Sisterzones
The Secret of the Cardboard Box

Alia walked down the dark street in front of her with the help of a flashlight and the dim light of the moon. He just got home from work. This time he did not pass through the dangerous alley shortcut like he did a few weeks ago. It was enough of his pride as an older brother to be hurt when scolded by his own sister. After all, if during the day he can still be disturbed, then passing the place again at night is the same as taking his own life. He also believes there will be no unexpected help like the appearance of Daniel at that time.

This is because Alia has forbidden Daniel desperately not to go out of the house if he has not returned. The reason is because Daniel will face a school exam in a few months. Alia would not explain the real reason. Fortunately, Daniel complied.

"A little more until home. Is Daniel asleep or not? Ah let. It can also be awakened." Alia lifted the package that started to dew because of the hot steam from the food inside.

Alia rushed over as she could see her home from afar. However, his steps slowed down as he saw someone standing in front of his house. The dim lighting in front of his house was enough for him to notice the foreign figure.

Alia turned off her flashlight, starting to walk slowly. Although it is said to be remote, still this area has received electricity even though it has to connect here and there. Luckily, the front of his house was given a lamp by Daniel some time ago. Alia was able to pay close attention to that figure. From his height and posture, Alia assumed that the figure was a mature man. The man was also wearing a black suit from top to bottom.

His black hair was covered in a black hat. The man's face was also wearing a black mask, and his suit was also in matching color. If Alia wasn't as tight as she is now, she would have joked by saying that the man was a big fan of the ninja series. One thing Alia got from that limited illumination was a long scar on the back of her hand.

Alia's heart was racing as she looked at the dark blue ribbon the man was holding. He rubbed his eyes, afraid that he might make a wrong conclusion.

The figure of the man suddenly turned around. His sight met with Alia. His eyes showed surprise. The man quickly stuffed the ribbon into his pants pocket and ran off in the opposite direction.

Alia stared for a moment before she started chasing.

"Hey! Wait!" Alia shouted as she was further away from home.

The man ran faster, leaving Alia far behind. Alia had no other choice but to stop when the man took the alley entrance that Alia had previously avoided. He hesitated to continue the pursuit. At that moment he realized something.

"Ah, stupid me. I should have checked Daniel's condition."

Although tired, Alia still forced herself to run again to her house. "Daniel!" he shouted as soon as he arrived at the door.

Alia grew even more panicked when she did not hear the answer from within. He throws his original shoes and breaks down an unlocked door. His legs became limp when he saw Daniel standing in the kitchen, arranging the contents of the cardboard box.

"Why?"

Alia breathed a sigh of relief. Even so, in his heart he cursed loudly. He was so panicked when Daniel did not answer his call, but the teenager's response was just one flat-pitched word.

"Why head! Why don't you answer Brother's call? It's impossible that you didn't hear the screams from outside" Alia scolded.

Daniel frowned. He heard that scream. But he only thought that Alia was playing around by calling him as loud as before. Daniel suddenly became alert.

"So did anyone follow Brother?" ask her while passing quickly. He was standing next to Alia. From the kitchen, he could see the front door still open. But there's no one ahead.

"No. It's not that." Alia dropped down in a sitting position. "Please close the door first."

Daniel looked at Alia who was breathing a little longer, only then he went to close the front door and lock it.

"Aren't you running from what?" daniel asked as soon as he returned to the kitchen.

'Not running from what! That right question of yours should be, what am I running for!' inner Alia.

"ghosts. Yes, ghosts. Some say they've seen an apparition at this hour." Alia answered the origin. It can be hard if he tells you the truth.

Daniel squatted nearby with a glass of water. His expressionless face looked completely incredulous. Daniel handed over the glass and looked at the lie from Alia's countenance. At once, Alia had never been afraid of such an out-of-the-box mystical thing. In fact, Alia was among those who would not believe it just like that with the magical rumors spread.

"Then, tomorrow there's no need to go home until this hour, right?" Daniel took back the empty glass whose water Alia spent in a few sips.

Alia wiped her lips, smiling bitterly. "So there was a friend of Brother who asked for help to replace half his shift. He had important business and did not have time to ask permission from the superiors. In exchange, his income today was given to Big Brother by more than half. He brought this too."

Alia lifted the package in her hand.

Alia works at a large department store that is open 24 hours and not so far from home. He only needs to take public transportation once to be able to reach his place of work. Alia's work shift should start early in the morning until late afternoon. Night shifts are usually filled with college kids who are interns. Alia only helps half of her friend's work hours who is on the night shift.

"Tomorrow we still have to leave in the morning. Brother's friend's request should have been rejected." Daniel answered indifferently. He returned to take care of the cardboard box on the kitchen table.

