Its the winter year of 1776.Our country is in the process of declaring war with the colonists of the New World ; America they call it. But worse a series of deadly diseases or plagues carried by rats has swept through our small town of Ghansburg, England.Its deadly presence has taken more than half of our countries population, and more are surley going to die.

"Doctor you are positively sure there is nothing we can do? Shantate asked the doctor hoping, begging his answer was yes.

Shantate was a very attractive woman.She was a avergae height of 5'5'', a perfect curved shape.Her eyes were an unsual redish brown, and her hair was a bit past her shoulder : dark brown almost black, layered beautifully.She had greatt talents of both singing and drawing people in the village always asked her to join the theatre to let people hear her voice but sh eonly used it for her and her families amusement.Though her face was pale,her hair not combed, and she smelled of death many men still found her irresistable.The past occurences of the village left many people feeling, shall I say ready to die.Noone was immune to the travesties occuring.

" I'm sorry Madam Shantate.Theres is absolutely nothing we can do.We dont have the medications on hand to deal with an epidemic as this.And if we did, its too far into its stages for the medications to have their effects.Either way they have no chance", the doctor replied with disappointment in hisvoice. "Come here doctor", Shantate pulled the doctoor towards a corner in the room.

"How long do they have to live?", she whispered. "6-12 hours maybe less.It depends on how it goes about", he answered. "Thank you doctor ", she showed him the door. "How am I going to tell my sister ", she asked herself as she shut the door.

"Hello Dr. Lingston.How are my parents doing?" " Hello", he replied heading down the steps of the small wooden house, ignoring her question. he thought. "Is my sister upstairs", the young girl asked, pouncing up the steps, wondering why he didnt answer her question. "Yes she is", he put a fake smile across his face and watched the girl head up the steps before walking out the front door.

"Oh sister it was a wonderful day today.We had a few sales down at the >store, but this afternoon, the most handsome man came in.He had the most beautful blue eyes,they were like little blue crystals shining in the sunlight.And his smile, oh his smile was even more beautiful.We talked for a little while but then he had to leave.But before he left he asked me to meet him by Orchid Lake fo ra walk in the forest, im sooo excited", the young girl bragged with excitment.

Nothing this good has happened to Shantate's little sister so she has all the right to be this excited.But theres other things that need to be thought about besides going on a date with a handsome man from town.

There was a slight pause and the young girl noticed her sister hadnt said a word the whole time.

"Sister?Whats wrong?", she asked

Shantate turned her head to look at her younger sister Nadine, eyes filled with tears.

Nadine was a bit taller than her sister standing at 5'6,she was a slender 125lbs.She had beautiful light brown eyes that sparkled each time she smiled, hair went to about the mid of her back it was a dark brown but had a tint of light brown bringing out the color of her eyes.Like her sister she was very attractive.many of the men wanted her to be with them, but she never payed attention to them.She would rather spend her time in the forests reading a book or writing in her journal.

"Nadine...the doctor said they are getting worse.They are going to die, and there is nothing we can do about it". Shantate immediately stood, walking towards her sister knowing her reaction. "No!!! Mother and Father cant die! The doctor said they were going to live,How could he lie to us like that?",Nadine began crying, running towards her mothers side of the bed. "He didnt lie to us Nadine.The doctor didnt know the outcome was going to be like this.He thought that it was a small fever that was going to pass.But once people started dying he knew it had to be more than just a fever",Shantate tried to explain to her sister hoping she would understand.

Nadine sat near the edge of the bed lookign at her parents.They lie there lifeless.Death was coming closer and closer towards them and nobody could do anyhthing to stop it.But why their parents.They dont deserve such a cruel punisment.How could the lord above take such good people from the world? God works in mysterious ways.

"Why?Why does he have to take our parents.They were faithful to him.More faithful than the criminals and murderers on our streets but he decided to take you instead", Nadine grabbed her mothers cold feverish hand and held it in hers. "Nadine.Dont be upset at the lord.Its his choice on who lives or dies.Dont judge him for the choices he makes.It was their time to go",Shantate sat next to Nadine. "If he takes your loved ones away from you, how could you not be upset at such actions?.No longer expect me to attend services from this day forth.I will no longer show my respects to the lord if he shows me none", Nadine snapped looking at her mother.

She stirred a bit, letting outa few moans; suddenly her eyes opened and she turned to look at her 2 beautiful daughters.She smiled.

"My beautiful girls", her voice was dry and when she spoke it caused her tremendous pain.

Shantate ran to get a glass of water, shortly returning and helped their mother moisten her throat.Shantate and Nadine fell silent, so the wods their other spike could be heard.

"Im sorry that we must leave you.But its not your right to be upset at the lord.He is our creator and bought us into this world, therefore he has every right to take us from it.Once me and your father pass we will go onto a better place.I dont want neither of you to neglect your lives once we are gone.Grow, get married, raise a family.Oh what great wives and mothers you will be", she smiled then coughed roughly. "Me and your father will always be with you,we will never leave your side.Just close yor eyes and call out our names we will be listening to you voices always and dont you forget that", tears began forming in our eyes as she reached to us for hugs.

