The Forgotten Twin

Fortune

Liv

It was like the whole universe was slowing down from its gravity pole. The air around me was growing thicker and thicker. My whole body was going stiff and my jaw locked in place. My head fill so full from every possible theory running through it. So many questions, no answers. I didn’t know what was going on. Why was this happening to me? I wanted to bust into tears and hid under a rock.

“Why was she? What does she want?” I muffle to myself. My whole body ran cold insistently and for a small second I thought someone shot me in the heart. All I felt at this moment was my heart being ripped out as I stare back at my own face from a far distance on someone else’s body.

“This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening,” as soon as I feel the gravity loosen a bit. A fight of courage took over to move my heavy feet and walk away, walk fast, very, very fast.

“Liv wait!” My coworker call out and followed me.

I ignored her and just kept my pace and kept going. “I need to go! I need go now. I need to run, no hid. Yes hid!” I bit my bottom lip so hard I tasted blood pouring in my mouth.

I made it to the employees only door and push them. My body felt like it was floating and I was tingling all over. As soon as I made it through the doors I felt a stream of tears take over me. And all I feel now was pain and pure guilt. I squeeze my hands together with all my strength and lean them against my temple, feeling every nerve going crazy.

I didn’t hear the footsteps of my coworker until she put her hand on my shoulder. “Hey doll are you okay?” She asked in a low concerning voice.

I swallow a lump to wet my dry throat so I can respond back. I wipe away my tears and turn around to put a fake smile on. “Yeah, i’m, i’m fine.”

She frowned her eyebrows and gasp at me. “You sure?” She didn’t believe me but I don’t care. I didn’t want to talk about it anyways.

“Yeah, i’m completely fine. I just need a few minutes and I’ll go back to sorting. Okay.” My voice was a little raspy but I hid it well, I think. She rubs my arm and nod at me before heading back to the floor to continue her work.

I went back to crying after she left. Trying to figure out what just happen. What the hell am I gonna do? Why the hell does this have to be happening? My breathing begin to grew heavy. I lost control to it all. After a good minute, I wipe away my tears and straighten out my back. Taking in some deep breaths to build up little courage to finish my shift. I nod my head in the air and pray to Goddess.

“Tell me everything will be okay? Please, let it be okay.” Letting out one last breath, I walk back out the doors and headed to where I left my box.

Everything started to feel back to normal as I go back to minding my own business. Stacking CDs in their slots and reorganizing. I start to hum the low music playing in the background. I had just finish putting the last few items away until I hear a voice call out my name.

“Livy, is that really you?” Mery sounded so hurt. Why?

I took one big brave breath. I turn around to face my sister after all these years. Seeing her all grown up and beautiful than ever. I couldn’t help but smile on the inside. Yet terrified as well.

“Yes Mery, its me.” I cracked a light smile as I fight so hard to be strong and not cry all over again.

“Oh my God, Livy I miss you so much.” She ran into my arms and hug me. It took me by surprise at first but the insisted warmth from Mery made me hug her back for dear life.

I couldn’t believe it. Never in all my life would I ever thought I will get a chance to see my sister ever again. “Thank God you’re alive.” She cried out. I felt her grip getting tighter and I return the favor.

We let loose and I wipe Mery’s tears away. “You look good Mery.”

I didn’t know what else to say. I mean what can I say? They gave me up after having no faith in me nor my magic. “How did you find me?” Mery’s face went bold.

I bite the inside of my cheek the whole time, feeling my whole body shaking inside. I was scared to know the answer. “Livy I didn’t find you?” Okay now i’m confuse, if she wasn’t here for me then why the f**k is she here? “This was all out the blue Livy.”

“Why are you here then?” My words sounded more harsh than I wanted it to be.

“I was here because mother had a meeting with some people in town,” her eyes still lingering with tears.

Was mother here for me? She must of knew I would be here. I don’t think I want to see her and I hope Mery doesn’t ask. It’s not safe! “I never been here before so I ask mother if me and some friends can join her on her trip.” I didn’t say nothing.

“Can we sit and talk Livy. I love to know how you’re doing if that’s okay. Or if your too busy, I know your at work. Ugh gosh i’m sorry.” She was stumbling her words, trying to get everything out at once. “Of course you’re busy. I shouldn’t of bother you. I should just leave ...”

I grab Mery and hug her. “Sshh relax Mery it’s okay.” I whisper as I rub her back to smooth her down. Even with there being a fright inside me wanting her to leave and take mother away with her. Another pit in my heart wanted Mery to stay, just for a little.

“Here sit down.” I pointed to the seats where people come to sit down and listen to music with the attach headphones. “I’m not busy, around these time it’s calm.” She smile to me and I smile back.

