Zehra opened her eyes and saw Nora curled up into a ball next to her, sleeping contentedly. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the time. 4:50 am.The previous night, Nora and Ivanka had refused to let Zehra return home alone. So Ivanka had gone home while Nora had accompanied Zehra and slept over at hers.Zehra brushed her teeth, took ablution and prayed. Nora woke up at 5:00 am.“Morning, sleepyhead.”Nora looked at the clock. “Five?! It’s not morning, it’s night!”She yawned and pulled the covers over her head. Zehra chuckled and waited, counting in her head.Three.Nora turned to the right.Two.She curled into a ball and then stretched out.One.Nora groaned and sat up. “My sleep ditched me!”

 Zehra turned to find Lucas gazing intensely at her, and blushed. She cleared her throat pointedly."Um...?"He smiled, looking slightly starry-eyed. "Zehra I-""Luke, no."Zehra was no oblivious fool, she knew what he was going to say. "I'm sorry Lucas, but we," she gestured to the two of them, "cannot happen."He looked pained. "Zehra...""I'm sorry Luke, I see you as a brother, no less, no more."He nodded curtly and looked away. Zehra immediately felt guilty and tried to change the subject."Horrid weather, huh?" she winced as soon as the words left her mouth. The weather? Seriously?Lucas just nodded and said nothing. What had started as a lovely day was now rapidly going downhill. Zehra shifted uncomfortably as the air grew thick with tension. Suddenly, the carriage jolted and they slowly descended. She

 “Once upon a time, there were two sisters. Riley and Rachel Heiner. They were complete polar opposites. Riley was two years older than Rachel, and was a big-time rebel. She defied her parents and partied all night. She got herself a tattoo when she was sixteen and a piercing at seventeen. She was a popular cheerleader at her school and wore shocking outfits. She could down shots quicker than she could solve sums. She was nothing but trouble. Meanwhile, Rachel was an introvert. She was a complete sweetheart and was gentle and caring. She was a straight A student, an all rounder. She never did anything against her parents’ wishes. She was the one who cleaned up after Riley’s messes, the one who drove her home when she was too drunk to drive, the one who covered up for her sister’s disappearances. Nevertheless, they always got along well. There was just one problem.“They loved the same guy.“

Zehra kicked, punched and clawed as hard as she could. She tried to recall all the karate moves she’d learned as she fought hard.Choodan uke. Middle punch.Star One aimed for her head.Jodan suki. Upper block.Alpha Star lunged at her from behind and she turned.Gadan uke. Lower punch.He screamed out in pain and bent over. After delivering a quick punch at Star One, Zehra fled. She ran to her car and drove off as quickly as she could.Zehra was still trembling when she parked the car in front of Nora’s home. She managed to reach the front door without falling and was about to knock, when the door opened and she was face-to-face with Mrs. Williams, who was holding a large black bag of trash.“Well, hello there, Zehra. What happened?”“I-I need to see Nora&hell

 “Well well, that was fairly easy, wasn’t it? I have to say, I'm kinda disappointed,” Alpha Star said smugly.Zehra's heart thudded frantically in her chest and she couldn't help but feel like a trapped rabbit. Alpha Star and Star One were leaning casually against the door, their mask of nonchalance betrayed by the evident triumph in their voice.“I told you the phosphorescent wisps would work,” replied Star One.Zehra crossed her arms and gathered all her courage to appear calm and unruffled.“If you’re done with your little moment of victory, I’d like to leave. I’ve got better things to do.”Alpha Star stepped forward. “Oh no, darling. You’re not going anywhere. Not this time.”And then he took something out of his pocket, something that made her blood run cold. Star One did the sa