Clutching tightly onto Sarah’s shoulders, the girl stared up at her sister with wide, fearful eyes. Her face grew ashen as she violently shook her sister.

“Are you in trouble? Sarah, are you in trouble?” Sarah furrowed an eyebrow, but remained silent at her sister’s paranoia. Mitzi’s eyes widened even further and her breathing labored.

“S-Sarah? Are… are you the killer?”

Sarah blinked, stunned at the accusation. Then, she became frustrated and scoffed.“What?! Mitzi, calm down! What are you talking about.”

Mitzi’s grip loosened, and she took a step back, still wary but now uncertain. “The news!”

“What about it?”

“Sarah!”

“Mitzi, what! You’re freaking me out!”

“The news! They said they’re looking for a killer. They described a woman, and you… you look like her.”

Sarah stepped back, her face riddled with concern. “Mitzi. You'd have to be an absolute fool to believe that!”

“But I don’t know what to believe!” Hot, blistering tears threatened to spill.

“I am not a killer, Mitzi! Okay?!” Sarah walked in circles as she racked her mind for a response. “D-Don’t believe everything you hear. They’re always telling you l-lies on the news.”

Mitzi’s face contorted with a mixture of emotions—fear, doubt, and a hint of desperation. Eyes wide and searching, her labored breathing intensified. “Then, why won’t you tell me where you were last night? Why were you acting so strange? That was not like you, Sarah! Y-You gotta turn yourself in! If you really committed a murder-”

“I was… working on a surprise for your birthday,” she interrupted. “Your birthday’s in a couple days, yeah?” Mitzi nodded. “Okay then. I didn’t want to spoil it, so I was at the art studio, trying to finish your gift.”

Mitzi’s eyes softened considerably, but were still searching. “You promise? You’re telling the truth?”

Sarah nodded earnestly. “I promise.”

“You promise promise?”

“ Mitzi, I would never do anything to hurt anyone. Do I look like I could kill?”

“Anyone could kill if they had a reason,” her voice vibrated lowly. This made Sarah go quiet.

Mouth agape, Sarah stared at her sister for a moment, rubbed her hands down her face, and breathed in deeply. Shaking her head again, her eyes found their way to Mitzi’s and softened into dough. “I am not a killer. I; am; not; a; killer. I couldn’t kill a spider.”

“A fly.”

“What,” Sarah’s brow crinkled.

“The expression you’re looking for is, ;I could never kill a fly.’”

“I could never hurt you, is what I’m saying. You’re my sister, and I love you.”

Fresh tears began spilling as Mitzi hurried to wipe them.“I know, but… I’m just scared, Sarah. I can’t lose you.”

“You don’t have to be. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not.” Her threat was muffled as she buried her face into Sarah’s shirt. The two sisters stood in the foyer, enveloped in each other’s arms, as they tried to soothe one another.