Chapter 2
1819 Words
Luna's P.O.V
There are three of us siblings, raised by our mother after our father abandoned us when our youngest, Raven, was just a baby. With life's hardships weighing us down, my twin sister Mara and I had to drop out of school.
Our mom was always working, leaving Mara and me to care for our two-year-old sibling. Sometimes, I find myself in tears over our situation, but what can we do? We just have to keep moving forward and hope for a miracle to turn things around.
Yet, I can't shake the feeling of suffocation. At a young age, it feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
How did my life end up like this? I feel trapped as if I’m locked in a cage with no way out.
To make matters worse, there's Mara's strange behavior. She constantly locks me inside our house, forbidding me to go out or talk to anyone. Her mantra is simple: “Never trust anyone.” Because of this, I have no friends—everyone is terrified of Mara.
Even at just eight years old, people could sense something was off about her. She insists that we are one; that I am her and she is me.
Her actions and thoughts are unlike anyone else's like she’s lived a thousand lives. She dictates every aspect of my life, acting more like a mother than a sister. Whenever I step outside, she's always lurking behind me.
I often struggle to understand her, especially with the odd things she keeps repeating that make no sense to me. Sometimes, I wonder if my twin is losing her mind.
“Where do you think you're going? Didn't I tell you it's dangerous outside?!” Mara's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife.
I let out a deep sigh and threw my bag onto the rattan chair. “Can’t you see the sun shining brightly? You’re being paranoid! Nothing bad is going to happen to me, and I can take care of myself. I'm not a child anymore, Mara!”
Ignoring me, Mara gripped my arm tightly and tried to pull me back to our room. “What’s wrong with you, Mara?!” I shouted, wrenching my arm free. “I’m not some eight-year-old for you to dictate! I can make my own decisions!”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt!” she retorted, a hint of desperation in her voice.
“You're suffocating me!” I replied, the frustration boiling over.
“Fine! Go ahead! But don’t blame me if something bad happens to you or our family!” Her eyes bore into me with an intensity that sent chills down my spine.
My heart sank at the sharpness of her gaze. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anger and pity for her. My mind was spinning; I wanted to understand her, but she felt so far out of reach.
“Tell me the truth! Who are you really?!” I whispered, my voice breaking.
Mara froze, avoiding my eyes. “What kind of question is that?” she replied, defensive.
“It’s just that I feel like I don’t know you at all, Raven! When are we going to fix this? When will we understand each other? When will your madness end?!”
“Ate? Are you and Mara fighting again?” It was Raven, our little sister.
I quickly wiped my cheeks, realizing I had started crying. “N-no, Rave. I just got something in my eye. Mara's just helping me,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Okay, eat up and get some sleep afterward, okay?” Raven said, pulling me back toward our room.
“What are you doing? Let go of me! You're hurting me!” I whispered, careful that Raven wouldn't overhear.
Mara released me, taking a deep breath as she looked sadly out the window covered in fabric. “Do you see that? It’s not a prison for you—it’s a prison for me,” she said, her voice filled with sorrow. “I thought I was giving you a safe place, Luna, but you see it as suffocation.”
“Why? Is that not what it is?” I shot back.
“You just don’t understand, Luna—”
“I don’t understand because you won’t explain anything, Mara! Why are you like this?!” I interrupted.
“Do you remember when I took you to the hospital? That was the first time I tried to help you understand our not-so-ordinary life!” Raven's frustration mirrored my own.
“You took me there and introduced me to that old lady who claimed to be your sister from a past life! Do you really expect me to believe that nonsense, Mara!” I exclaimed, my patience wearing thin. “You even say we’re one— that I am you, and you are me! How many more insane lies will you try to shove down my throat? I’m sick of trying to understand you!”
Raven's face fell, her expression icy. “Maybe I was just hoping you’d understand me. Perhaps you’ll only learn the truth when one of us gets hurt and regrets it.”
Sobbing, I felt the tears I had been holding back spill over. “Wake up, Mara— no one will hurt us— us?!”
