Chapter Text
The engine coughed to silence, a small shudder rippling through the violet paint of Sierra’s car. She gripped the steering wheel a moment longer, the cool plastic a stark contrast to the heat blooming in her palms.
Closing her eyes for a couple of seconds, frustration flashed across her face as a rebellious braid fell on her tired face.
Deep breaths. You can do it.
With a heavy sigh, she tapped her fingers against the wheel in a restless rhythm. Finally, she removed herself from the embrace of her seatbelt, tucked her hair behind her ear, and pushed the door open; the click echoing in the suburban street she found herself in.
Before her, the familiar two-story house glowed a muted tangerine glow in the early afternoon sun. The partially visible backyard contained an array of colorful roses, and the scent of freshly cut grass drifted on the warm breeze.
To most, it would have been a picture of idyllic comfort. But Sierra’s gaze lingered on the chipped paint of the wooden porch railing, the faded swing set she could make out in the garden, each detail a tender memory etched in her mind as her steps inched closer.
She lifted a hand and pressed the doorbell. A familiar melody echoed, each note a small hammer against her nerves. One. Two. Three. Four. Fi—
The door swung open before the fifth second, revealing a face etched with time, yet unmistakably her mother’s.
“Sierra, honey!” Her mother’s voice, though warm, held a flicker of unease. “It’s been ages. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Sierra’s smile felt brittle as she hugged her and swiftly stepped back.
“Hi, Mom.”
The discomfort of her eldest daughter dimmed the spark in Deborah’s deep brown eyes, a flicker of disappointment quickly masked. A beat of silence passed before she continued, “What are you waiting for? Come on in.”
Deborah stepped to the side and opened the door wider, the faint scent of her floral perfume drifting toward Sierra. The floorboards creaked under her feet as she hesitantly entered her childhood home.
“Is Dara ready yet…?”
Standing right next to the staircase was her old, black piano, its polished surface reflecting the afternoon light. A thin layer of dust coated the keys.
How long has it been?
In her mind, tiny fingers were gliding over those same keys on Christmas Day when she was five years old. Her parents were so proud of her, big smiles on their faces as she played “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
A lifetime ago.
It’s been a while since she has even touched a piano.
Her mother’s voice pulled her out of her trip down memory lane.
“She’s in the bathroom still, but her suitcase is ready. Do you want anything to drink? I’m sure your father is as excited as I am to see your face again!”
As if on cue, her dad walked into the big living room, his beaming smile a clear contrast to his dark complexion.
“Sisi, come here! I’ve missed you so much.”
He opened his arms and brought her into a big hug. Her chest tightened, still, she gently hugged him back.
“Hi, Dad.”
As they embraced, Sierra could smell the subtle scent of bergamot and oakmoss from her dad’s aftershave, which he had been using for as long as she could remember. Reluctantly, she let go of him and took a step back, her arms limply falling to her side.
“I’m just here to pick up Dara. I have some other things to do later…”
Her father’s smile fell. “Oh, okay. Are you sure you want nothing to eat on the road?”
“Thanks, but I already ate earlier,” Sierra replied, the smile feeling fake on her lips.
Her mother and father exchanged a brief glance as Sierra’s hand instinctively touched the healed scar of her right palm. Deborah’s lips pressed into a thin line before she spoke.
“Sierra, we barely see you at all. I mean, when was the last time you showed up? Seven— no, eight months ago? We miss you, honey. Maybe we can have a family dinner every other month like we used to. What do you think?”
Before Sierra could even genuinely think about her answer, her younger sister burst into the room like a ray of sunshine, her laughter a breath of fresh air that cut through the stifling tension.
“Sisi!”
Dara ran toward Sierra and launched herself into her arms.
Despite their nine-year age difference, Dara’s curly head slightly towered over her.
She’s grown so much.
“Hi, D. I’ve missed you,” Sierra muffled into the warmth of Dara’s tight embrace, receiving a similarly muffled “missed you too” back.
