Grizelda woke up. Ever since their parents vanished Adiscordia had taken the role of protector and comforter. Addy wasn’t the best at comforting. She tended to be quiet most of the time, always needing her space. At times Grizelda wondered if she would be better off on her own without the constant pressure of wondering what Adiscordia was thinking. Most times Grizelda would spend time praying or hoping that the curse wasn’t getting to her. She had tried to talk to her sister a few times but had always received a cold response. Regardless, she’d always find herself trying to talk to her to keep her own sanity. Addy was the only one she had left for now until her parents returned.

“Addy?” she whispered. It was dark, but she soon woke up from her groggy state as her brain began to register that Adiscordia was gone. The sheet that was usually laid next to Grizelda was missing. Now, Grizelda was completely alone. “Adiscordia?” she whimpered a little louder sitting up. There was no response. Her sister had left her. She had taken her belongings and left without a single explanation. Her parents had done the same thing.

Grizelda held her doll tight in panic, wrapping her sheet around herself. She didn’t know what to do. Each second felt like hours of waiting and hoping to see Adiscordia return along with her parents. She didn’t. Adrenaline and fear kicked in sending Grizelda outside her home. She looked towards the sides, there was no one. Walking further away she realized there were no figures, no light, just the moon. There was no sound but the wind and the branches rustling.

“Addy- are you here?” Her voice was broken, but she stayed there and watched.

Finally, a figure appeared running from the distance. She heard the strong steps before she saw her. Adiscordia had the sheet tied up like a sack, bouncing against her back with each rushed step. Grizelda stood there, unsure how to feel but watched her come closer. There was an unnatural grin on her sister’s face complete with an excitement-filled rush. She laid the bag on the floor and started chuckling and then laughing as she dragged the bag closer into the darkness so others couldn’t see.

“Ad-“

“Gri!” She whispered in between pants. “Gri! That was amazing! They didn’t see me, I thought they would but I did it! I actually did it! Oh my gods! They were everywhere!” Adiscordia’s hands were covered in frosting and jams. Her lips were tainted with crumbs and milk.

Grizelda was in shock. She was glad her sister hadn’t left but she hadn’t stolen, had she? She knew the consequences. “What was?” She asked carefully.

“Bread!” Adiscordia explained. “Cookies! Marzipan! Gingerbread!” she moaned in delight. “There were cakes and pies! Fruits and jams! Gri!” drool nearly dripped from Adiscordia’s mouth in an intense desire. This wasn’t about survival anymore. Grizelda could begin to sense else something past her excited talkative state.

Adiscordia nearly ripped open the sheet, revealing a bit of everything. Treats smashed and scattered from the journey but she didn’t seem to care. She was quick to grab a cookie and devour it in seconds, and then the other. No crumbs could be wasted. The bread and cakes came next. They were baked to perfection. The tarts were beautifully decorated with intricate detail. Grizelda could hardly believe her eyes. “This is the rich food-“ Adiscordia started between chews. “The food from Maud!“

Grizelda had heard of Maud many times. She was her sister’s rescuer. Her sister admired her and often compared their deathly poor state to Maud’s many possessions. She had never met Maud but what Maud did was selfless. The way her sister was acting right now was anything but that. Adiscordia immediately stood up, grabbing a chunk of mixed delicacies and bringing it to her sister’s mouth. “Eat Gri! You're so hungry! So skinny, it's for you!”

Grizelda took a few quick steps back. “But that’s not mine-“

Adiscordia stared at her sister. No, it wasn’t hers. She had stolen it for her, and now she refused to eat it? She had given up herself so her sister could survive, and her sister refused to live either way? “Eat,” Adiscordia commanded. “You’re starving.” Her voice took on a harsher tone.

“I- I am.” Grizelda agreed. Her hunger gripped her tighter as her nose assaulted her. “but even though I’m hungry, it’s not mine, I can’t!” Grizelda felt her heart race. She could barely see Adiscordia. What happened was a blur but she let out a loud yelp of pain. She was pushed against the brick wall.

Her head thudded against it causing a harsh hit as she felt her sister’s hand press against her mouth. Grizelda groaned and shook her head refusing. It wasn’t hers. She couldn’t give in! She would rather die of starvation if it meant not giving in to the curse. She remembered her father and the rage in his eyes. He ended up being a danger to himself and himself. She wouldn't end up that way.

