LATER THAT NIGHT...

Anne and I were getting ready for bed. Father was already asleep, his snores thundering through the house. I had tucked the necklace into a small wooden box for safekeeping, but now I took it out again. I was careful about holding it; it felt as though direct contact would not be best, considering the way I'd been...hypnotized earlier. And that was just from looking at the thing!

I held the necklace in the palm of my hand, nestled in the cloth. I was careful not to look too long at it. Anne was watching me. I glanced at her, not meeting her eyes as I whispered,

"Anne, can you...can you just look at this, and... and just stare really hard? Do you feel anything? Dizziness, maybe?"

Anne did as I asked. She stared at the necklace, not looking up for a few minutes. Soon, though, she began to fidget.

"Um, Mari? I don't feel anything. Why? Did you?"

I hesitated. I was not sure whether to tell her or not. I decided to go with the latter; the less she knew, the better, in my opinion. Even I didn't know what was going on...

"No, I must have imagined it. Locked my knees, or something of that sort. Thanks, Anne."

She smiled. "You're welcome, Mari. Good night."

"Good night, Anne." I whispered.

I lay there in the dark, staring up at the ceiling, for a few minutes until I was sure she was asleep. Then I slowly rolled over, being careful not to disturb her, and reached under the bed. I pulled out my old rag doll, Lettie. I hugged her close, feeling, however fleetingly, like the small child I used to be, not the girl of 16 that I was now.

I realized that, even if I did not realize it consciously, I was scared. I only turned to Lettie for comfort when I was upset.

It was the necklace. It seemed to only affect me, Anne didn't have a problem with it. I felt foolish for even thinking about it, but still, I had a nagging thought in the back of my head. What if it wasn't the necklace? What if it was me?

That theory sounded more likely. After all, I was already different than Anne or Father, in looks at least. I'd never really thought about it, but we did not look the least bit related. Anne and Father both have slightly ruddy complexions, blonde hair, and blue eyes, although the color of the blue varies. I, however, am so pale I look almost white, and have black hair and deep green eyes. Yes, I was the odd one out.

And I was going to find out why.

So what did you think? I'll take any criticism you might have, as long as it's constructive.

No put downs, please. Well, anyway, thanks for reading this in the first place, it's my first fan fiction , and not very good... :)

-E.G.