Ch. 3:

  It was late afternoon when Alia finally gave in and called for a break and allowed herself to collapse on a bench. Esha, surprisingly enough, seemed grateful for the pause in their activities. They had gone all out since they arrived. Esha had made her way straight to the fair food stalls as soon as they arrived. Next, Esha dragged her sister to the shops and then over to the petting zoo to squeal and coo over the farm animals. They took in the city from a new vantage point atop a mana-powered Ferris wheel. At one point Esha had gotten lost in the maze and simply sat down until a panicked Alia rescued her.

  The old and young had gathered from all districts of Vadhudra to enjoy the harvest festivities. Esha, ever the social butterfly, had wasted no time in chatting up several peers within her age group. Alia noticed a few young men had given Esha admiring looks and with her ego a little inflated Esha was strutting around with her head held a bit higher afterward. Alia was beginning to notice that her no-so-little sister was loving the attention.

  Alia was entertained by her sister's antics and was content enough to watch. What Alia didn't notice was several gentlemen her own age trying to catch her eye throughout the day, it just wasn't in her nature. Esha, ever so vigilant, had tried to point this out but was this quickly shut down by Alia.

  "Come on, Alia. It’s him. Just look, he's smiling at you. Go say ‘hi’ or ‘nice weather’ or something. He's so handsome!" Esha said, practically begging, when she'd noticed the leather maker’s apprentice gazing longingly at the older sister.

  She'd waved it off. "Oh no, he's just being friendly, probably does it to everyone to attract more customers. I would rather not be of a bother to him in the middle of such a busy workday, it's not polite. I don't have any business to offer him, besides."

  “Didn’t you mention getting some new work boots? That’s your icebreaker right there,” Esha retorted.

  When Alia ignored this logically sound argument, Esha rolled her eyes and gave up. Alia is just gonna be alone forever then I guess, she surmised internally. She couldn't ever remember a time when she'd seen Alia even flirt with a guy, much less go on a date. Esha on the other hand had no such qualms. She had gotten several date invites from some of the bolder young men today. And the day was still young. Now how to convince Alia to let her go out on one of those dates, by herself, was another task entirely.

  As she tried to work out a plan, she failed to notice that Alia's attention was caught by some tiny little noises. Tiny little barks to be precise. Interest piqued, Alia rose and began to walk purposefully in the direction of the little yelps. Esha, quietly scheming, hadn’t noticed for several moments and was taken aback by her sister's sudden, wordless departure.

  "Hey wait for me! Where are you going," she called, bouncing to her feet to run after Alia. "Wait up! Are we leaving already-awwwww puppies!" She wasted no time in scooping the loudest, most boisterous one up and cuddling it, baby-talking it as she nuzzled the tubby little creature.

  "Look at you little snuggly wuggly. Aren't you just the cutest little thing ever," she cooed. The puppy in question was yipping equally as excited lapping at Esha's cheek and nose. Alia observed her sister’s childlike innocence for a few moments before quietly speaking to the man behind the stall.

  Esha was now sitting on the ground, openly rolling around in the dirt, playing “catch my fingers' with the little brindle pup.

  Alia approached with a satisfied grin on her face, "Is he the one?"

  Esha looked up arching her brow in confusion,“‘Is he the one’ what?"

  "He's the one who you want coming back home with us, correct?"

  The young girl's face lit up with understanding as the reality of what her sister was suggesting set in. "No way, really? I can keep him?" She scooped the puppy up once more and gurgled at it happily, "Did you hear that, little snuggly wuggly? You get to come home with me!"

  The little puppy barked excitedly at her tone. This sweet girl was obviously very pleased with him probably impressed by how quickly he was able to catch her fingers. She was a barrel of fun, and he decided right then that he loved her. He wagged his tail as hard and as fast as he could to show her that yes, yes he was happy. He was happy that she was happy.

  "Consider him an early birthday present. Come on now, gather him up. We need to buy supplies for the little guy," Alia said, giving the little pup a scratch behind the ear.

  "Best. Freaking. Gift. Ever." Esha exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet, excited to go and buy things for her new best friend. "We'll have to get him food, a water bowl, treats, a collar, a leash, and lots of toys, and a bed, and a ball, and a..."

