla liked to push him. She found it amusing. It didn't take much to set him off and she took advantage of that, as little sisters do. Mia could agree that he deserved it most of the time. He needed someone to humble him.                Mia laughed at the thought of her brother being teased by his two younger sisters. Right as she went to raise the brush once more, Makayla came up behind her and gently took it out of her hand.

"You have a knot. Let me help," Mak said, brushing through her sister's soft hair. She knew Mia was tenderheaded so she tried to be as slow as possible. Brushing Mia's hair wasn't something Mak had to do but enjoyed. It was just another way the two of them bonded.            After several seconds of silence, Makayla finally spoke up, "Do you think that voice I heard means anything?" There was worry in her voice. Mia looked at Mak through the mirror glass. "I don't think it's something to be scared of Mak. It hasn't happened today. Maybe it was just some weird thing that'll never happen again," She reassured her.

There they were again; The kind, calming words that Makayla always needed. She knew Mia didn't think she was weird like her mind had been telling her all morning.

Several minutes later, the two young girls headed downstairs, ready to start their day. Autumn sat on the grand staircase, pouting to herself as she threw a blue ball up in the air. She whipped around, her fiery red hair dancing behind her. Upon seeing her two sisters, her face lit up with a smile. "Will you guys PLEASE play with me? I'm BORED!" She grimaced. Autumn was always asking them to play, even though Rue was well and able. She just enjoyed her big sisters' company.

Makayla looked at Mia shrugging. She didn't exactly want to play, nor did she ever. She felt she was getting a little too old to play with the seven year old. "I don't think I wanna play today," Mak stated, trying to be assertive. Autumn frowned, looking back down at the floor. Mia took notice of this.