She's My Sister

Missing

"Y/N are you sure you can go by yourself?" My sister asked, handing me my bag.

I smiled and nodded.

"Yes Shirayuki, we both can't keep leaving the shop. I know it's my first time going without you but it's a long time coming. I'm ready, I have been for a while." I eased my sisters nerves, taking her hands in mine.

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

"Alright then, I'll be here when you get back. Be safe, and keep your hood up." She instructed me, fixing my clothes.

I sighed. She was born with such lovely red hair, attracting attention. I on the other hand was not, my appearance was quite ordinary, except I was given different eyes. Mine were a parade of colors, odd as it may sound my eyes were admittingly beautiful. A chorus of blue and green with hints of silver. Anyone who's seen me up close has raved about my eyes beauty and their difference to normality.

Many people have openly told my sister and I that were are a "heavenly pair". Which I laugh at, I do not find myself pretty in any way, it's my sister that's beautiful. I only have peculiar eyes, that's all.

Shaking my head out of the tangent I'd gone on I looked at my sister.

"I'll see you in one days time." I hugged Shirayuki and parted.

Sighing I gripped the strap on my bag and marched forward. I ventured into the forest, knowing the path well since I travelled through here often with my sister.

As the sun set I grew tired.

The next town should be close by.

I thought to myself as I continued on.

As I walked I noticed a small purple flower. Slowing my pace I walked over to it and examined it.

"Small round petals, light purple color, white pollen... anemone hepatica." I identified it and knelt beside it, opening my bag to grab a specimen jar.

After picking a bushel of the plant I stood and noticed the forest had grown very dark. Quickly brushing myself off I quickly headed in the direction of the neighboring town.

~~

That night I settled into a small inn and slept. After paying the inn keeper I went to the forest on the far side of town to look for what I'd come for. Daisies.

Peculiar as it may be the forest near our town doesn't have daisies. So we have to travel farther for them. One of our customers has come down with a bad cough and problems digesting. Thankfully daisies can help with both of those problems.

Once I'd found the white flower I collected a nice large bushel of them. It was just past sunrise by the time I started to head back home.

Shirayuki will be so happy! I even managed to find some anemone hepatica! We were running low on it anyway and I'm sure she'd go out to find some more soon.

Smiling and confident with my work I quickened my pace and went on my way.

~~

It was still pretty early in the morning by the time I'd arrived home. Shirayuki would be opening the shop by now. Taking out my keys I opened the door.

"I'm home!" I called, taking off my bag and setting it down on a table to unload it.

I got no response. Looking around I slowly set my jars of herbs down.

"Shirayuki?" I called again.

Nothing.

Frantically running into the back room I called for my sister. No response. I ran upstairs and called for her again and again.

Where is she?! She said she'd be here when I returned!!

Running back to the shop I noticed a row of envelopes on one of the work tables.

These are the names of our clients! Did she fill prescriptions and leave?! Why wouldn't she come find me?!

I noticed a card with my name on it and with shaky hands I ripped it open, reading it aloud.

"If you are reading this it's not to late. You must leave now. Prince Raj has requested I become a concubine because of my red hair and is going to send soldiers to retrieve me in the morning. You must go, I'm positive that he would gladly take you in my place. I'm sorry for not coming to look for you, but I need to get out of the country for my freedom. Come find me at the border, I'll be waiting?!" I read aloud in confusion. "Concubine!? Why would he want a common girl as a concubine?!" I asked myself.

Wait...

"Retrieve her in the morning?! They're going to be here at any minute!" I frantically glanced out the window to check if they were here but my eyes were caught by a large lock of my sisters hair tied up resting on the sill of the window.

Without hesitation I ran into the back to pack. As I shoved books and herbs into my bag I heard a pounding on the door.

I'm too late!

Shaking in fear I looked around, trying to find a way to escape. The door was kicked open and I jumped in fright, scrambling to find a place to hide. I pulled all of the trunks out from under my bed and pulled them in front of me for cover. I laid very still as I heard the gruff voices of what I assumed was soldiers.

"Check upstairs." I heard someone say and I started to shake even more.

Please don't find me, please don't find me...

I heard the door to my room slam open. I tried my best to hold my breath and stay still. I saw their feet walk around my room.

"This room is clear. No one is here. We'll have to tell Raj she escaped." I heard a man say.

Once the coast was clear I sighed in relief. Pushing the trunks out of my way I quickly grabbed the rest of my stuff and headed for the border.

I'M RE-WRITING THIS STORY! I was surprised with how much hype my other "She's My Sister" story was getting and decided to re-write it. When I went back to read it I realized  it was poorly written and I had no plot idea in mind. I've decided to fix a few things to give you guys a better story! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! Toodles!!