I play among the tree with my identical twin, Elia, while Darren splashes with Mother in the small lake further into the forest. My bare feet sink into the soft soil as I chase Elia who was running towards the lake, laughing and shrieking the whole way.
"Elia wait up" I panted but her response was a giggle and a increase in speed. I snarled under my breath and made it so my pace matched hers. I felt a little drop on my nose and I stopped for a moment looking up at the storming sky that began to pelt me with water.
I ran to the lake where Mother waited for me in my jacket. "Put this on Aria or you will catch a cold!" I rolled my eyes at her and snatched my coat from her clutches. Mother stiffened a bit at my attitude and turning to the lake where gray ways began to uncoil and splash violently against each other.
"Darren get back here at this moment!" she yelled hoarsely over the roaring winds. My 14-year-old brother turned around with a huge grin plastered on his face. Suddenly his blue eyes widened in fear as the water started filling his mouth. "Mother help!" he gurgled before his head disappeared underneath the surface.
" Darry!" I screamed and I plunged into the depths after him. I looked through the murky waters looking for any sign of my beloved brother. No trace of him was found. I panicked and swam back to the surface shrieking "Darry Darry come back! Stop hiding from me!" I swan in circles the fear building up inside of me.
Small hands grabbed my waist firmly and lifted me out of the water. "Aria Darry is gone" Elia whispered tears streaming done her face. I didn't cry. When she said those words the truth hit me and I froze. Unable to move, unable to speak. Mother carried me back home to our small cottage on the outside of district 9. For months I refused to move from my bed and I never opened my mouth. When the clouds finally lifted I left a different person.
I was only 13 years old.