The Healer

A Threat

I frowned. "And if I don't?"

"You won't live to see tomorrow's sun."

I felt the color drain from my face.

"My sister, she's sick," he started. "I need you to help her."

"So you kidnapped me, brought me here, while my sister is all alone, starving, mind you, and thought that this way you would get me to help you? What is wrong with you?"

"I thought you were better than this, but I mean, I could always turn you in and use the money instead..."

"No! Please don't, I'll help you, just please don't turn me in!" I was frantic. If he turned me in, I knew I would be executed, and Cherina as well.

"Then you'll help me?"

"Yes... But what will become of my sister?"

"We took care of her already." he responded.

"What?! What did you do to her?! Where is sh-"

"Calm down, Arielle. You remember Lucien?"

Of course I remembered Lucien. Lucien was one of Anselme's many brothers, though they only had one sister. Cherina was infatuated with him. Every afternoon, when she would come back from Capucine's house, she would tell me about what new cute thing Lucien had said that day or how he had smiled at her or given her a flower. Though it was a ridiculous case of puppy love, she was devastated when they moved to the South.

"I just sent him over for a cup of tea, and he may or may not have persuaded her to run away with him and get married in the South..."