NOT THAT YOU'LL EVER GO HOME AGAIN ✔️

⚰️Chapter 11

The end of the underground passage led the sisters into another thick forest that rang no familiarity, it was a marvel how the exit was perfectly disguised and looked like a huge boulder covered in marsh and mosses. How their parents got to set up this long passage leading up to another part of the North would remain a question unanswered.

Alanis surveyed the surroundings as soon as she got out, curiosity shining in those silver-gray eyes of hers. "These are no Argent Trees," Based on a book she read before about the native trees growing around their abode, Argents have silver-tipped leaves and darker barks, a rare tree that only grew in the Argent Mountain hence its name. Some Argent Trees aged with eons would have left at the full metallic shade and their branches would also have small silvery uneven spots.

But this strange area they were in now has maroon and sage-colored trees. Did she come across any of these types in their book collections?

The second to the eldest sister turned her gaze back to the others, "We can stay here for the night, I do not feel like these plants or areas are dangerous" Her heart broke at the ragged condition they were in–their dresses were all wrinkled, dirty and have torn parts. No one would believe they grew up sophisticated.

"This is your fault!" Ariadne exploded after being quiet the whole time, she pushed Holly by the shoulders until the latter hit the back of the boulder, "If you only used your voice in a more useful manner instead of always being airhead, we would have helped Mother fight those fiends off!" Tears were hot washing down her face as she continued hitting Holly.

Alanis intervened and held Ariadne's wrist, intercepting another round of attack. "That is enough, Ari! I understand you are angry and blinded by your pain right now but we all are! Please try to calm down–"

"I won't calm down! I have enough of you both!" The third Harker harshly retorted, lashing. Her sunset-orange eyes appeared more like a liquid fire because of the intensity of her heightened fury. "You are always siding with Holly! Jared is right, you are the one blinded for always going along with her!" Ariadne pointed an accusing finger at Holly behind Alanis.

As if multiple strings snapped inside Alanis her anger bubbled to high Celsius. "Your accusations are baseless! Are you not hearing yourself, huh?! Big sister did not ask for any of this to happen so why are you blaming her?!" The short-haired second Harker stepped forward, imposing her taller build over Ariadne.

However, Ariadne was just as blazing as the fiery shade of her eyes, "If she reasoned out with them to allow us to learn combat we would have been of help!"

"Violence is not always the way to go! You only want to indulge in your troublesome hobby which almost broke big sister's heel before!" Alanis held Ariande and shook her, "Did you see those creatures, Ariadne?!" She addressed her by full name. "Do you have absolute certainty we will make it out in one piece against those monsters?! Do you think big sister or I want us to be in this predicament?!"

This was not helping them, the fighting and exchange of heated words plunged Arabella's heart further down as she watched from the sidelines sobbing. "Please stop...we only have each other now" She was hugging Duckie close to at least get some temporary comfort blanket.

Duckie began quacking loudly, inclining its head forward as if trying to tell the sisters something of importance.

Arabella turned to where her pet was pointing and she gasped in horror, "Oh no..." From the background, Ariadne and Alanis were still arguing loudly whilst Holly's soft voice interjecting between them was overshadowed by the volume of Ariadne's voice. "STOP!!!" She yelled at the top of her lungs as she faced them again, heaving.