Sister's Sacrifice

The house was too quiet. Not the peaceful kind of quiet—this one felt wrong. Heavy. Suffocating. Anita froze at the doorway, her fingers tightening around her bag as her eyes scanned the living room. Mess everywhere. A chair slightly overturned. A cup shattered on the floor. “Ella?” she called, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound calm. “Ella, where are you?” No answer. A cold shiver slid down her spine. “Ella!” she shouted louder this time. Still nothing. Anita rushed toward Ella’s room and pushed the door open. Empty. The bed was unmade. The curtains swayed slightly as if someone had just left… or escaped. “Where could she be?” Anita whispered, panic rising in her chest. “She didn’t tell me she was going anywhere…” Her thoughts spiraled. This isn’t the first time I’ve left her alone… so why does this feel different? Her hands shook as she dialed Ella’s number. Switched off. “Damn it!” Anita gasped, pacing the room. “Who do I call? Where do I even start?” Tears blurred her vision as fear clawed at her chest. Something was wrong. She could feel it. KNOCK. KNOCK. Anita froze. Slowly… cautiously… she walked to the door. Her heart pounded as she turned the handle. The door creaked open. “Ella?!” Relief crashed over her like a wave. “There you are!” Anita rushed forward, pulling her into a tight hug. Ella stiffened for a split second. Then forced a smile. “Big sis… why are you crying? What happened?” “You scared me!” Anita pulled back, holding her shoulders. “I searched everywhere. I called you—your phone was off!” “Oh… I just stepped out to see a friend,” Ella replied casually. Too casually. They hugged again. But this time… Anita didn’t relax. Something felt off. Ella’s body was tense. Her eyes… avoided contact. And for a brief moment— Anita noticed something. A faint mark on Ella’s wrist. That night, the house felt even colder. Phone rings. “Hey, Josh,” Ella said quietly, glancing toward the door before shutting it. “I’m fine.” “Be at my place by 9 a.m. tomorrow,” the voice on the other end said, firm… almost threatening. “Don’t be late.” Ella frowned. “Are you commanding me?” A pause. “I’m not,” Josh replied slowly. “But I can… if I want to.” The line went dead. Ella stared at her phone, unease creeping in. She quickly dialed another number. “Mamacita… Josh wants me at his place tomorrow morning. Should I go?” “Why are you asking me?” Mamacita scoffed. “You always do whatever he says.” Ella hesitated. “I… I don’t know. Something feels—” “If you go, at least tell your sister,” Mamacita cut in. “You don’t want her worrying.” A pause. Then, softer— “Must you really do everything he says?” Ella swallowed. “You know I love him…” “Going out by 9 a.m. tomorrow?” Ella spun around. Anita stood at the doorway. Watching. For how long had she been there? “Were you… eavesdropping?” Ella asked carefully. Anita shook her head. “No. But I heard enough.” Silence filled the room. “You said you were meeting Mamacita,” Anita continued slowly, her eyes narrowing. “So you both will be hanging out tomorrow, right?” Ella forced a smile. “Yes… we will.” Anita stepped closer. Too close. “I don’t have a problem with you going out,” she said softly. “But I have this feeling…” She paused. A long, heavy pause. “…that you’re about to regret something.” Ella’s smile faltered. Just for a second. “Don’t worry about me, big sis,” she said, gently pushing Anita toward the door. “Go and rest.” The door clicked shut. Silence. Ella turned around slowly. Her smile vanished instantly. Her hands trembled. She looked down at her phone.