“Nusada! Come here!”
Branches crackled under Nusada’s sneakers while the afternoon sun glimmered bright and golden above the green foliage. Although her breath cramped against her chest, the pain only invigorated her until she burst out into a clearing.
“What is it, Clarisse?” she gasped.
Her sister knelt on the dusty ground, peering at something clasped in her hands. “I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean you’re not sure?” Nusada frowned, dropping onto the ground beside Clarisse. Of her four sisters, Clarisse was the adventurous one, the one who always pushed herself to go further.
Rather than answer Nusada’s question, Clarisse held out her palm for Nusada to see. In her hand, sparkled a…tiny soda can? The can was the size of a pinky nail and was partly crumpled as if someone had drank from it.
Nusada laughed. “Who could have used such a small can?”
Clarisse shrugged. “Someone who litters.”
Nusada tilted her head. “Or maybe someone who heard you coming and had to flee quickly,”
The two sisters giggled. Nusada smiled at the warm brown trees around them. She had been out here so many times with her sisters since they moved here four years ago. An oasis from their past…
Nusada shook her head. There was a mystery to solve. Were there little creatures fluttering among the branches just out of sight? The thought emboldened her and she stood up, tiptoeing to the nearest tree trunk. She traced her fingers across the rough bark. Maybe she could find something here too?
Pain slashed through her pointer finger. “Ow,” Nusada exclaimed. She jumped back from the tree.
Clarisse thumped over to her side. “You okay?”
“Something stabbed my finger!” She held out her hand to let Clarisse examine it.
“Looks like a small cut.” Clarisse stepped forward to peer at the trunk.
Meanwhile, Nusada looked up at the green leaves glimmering above her. The leaves both protected her from the sun while allowing her a glimpse at the bright golden star overhead.
“Nusada! I think I found something!”
Nusada turned to where her sister was pointing at the tree bark. Glinting in the sunlight was a tiny doorknob!
The two sisters glanced at one another.
Clarisse stretched her fingers to grasp the knob. Nusada’s mind churned with thoughts of what the other side could hold. A stash of more miniature items? A tiny battalion of soldiers? An entrance to another world? The possibilities were overwhelming. As her mind flurried with ideas, another thought jolted into her head. Was it right of them to encroach on this secret door? Whoever made it seemed intent on keeping it hidden. What if this was wrong? Nusada’s hand lunged forward to clasp Clarisse’s wrist.
“Let go, Nusada,” Clarisse grumbled. “Don’t you want to see what’s inside?”
Part of Nusada had. But a feeling she couldn’t explain rooted itself inside of her. “I don’t think it’s right.”
“What’s the harm in seeing what’s there?” Clarisse’s wrist wriggled in Nusada’s grip.
“I think we should let it be.”
“We’ve been in Buchtton since we were eight. It’s about time we have our own adventure.” Clarisse attempted to wrestle her arm out of Nusada’s clutch but Nusada clenched tighter.
She shook her head.
Clarisse glared at her. “Why are you always like this?”
Nusada flinched.
Clarisse tugged her hand away.
They stood in silence.
“Sorry,” Clarisse mumbled. “I-I know it’s been hard for you. I just want more than this, you know? And I think you do too. Mom and Dad aren’t coming back. They abandoned us here.”
Nusada peered at the ground. She wished the breeze wasn’t so light today. She wished the sun wasn’t so bright. She dropped to the foot of the tree, hugging her knees to her chest.
“We have new parents now.” Clarisse bent down beside Nusada. “Melinda and Sam love us. We still have Venice, Anna, and Alice. We’re still sisters.”
An ache crept across the corners of Nusada’s eyes. Her body shook and she grasped her knees tighter.
Her sister’s hand stroked her back. She leaned into her touch.
“I still miss them,” Nusada croaked.
“I know,” Clarisse whispered.
Tears cascaded down Nusada’s cheeks, tumbling onto her knees and soaking her jeans. Clarisse remained, caressing her back, her touch gentle in a way Nusada had never felt from her sister.
They sat together as the tree branches swayed above them and the sun glimmered down at them, warming their arms and shoulders. Finally, Nusada’s tears began to dry and she wobbled to her feet.
She rubbed her eyes clear and peered down at her sister. Clarisse smiled up at her.
“I’m ready,” Nusada declared. “Let’s open the door.”
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