"Ib" Mary whines, swinging her legs, hitting the underside of the wooden bench with cork wedges. The shoes are opened toed, revealing shiny yellow painted toenails.
Ib sighs and closes her book, one finger wedged firmly between pages to mark her place.
"What is it Mary?"
"I don't wanna go to the art gallery..." Mary mumbles, dipping her head and causing he long blonde locks to cover her face.
"You could have stayed home with mum or gone to the mall or something with your friends, you didn't have to come with me." Ib says simply with a shrug.
"But then you'd have to go alone.."
"I don't mind being alone"
True, Ib would rather spend a weekend at home rather than go out with a friend like other girls her age would. Due to her introverted nature Ib didn't have many friends, not that she minded, but most people found it baffling how the person closest to her was Mary, her younger sister. Mary was the exact opposite of Ib, she was always out with her friends, and constantly surrounded by admirers. Mary would rather go to a party, where Ib would prefer to curl up on a couch and read a book. But what people didn't know was that it was their contrasting personalities that brought them so close. If Mary was ever upset, Ib would be there to listen, and if Ib was ever feeling sad, Mary's upbeat and bubbly personality would always put a smile back on her face.
Mary sighs "But I still want to hang with you"
Ib shrugs again. "Suit yourself."
She reopens her book and the pair lapse into a silence, broken by the thud of heels against the bus stop bench. Abruptly the thuds stop.
"Ib, the bus is here" Mary says standing up and putting her cellphone into her back pocket.
Ib stands and puts her novel into her shoulder bag, then fumbles to ready her bus pass.
The bus pulls up to the curb and the doors slide open with a squeak. Ib swipes her pass and Mary drops her fare into the coin slot.
"You know it would be easier just to get a pass instead of using change." Ib says as Mary slides into the seat next to her.
"I hardly ever use the bus" Mary says pulling her cell phone out checking a new text "Plus I'd probably lose it"
Ib nods thoughtfully "Hm I guess you're right."
"Um Ib?" Mary asks quietly.
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering why you wanted to visit the art gallery again"
"Well, the last time we had been there was 7 years ago, so I don't really remember what exhibits there were, and I heard there is a new painting up on display, plus I art galleries are nice and quiet, it gives your mind a chance to wander, don't you think?"
Mary sighs " I think they're kinda boring"
Its a fifteen minute ride to the gallery. The two sisters step off the bus and onto the sidewalk. A poster is taped to the side of the gallery, the words "Guertena's Greatest Artworks, admissions are only 10$" are printed in black lettering.
"Ten bucks is a lot just to stare at some person's art don't you think?" Mary mutters, reading the poster.
"Guertena spent his whole life painting and sculpting" Ib says quietly, careful not to let irritation color her voice "I don't think ten dollars is too much, I bet he appreciates us coming to admire them"
"But the paintings are trapped" Mary says softly, her voice barely audible "They are so lonely, like freak shows in a circus, always being judged."
"What was that?" Ib asks turning to face her sister.
Mary shakes her head "Nothing" she says, a bright smile lighting up her face, "Just talking to myself"
"Mhm"
Mary follows Ib into the doors leading into the gallery. They pay for admission and Ib grabs a pamphlet from the front desk.
"The new painting is called 'Forgotten Portrait' its on display on the upper floor, but let's look at all the others ones first, and save it for last, how does that sound?" Ib says looking at the pamphlet.
"Sounds cool" Mary says sounding bored.
Together they go to each exhibit, examining each one closely before moving on to the next. Occasionally commenting on them. Ib points out her favorite was the rose sculpture, while Mary says she liked "Lady in Red". Finally after looking at every exhibit, the pair make their way to the newest one.
'Forgotten Portrait' depicts a man in about his early twenties, his jacket is in tatters, the blue rose clutched in his hand is missing almost all of its petals. His eyes are closed, wavy purple bangs cover almost half of his face.
Ib blinks, a shudder of nostalgia going down her spine.
This man...Have I seen him before?
"Ib? Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
"You zoned out" Mary says looking at Ib with wide blue eyes "Are you feeling okay? Should we go home now?"
Ib shakes her head, "No I'm okay"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm fine"
"Alright.. If you say so.."
Suddenly the fluorescent lights above their heads flicker. Mary utters a startled gasp and reaches out to clutch Ib's arm.
" W-what was that?" Mary asks, fright clearly visible on her face.
" Maybe somebody's playing with the light switches" Ib says, seemingly undisturbed as she pry's her arm out of Mary's grasp.
"But where did everybody go?" Mary hisses "theres nobody around anymore"
Ib turns, letting her gaze wander over the empty corridors. Mary is right, the once crowded gallery is now deserted and dead silent.
"Maybe its closing time, we were here for awhile" Ib says checking her watch, then frowning "Thats strange..."
"Huh? Whats strange? What is it Ib?" Mary asks, voice high pitched and anxious.
"The gallery doesn't close until six, and its only five...But thats not it, my watch stopped ticking."
"Maybe its broken?"
"It can't be, Mum just got it for me last week as a late birthday gift."
Frustrated Mary pulls out her cell phone, her expression grows horrified.
"What is it?"
"The clock on my phone isn't working either, its paused at five..."
The lights flicker again, this time they go out.
Ib swallows, "Mary I think it's time we go home now" she says, fighting to keep her voice calm.
"Wait -Ib! Look at the painting" Mary shrieks suddenly, pointing behind Ib with a yellow painted nail.
Ib whirls around, brown hair flying to face the painting. Her eyes grow wide, the sleeping man had disappeared,as if he has just got up and walked away. Only a few lone blue petals and thorny stems remained.
"But...How..."
Ib takes a step forward, arm outstretched to touch the canvas, as if to reassure herself that her was really gone. But when her fingertips were inches away, the whole painting swings to the side on invisible hinges, revealing a pitch blackness. With a gasp Ib pulls her hand back, but a burning curiosity settles itself at the back of Ib's mind. What was inside the dark hole? Taking another step forward, she cranes her neck to try and peer through the darkness.
"Ib I don't think thats a good idea" Mary says quietly.
"Just a quick look Mary, I think I see some light"
Gripping the edges, Ib leans over trying to get a better view. If she looked straight down, she could see a tiny pinprick of light.
Suddenly, a shove sends Ib flying into the hole. It was cold, pitch black and cold, it seeped through her wool sweater and left her chilled to the bone. Ib didn't have a chance to scream. The last thing saw was Mary's terrified face looking down at her before the dark abyss swallowed her whole.