Story 36/1001

• provision
• cucumber
• attractive

Zia rushed to her home, clenching a box in her arms. She avoided everyone who made eye contact with her, knowing what it could lead to. When she came home, she locked the door behind her, spotting a few suspicious faces around their house.

“You’re finally here.” Eliana tried to hide how worried she was with a smile.

“The line was really long, mom.” Zia said. “And the rations have gotten smaller again. Even the number of thieves increased. I saw at least ten on my way here.”

“They said the provisions will change.” Eliana said softly. “We will be alright.”

“I’m not so sure, mom.” Zia walked to the table in the middle of the room and sat down. She glanced at the adjoining room and saw her sister combing her hair. Zia rolled her eyes at her, but her mom’s hand stopped her from commenting. She sat next to her and held her hand, like she always did when Zia worried.

“We’re barely making it.” Zia sighed. “And this little box is supposed to last us for two weeks.”

“Zia, honey, it’s been too hard on you.” Her mom said, removing a stubborn strand of hair from her face.

Zia coughed a little, watching Lilian enter the room and go straight to the box or rations. Lilian searched it, and put a few things out on the table.

“Don’t mind me.” She said. “Oh, a cucumber. You could make me that face mask Iliana told me about. That’s how she got Elon to marry her. Her face glowed with unparalleled beauty.”

“Really, Lilian?” Zia scoffed.

“It’s just one cucumber, Zia.”

“And we already don’t have a lot.”

“Girls, please stop.” Eliana held her head, like it was about to explode.

“Mom?” Lilian and Zia said at the same time.

“You’re having headaches again?” Zia asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“She never stopped having them.” Lilian whispered, holding their mom. “Which you would know if you weren’t so busy protesting the king and the prince.”

“How do you-“

“Of course I know.” Lilian looked at her, annoyed. “Your so called ‘secret organization’ is not so secret when you bring their stuff here.”

She pulled a small brooch with a blue iris on it, out of her pocket. Zia recognized the symbol and tried to take it from her hand. Lilian put it back in her pocket.

“You can’t carry that around. If anyone catches you with it, you’re-“

“Girls, why are you whispering?” Eliana said, still holding her head. Zia shushed her and helped her to the bed in the adjoining room, where Lilian was combing her hair minutes ago.

Zia closed the door behind her and sat across from her sister, at the kitchen table.

“You have to give that back.” Zia said.

“Give me the cucumber, and I will.” Lilian answered.

“Really? Are you really doing this? We have nothing to eat, Lilian. How can you be so selfish?” Zia snapped, getting up from the table.

“Selfish?” Lilian frowned, her blue eyes darkening. “What else am I supposed to do? You know no one will hire daughters of a deserter.”

“He didn’t desert anything. There is no proof.”

“He sent us a letter describing everything, leaving us. He even said he will swim across if he has to, only to escape the war. When will you stop defending him?”

“He would never do that.”

“Oh, wake up, Zia. He did this to us. Mom can’t even go to the healer, because no one will take her. I’m lucky enough Zyde even noticed me. If he marries me, mom will be taken care of. And we need that, Zia. We don’t need you sneaking out at night and fighting a battle you will never win.”

Zia watched her older sister, one that she always considered a spoiled princess, grow up in front of her. Her heart ached for her.

“You don’t have to marry him. He’s an arrogant-“

“Ass? Yes, I know. But at least he’s attractive.” She forced a smile. “I need to always be my best self, Zia. Because this is our best chance of surviving.”

Zia shook her head.

“They planned something tonight.” Zia whispered, and held Lilian’s hand. “I didn’t plan on going because-” She looked at Lilian’s widened eyes. “But if they make it, it will change everything.”

“Zia-“

“We have a real chance to do something. We are not just protestors.”

“Zia, don’t.”

“I have to go, Lilian.” Zia hugged her sister, like she’s never hugged her before. She took the brooch from inside her pocket and smiled lightly.

“I love you both.”

“Zia, don’t you dare leave. Zia!”

Lilian yelled while her sister packed a small bag with a change of clothes and a piece of bread. Lilian tried to get her to turn around and look at her, but Zia brushed her off.

“Take care of mom. And take the cucumber.”

Zia said, closing the door and walking into the night. When she was far enough so Lilian can’t see her, she glanced over at their small house and brushed the tears from her face.

Lilian ran after her, with tears in her eyes. She couldn’t see her anymore, but she stood there, cold air turning her cheeks red.

“This is not a goodbye, Zia! Don’t you dare leave! Don’t you dare-“

“Lilian? Is everything alright?” She heard a voice from the inside.

Lilian clenched her dress, wiped her tears, and went inside the house.

Then she made some cucumber soup for their mom.