A Sister's Promise

Chapter 1: A Family

   "Sienna!"

The shrill call stirred twenty three year old Sienna Baker from a deep sleep. She moaned in protest as her seventeen year old sister pulled the covers off of her. Cold air quickly overtook the warm atmosphere of her bed.

"You're going to be late."

Seventeen year old, Dakota sat on her knees at the end of the bed and bounced slightly. Sienna moaned again, pulling a pillow on top of her head.

"I hate this shift," she whined. "I don't get enough sleep."

"Just two more weeks and it'll be back to dayshift. Come on, sis."

Sienna forced herself to sit up. "Remind me again. Why did I take this shift for Justin?"

"Cause he's our friend and you're an awesome person!" Dakota smiled. "Plus it's extra money."

Sienna sighed and dropped her head. "Fine. I'll get up."

"About time," Dakota teased.

Sienna tossed her pillow at her sister and laughed as she pulled herself out of bed. It was two o'clock in the afternoon. Her shift started at four, giving her just enough time for a quick shower, to get her uniform on and be at the department on time.

Sienna worked for the Rochester County Sheriff's Department. She loved the department, but didn't care for the hours. Tonight, she was working a double shift for her best friend, Justin Court. She had known him for years and so, when he came to her with a favor, she couldn't let him down.

Dakota hadn't been too happy about it. After their parents had died in a tragic car accident late one night, four years ago, Sienna had taken it upon herself to care for her younger sister. The two were nearly inseparable. Dakota, however, didn't enjoy her sister's job. The dangers and risks of it were no secret to her. Many nights she had spent comforting Sienna after a long and emotional shift. Sienna never got tired of her sister's company.

Even while she teased her now, Sienna knew that her sister did not want her to work a regular shift, much less a double. But it had to be done and both sisters understood that. However, Sienna reminded herself that she would have to give Justin a hard time about this shift.

Downstairs, Dakota worked diligently on her homework while her sister got ready. It was all she could do to not think about Sienna's shift. She knew that most likely, nothing would happen. Nothing big ever seemed to happen in their small county. However, if it did, it was usually either traumatic for the officers or devastating for everyone. Since Sienna had gotten on the department, two years ago, nothing big had happened, but Dakota knew that didn't mean it couldn't.

Today, she had a strange nagging feeling that wouldn't leave her alone. Something wasn't right and she hated that she didn't know what. All she knew was that she did not want Sienna pulling a double shift.

Sienna came down the stairs a little while later and modeled the uniform for Dakota, as she did every night. Dakota inspected it, making sure everything was neat and crisp. Finally, she nodded in approval.

"You look great, like always." She smiled.

"Thanks, now you're staying here right? Not at Tonya's right?"

Dakota nodded again. "I have too much homework."

"Which class?" Sienna poured a bowl of cereal and began eating it, leaning against the counter where Dakota was working.

"Literature."

"Fun class!" Sienna exclaimed sincerely.

Sienna was a bookworm whenever she wasn't on duty. Dakota hated it though. She despised reading and writing. Sienna chuckled and tapped Dakota's book.