Chapter 7: The Frost Sisters
Elara Frost pulled her worn jacket tighter around herself, shivering as the chill seeped through the thin walls of their tiny apartment. She cast a quick glance at the window, watching as the last bit of daylight faded into a cold, darkening sky. The city outside buzzed with the distant sounds of traffic, laughter, and life—a life that felt miles away from the world she and her sister lived in.
Bills were stacked on the counter, each demanding a payment she couldn’t make. Rent was due soon, and after her last minimum-wage shift, she’d barely scraped together enough to keep the electricity on. She knew she had to find a way to make every penny stretch. It was an endless battle she’d fought for as long as she could remember, but Lilia was the only thing that made it worth it.
Her gaze softened as she looked over at her little sister, curled up on their threadbare couch, humming a tune as she brushed the hair of her battered doll. Lilia’s bright blue eyes sparkled with joy, even in this small, empty apartment. She didn’t know how to worry yet, and Elara fought every day to keep it that way.
“Ellie?” Lilia’s soft voice broke through her thoughts.
“Hmm?”
Lilia looked up, her big blue eyes wide and hopeful. “Can I have some tea?”
Elara felt a pang in her chest, both at the innocence of the question and the harsh truth she had to face every time she opened their nearly empty cabinets. She kept a box of tea bags hidden in the back, saved for the nights when Lilia needed a little extra warmth or comfort. She only had two bags left, but that wasn’t something Lilia needed to know.
“Of course, Lilia,” Elara replied, putting on a smile as she walked over to their makeshift kitchen. She filled their chipped mug with hot water, letting the tea bag steep as she stirred it. It was weak and barely had any color, but to Lilia, it was something special.
She brought the mug over and sat beside her sister, watching as Lilia cupped the mug with both hands, her small fingers wrapped around it as if it were a treasure. “Thank you, Ellie! It’s just like the fancy tea parties we used to have with Mommy, right?”
Elara’s heart squeezed at the mention of their mother. She brushed a strand of white hair behind her ear, nodding. “Just like that.”
In the back of her mind, Elara couldn’t help but think of the difference. Their mother had loved having tea parties with Lilia, dressing up and pouring sweet drinks in tiny china cups. But she’d left them years ago, leaving Elara to play the roles of both sister and mother. She’d kept the memories alive for Lilia’s sake, but she couldn’t deny the bitterness that lingered every time she thought of their mother walking out, choosing a life of luxury over them.
“One day, when I’m older,” Lilia continued, taking a careful sip, “I’ll get you all the fancy tea you want, Ellie. We can have real tea parties, just like before!”
Elara chuckled, forcing herself to stay in the moment. “I’ll hold you to that, Lilia. I’ll be waiting for the fanciest tea you can find.”
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Lilia’s face lit up, her eyes bright with determination. “And cupcakes! We’ll have cupcakes, too. Pink ones, with sprinkles!”
Elara couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking through the weight of worry pressing on her chest. “Deal. Pink cupcakes with sprinkles. I’m counting on it.”
For a few minutes, they sat together in the warmth of the moment, sipping tea and laughing over dreams of the future. In those moments, the stress faded away, and the apartment didn’t feel so empty or cold. Elara watched her sister’s smile, thinking of all the things she wanted to give her—the childhood she’d missed, the security she deserved, the dreams she was too young to understand.
“Ellie, when we have cupcakes, can we eat them on a blanket in the park?” Lilia’s voice was soft, her tone almost wistful. “Like a picnic?”
Elara brushed a gentle hand through her sister’s hair, her heart aching with the desire to give her that life. “Yes, Lilia. One day, we’ll have a picnic with all the cupcakes you can eat.”
They shared a quiet smile, and Elara leaned back, letting herself savor this small moment of peace. But then, the ground beneath them trembled—a sudden, violent shake that made her heart skip.
Lilia looked up, eyes wide. “Ellie… what was that?”
“Stay here,” Elara said, her voice steady despite the growing fear gnawing at her. She got up and moved to the window, peering outside. Her eyes widened as she took in the chaos below: people running, screaming, and strange creatures flooding the streets, tearing into anything in their path.
Just down the block, a swirling portal glowed against the night sky, the edges pulsing with dark energy as goblins poured through, their jagged features and malicious grins terrifying in the dim light. The portal spun violently, swirling with colors that made her skin crawl, as if it were a wound in reality itself.
“Ellie?” Lilia’s small voice was barely a whisper.
Elara turned, forcing her panic down. “Lilia, stay close to me,” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand and pulling her close. Her heart pounded as she scanned the room for anything that could serve as a weapon. All she had was an old kitchen knife, but it would have to do.
They had to get out, but where? The streets were filled with those creatures, and every second, the chaos outside grew worse. Elara’s mind raced, calculating their chances, weighing the impossible odds. In the distance, she saw a flickering light—the sign of the local hospital. If they could make it there, maybe they’d be safe, even if only for a little while.
“Listen to me, Lilia,” she whispered, crouching down to meet her sister’s gaze. “We’re going to play a game, alright? I need you to hold my hand tight, and no matter what happens, you don’t let go.”
Lilia nodded, her face pale, but her grip was strong as she clutched Elara’s hand. “Okay, Ellie. I won’t let go.”
With a deep breath, Elara cracked open their front door and peered into the hallway. It was eerily quiet, but she could hear faint screams and the sound of shattering glass from the floors below. Taking Lilia’s hand, she led them down the emergency stairs, moving as quietly as possible.
As they reached the ground floor, Elara peeked through the building’s exit, her heart pounding as she saw goblins scurrying down the street, their shrill laughter echoing in the night. The hospital was only a few blocks away, but the goblins were everywhere, forcing her to make a quick decision: risk running straight there, or take the back alleys.
She took a deep breath, glancing down at her sister. “We’re going to run, Lilia. Stay close, and don’t let go.”
Lilia’s eyes widened, but she nodded, her small hand clutching Elara’s tightly. “I won’t, Ellie.”
With a final deep breath, Elara broke into a sprint, pulling Lilia along as they zigzagged between cars and darted into side streets, staying as low as they could. The sounds of goblins scurrying behind them, their cruel laughter cutting through the darkness, made her stomach twist with fear.
They slipped through alleyways and ducked behind dumpsters, using whatever cover they could find. Every now and then, a goblin would get too close, and Elara would tighten her grip on Lilia’s hand, quickening their pace. The hospital sign glowed closer, a beacon of hope, but they weren’t there yet.
Just as they reached the street leading to the hospital, a pair of goblins spotted them, letting out high-pitched shrieks as they barreled forward. Heart pounding, Elara tightened her grip on Lilia’s hand, pulling her forward with all the strength she had.
“Run, Lilia!” she urged, not daring to look back as they raced across the street, the goblins’ footsteps echoing behind them.
They reached the hospital entrance just in time, slamming the door behind them as a security guard spotted the goblins and quickly locked the door. The creatures banged on the glass, snarling, but the hospital doors held.
Elara and Lilia stumbled inside, both panting, clutching each other in relief. The waiting room was packed with terrified people, all huddling together, some sobbing, others clutching makeshift weapons. A nurse ushered them to sit on a bench by the wall, her face tight with worry.
“You two alright?” she asked, her voice gentle but tense.
Elara nodded, though her body was still shaking from the adrenaline. “We’re… we’re okay. Thank you.”
Lilia clung to her side, burying her face in Elara’s shoulder. Elara wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as she looked around at the other survivors. She didn’t know how long this “safe” zone would last, but for now, they had shelter,