READ ME!!: This is set before Eclipse. Before I forget, which is very like me, I'm going to put in a disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Just because I wish that it were, does not mean I own the Twilight series. Unfortunately, the world mocks my inability to finish a single story I write that is my own. I do not own any of the ideas or characters from any of the Twilight books. Darn.
Have you ever one of those night when you can't sleep? When you're wound tight as a rubber band, ready to snap? All the extra energy coursing up and down your veins and buzzing in her head? Where you toss and turn and the sheets get all tangled around you? It was one of those nights, when this whole thing started.
I rolled over and hung my arm over the side of my bed. My clock blinked neon green, mocking me.
I puffed my cheeks out and blew out my breath in a big huff. My grabbed my clock and pulled it toward me until the cord wouldn't give anymore. I glared at the clock.
"I need to go to sleep now, I have school tomorrow." As if talking to inanimate objects would help my sleep problems. If anything, it would me seem crazy. Like I needed that.
The clock continued to blink, oblivious to my very important problems. Setting the clock back down, I sat up and pulled the covers off. Swinging my legs out of bed; I stretched. Maybe a quick jog would around the block would get rid of all this extra energy. I slipped on some pants and a sweater over my pajamas. I tugged my boots on and stuffed my cell phone into my pocket. You know, just in case I was kidnapped.
I tip toed down the hall and past my parents room. I could hear my dad's snores echoing in the room. How did my mom manage to sleep through that? I averted my eyes when I went by my brothers room. No need to stir up memories. A lump formed in my throat anyway.
***
I should introduce myself. My name is Tara. My last name is on a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know. I'm a regular fifteen year old, have brown hair that some would say is slightly blond, and regular blue eyes. I used to live in a fairly nice town in Washington state. I have--had, gosh darn it!--a twin brother, Leo. He was like me. Who am I kidding? My teachers could barely tell us apart, even though I'm obviously a girl. We were born just minutes apart, and I'm proud to say I am exactly twelve minutes older.
He was the stubborn, irresponsible, perverted, jerk-ish, sporty, swearing half of us. Still, he didn't deserve any of what happened. Just a month ago, after staying out with his friends in town, he went missing. "Massacre and Missing" was the title in the paper the day after. All five of his friends were found dead in the park the next day. No wounds, no sign of struggle, no nothing. Just dead, like that.
Only Leo was missing. In the next few weeks that followed there were missing posters, police everywhere, and my weeping mom. I, on the other hand, just kind of went numb inside. Leo might have been a jerk sometimes but he had been one of my only friends. I locked myself in my room, started failing school, and spent all my time with our dog. She died last week.
Isn't life just peachy sometimes?
***
I closed the door behind me and breathed in the cold, late autumn air. My house was lined up next to other countless clones on the street. I patted my messy bun of hair and shoved my hands into my pockets. Walking down the quiet street, I looked up and stared at the stars. Was Leo up there? Not that I'm a very religious person, but I still wondered, you know?
I loved being outside; it was calming for me. Sometimes I dreamt that I was an animal running through the forest.
I don't know how long I wandered around outside, but I eventually turned around. Even if I did get to sleep, it wouldn't be too pretty in the morning. If my mom found out I'd been walking outside this late at night when "the loonies come out." (To quote my mom.) there would be hell to pay. I shivered and stared at my feet as I walked back towards to my house.
A breeze blew and I looked around at the trees that lined behind the houses. I wondered what animals would be out around here when I froze. I swore I had seen something flit between the trees. I bent my head and broke into a light jog.
A slight glowing from ahead caught my attention and I forgot about the creepy animal. Rounding the corner, I stopped. I stood there, my mouth hanging open. My hands trembled and I gripped my phone with white knuckles.
My house was up in flames.
I guess at sometime someone called 911 while I was rooted to the ground, because fire trucks and ambulances arrived. My neighbor came out and hugged me in her bathrobe and slippers. I didn't care, I buried my face into her shoulder and let her lead me into her house across the street.
One tear slipped from under my eyelid as I squeezed them shut. Gone, it was all gone.
Well, what do you think? It might not be the greatest thing you've ever read, but I appreciate any and all criticism. I'm not going to update until I get at least two reviews. Please review, I really appreciate it. :D Peace Out! =)