Shape Shifters Demons in the Midst

2. Arianna Deeds

Arianna Deeds

Today was my birthday, but that is not why today is special. My whole life was reduced to this day. My left eye is constantly twitching and my big toe aches. I feel like a lopsided washing machine that is overloaded. It’s not that something is wrong, everything is wrong. The sky looks like a black blanket and storm clouds are moving across the sky at a sloth’s pace. Great. All I need is for it to rain today. Glancing at Kyra was like looking in a mirror shattered into tiny pieces. No one could pay me to wear anything purple and glitter was positively criminal. Everything she wore was adorned with purple glitter. How can two identical twins be so different?

“Are you worried about tonight?” asked Kyra. She sat on the bed rifling through two mounds of clothes.

I love my sister. I do but I’ve been sharing a space with her since we were in mom’s cramped womb. I desperately need my space. Kyra is messy. I will never understand how she can pick up dirty clothes off the floor and put them on. Gross. Glancing out the window, the city looked like an abandoned wild forest. The city of Atlanta seemed to be flooding. Every day it rained.

“It’s only natural to be worried on the most important day of our lives. You’re the only person I know, who doesn’t worry about anything ever.”

“Why is your bed cluttered with clothes? Every piece of clothing you own is tossed on your bed.”

“Stop turning up your face. My clothes don’t stink and I’m able to wear my jeans three times before I need to wash them. My butt doesn’t sweat like yours.”

Rolling my eyes, I grab my purse off the bed. The day is wasting away, and I have things to do. I didn’t have much time to get to work. Unlike Kyra, I understand that money doesn’t grow on trees, and mom is struggling to keep a roof over our heads. We may not have the latest designer jeans or sharpest shoes in the city, but we had each other. Family is worth more to me than anything in the world. My job stinks but it helps keep the lights on.

“Wait for me,” said Kyra. I heard her slam our bedroom door behind her.

“Mom’s still going to find the mess you left in the room. For once, think of someone besides yourself. Mom works two jobs to keep everything afloat.”

“You act like the job at Pratt laboratories is your future. Do you think you’re saving lives?” asked Kyra.

Gritting my teeth, I turned the corner ignoring her. Sometimes I wish I could let my fist pound into her face like I used to do when we were younger.

The city wasn’t safe anymore. If it wasn’t the rogue vampires mugging and snatching people off the streets, it was the opportunistic criminals. Nobody wants to be bullied, so they bully. In every situation there must be a victim. I’m not sure the vampires are the problem but I’m not trying to find out either.

This was my least favorite part of the day. The city looked like a nuclear warhead had detonated twenty years ago, leaving what resembled an industrial headquarters for slaves. Atlanta no longer looked like a city. The only thing left were tall scraper buildings overlooking the next tall industrial compound. Humans created machines that built the industrial compounds that make up the city. It looked like a jail cell.

There are very few trees left. We have breathing apparatuses that cover half our face, so we can venture beyond the compounds we now call home. When I envisioned my future, I never thought my home would become my prison.

“I’m talking to you.” Kyra yanked me around to face her. She folded her arms across her chest.

“Get your head out of your butt. Spit that gum out you know it’s illegal.” I peeked down at my watch before staring at her. She kept popping gum in my face, blowing large bubbles before sucking the sugary candy back into her mouth. The cherry flavor drifted to my nose intensifying the dull ache in my stomach.

“The government has made everything illegal.” Kyra pulled out the small purple cracked mirror and applied several coats of lipstick to her lips.

“Look around you. Things are not the way they used to be twenty years ago.” I pointed at the bullet holes in the cement wall next to me.

“You always do what you’re told. For once in your life have an original thought. You look down on me, but I make my own decisions and do not follow the ones forced on me,” said Kyra.

Pushing her out of my way, I rush down the street. The rain has stopped but the dark clouds suggest it’s only a matter of time before the rain start again. Coming up to Hide Me park, I basked in the few tall oak trees that remained. I looked past the decaying leaves and partially split branches to linger in one of the remaining things humans still have.

“Kyra something’s crawling on me.” Hopping around I tried to flick whatever was on me off.

“Sounds like a personal problem, sis,” Kyra smirked at me and went to lean her feet on the tree while she watched me.

“If it’s a tick and I get sick I’m going to make sure you get sick too.” Dropping my purse, I took off my long sleeve shirt and pulled down the undershirt. I saw him.

“You can’t bring Joe. If you lose him, we will never find him.” I cupped the turquoise body close rubbing his orange spots. What made her think she should bring her Tokay Gecko with us? How long has she been sneaking him out the house?

“Joe goes where I go. Daddy said I can take him everywhere with me.” Kyra flung her hair over her shoulder and held out her hands.

Joe jumped out of my hand and landed in Kyra’s where she rained kisses on his face. I love Joe too, don’t get me wrong, but my lips are not going anywhere near his face. Once Joe had enough attention he crawled inside of her pocket.

“Kyra, that was before the government banned everything. Do you really want to risk being sentenced to death for having Joe?” My voice was low with the force of restraint. Kyra was a spoiled brat that needed to grow up. I wish dad had lived long enough to set her straight. Lord knows she won’t listen to mom and me.

I miss daddy more than words can say. When we lost him a part of me died that day, and a hole remains. The youngest always gets spoiled and I understand that but, I need dad too. I guess I didn’t need him as much as Kyra and now it’s too late. Shaking my head, I focus on her. Her fist balled up at her side and she looked like she could bite the head off a pit bull. I have fifteen minutes to be at work, but she had worked my last nerve.

If she starts a fight, I’m going to finish it and wipe her face in the mud. I would be doing the world a favor because the world is not ready for Kyra Deeds. The government initiated one positive thing: banning s*x and unsanctioned births. I can screw up my life, but the life of a child is precious and failure isn’t an option.

“You want me to give Joe up because Daddy didn’t bring you anything from Hawaii. It’s not my fault I was his favorite. I won’t give him up ever.”

I rolled my eyes. “You never listen. Do what you want Kyra.” I walked away. I’m waving the white flag.