Author's Note: Hi! My latest story. This will be a short one, so the events might seem rushed. But do read and review:)

She looked into the man’s eyes. He was pleading with her, begging her. All the fight had gone out of his him. Sometimes it happened, sometimes it didn’t. But most people knew when death was imminent. Some, like the man, thought that they could still bargain their way out.

She ungagged the man.

“Please. I would do anything…”

“Shut up.”

Maybe it was the calmness, the matter-of-factly way that she said it, like she could not care less. Whatever it was, the man kept quiet. She ruffled his messy straw-coloured hair, smiling good-naturedly.

“Have a nice day.”

Pulling out the bonds restraining him, she pushed him into the swollen canal. He did not know how to swim. But it did not matter, not her anyway.

She stared into the deceptively calm waters, where minutes earlier, giant ripples had formed where the man had sunk like a stone.

“Oops.”

…

Venetia was still soundly asleep when Verena got home. That was good. She did not want to face Venetia, especially since that kayaking trip had just been made possible. It was not that Verena did not encourage extra activities. It was just that she did not know when her next assignment would come and whether money would dry up by then. Sure, they had savings. But what use were savings without a source? Maybe she should consider getting a monthly salary. It would mean smaller bonuses, but at least she could plan out her finances in advance.

Verena poured herself a glass of cold water and sat down on the sofa. She wondered whether her parents would approve of what she was doing. Then she decided that she could not care less. They had left her high and dry with a younger sister in tow. It did not help that she was estranged from her relatives. What helped that she was able to financially support herself by then. And she could never view her beloved sister as a burden. But it was expensive to support a kid. Especially with her commission-based salary.

“Sis, you’re home.”

Verena looked up. Venetia stood there, long dark hair tangled, dark eyes sleepy, clothes rumpled. Sleep was thick in her voice. It was obvious that she had just woken up.

“Hi, Venetia. You should be sleeping. There’s school tomorrow.”

Venetia nodded her head. Then she shook her head. She sat on the sofa, cuddling up to her sister. She looked up, smiling sleepily at Verena.

“I want to be near you. Can you hug me?”

Verena gave Venetia a small smile and returned the cuddle, kissing Venetia on the top of her head.

“Sweet dreams, baby sis.”

What do you think?