Nadine couldnt let go, she didnt want to.Who knew when she was going to hug her again.Never.Never was the answer.Never.We could tell she was passing on.Her body began relaxing and her arm fell hanging on the edge of the bed.

"Mama No!! You cant leave me.You cant.I wont let you.All you need is some rest and you'll be better in the morning.Mama please dont go", Nadine held onto to her mother crying, begging her mother to not leave her.

Shantate stared at her sister crying along with her.She couldnt stand seeing this awful sight.Her parents passing on,her sister crying.It was killing her.But all she could do was cry.

"I love you, and dont you ever forget that", she smiled at her children once more.Leanign towards her husband. She grabbed his hand. "I love you my love", she kissed his lips with her last breath.Passing on.

* Spring One Year Later *

"God Im so bored", Nadine said wiping off the shelves of the store.

Nadine and Shantates parents left the store behind after their death, and the girls took it over.It being the only thing that helped them survive.It was a small shop that sold everything from toys for children to clothing to books.Not many people came into the shop so the girls had to struggle for the necessities they needed; such as food.

"Thats nothing new sister", Shantate replied drawing a small portrait in her sketchbook.

"Are we ever going to get customers", Nadine asked now moving to the windows.

"I doubt that little sister.Weve barely had any customers since mother and father past away:, Shantate hadnt realized she bought the subject of their parents' death.

The girls never talked about their parents and never showed any feeling in front of eachother about it.They didnt want to let the other one feel the same hurt if they saw another crying.But once they got behind closed doors they would let all the fear and depression out.They went on with their lives just like their mother asked them to do.

"Ummm sis sister, guess whos here?", Nadine snickered peering out the window, and at the man who would soon enter the store.

"Who my Prince Charming who has come to take me out of this hell hole? ", Shantate jumped up and smiled sarcastically.

"Well..not exactly", Nadine began laughing.

Suddenly the door opened and a very handsome man entered the store, putting a frown across Shantate's face.

" Oh its Lestat", Shantate picked up her sketchbook and sat down.

"Well of course its Lestat, arent you glad to see me my dear?", he smiled holding his arms out for a hug.

Lestat was a very well known man not just in the village but throughout our country..He was known for his bravery and participation in the past wars our country was in.He was very atractive and all the girls wanted to marry him, but he wasnt interested in those other girls he was interested in Shantate.But she didnt want to marry anyone and if she did Lestat would be the last of her choice. Nadja and Shantate knew he wasnt the man everyone thought he was.Under those to die for looks was an evil and decietful coward.

"Not really", Nadine mumbled.But at the same time hoping he heard her.

"Well Im not here to see you Nadine, Im here to see your lovely sister.So i suggest you leave our presence", Lestat threw his hand in the air making a movement as a suggestion for me to leave.

Nadine turned to say something to his remark but before anything escaped her mouth Shantate came to her defense.

"No!! She will not leave Lestat.This is our store not yours.I know the reason you are here Lestat, and the answer is still no.No matter how many times you ask or what you do we will not marry.Why would I marry such a heartless man who uses his wealth to gain love a sincerity?", Shantate spit at him.

Lestat was shocked at what she told him.No woman not even men talked to him the way she did.He thought he was so superior of others that all he deserved was everyones respect and fear.

"But Shantate.Why on earth would you stay in such a rat infested town.The people here have nothing going for themselves and they are so..so how shall i say it..uncivilized.Come with me and we will marry.You will be the most wealthiest woman on this side of the country.yo could have anything you dream of", Lestat tried to persuade her.

"Yes Lestat.I would be the wealthiest on this side country but I wouldnt be happy.I was born and raised here in Ghansburg.My friends, my sister, and my memories are here.Im sorry Lestat but my final answer is no.Now leave it at that', Shantate got out of her seat and showed Lestat the door.

"Very well.Yor stupidity not mine.You have no idea how many women would kill to be in your shoes".

"I dont care about those women.I worry about my sister and I only".

"Well I better get on my way now.I never stay in this filthy town past dark all the people or shall I say fiends of the night start to emerge.Who knows what kind of disease they carry.I hope you and your sister live a happy and healthy life.Maybe the shop your mother and father spent their useless lives working on would attract more attention,* Snicker Laugh*".

Nadine couldnt believe Lestat could say something about their parents like that.Shantate saw the rage in Nadines eyes and immediately held her back for she knew she was going to go after Lestat.

"Your worthless Bastard.How dare you speak of my parents like that.I wish death upon you.Death i tell you", Nadine scratched at Lestat.

"You know Shantate you better keep that sister of yours under control her mouth could get you both into trouble.

"GoodBye Lestat" ,Shantate pushed him out the door.

The rest of the day went by very slowly for the girls.Nadine was still furious at the remark Lestat made and she let all her anger out on the cleaning.Every now and then a potential customer came into the store but never bought anything.It was now nearing dusk and customers began going home.Nadine decided it was time to close the store.As she turned the lock somebody barged into the door knocking Nadine to the ground.