“You have no idea what danger lurks outside... You don’t understand how badly they want us dead, Luna. I didn’t want to lock you up! I wish I could set you free, but I have to bear this curse. We share the same soul, which means we share the same curse. I just want to protect you! If you refuse to listen and still want to go outside, there’s nothing more I can do. I’ve warned you enough.”
Why does it feel like I’m the stubborn one? That I’m the one who went off course?— She leaves me confused and always feeling in the wrong. All I want is a relationship like other siblings have. Just a normal sibling bond. But she always complicates everything.
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open, and our mother looked in, worry etched on her face. “Are you two fighting again? I just got home from work, and this is what I found. When will you two stop this?”
“We're not fighting, Mom. We were just talking,” Mara said, too quickly.
My fists clenched in frustration. I was fed up with the lies in our house. “I’m done! I can’t take this anymore. Life is already hard, and you’re making it worse.”
I wiped my tears and bolted out of the house, ignoring the voices calling my name behind me.
Mara and Mom chased after me. “Luna! Come back!” my mom shouted.
“It’s night already; it’s more dangerous outside! We need to go back!” Mara insisted, but I kept running.
I came to a sudden stop as a man blocked my path. He was slightly overweight and in his forties.
“Luna! Get away from him!” Mara screamed.
I couldn’t control my shaking hands and trembling limbs. I felt paralyzed—like I was stuck in place.
“Luna, sweetie!” I heard my mom's voice.
I stumbled backward as Mara shoved me out of the way.
I hadn’t noticed the knife the man had concealed behind him until it was too late.
“Run, Luna!” Mara shouted as she grappled with the man to protect me.
Mom grabbed my arm, and I found the strength to stand. I wanted to help Mara, but I was still trembling.
As I watched Mom and Mara struggle with the man, a wave of despair washed over me. I didn’t know what to do.
“Mara!!” I screamed as the man kicked my twin, sending her sprawling.
“Don’t hurt my kids!” our mother yelled, but the man was too strong. He raised the knife high above his head, and with all his strength, he pulled Mom’s arm, causing her to lose balance and fall prey to his attack.
The knife pierced Mom’s side. “Mom!! No!” I tried to rush to her, but Mara held me back.
“We have to run! Luna! You can’t get hurt—our lives are in danger!” Mara urged, holding onto the man to keep him from reaching us.
Mom gripped the man tightly, desperate to keep him away. “Don’t leave us, Mara!” I cried.
“Run!” Mom shouted, her grip tightening on the man. “Go, Luna!”
“But we can’t leave you!”
“Even now, please listen to me! We’ll all die if you don’t run!” Mara pushed me back, and I had no choice but to hide among the nearby tall trees. I pressed my hand over my mouth, trying to stifle my fear. The presence of the reincarnated monster sent shivers down my spine.
While Mara faced the man with bravery, I was frozen in place.
The man smirked, inhaling deeply as if savoring the scent of Mara’s blood. “The fragrance is like roses,” he whispered.
Mara sighed, her fierce gaze fixed on him. Even if she knew her chances were slim, she was ready to fight. If any monster drank her blood, they would gain unfathomable strength, which would be a dire threat to me.
“Let’s end this,” Mara declared.
As the man lunged at her, Mara swiftly elbowed his thigh, knocking him to his knees. He recovered quickly, but Mara was ready.
“Ahhhh!!” she cried out as the knife pierced close to her heart. Gasping, she pulled it out, then wrapped her legs and arms around him, driving the blade deep into his chest.
Exhausted, Mara fell to the ground, struggling for breath. “I never thought it would end like this,” she murmured.
“Mara!!” I wailed, rushing to her side.
“Stay back, Luna!” she shouted, but it was too late; my body moved of its own accord.
I knelt beside her, gripping her hand tightly. “No! You can’t leave me! Not like this!” My heart shattered as I saw the life slipping away from her eyes.
“Luna...” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Promise me you’ll live... for us both...”
---
They had run for what felt like an eternity, but the man didn’t stop pursuing them.
Finally, Mara collapsed, breathless. “You need to run,” she said weakly.
“I’m not leaving you here, Mara!” Luna sobbed, trying to lift her sister. “Please get up! He’s close!”
Mara shook her head, her determination faltering. “Run, Luna. You need to save yourself...”
- Writer