  "Yes, all of that. He'll be your responsibility you realize. I'll expect you to take good care of him," Alia began seriously, knowing all the while that she would eventually be caring for the pup when Esha forgot.

  "I promise," came the predictable response. To which Alia merely smiled.

  They came upon a store that in addition to regular items, also sold some pet apparel. The pickings were a bit slim but of good quality. Esha was rather put off when she failed to find a matching leash and collar - but settled when she found two that looked nice together. Alia rather doubted that the puppy would care either way, but she said nothing and let the girl have her little shopping spree. Money was tight but their parents had saved and saved, and now Alia did too. They lived frugally. Most of their food was homegrown and their clothing was mostly home-made. The money that they earned, selling extra eggs and produce, Alia put along with her parents' savings. It was actually nice to have something to spend money on for a change. And it made her happy that she could afford it.

  Esha was chattering away to the shopkeep about what sort of food would be best for a growing puppy. Alia let herself wander around the store, glancing at all the trinkets. Little statues and figurines adorned a few shelves Old-looking books and parchments sat on another. Her attention was caught by a pendant attached to a thin silver chain. She picked it up and a tiny jingling issued forth from within the charm. It was a shiny round sphere, no bigger than a coin. Simple yet elegant. Alia liked it very much and wondered if she should bother to purchase it. Reluctantly she decided against it. She had no other jewelry to wear it with - her ears weren't even pierced. Silly to spend money on something she'd never put on.

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  Slowly, she replaced it and strolled back towards Esha and the puppy. During the few minutes she was window shopping, Esha had stacked the counter with pet goods, making Alia arch a skeptical eyebrow. There were more provisions than two puppies needed, let alone one. The little creature was already beginning to be spoiled. She silently took inventory of Esha's stack: three rubber balls - all different colors, several hide bones, two leashes, two collars, three bags of food, a water and food bowl, a large dog bed, and four little bags of treats.

  "How do you suppose we will be carrying all this back home?"

  Esha gave a sheepish smile and held up a large cloth bag she'd just added to the pile. "And there is also your rucksack. You were right, it was a good idea."

  Alia stared at her younger sister before sighing and holding up her hand, "We will have to put some of this back, I'm afraid. Now, before you throw a fit hear me out. There is no reason to have doubles of everything for one small dog."

  In the end, surprisingly without protest, Esha put back two of the treat bags, the second collar and leash set, two of the rubber balls, and one bag of food. Even after the downsizing, the load would be a heavy one and the walk back would be slow and long. On top of that, they had a new puppy to deal with as well. It was getting late in the day too... This was turning out to be a longer excursion than Alia had initially anticipated. Suddenly anxious to get back, Alia paid for the items and hustled Esha out of the store.

  Esha, a little alarmed by Alia's abrupt change in demeanor, didn’t argue and went willingly enough. She cradled her new pet close to her as Alia led the way down the hill towards the front gates. Apparently, the day was over. Esha smiled. She couldn't complain now, she'd gotten a long, fun-filled day with her sister and a cute little bonus to boot. Just as she'd requested.

  They were just starting along the dirt trail back home when a small whimpering stopped them. The pup was squirming against Esha uncomfortably.

  "I think he needs to relieve himself, Esha. Put the collar and leash on him and let him do his business. House training can never begin too soon. When he does go, praise him like he's the smartest dog in the kingdom. He'll begin to catch on quick enough where he can and can’t go potty, and give him one of these for good measure," Alia instructed as she handed Esha a dog treat. Alia’s gaze turned nervously to the dimly lit horizon. The sun was beginning to set. They'd never make it back to the house before dark.

  "I'm going to call him Rajan," Esha piped up, patiently waiting while Rajan sniffed around endlessly for just the right spot.

  Alia blinked, "Rajan? Why Rajan?"

  "I read somewhere it means king, and look at just how regal he is," she said doting over the pup with his chest puffed up and head held high, all the while peeing.

  Alia gave a chuckle and smiled as Rajan finished his kingly duties. Esha dutifully praised the puppy thoroughly and handed the happy puppy a treat. The trio continued on the journey home. Esha had been excitedly sharing her favorite things about the fair for some time, but soon her animated chattering trailed off as the shadows grew long and menacing. Soon she fell silent and appeared to be as uneasy as Alia felt. The crickets were chirping loudly now and the faintest glow of sunlight could just be seen in the sky. That would be gone soon too.