After a couple of seconds, Sierra reluctantly loosened her hold and stared into her sister’s warm brown eyes. Dara beamed, a slight gap between her front teeth.
“You got all your stuff?”
“Yes! Let me say goodbye to Mom and Dad first.”
Dara turned toward their parents, who stood by the living room table.
“We’re gonna miss you so much, honeybun.” Herman enveloped Dara in a bear hug and kissed the top of her head.
“Dad, it’s just college. Plus, I won’t be far away. I can still visit, or you could visit me!”
Instead of loosening his hold, he held her even tighter. Deborah joined in, her manicured hand gently stroking Dara’s back.
“We’d love that, and we love you, hun. Don’t forget to text us when you’re at your dorm. And also call us once in a while. I know you’re grown up now, but you’ll still be our baby.”
At the sight, Sierra’s chest tightened, a sharp pang of jealousy stabbing through her.
The family group hug finally broke apart, leaving a bittersweet ache in Sierra’s chest as everyone seemed to be getting teary-eyed. Smiling wistfully, Dara picked up her giant black suitcase, the wheels rattling slightly on the hardwood floor.
She slung her brown backpack over her shoulder, her smile not faltering as she turned toward her older sister.
“I’m ready.”
“Okay, let’s go. Was nice to see you guys again,” Sierra said to her parents, the words feeling stiff and awkward on her tongue as she waved goodbye. “Gotta go.”
Sierra and Dara were almost down the porch steps when Deborah’s voice, a soft plea, reached them.
“Sierra! Remember what we talked about earlier. We’d love to spend time together as a family again… if you’re ready.”
Sierra stopped on the last step, the worn wood creaking. She turned her head with a slight, strained smile and nodded. “Okay, Mom. I’ll think about it. Love you… ”
Dara looked between her parents and older sister, her hopeful gaze lingering on Sierra, before continuing toward the car.
After helping Dara with her luggage, the sisters entered the car and buckled their seat belts, the familiar click a sharp sound in the quiet.
“So… are you ready for the next chapter of your life?” Sierra asked, turning the key and starting the engine.
“Honestly, I’m just excited to be on my own. I mean, I’ll have roommates, but it’ll be a fresh experience being away from Mom and Dad.”
Dara fully turned toward her sister, “...how was it for you when you got out?”
Sierra hesitated, “My situation was a bit different. I mean, I moved out at 17 and had to work part-time to afford tuition. You probably don’t even remember…”
Dara furrowed her brows, “Not really. What even happened between you? I know Mom said that things were rough at some point, but Dad— he won’t even talk about it at all. He’s always closed off when I bring it up…”
Sierra’s expression changed as she continued focusing on the road.
Dara fidgeted with her phone before continuing, “I mean, I’m glad that you’re driving me, and that you always pick up when I call— when I need you. But I just… wished that you guys didn’t see me as some fragile little girl anymore. You can just tell me the truth. You can’t protect me forever.”
Sierra sighed, the sound echoing softly in the car as she navigated through the sun-drenched streets. She turned to Dara and offered her a small, sad smile.
“We don’t think you’re fragile. It’s just… complicated, D,” she said, her voice tinged with a hint of weariness. After a moment, Sierra continued, “There was a lot of hurt between Mom, Dad, and me. And I guess there still is. Maybe I just can’t let go of the past, who knows? But that’s why I moved out so early. It just didn’t feel like home anymore…not really.”
Dara looked at her sister, a pang of sadness twisting in her chest. She knew Sierra had always shielded her from the details of their separation, never wanting to put Dara in the middle of their drama. Although she loved the occasional calls and face-times between them, she missed doing something together as a family.
“I know it must have been hard for you,” Dara said quietly. “But you’ve always been so strong and independent. I really don’t know how you did it… I know I wouldn’t.”
“Sometimes I don’t know either,” Sierra admitted with a soft chuckle, her grip tightening on the steering wheel, the fake leather cool against her skin. “But I felt like I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t rely on Mom and Dad financially, and I refused to ask them for help.”
