"It's mine," Maple declared, clutching the book.
"No, it's mine! Last time you took it without asking. This time, it's mine!" Void argued.
"No! It is mine!"
"Silence, both of you!" Yaksa's voice boomed. "How many times do I have to repeat myself? We need to stick together. Support each other. Don't you remember what your father said?"
Maple's expression softened with guilt. "Yes, Mom. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. But Void always takes what's mine."
Void smirked. "So what? If you can't protect what's yours, how do you expect to protect everyone else?"
"Void," Yaksa warned, "she's your younger sister. Help her, don't degrade her. She's fragile. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have survived this long. You must stick together."
"Okay, okay," Void groaned. "Stop with the speeches. I'm the strongest in our family. I'll protect her, no worries."
Ding-dong.
"That must be her," Yaksa said. "Remember what I told you. And clean up after dinner. I'm too tired to do it."
A young woman entered the room. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Yaksa. I'm Mithya. I'm here to babysit."
"Nice to meet you, Mithya. I was expecting you. Come inside. Kids—no trouble. I'll be back before one. Please take care of them."
"Bye, Mom!"
"Let's watch Monsters! My mom never lets me!" Void said.
"No, I want to watch Psycho-Pass," Maple argued.
"Kids!" Mithya intervened. "Those are too dark. I love them, but you're too young. Try something like Gakuen Babysitters."
"I don't like cute stuff," said Void.
"Same here," Maple agreed.
"How about I read a book?" Mithya suggested. She scanned the bookshelf. "Found it. Strange title, but I think you'll find it scary."
"Nyctophilia?" Void read aloud.
"I've read every book here. Never seen this one," Maple said.
"Maybe Mom bought it yesterday," Void guessed.
"Whatever. Let's read. The title sounds fun."
"Sit in front of me," Mithya instructed.
And she began to read.