  "I think we should have headed home sooner," the younger girl whispered. "Are we almost there?"

  "We're about a mile away. Hurry along now, we should be quick and quiet. Carry Rajan, please," Alia replied, shifting the two packs she now carried.

  Esha opened her mouth to reply and then suddenly closed it with a snap. Her breathing became heavier, and her eyes were darting around with fear. "Did you hear that?"

  Alia gazed at her little sister with dismay and listened intently. The crickets had gone silent, and she realized that the air felt different somehow. Heavier. There was also a distinct impression of being watched. However, she heard no strange noises. "No. What did you hear?" She whispered back, her head a swivel as she looked for any sort of movement.

  Almost in unison, the two began to jog down the path, trying to look in all directions at once. The heavy, oppressive presence did not go away. Rather, it seemed to keep pace with them, nipping at their heels. The hairs on the back of Alia's neck began to prickle and Esha finally responded, "It was like shuffling, or crackling almost. I don’t know. It stopped as soon as it started. What is it, Alia? What-"

  Alia shushed her and began to drag the two of them along, running full speed now. Visions of forest beasts and monsters danced in her head. She began to remember the childhood tales of churels in the trees, daayans, rakshasas, and long-legged horrors that her mother would tell them about on stormy nights. Things that her rational mind knew weren't real. But in the middle of the woods at night, they seemed all too real and present. She wished she'd thought to bring a dagger of some sort or any weapon, really. Then, as quickly as it came about, the feeling of being spied upon by unseen eyes vanished and the crickets abruptly began their song once again. Alia did not slow down, nor did she let Esha’s pace ease. They heaved a sigh of relief when their feet hit the familiar cobblestone walkway but still, they kept the same swift stride until they were at their doorsteps.

  Esha was out of breath. She sure could move when she needed to. Not that Alia was complaining. She'd also felt like something was glowering at her from the darkness. Something just beyond her sight. Esha cuddled the puppy closer for comfort.

  "Oh thank the Gods. We're back," she breathed, setting Rajan down.

  Alia didn't reply, fumbling around in the now full pack for the keys to the front door. She should have just put them in her pocket or something, this was ridiculous. She began to panic when she couldn't locate them, thinking she'd dropped them somewhere when her fingers finally brushed against the familiar key ring. All the way at the bottom, of course. Glancing around nervously, hardly any use in the near dark, she unlocked the front door and pulled Esha and Rajan inside.

  The two stood, holding hands, in the living area for a moment, breathing heavily and not speaking. They both listened intently for any sound outside that might indicate that they had been followed.

  Nothing.

  Alia gave her head a slight shake and locked the door with a brisk click. She then set about the house, making sure all the doors and windows were still locked. Esha, feeling secure once again, began to unpack the bags. Rajan was sniffing around happily, unaware of any disturbance.

  "What do you think it was, Alia? That was insane. I've never felt anything like that before. It was scary," Esha began, setting the dog bed by the fireplace.

  Alia wrapped her arms around herself and shrugged, "I don't know. Whatever it was didn't want anything to do with us, though. Most likely why it left us alone." I hope, she thought.

  Esha wasn’t satisfied with this explanation, "do you think it was some sort of bandits?" She doubted this herself. bandits would have attacked and robbed them, at the very least.

  "No. I don't think so. They would have tried to rob us. It felt like...like" she trailed off, unable to find the words.

  "It felt like they were watching us," Esha finished.

  Alia blinked again, "Yea. Exactly." She shivered again, trying to dispel the goosebumps all over her body. They. It had felt like more than one. "Well, they must have found us lacking. Thank the Gods."

  Esha offered a small smile in return, but Alia could see that the incident had frightened her as well. And she was not the type to jump at nothing. Even now Alia observed her little sister double-checking the locks on the front windows - something she'd never bothered with before.

  "We've had a long, tiring day. Best go to bed now," Alia said firmly.

  Esha nodded without arguing and slowly headed off to her room. Rajan, noticing his new favorite person's departure, abandoned his sniffing exploration for another day and followed.