Annabelle sat by her mother's bedside , the flickering candle light reflected on her mother's pale face, she was feverish, her breathing was slow and heavy, each breath took more effort than the last.
For the past few month's her mother had cut down the amount of work she did, started moving around less and always stayed in door. Annabelle knew she was sick but always thought she would recover.
But only now in that moment, did she realize that her mother was aware of her impending death.
She looked at her mother noticing that her mother's eyes that were once filled life and warmth were now empty and filled with sorrow.
"Come closer belle" her mother said in a low voice barely above a whisper. Anabelle inched closer to her as she held her hand so softly, to scared she would break it because of how thin and cold they were.
My darling daughter..." I wanted to spend all my life watching you grow into a beautiful and responsible woman" Annabelle's mother said as a sad smile crept up her face.
But it seems faith had other plans, so promise me you would always listen to your father, never defile him and always protect and support your sister.
Your sister seems to be straying in the wrong path and I feel bad I won't be here to set her straight. I am sorry to put such burdens on your shoulder but promise you will do all you can to make sure she turns out as an upstanding young woman.
"I will mother.....I will", I said as my voice cracked fighting to hold back my tears so my mother wouldn't notice.
But it was to late she already saw through me, like she always did. It's okay to cry Annabelle, just let it out.
I was so stubborn and kept my face downwards for her not to see my face.
What about a story, My mother said. I quickly looked back up at her, she always knew how to get my attention and a story from her was one of them.
She noticed the expectant expression on my face and a small smile crept on her face.
"Once upon a time".....she began. "There were two sisters, one older than the other."
"The older sister was very responsible and careful of everything she did, while the younger sister was ever so careless and carefree, the younger sister was so drawn to beautiful roses".....just like you Annabelle. My mother said to me with fear in her eyes....but why??.
"One day the two sisters were out picking beautiful flowers to decorate their house because the birthday of the Elder sister was around the corner ."
"By the time they had finished picking the flowers it was already the evening time and so the elder sister suggested they head back home because it was getting late and they had picked enough."
"And so the little sister agreed but on their way back , the younger sister caught site of a trail of beautiful white roses, and without thinking she made her way towards the patch of roses, but before she could step foot into the area of the roses, she was held back by her elder sister."
"You must not go in there, it is rumored to be the home of a beast- a terrifying ferocious beast and if you ever make the mistake to pluck a rose from his bushes he will not hesitate to kill you."
"What nonsense folktale is that sister, it is clearly not real, if it was how come I have never heard such a story."
The elder sister stood as she watched her but with a serious expression on her face.
"The younger sister observed her sisters expression and knew she would never let her into the area of the roses , so she played along and acted like she wasn't going to pick up the roses."
"But as soon as the elder sister turned her back to continue their journey, she noticed the younger sister running into the garden of roses, the elder sister waisted no time to run after her as she shouted at the top of her lungs for the younger sister to come back . But to no avail, she wouldn't listen."
"The younger sister saw it as a game of tag and ran even faster, joy evident on her face as she was enjoying the game of cat and mouse. When she noticed her sister was far behind ,she bent down to pick the roses on the bush".
"She had picked a hand fool of roses when she noticed a huge luminous shadow towering over her, she felt a strange chill down her spine. The younger sister immediately turned to see a beast with ugly features about to strike her with it's large claws."
"In that moment she was so scared and could not speak or move, she could only watch and wait for the monster to strike her dead. But she heard the screams of her Elder sister and before she could turn her Elder sister had already pushed her out of the way and sacrificed her self."
"When the younger sister turned to see her sister, all she saw was her sister's lifeless body in a pool of blood and her flower basket spilled the flower sit had being carrying inside all over."
"She noticed her elder sister mounting the word run to her before she collapsed unto her own pool of blood."
"She noticed the beast approaching her and without thinking she was already running away, as tears streamed down her face, she didn't stop until she was out of the rose garden."
"She could not handle what had just happened and thought of killing her self, she blamed her self for what had happened , if she had just listened , her sister would have still being alive. They would have being home now, happily decorating and preparing for the birthday party."
....."Annabelle", My mother called my name with a serious look on her face.
"I have told you this story for one purpose only. No matter what happens or what ever situation you find your self in, never go into the garden of roses, it is located on the far end at the back of the wind mill. I repeat my self...no matter what is happening do not dare enter the garden of roses."
"Promise me you will never do such a thing- promise me."
"I promise you mother , I wouldn't. I said to her as I could see the fear in my mothers eye, which was weird , all this time she had being calm and neutral but with how she looked, it was as if her life dependent on it."