“Eat it! It’s yours! I brought it for you! I’m not-“ Grizelda felt her sister's hand hit harshly against her mouth over and over with each word. “Letting. You. Die!” She didn’t know when her sister had gained so much strength. She refused to open her mouth or fight, but her insides were tormenting her. The hits were getting harder and now her skull and face hurt. It was overwhelming and Grizelda felt dizzy, her eyes battling to stay open. If she was asleep and Adiscordia forced stolen goods into her, would that count towards the curse? When she noticed the redness dripping from her sisters head and her struggle with consciousness Adiscordia let her sister go. Grizelda looked back at her sister, that same rage she had seen that night was in her eyes. It was right In front of her. “Do you want to die?” Adiscordia asked her softly. Grizelda's lips were swollen, blood mixed with smashed delicacies. She found herself unable to answer but shook her head softly. “Then eat something!” Adiscordia yelled.

Grizelda whimpered, her eyes watering heavily as she began to cry. Her hands slowly reached towards the aching back of her head.  Her deep blue eyes formed an image in her sister’s mind. Her voice was gone. Her family had been torn away from her from the desperation and curse in front of her. She had failed to keep her sister innocent. She had failed to keep the family together. She had failed to keep the villagers safe from what would happen now. She had failed.

“Stupid Sister!” Adiscordia yelled gripping the sheet and throwing it at her before pushing her sister against the wall again. It wasn’t her fault, but Grizelda refused to cooperate. It was a horrible situation and Addy hated it. She wanted to be somewhere else or someone else alone. This would have been so much easier if she hadn’t had to worry about family or curses.  She lifted a fist and Grizelda dodged only for Addy to punch at the bricks in frustration, repeatedly.

Grizelda slid down the wall and watched as her sister punched the wall over and over, Blood splattered from her knuckles but she didn’t stop. Again and again, in a blinded rage she'd hit and punch the wall to release frustration. “Addy!” Grizelda called out in between a sob.

“What do you want?” She snapped looking down at her sister with her fists still held together. Adiscordia watched as her sister slowly pointed to her bleeding fists. The flesh had been ripped revealing swollen and torn-up muscle with hints of bone. After observing it Adiscordia stood up straighter and looked at her sister. “That’s what happens when you steal. I did it for you.” With a final huff from her nostrils, Adiscordia pulled up her sleeves and wiped off the remains of mixed sweets from her hands and lips. “Your fault. Whatever happens now is your fault. Do you hear me? It’s yours!” Grizelda felt her throat well up. She was unable to speak again as Adiscordia's words stabbed her heart.

Adiscordia knew she couldn’t stay with her sister anymore. She'd kill her if she stayed with her. “Good night Gri. I hope your purity serves you well.” Grizelda could hardly process what was happening but then her sister started running away. “Addy wait!” Step after step Adiscordia faded further away from her. “Where are you going?” Grizelda croaked receiving no response. “Addy please!” Grizelda crawled forward, her head screaming for her to stay still. Despite her begging the figure soon disappeared. Her sister was gone. Only she remained in the alley with her head thumping, stomach still growling and lips still swelling. This was her fault. Grizelda let out a wail of grief before grabbing her doll and curling up on the ground with her blanket covering her. She could hardly breathe, almost drowning in her tears. She was alone. When her body and mind couldn’t take it any longer she stopped. There was nothing. She was void of all emotion, just lying there. Her eyes stayed open staring at the blanket around her as she shivered from the cold. She heard a door open.

“I can’t sleep!” There were footsteps. “Could you keep it down?” The voice was angry but its owner found no one to blame. “Where-“ Grizelda couldn’t help but let out a whimper. She had even upset the villagers. “What happened here?” the voice was softer than earlier. Mixed sweets and food lay on the blanket and scattered in the alley. There was blood on the wall and splattered on the floor. Now a small shaking figure was hiding from her. The stranger slowly approached Grizelda.

“I didn’t do it! I promise!” She whimpered turning away. She could feel someone kneel beside her.

“Are you hurt?” Blood was soaking through the dull brown fabric. Grizelda didn’t speak. A hand carefully began to uncover the young girl to avoid scaring her further. She was so skinny, bones showing through her skin and blood now spilling through her hair and swollen lips. There were some sugary handprints from where her sister had grabbed her. Grizelda continued to cry silently when her senses began to give out. “Oh my- John! John, wake up!” The panicked woman took Grizelda in her arms and ran to her home leaving the door open.

The neighbor groaned finally coming out to see what all the noise was about. “John get some water and a handkerchief! It’s a girl, she’s so young, she won't stop bleeding! Her head i-“

Grizelda could make out panicked voices, but their words no longer held meaning. Nothing held meaning any longer. Her arm dropped and her doll fell to the ground.