She took a deep breath, the air catching in her throat, steeling herself for what she was about to say.
“There were days… nights, when I was so tired, so overwhelmed, I thought I’d break. But I kept pushing, because giving up wasn’t an option.”
“You piss me off sometimes with your secrets, but I love and admire you, Sisi… for everything you’ve achieved, for how tough you are. You’ve got an incredibly hard shell, but I know inside you’re… a fluffy teddy bear.”
Sierra huffed a laugh.
“No, like seriously. I just want you to be okay. You know I love you, and I miss seeing my big sis in person. You really need to show up more.”
Sierra’s heart swelled with feelings of both gratitude and guilt at Dara’s words.
“Thanks,” she said softly, her grip on the steering wheel loosening slightly, the tension easing from her shoulders. “That means a lot. Just… remember, no matter what happens between me and our parents… I’m always here for you. You can count on me, okay?”
“I know I can, and I appreciate it more than you know. And I want you to know that I’m here for you too, no matter what. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
The sisters fell into a comfortable silence, the quiet radio voice a soothing backdrop to their thoughts. Dara gazed out the window as she fidgeted with her hands, enjoying the blur of passing streets and buildings.
Tired of the engine’s gentle whir and the occasional whoosh of a passing car, Sierra broke the silence.
“So, are you excited about your new roommates? You’ll be living with four other girls, right?”
Dara slumped slightly in her seat, her gaze still fixed on the passing scenery.
“Well, I’m definitely excited to make new friends. Five girls in one dorm is kinda… a lot, but we’ll see. Could be a fun group to party with… take some cute pics for Insta. Maybe I’ll get the full ‘Sex Lives of College Girls’ experience.”
“As your older sister, I’m absolutely hoping that that won’t be the case,” Sierra replied with a tiny grin.
“Speaking of sex lives, how’s yours?” Dara sat up in her seat and deviously smiled at Sierra, who in return side-eyed her.
“Girl… let’s not talk about that. Nothing’s going on, anyway. I’m focused on work and nothing else.”
“Boohoo,” Dara rolled her eyes, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Maybe you should go out more. I know being a 911 operator isn’t easy, especially with those long hours. But c’mon, don’t you want to go out and party sometimes? Have some fun. Use dating apps. Find a hobby. Anything!” Dara’s voice and gestures grew more animated with each sentence, making Sierra’s lips twitch with amusement.
“I have hobbies, mind you.”
“I know you’re not a believer, but I’d even pray to God to finally give you a good partner!” Dara dramatically clasped her hands together, closing her eyes. “Dear God, please give my lonely, lovable sister a partner who cherishes her forever! Someone sweet, optimistic, a beam of sunlight in her… well, in her very dull life!”
Sierra shook her head, a snort escaping her nose, “Okay, now you’re doing too much. I don’t think God would appreciate the theatrics.”
Dara glanced over at her sister with a playful smirk. “Maybe He’ll answer my prayers and bring someone wonderful into your life. Or maybe God doesn’t need to do all the work. You could just, you know, put yourself out there a little.”
“Oh, please. My love life is nonexistent right now, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I’m too busy with work anyway. Also, I’m pretty sure God has better things to do than worrying about finding me a partner,” she said, shaking her head in mock irritation. “But thanks for the thought, I guess. I’m glad to know that my single status is causing you so much distress.”
Dara playfully rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Sisi. You deserve someone who’d move mountains for you! Maybe the universe just needs a little divine nudge to bring that special someone into your life.”
Sierra couldn’t help but laugh at Dara’s matchmaking efforts. “Alright, alright. You might have a point. Maybe it’s time for the universe to work its magic. But don’t hold your breath waiting for a miracle…”
With a decisive turn, Sierra peeled off the highway, the smooth hum of the tires shifting to a rougher rumble as they hit the cracked asphalt of a side road. The familiar stretch of the interstate vanished, replaced by a narrow road that was surrounded by dense trees and an absence of other vehicles.