“Tell me Mery, how are you?” I broke the silence as we just stared awkwardly at each other. She seem just as uncomfortable as I was. “Tell me anything.” I try to sound cherry through my grace. But deep inside I was nervous about so many things.

“Well not much to say really. Everything is still the same. The only differences is not having you around.” I let out a small ohh in responds. I guess my present really didn’t matter to the coven, it’s fine. I’m better where I am anyways. “After the attack everyone was frighten, we lost a few people.” Mery face went long.

You would think my heart will have empathy for their lost, but no. “I’m sorry for your lost. Did your coven rebuild any damage?” I try to sound sincere but I kind of didn’t care. They are nothing to me now. They’re all my past, never my home.

“Everyone felt so unsafe afterwards. Many people left the coven. Now we’re just a small community. Hints the reason mother has to come out here to meet with others.”

I didn’t know what to say, it made sense in a way. After such an awful attack I would have left too. At least to keep my family safe I would.

“Livy?” Mery’s eyes went dull for a second and I tilt my head. “You were dead.”

What?! My eyes widen up in shock and gasp. “Well we thought you were killed from the attack. We search for you and found your ripped up clothes and blood in the woods. There was just bones. We mourn you, all of us!” A tear shot out Mery’s eyes.

This didn’t make any sense to me. How could they find any evidence of my death if I was safe at an orphanage that night. Who clarify my death? Who was hiding the truth and why?

“Who said I was dead Mery?” f**k, it slip out.

“Someone found where you were supposedly killed and mother conformed it was you.” Mery kept her voice low, she kept a sad but confuse look on her face too.

I wonder if it was mother who faked my death? Or was it father?

“Livy we had a funeral and everything for you. I keep a picture of you on my nightstand with a candle. I pray to our Ancestors everyday asking why they took you from us. I pray to just see you one more time, just one last time.” I let a light chuckle out and Mery frown at me.

“Sorry I shouldn’t laugh,” I couldn’t help it. Someone faked my death and kept a ruse about it. And Mery my twin prayed to the Ancestors for answers, ha no surprise she didn’t get her answer.

“I’m sorry it’s just that you prayed to the Ancestors for answers.” I chuckle again. “After all these years I never thought they can give an answer nor help anyone.”

“Livy! How could you say that. Our Ancestors are everything to us. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. I wouldn’t be here with you right now. This is them finally answering my prayers.” She was angry but I smirk a laugh.

“Your Ancestors must be putting a cruel joke.” Mery was so faithful to her Ancestors, she was so naive. If only she knew of the Goddess.

“Why do you keep saying my Ancestors? They’re yours too?!” Then my face change.

Should I really tell Mery the truth? I don’t know if she will think low of me. Judgment is made on those who don’t follow the Ancestors. Would my own twin even believe me? Who knows what mother or father has said about me after the attack. Lies after lies I bet.

“Because your Ancestors shun me. They let awful things happen to me. When I needed them the most, they abounded me. But I found a Goddess who sees me for me. And I am grateful to be her child. I don’t give two shits about your Ancestors ,they didn’t for me for years before the orphanage.” Vile pour out my words. “I was left all alone in the dark for years while I fail time and time again. Letting my magic to be lost. Your Ancestors are not mine.”

Mery gasp with shock. “How could you say that? What awful things? What orphanage? Livy what happen to you?”

I couldn’t lie, not with the truth already being pour out. She needed to know. She needed to know the real truth, maybe something good will come out of it. So I took one deep breath.

“I was beaten by mother for a long time. Father had his taste for punishments in the beginning too, but then it was just mother. I wasn’t skilled in magic like you. I pretty much was drain out form the stress. And I guess, I never really pass the test.” This was it, she needed to hear it from me, the truth.

“The day after the attack I woke up at an orphanage. There I felt safe with Madam Grace. She help me find my magic again. She didn’t hit me for not perfecting a spell or shut me out for it. I was starting to be happy again.”

Mery was shock and I felt bad. It was like she never knew we had such two different lives. We sat in silence awhile. I went on to explain to Mery how my childhood went. All the ugly. She cried and I reassure her it was okay. I kept telling her, I came out strong. The orphanage had an amazing lady who tough me magic before I was adopted to my lovey parents. I figure if I tell her the truth she will go back and leave our lives separate again.

It’s best that way.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see how much you were hurting. I was too stuck up in my own life.” I cupped her cheek and felt a tear roll down.

“You were just a child.” I explain.

“I’m your twin, I should of known.”

I can see how hurt Mary was. I didn’t want this. “I’m happier now Mery. I’m free with amazing parents and friends.”

