"Faster!" pushes Tori, hiking her dress higher, "We have to make it before the sky darkens!" 

       Rose lifted her basket from the ground and took off after her sister, making her way around the yelling stalls of the market. The sky was getting darker by the second, the sun setting down over the horizon. From Rose's point of view, it looked like the sun was being swallowed by the land, little by little as the rays of light faded from her view; little by little as the safety of daylight vanished.

       "Rose!" yells her sister coming back for her, "Come on!" 

       Right, that is what will happen if she doesn't make it home in time. Disappeared and faded. 

       The street lamps flickered into life as the sisters ran along the streets, dodging vendors and shop owners. The market district in Verita is always the last to close down before night envelopes the city. That is when the streets are the most dangerous, every slice of shadow could hide dangers the human mind can't comprehend. 

       It is a competition against time, to see who wins. But the loser would pay the price. 

       Dashing down the main avenue, Rose keeps Tori in sight as she darts in and out of the mobs of people. Just like them, everyone on the streets is closing up their stalls, packing up their daily wares onto horses and wagons. 

       The air was thick with tension as the sisters ran on, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone streets.  The alleys grow narrower, the towering buildings casting elongated shadows that seem to reach out for them. A sharp slice of wind whipped down the alleyway. 

      Rose could see the residential district starting on the next block. The bustling market noises fade, and a blanket silence settles in. From her peripheral vision, Rose could sense something, a presence, behind her. 

      They are almost here, to safety--

      Rose felt something snag her toe and saw the ground rise before her as she careened forward--

       A pair of hands caught her under the arms, lifting her gently. Rose saw how close the ground was to her head and turned and felt her scream caught in her throat. A hooded figure now stood behind her, his presence sending a chill down her spine. The hooded figure's grip was firm, yet strangely gentle.

      "Mind your step, sweetheart; creatures out there have a taste for individuals like you."

       The low, husky baritone of the hooded figure's voice dripped with something like amusement and arrogance, sending shivers down her spine. The hooded figure's grip tightened slightly, sensing her movement. 

      "What is a pretty thing like you doing out here at this time?" he asks, lifting her so she can stand on her own feet.

      Rose trembled, she her stories of shadow figures of the night. Those who will take you away and never see your family again. 

      The hooded figure chuckled at her fear, the sound echoing in the quiet alley, "Answer the question, sweetheart."

       "I tripped." Rose softly replies, but thinking better of it, "Thank you, good sir, for catching me." Not looking at his face underneath his shadowed cowl, she dropped into a curtsy.

       The figure's amusement intensified, sensing her lie, "Well that was a mighty trip indeed." He crossed his arms. Under the shadowed cowl of his face, Rose could see his cruel smirk. As the moon peaked out from behind the clouds, its gentle beams of light exposed the chiseled chin of the stranger, his dark cloak seemed to ripple with an invisible breeze.

      "ROSE!" She turns to see Tori barreling up towards her. Her sister braked in front of her panting, her face red, "What the hell are you thinking! Wandering around like that!"

       "Well," Rose turned around to thank her savior once more but the road behind her was empty, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair. 

       "Don't "well" me, we need to get back home. Now." A hint of dominance enters her sister's voice and gets Rose standing up straighter. Grabbing her sister's hand, Tori dragged Rose along. But not before she snuck another look back, searching for the mysterious figure. But not even a shade of his shadow was there.

      Panting, both sisters arrived at the doorstep of their small dwelling. Fumbling in her dress pocket for the key, Tori quickly closed the door after them. 

      "Next time, watch where you are going, Rose!" scolds Tori quietly, hanging her jacket up by the door, "You know it's forbidden for us to stay out after the sun has set!"

      "Your concern is duly noted," grumbled Rose, passing her jacket to her sister. 

      "Be grateful Father and Mother will not be knowing this tonight." hissed Tori, grabbing Rose's basket, "Let me do the talking."

      Without waiting for Rose's response, Tori strode towards the living room, her head held high, a small smile plastered on her face. Her face. Rose's own face tries to imitate the expression to no avail. Even though they are indeed twins, girls born on the same day and moon, Tori was always better at guarding her emotions. 

      Following Tori, Rose could see that dinner was already prepared on the table, the smell of baked potatoes wafted up her nose, inviting her to take a seat at the table, where her youngest sister Flo was already seated, clumsily scooping food onto her plate. 

      Seeing her, her tiny sister exclaimed, "Rose! Welcome home!" Leapt down from her chair and rushed over to hug her. Rose crouched and hugged her right back with an equal amount of enthusiasm.

      "Roseline." Rose turned to see her father, sitting by the fireplace, nursing a cup of tea. Tori was already there, lifting a set of blankets onto his lap.

      "Father." Rose gently pried herself from her sister's grasp walked over in front of the crackling fire and knelt before it warming her hands.

      After several tense moments of silence, her father asked, "Late again." It wasn't as much of a question as a declaration. 

      Rose looked up from her place by the fire, into her father's dark eyes. But before she could utter even a grunt, Tori cut in, "We got held down by Mrs. Sanders again." Her father's gaze snapped to Tori, but she marched on, "You know? The old lady with greying hair who sells the best fruit pies that you love so much?" Her father's eyes narrow behind his glasses.

    "VICTORIA! ROSELINE!" the three of them, turned to see their mother come amble down the stairs, little Flo, right behind her. Catching her little sister's eyes, Rose winked and mentally reminded herself to give her an extra large slice of apple pie.

      "Thank God that you guys came home early today!" Their mother hugged Tori, and kissed Rose on both cheeks, "Well aren't you both hungry? Come on then, eat!"

      Without being asked the second time, both sisters rose from their places by the fireplace to sit down at the dining table. Rose could sense her father, rising slowly from his sofa and trudging over to his seat at the head of the table.

      "May God bless us for our prosperity and luck, guiding our lives towards the better." The whole family in unison, "I thank the good Lord for this house, to keep away the rain and cold." says Father, closing his eyes.

      "I thank God for having such wonderful daughters," says Mother, closing her eyes next.

      "I thank his good Lord for this wonderful family." continues Tori, closing her eyes. Next, it's Rose's turn.

She learned my throat, "I thank God for the warmth he has provided for us." Shut her eyes.

      Lastly, little Flo squeaked, "I thank God for this delicious food!" Then the whole family dipped their head. 

      They opened their eyes and prepared to dig in, and that is when loud banging came from their door.