"So tell me again about the Leaves?" Evan asks Avia for the 100th time, as she throws her coarse waved black hair with her favorite rebellious red highlights into the air.
Avia sighs, answering, "Magical leaves only found in Daniella's Garden. Not many people know about it; found it in an old book. They will cure Avery of all disease and pain and she won't have to suffer from any illness every again!"
"That's amazing." Evan replies with fake enthusiasm, "Where to find the Mint Leaves?"
Avia looks into his dark brown eyes for a moment wondering how many times she will reply that question, "Daniella's Garden. A few miles away I believe. I'm pretty sure we've passed it somehow.
"We need to leaves today. We need to tell Avery."
Avia knocks on the old wooden door. The paint that wrote "Avery's Room" has long peeled off, leaving the door barren. Avia could barely hear the "Come in." It was so weak, she might have not even said it.
Avia pushes the door open quickly and rushes in with Evan behind her.
"Avery! How are you feeling?" Avia asks, as she places a cup of tea and a plate of food besides Avery.
Avery is about to answer fine but Avia cuts in, "I know you will lie and say you are fine but I'm sure you are not!" Avia then puts in, "Evan and I will be leaving soon. I know we will be back in no time. You have the microwave near you and I have the next few day's food for you here. So you better be alive when we come back!"
Avery slowly opens her frail eyes, "Avia, don't go."
Avia sighs and exclaims in hope, "Avery I have to! Everything will be fine."
"Everything will be fine..." Avery echoes. Avia nods. "Avia, I know these are my last days. I want to be with you." then she quickly adds, "and Evan." Evan looks down, avoiding Avery's sick eyes, which are almost identical to Avia's except they don't hold the life. "I know Evan's grandmother would be worried if Evan doesn't come back soon."
"This is what Avia wants." Evan answers, then puts in, "It's what I want too." But inside, Evan knows the mission would be hopeless. He knows this disease will kill Avery somehow and it would break both of their hearts into pieces if Avia is harmed somehow.
"But where to find the Mint Leaves?" Avery asks.
"Daniella's Garden!" Avia answers simply. Avery almost spits out her tea as her weak eyes widen.
"Avia! You cannot go there! I've heard rumors of her! Don't go, please." Avery pleads. Avia smiles, but her eyes betray her mask of happiness.
"Avery I'm sorry, I have to go. When I come back, you will be fine, and we can pick strawberries together, and we can go to the city!" Avia exclaims, "Avery, you're the best older sister every. This is for you."
With that, Avia grabs Evan's arm and they leave Avery in her pain, sorrow, and the thought that today is the last day that she'll ever see them again.
YOU ARE READING
Where They Found the Mint Leaves
Short Story"Funny how much they’d do for someone, Funny how much they don’t know until they are put into the situation. Funny is the place where they find the Mint Leaves." Avery is on the edge, pushed there by her illness; one small movement will throw her in...
