Page 34 of Where Darkness Falls

I turn around to leave when a soft nudge in my mind stops me.

Knock, Maeva. You will regret this moment if you don’t make amends,the voice purrs.

What do you mean?I ask.

The voice doesn’t reply.

Taking a deep breath, I face Cara’s door. I hesitate before summoning the courage I need to face her.

Knock! Knock!

The sobs dissipate. Everything behind the door is silent.

I lean against the door’s frame.

“Cara, it’s me. May I come in?” I ask.

Her reply is so soft that I wouldn’t have heard it if I wasn’t so close.

“Go away, Maeva,” she replies.

Her voice is hoarse—like she’s been crying for some time.

“I know you are upset, but please, Cara. Let’s talk,” I say.

Silence.

“You promised we could talk today, remember?” I ask.

“I do not wish to speak with you at the moment,” she quips.

“Sister—”

“Do not call me that,” she interrupts. “You are not my blood.”

I stagger back.

“You don’t mean that,” I whimper.

She’s silent, and a searing pain erupts in my chest.

“Cara, please don’t act like this. Just give me a chance to explain,” I plead.

When she doesn’t respond, I jiggle her door knob… still locked.

“You need to go, Maeva,” she commands.

My shoulders droop.

I don’t want to leave her, but what else can I do?

“Okay. I love you, Cara,” I whisper, retreating to my room.

It’s only when I am within my four walls that I allow myself to sob. I needed her to listen—to understand. How can that happen if she won’t allow me to be in her presence? My heart feels like it’s being wrenched in half. It feels helpless. I don’t know how to reach my sis—Cara. Howcan I prove to her I am still who I have always been? As teenagers, she promised she would never shut me out, never turn her back on me:

It’s adoption day.

I am sitting in my room, waiting for the Elder to arrive. I wipe my wet palms over my lap. Amelia sewed a lovely lavender dress for such a special occasion. Delicate flowers and vines swirl around the hemline and along the bodice. She assured me I look beautiful and that today would be perfect.

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