The car ride continued in a comfortable silence, the engine’s gentle hum accompanied by the occasional crackling of the car’s radio. The road snaked through the thick woods, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the trees, casting long, fractured streaks of light across the asphalt.
Dara, who’d been scrolling through her phone, her fingers tapping a rapid rhythm against the screen, finally looked up. Her dark brown curls bounced as she tilted her head, brows furrowed slightly.
“That’s… a really long road,” she observed, a hint of confusion creeping into her voice. “Shouldn’t we be at the college by now?”
“I thought so too,” Sierra admitted, her voice a touch sharper than intended. “Maybe I missed an exit.”
“Want me to pull up Google Maps?” Dara offered, already tapping at her phone screen again.
The radio started crackling.
“Maybe we took a wrong turn earlier.” Her brows furrowed as she looked at her phone. “Huh, that’s weird. No signal.”
“No signal?” Sierra fiddled with the radio; just more noise. “That’s… odd.”
“Yeah, I even checked my network settings,” Dara said, frustration creeping into her voice. “Nothing.” She held up her phone, turning it this way and that, as if trying to coax a signal from the empty air. “Maybe it’s just a dead zone?”
“Maybe,” Sierra replied, though the tightness in her chest told her it was more than that. She eased her foot off the accelerator and scanned the roadside. The trees lining the road were thick, their branches almost intertwining overhead, creating a partly open dome that blocked out some of the afternoon sun. The air hung heavy, a suffocating silence pressing against her ears. No sound of birds whatsoever.
“This is really weird, Sisi. I don’t like this.”
“Me neither,” Sierra admitted, her gaze fixed on the endless stretch of the road ahead. “But we’ll find a way out.” She tried to sound confident, but even to her own ears, it sounded forced.
Just then, she noticed something in the middle of the road. A massive tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal arms, blocked their path. It felt almost like a purposely placed barrier to Sierra.
“What the—” she began, her voice trailing off as she stared at the imposing tree. It wasn’t just large; it was wrong. The gnarled branches were as thick as a grown man’s torso, whereas the other trees were noticeably thinner.
What was strong enough to rip it out of the ground?
She glanced into the dense forest, the shadows within seeming to deepen. A flicker of her instincts kicked in — assess, analyze, act. But this wasn’t a call; this was something far stranger. No signal, no radio, no nature sounds, no way across.
With a decisive click, she unbuckled her seatbelt. “Stay in the car, Dara,” she said, her voice firm, though a hint of worry lurked beneath the surface. She stepped out and approached the tree, the gravel crunching under her beige sneakers.
Sierra took another cautious step toward the tree, her eyes scanning its gnarled branches and roots.
“How did this tree get here…?” she murmured to herself, the question hanging unanswered in the still air.
Before she could ponder further, a sudden, frantic flapping of wings broke the silence. At least a dozen crows descended from the sky, their cries harsh and divergent. They swarmed around the tree before landing on it. Their black eyes fixed on her with an unsettling intensity. Sierra instinctively backed away, a primal sense of unease washing over her. Their presence felt ominous, like a dark omen.
Keeping her eyes glued to the tree and the crows, Sierra walked backward, the crunch of gravel under her soles a stark contrast to the silence that had reigned moments before. She slammed the door shut, the solid thunk a slight comfort against the growing unease. She fastened her seatbelt with a sharp click and turned the key, the engine roaring back to life.
“What in the world is going on?” Dara’s voice was slightly trembling, her eyes wide with fear as she saw the pitch-black eyes of a dozen crows focused on them alone.
“I don’t know.” She gripped the steering wheel. “But we’re not staying here to find out. Maybe I really did miss the exit…”
She put the car into reverse, her gaze flicking between the rearview mirror and the ominous tree. The car rumbled backward, but the crows’ relentless gazes didn’t waiver. Sierra slammed on the gas, driving away from the unsettling sight.
Sierra’s pointer fingers nervously drummed on the steering wheel as clouds started to slowly spread across the blue sky, a fleeting moment of beauty before the inevitable descent of darkness.
