"Forget what everyone says. We are each other's normal."

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*Journey*

Laughs ricocheted through the air. Happiness was alive in our hearts. We thought it was the greatest day ever.

My sister and I walked down the boulevard, hands enwrapped. We had just celebrated our 14th birthday. We went out for ice-cream and dinner by ourselves. Our parents had given us a prepaid card to use before they left for their business trip. We were wearing matching outfits and had smiles on our face.

As we chattered I looked up skipping along with my sister. My best friend. Every now and then she adjusted her hearing aids either to better hear me or pretend to ignore me. My heart was bursting with happiness. Up ahead I noticed heavy footsteps echoed behind us. I tugged my sister's hand. When we stopped walking, the sound of the footsteps stopped too. My eyes widened in alarm.

My sister noticed I wasn't smiling anymore. She looked at me in confusion. My eyes seemed to focus somewhere else. I tuned in my ears to any noise behind me. She caught on quickly to my body language.

"Hey J, What's wrong?" She said turning to face me. "Is there something happening? Let me turn up my aid."

I whispered as we continued walking loud enough for only the two of us. "Astre there is someone following us. We need to run."

We turned a corner. I quickly looked back to see the dark figure was closer and had sped up.

My sister laughed nonchalantly.

"Jou, you can't scare me but nice try." She said laughing. "You always take the jokes so seriously. You might have fooled me many time these past years but I'm onto you."

I tug her hand harder now frustration apparent on my face. "Astre I am NOT kidding we are being followed and will be killed if you don't stop playing."

She noticed the seriousness on my face and stopped laughing. She started to get frightened.

"Maybe we should call the police. I'll use my phone." She started to pull out her phone in a scramble.

"Don't make it too obvious?" I said looking ahead and acting normally. My voice quivered slightly I gulped my throat parched.

At this moment we turned into a dead end. Shit, we hadn't been paying attention to our surroundings. I urged Astre to hurry up, pulling her closer and tapping my fingers nervously. I heard the dial tone Astre's hands shook in anticipation.

"911. What's your emergency?" The voice on the other line spoke.

"We are being followed by someone by Mortuus Street and Pris Boulevard."

"OK stay where you are. We will be there in 15 minutes. Try walking into the nearest building or into an area with many people." We were getting closer to the dead end. My sister and I began to panic.

"We don't have 15 minutes! We accidentally walked into a dead end. He's getting closer. Please hurry." She urged the police. A hand tapped my shoulder both of us turned around.

The dark figure raised his hood and said in a gruff voice "Excuse Me but can you please follow me this way?"

We tried to avoid his gaze, while I spoke. My body shook and my mind whirl, but I tried my best to think straight so that my next words would not anger him. "I'm terribly sorry but we must be on our way," I say trying to walk away.

The man's eyes darkened "You're filthy family always acts so pure but I know what goes on. The wanton acts of sin I've witnessed. I was once a sinner like your parents and when I confronted them on their wrongdoings I was exiled. My house was taken away from me, sentenced with multiple counts of tax evasion I did not do, etc. They destroyed ME! I will take away something of value to them. Their beloved daughters." He chuckled.

"You're coming with me. We'll see how their plans go now." He began to lead us towards a building covered in graffiti and strange signs. My sister grabbed my hand in fear as our eyes widened.

"Please, sir. We didn't do anything we just want to go home after our birthday. If you want our parents to pay for something we will tell them." I said in a hurry. The man stopped to think it over for a moment.

"You know what? You're right, Maybe I can make some money out of this...Before I-" He coughs and discontinues the sentence. "Tell your parents that I want one million by the end of the day."

I sighed in relief only for the man to grab my sister. "But the girl stays with me. Just as a precaution to make sure they actually give me my money. Tell them to meet me on this same street and not to try any sneaky business."

My sister started crying and blubbering and tried to shake out the man's hold. He grunted in the effort as he tried to hold her and the knife.

"Please, no sir. We promise we will bring the money! Just please let her go!"

"NO! Just bring the money or the girl dies! Now!" He held the knife to Astre's neck and it nicked her a little. A small trickle of blood flowed out. She stopped struggling against the man and watched the knife like a hawk.

"I'll be back Astre I-I promise," I said, tears running down my face. She smiled a tearful one as if she won't make it out tonight.

I ran as quickly as my legs could carry me. The sharp wind whipped my hair.

As I approached the mansion I quickly slid my card through the slider for the gate. Running up to the door, I scrambled for my keys. Once inside, I look around frantically. I soon remember my parents weren't home and they were abroad as of now.

Clink. Click I heard utensils moving and quiet laughter. I slowly crept towards the dining room. I peeked inside only to see my parents having dinner with a man and a woman.

I was shocked. Why did my parents lie to my sister and me? I cleared my throat to gain their attention. Everyone turned towards me. I suddenly felt self-conscious. I run my hands through my hair quickly, trying to look decent.

"Oh hello Dear. I'm sure you didn't mean to intrude. But we are having dinner with the Phatings family. Unless you'd like to join us of course. Where is your sister?" My mother said with a fake smile. She didn't even look surprised or startled I was there.

"Mum. I have something to tell you. Please come with me. It's very urgent. Dad, you should come to-"

"Darling, dearest. Won't you come to sit down and enjoy dinner with us? You can get your sister if you want. You must be excited today since it's your birthday." My Father says gesturing with his hand towards an empty seat.

I'm confused at first wondering why they won't listen to what I'm saying. Then it hits me, to them I am still a naïve child who they must present as happy and train until I become of age. For them to listen to me I would have to act "civilized and proper".

I straightened my posture, lifted my chin, and looked determined. I then approached my parents, smoothing out my skirt. "I'm dearly sorry, Mother and Father. Hello Mr. and Mrs.Phatings. If you would excuse my parents and me for a short amount of time. I'd really appreciate it." I then remembered to smile and look presentable.

There was a short silence as the Phatings looked unsure. They must not be used to being given control. Mr.Phatings then quickly cleared his throat and smiled back. "My, Mr. and Mrs. Dain. It seems you two have such well brought up children. Of course, you may Miss...Journey."

My parents smiled too, with fake politeness. They then quickly got up and pushed me out into the corridor. After making sure we were a suitable distance away, they turned to me, looking irritated. "What do you need Journey? What was so urgent that you had to drag us out from a meeting with potential business partners?"

"Mom. Dad. Astre has been kidnapped and they will kill her if you don't pay 1 million by the end of the day. We have to quickly bring the money to the pickup site and get Astre back from them."

My dad straightened his back and fixed his suit. "Is that all, dearest? What a joke. I'm sorry but we can't afford to waste that much money on your sister. Think of it this way. If your sister dies, we will make more money and you'll eventually get over her.

"Haven't you always wanted to be an only child? You don't have to worry about the police and press. We'll keep this covered up." My mother said, fixing her makeup and hair, not even directly addressing me.

My mouth was agape in shock and horror. How could they say such a thing? To rate a human life to money is unthinkable. "Yet, they were here telling me that they can't afford to "waste money" for their daughter's life?!"

With my head down and anger boiling inside of me, I screamed: "You are the worst parents and I hope you die!"

I ran out the door, only to be stopped by guards as I got near to the gate. My parents must have told them to make sure I don't leave. I am "escorted" back to our room. Tears spill out my eyes wetting the bed. The warmth of many memories still stuck there.

The truth was my sister died that day and the people who killed her were the same people who birthed her. Yes. The truth is my mother and father refused to pay to save their daughter's life and had the nerve to cover it up. That was the last time I ever saw my sister and I will never forgive them. I didn't just lose a sister that day, I lost a best friend and the other half of me.