It was almost afternoon, and Zubie was preparing some food and snacks for her fishing trip with Abram and his sister. They will be here any second, it was her first-ever fishing trip. She wanted it to go as smoothly as possible.
Aurelius observed the girl from a distance, her eyes keenly taking in her every moment. He was happy for her but the thing bothering him was that she should be practicing and making herself better at witchcraft not taking trips by the lake with strangers. The stranger part bothered him even more, what if he tries hurting her and he is successful? He can not let that happen, after all, she was his last hope of stopping Silvas.
There was a sound of honking and Zubie did not waste time running outside with the snack bucket. Aurelius tied his arms around himself, it wasn't so bad if he follows her just to make sure she was safe, right?
(--------------------------------------)
Their ride was an old truck, most likely used to transport goods for the grocery store. Zubie ran up to them, greetings the siblings.
Abram's sister was younger than she visualized her to be. She was around her mid-teens, a little chubby and her hair and eyes were the same as Abram's.
"Zubie, this is Anaya, my younger sister. She might look harmless but is a devil incarnate." He introduced his sister and opened the door for her.
"So, this is the girl you have a crush on? I'm telling you already she is way out of your league," that shuts up Abram quickly.
His cheeks were flaming, and he stammered his response, "Shut your trap before I throw you out of the truck!" he turned to Zubie, "don't mind her, she does not know what she is saying."
"Oh, it's alright, she is a kid after all..." Zubie awkwardly laughed, turning her head to look out of the window.
"Excuse me, I'm sixteen."
"No one asked for your age, Ana," Abram started the truck, the flush on his cheeks long gone and now he was just annoyed at Anaya for embarrassing him.
After several moments of silence, Anaya asked, "What's in your bucket?"
"Sandwichs"
"Sweet, what kind?"
"Chicken,"
Anaya licked her lips, visualizing the crispy and juicy chicken sandwich, "Can I have some?" she batts her eyelashes at the older woman.
"Of course---"
"Not, you just ate on your way here, no more food till we reach the fishing site." his glare aimed at the road ahead of them, he did not want to be perceived as a bad driver.
"brother... You are cruel, I'll tell ma!"
"Go ahead, I'll drop you right here and you can walk back home."
And that is how the trip to the fishing site went; Abram and Anaya arguing and Zubie sitting awkwardly.
(---------------------------------)
The lake was stunning, with the hues of sunlight illuminating the surface with colors. It was simply exalted to the eyes. Zubie was not expecting this place to be so pretty. She was taking in the sight with wonderstruck eyes.
"I'm guessing you like this place?" Abram asked, taking out the supplies from the back of the truck.
"It is beautiful!" her reaction made him chuckle, "I've never been to a place so beautiful! Thank you for inviting me!"
"Well," he threw the bag containing the supplies over his shoulder, "thank you for coming,"
"Guys! Can you walk faster?" Anaya was way ahead of them, the little shoulder bag hanging over her back, "seriously, I have short legs and I can walk faster..."
"Watch your step!"
"What---" Anaya's eyes darted back to Zubie, she completely missed her warning and her foot dipped into a grove on the path the grove happens to be filled with mud, "AHH!?"
"Anaya!" Abram dropped his bag, rushing to his sister's side, "that's why I always tell you to keep your eyes on the ground when you walk!" He gently pulled her leg out.
"Ouch!? I think my foot is broken!" the young girl wailed, tears brimming in her eyes, "how am I gonna walk!?"
Zubie was by their sides with a flash, "let me see..." she took the muddy foot from Abram's hand, "it's gonna hurt a little but I need to take off your shoe to look at the damage."
The young girl grabbed onto her brother's hand and nodded, "do it,"
"Alright," Zubie carefully removed the laces from her shoe and glanced at Anaya's face for any reaction. With Utmost care, she removed the muddy shoe, "looks like you twisted your ankle but don't worry."
Zubie's eyes met Abram, "could you bring me my bucket?"
"Oh?" thinking not much of it, Abram went to grab her bucket thinking she might have a first aid kit inside, "here,"
"Thank you," first, she grabbed some paper towels and wiped her dirty hands, "do you want a chicken sandwich?"
"What..." the young girl was confused at her question, and she raised her eyebrows.
"You said you wanted to eat a chicken sandwich, right?" Zubie pulled out a sandwich wrapper in foil to keep it warm, "here, you can eat it now."
Anaya wiped her wet eyes, it wouldn't be too bad if she ate something while she was injured right? Zubie smiled kindly, holding up the sandwich for her, "alright, if you insist..." she grabbed the sandwich, unwrapping the foil to take a nibble... The sandwich was godly! It was nothing like Anaya has ever eaten---
There was a crack, her ankle was back in its place without her even noticing and the sting came after the crack, she screamed, "OUCH!!!"
"It's gonna be okay now, the joint is back in its place." Zubie wrapped her scarf around her foot to keep it in place, "I think we should head back,"
Abram looked between Zubie and Anaya, the latter was nibbling away her sandwich. He said, "I don't think so, we are already here besides, Anaya is fine now, right?"
The said girl looked at her brother and then at the sandwich lady, she said, "no worries, I'm feeling quite better now, you guys don't have to ruin your day here because of my twisted foot."
"See, she is okay." Zubie did not notice Abram's pleading look he gave his sister.
"Well, if that is what you want..."