“D, do you still have no signal?” Sierra asked, her voice strained.
Dara’s brow furrowed as she stared at her phone. “No. Nothing. It’s like the world just ended.”
Then, Dara’s eyes widened. “Those are new,” she said, turning in her seat to stare out the back window. “Train tracks. We didn’t see those before, did we?”
Sierra glanced in the rearview mirror, her eyes narrowing. “No, I don’t think—” she stopped mid-sentence, her gaze fixed ahead. “There’s…buildings. A town?”
Their car slowed down as they passed a barn, its wooden planks warped and gray. A figure came into view. A broad-shouldered man with a wooden cart stood outside a building that had a faded American flag hanging limply in front. His face was etched with a mixture of confusion as he stared in shock. His intense gaze felt like a physical weight pressing down on them.
“Um… why is he looking at us like that?” Dara asked, her voice barely a whisper.
She scanned their surroundings, taking in the strange, almost staged quality of the town. They passed houses that looked lived in yet abandoned, and a blue diner where guests stared at them behind giant windows as if Sierra and Dara were a tourist attraction. A young man in a deputy’s uniform stood outside in front of the building, his face etched with a look of surprise.
“Maybe they don’t get a lot of outsiders?” Sierra replied, her voice laced with uncertainty. The stares felt heavy.
Dara turned to her older sister. “It’s kinda giving ‘Get Out’.”
Following the road, Sierra made a right turn, leaving the town behind them. A large mansion appeared on their right, its porch filled with people engaged in conversation. Their happy faces abruptly fell as the sound of the car’s engine cut through the air, their eyes, similar to the crows from earlier, following the car as it passed.
The oppressive presence of the trees intensified. It was as if they had driven in a circle, finding themselves back on the same endless road where they had encountered the unsettling tree. The fading light cast long, distorted shadows, making the familiar landscape feel alien.
Dara checked her phone again. “Still nothing,” she said, her voice frustrated as she threw her hands in the air. “We’re completely cut off.”
The road offered no exits, no escape, just the endless loop of trees. The afternoon sun was now hidden as a bank of ominous clouds rolled in.
“Are you kidding me!” Sierra’s frustrated voice cut the silence as she saw familiar buildings enter her view yet again. “There is no way we could’ve missed the exit. Is this some sick joke?”
Dara grimaced, her eyes darting around nervously. “Maybe we should stop and ask that deputy how to get to Baltimore?”
“I guess we have no other choice since our phones are about as useful as bricks right now.”
They passed the barn again, where a blond man was now feeding the animals. The broad-shouldered man they’d seen earlier was engaged in an intense conversation with another man, who had shoulder-length dark curls and a look of deep concern. The serious faces of the middle-aged men caused Dara’s eyebrows to furrow slightly.
Sierra slowed the car as they approached the diner and the young man in the deputy uniform. Dara rolled down her window, forcing a bright smile. “Hi! Sorry to bother you, but we kinda got lost, and I have no signal on my phone. Do you happen to know the way toward Baltimore?”
The young man looked at her, his expression shifting from a guarded wariness to a gentle, almost apologetic sadness. “Baltimore?” he repeated softly as his gaze flickered to Sierra. “I’m sorry. You won’t find Baltimore here.”
Behind him, a young woman wearing an apron stepped out of the diner. She exchanged a brief, almost imperceptible look with the deputy.
The young woman turned to them with a pained smile, “You turned right earlier, correct? Maybe try the road on the left.”
Sierra tilted forward, two braids framing her face as she locked eyes with the young man, then with the woman. Something in their eyes, an unnecessary amount of empathy considering their situation, made her weirdly uncomfortable. “Right… thanks. Have a nice day.”
Dara rolled up her window again, the glass muffling the sounds of the town, as Sierra moved the car, this time, taking a left turn. She glanced in the rearview mirror. The woman watched them, her gaze lingering, as if she knew they were driving further into a trap.