"Well how else? We still need to save more. No loss also helps friends. Later we will be helped also if one day experiencing similar things," replied Alia. Even so, he quietly admitted his current tiredness. Alia stomped her own shoulders and watched Daniel from behind.

The teenager had a good posture. Alia who has an average height is always envious of Daniel's height. He was three years older than Daniel. He did not know what activities or exercises Daniel did to get the firm and sturdy body. Alia could see Daniel's biceps muscles contracting slightly with his small movements.

Alia leaned against the wall beside the kitchen door. When Daniel is not looking at it like this, Alia will show an expression that has always been covered up all this time. Her face looked very tired and sadness was like hanging on her sweet face. He only regretted Daniel's slightly thin body, but Alia always told him to eat more. But Daniel, who understands their condition needlessly be explained, becomes like an adult and controls their saving tactics.

When Alia glanced back, she realized something that made her gasp. Alia arranged her expression before asking with her usual tone. "Oh, have you been delivered?"

Daniel looked. Lifting small rice sacks. "I didn't throw it away. This time, there's no blue tape."

"Ah, it was intentional." Alia smiled casually. His heart started to beat. The dark blue ribbon that was supposed to decorate the rice sack must have been in the hands of the mysterious man.

"Oh, and this time the box was given directly by the sender," added Daniel. "if you saw it would have thought the man was a ninja."

Alia felt her heart was being threatened. The longer the beat is less complicated. "Did that guy say something?"

Daniel shakes. "After confirming my identity, he immediately gave me this box."

"That's all?"

"What else is there besides 'it'?" Daniel stared as sharply as his analysis.

Alia was most worried about Daniel's intuition like this. If this continues, everything can be revealed.

"Who knows he's someone who likes other people's business." Alia shrugged her shoulders. Once again trying to look relaxed even though cold sweat circles began to form on his back.

Daniel still looks suspicious. But chose not to continue when she realized the fatigue that Alia was trying to cover up. "Sister should clean up immediately and then rest."

Alia raised an eyebrow, then smiled widely. Her sweet face was like a flower that burst after being doused in the rain. Shady and beautiful. "Come here. We'll spend this first."

Daniel approached as Alia opened the package. He frowned when he saw its irregular shape. Can Daniel guess that Alia really ran as hard as her energy and forgot the food she brought while running.

"Ahead there." Daniel pointed at the back of Alia.

"No. Just eat this."

"Ahead there."

Alia did not continue her refusal. He knew what Daniel would do. Alia finally relented and flipped her body, letting Daniel who had replaced her hand massage her shoulders.

"Open your mouth."

Daniel this time according for all to be finished quickly and Alia can rest immediately. He took a bribe from Alia quickly.

Silence was created between them.

Alia was still worried about the mysterious man earlier. Even so, he knew that the man had not intended to hurt Daniel. The man was able to do it right from the start and Alia could not find a reasonable reason if the man had deliberately delayed his bad intentions. Then, the possibility of the man is closely related to the sender of a cardboard box containing kitchen equipment.

All this time Alia lied and said that the cardboard box was her order. The arrival of the box was a mystery to him as well. Their residence will come this box every half month. It is constant and has been going on for quite a while. It's just that Daniel just realized it when he started coming down to the kitchen. It is impossible to deceive Daniel forever. Daniel is getting suspicious now.

Alia also began to keep the blue ribbon since Daniel learned of this secret.

The reason Alia lied from Daniel and did not try to find out the truth of the sender was a message from her mother before she died following her father.

"If anyone sends anything here, accept it and do not ask the origin or identity of the sender. You also have to keep this a secret from others, even from Daniel."

Today, Alia almost broke that by chasing after the mysterious man earlier. But he was really beaten with curiosity. Which group or individual is so kind as to give something like this regularly and without breaking? Why should it be kept secret?

However, whenever her questions and curiosity grew, Alia also always remembered her other mother's message. That led him to tell Daniel to stay home and reduce outside interactions.

"It's just the calm before the storm, my dear, Al. You should know there's a lot of dangerous stuff out there. For us, it's invisible. But for Daniel, it's real and it's really going to happen. Protect her. Protect your sister well, baby?"

Alia did not dare to try to prove the truth of those words. He wouldn't be able to face his mother one day if Daniel was hurt by his carelessness.

"Him for a hair tie huh," Daniel murmured as he saw the dark blue ribbon that gathered Alia's jet hair into one. "Sister really likes this ribbon."

Alia didn't want to trigger a fight or a circus right now. His mind and body are tired. He just nodded in allowing. He really likes that ribbon. But Alia also has a side reason. He just wanted to show his gratitude to whoever gave the goods in the cardboard box by appreciating the symbolic ribbon.