Only a thin beam of light breaking through Maive's scarlet curtains lit Vora's vision of the woman under the covers. The bedroom was a makeshift hospital room, and Vora feared it's been like this for ages. IV bags hung above Maive’s bed, and a heart monitor pinged like a drum’s beat.

"I cannot blame Albeit for disobeying me, but I am still bothered. I believe it is the first time in my life he has.” Maive sat up in her bed with a creak. She was nearly as pale as a Chime, had dark circles edging her eyes, and her skeleton pressed against her flesh internally. “Is not that ironic?”

"Why did you lie to me?" Vora asked softly. “I would have been here. I wouldn’t have left you alone.”

“I didn’t want you to see me like this and shatter your heart again. We both saw how Darcie died. I dream about it nearly every night. I wanted to spare you from the sight of my death.”

“You’re not going to die. There must be something. Maybe Maiden Sympha could heal you. She’s all-powerful.”

Maive shook her head. "It is, sadly, over for me. I have already received many treatments and experiments. I do not want any more. I cannot go outside. My organs are failing. My body is poisoning itself. I am ready for rest.”

Could I have prevented this with my magic? Vora questioned herself. I could have saved her somehow. I could have prevented this if I had tried harder!

"Could you open the blinds, please? I would appreciate your bright face." Vora threw open the blinds. “And could open the window? I have not felt the wind in so long.” Vora opened the window.

Vora didn't turn around when she asked, “How long… how long do you have?” After an alarming nonresponse, she turned around. Vora began to tear up when she saw the box in Maive's lap. "No. No. I won’t take it because you are not going to—”

"Vora!” Maive yelled and coughed. It was the first time she’d ever screamed at Vora like that. “That is what we promised…”

***

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The trio of girls listened to a mystery story broadcast over the radio in Vora’s bedroom. They were nine to ten in age, and this was the first time all three had hung out together out of school.

"Pshhh. That endin’ was dumb.” Darcie chugged the remainder of her pop and dragged her arm against her lips. “How would someone hide in an oven, any who?”

"You're mad that I was right," Vora boasted, puffing out her chest. “Sore loser.”

"I rather liked the dog showing guiding the detective to the handprints.” Maive beamed. Then she leveled her lips and asked, “Vora. May I use your restroom?”

"The answer's 'yes.' It’s always 'yes.' Stop asking and go." When Maive returned, Vora commented, “You do know you don’t have to be so prim and proper with us.”

"I do not?”

"Nope. That's the neat part." Darcie cracked open another grape pop. “Don’t matter how you are, we’re friends.”

"But how do I know you are my friends? Is it a contract or something? I still don’t understand the whole thing.”

"No, dumb-dumb,” Vora said, throwing her hand flamboyantly. “None of that formal stuff. We just are.”

"Have you ever talked ter anyone aside from your butler?” Darcie mocked.

Maive shook her head, then hung it with embarrassment. With clever inspiration, Vora snatched the sparkly scissors on her desk, went behind Darcie, and snipped a long lock of her hair.

Darcie nearly choked on her pop before asking with befuddlement and annoyance, “Why?”

Vora gently stole a bit of blue hair from Maive, then lopped off her own violet hair. She collapsed cross-legged, stuck out her tongue with concentration, and weaved the hairs together, making a long violet, gray, and blue braid.

"This is our contract, or whatever. With this… ‘eternal braid,’ we’ll be sisters and friends,” Vora declared on the spot, tossing the braid to Darcie.

"That's neat. We’ll take turns taking care of it. Rotate once ‘n a while.” Darcie widened her eyes creepily. “And if one of us with it dies, it’ll be passed on.”

She tossed it to Maive, who gently caught it. “How morbid.”

"She’s just teasing. We’re not going to die for thousands of years,” Vora reassured. “Even if we do, this braid will exist forever. Just like our friendship. Are you satisfied now, Ms. Orna…?”

***

Vora took the box Maive handed her with shaky hands. She undid the latch and flipped it open to reveal the thin, colorful braid.

"It started off as a silly way to subdue my worries, but we took it seriously after. The funny part was, my turn never ended.” Maive laughed weakly.

Vora laughed along, and at the same time, the braid was struck by droplets. “It was silly, but we were and are friends, even without this.” Vora’s damp chocolate eyes met Maive’s wet emeralds. “I love you, Maive Orna.”

"Thank you. I love you, too, Vora Bekkan. Congratulations on your new life.” Maive lay down and shut her eyes. She wearily said, “We will be waiting for you to pass it on. Please, keep your turn… a long one.” Maive groaned painfully and smiled. “I am so happy, I will… get to see her… again.”

The heart monitor droned, and Maive eyes remained shut forever on.