“I’m glad you are safe now Livy. I’m really happy for you. I just.. I just missed you.”

“I never stop thinking about you. Your happiness was all I had to keep me strong. Knowing you are having the life you should. That’s why I push you away. I already knew we wouldn‘t be able to spent our life together.” I fought the crack that came up my throat. “With our 18th birthday coming up I’ve been thinking about you a lot more.”

“So have I Livy. Maybe we can spent it together. Oohh wouldn’t that be great, it be like old times Livy!” It warmth my heart to see old Mery coming through. Oh how it’s been years since I seen her. f**k, how much I truly have miss my sister. I’m really glad she here now though.

“We can have it at the coven. You can come home Livy. Everyone misses you.”

What?! No! Hell no!! I’m not moving back there. How the hell can she ask me to go back? After what I just told her! What the f**k! How? “No Mery.” I said too softly.

“Ohh mother and father will be so happy to see you alive.” Mery was getting her hopes up. She doesn’t see how bad that idea is. I can’t go back there. I can’t face those people, I can’t. This was a one time thing and she didn’t see it as that. f**k!

“Mery wait.” She wasn’t hearing me.

“And aunt Mable, uh she just came back from vacation..” Mery was going on overdrive with excitement.

“Mery hold on.” I plead softly.

“Oh Livy you have to see the coven, its beautiful now with less houses covering the land.”

The room begin to spin around for a while and I almost throw up. Mery was getting to excited for something that will never happen. I don’t feel safe or right going back there. I am not moving back there. Not even for her.

“Mery stop! Just stop it!” I shouted.

Mery finally took a breath and settle back down. “What? What’s wrong Livy?” f**k I don’t want to hurt Mery but I kind of have no choice.

“My home is here. I have a life here Mery.” Yup looking into her eyes I saw her heart drop.

“But you belong at the coven, with our people. With me?!”

I took another breath in and held her hand. “I belong here not there. There was a reason why I had to leave. Please understand that Mery.” I squeeze her hand.

Mery pulled away from me and I hid the hurt from my eyes. Just when I felt like I was getting my sister back for just a small moment. It was ripped from me again in seconds this time. “How can I go back there knowing you’re alive and so far away? I need you Livy!”

I need her too. I always needed her, I just had to learn to not need her.

“We can still see each other Mery. Come visit me. You know where I am now.” It would be great to have Mery in my life again. I can show her everything in my town. Maybe stating connected will be good.

“What will mother and father think? They would want you to come back right away after they find out.”

She’s right they would, or maybe not. Whoever worked so hard to get rid of me must of done it for a reason. I know I was shunned but why fake a death. They won’t be happy to hear me alive. I know mother and father won’t. The last people I saw before my world change was them. They wouldn’t want me back.

“Maybe we keep this as our secret for a while.” The thought of going back and having everyone know, kind of scared me. Like I was setting up for war.

“Why? Don’t you want to see everyone again?” Mery was too sweet for this world. She didn’t understand my reason. I just need to come up with something to keep this hidden. Just for a little and then we will see.

“I just want some time with my sister first. Reconnect before heading into some crazy show.” She smile at me and I knew she agree.

“Okay. Just for a little because I don’t know how long I can hid this from everyone. I’m not the best person to keep secrets.” I chuckle as memories flooded back to when Mery alway spills the news to everyone. Bless her heart, she was just so little then.

“Hah I know, I remember.” We both laugh.

Just this short of time together felt just like old time. It was like the world was on pause and now we are just being push in resume. “I will text you tomorrow. I have a great spot to hang out.”

“Okay Livy. I love you.” We hug and I swear, I felt like a 6 year old all over again.

“I love you too Mery.”

This lead to a few days of secret hangouts in woods. Spilling stories and old memories. We couldn’t be more than happier to get this time again. We had to make it last while Mery and mother was still in town. The coven was a few hours out. Mery tells me mother doesn’t like long trips without a reason. She worries Mery will get hurt or worst. With everything Mery tells me. I know mother must be coming up with some kind of act. Now that i’m older I can see her hidden lies.

I try to push back all the bad thoughts away. I wanted to enjoy my time with Mery before she had to go back. Who knew when the next time I will get too see her again. Plus who knows what will happen once Mery tells everyone i’m alive. Will everyone care? Or even want to see me?

A small bit of me started to care and wonder what it would be like to move back to the coven. But every day I sit and talk to Moon Goddess about my options. I get a bad feeling that the coven wasn’t safe. It was like the Goddess is warning me. Beside that, how I am suppose to tell my parents? I can’t just pack up my stuff and leave. And what about school and work? What about Mason and Connie, I have a whole life here. I can’t just give that up for Mery? Can I? Should I?