ONE: Alice
The blood curdling darkness was so absolute, that if I held my hand right before my eyes, I remained incapable of seeing even an outline of it.
I turned, trying to see any hint of an exit, help, or even a glimmer of light. There was none.
Where am I?
I warily pressed my right foot forward blindly. The smooth rock underneath my bare feet did not present any obstacles. I then placed my other foot ahead. Slowly and carefully, I made my way forward, gradually gaining speed. I kept my hands outstretched, groping the darkness of the blackened room. After what I felt like hours, but was sure was just a few minutes, I began to see a barely discernable glow in the distance.
I began running towards it, and, as the light grew stronger, I saw I was wearing a delicate white dress with intricately embroidered flower petals at the bottom, which fell just beneath my knees. I had thin straps that crisscrossed at the back to hold up the smooth silk. The dress had a low back and my long black hair hung loose, covering my bare back with soft ripples.
I looked up to see that I wasn't in a room at all. The walls that towered above me joined together at the top to create a continuing arc over the stone path I was following. I was in a tunnel.
The only question in my mind now was: is this light I see at the end of this tunnel my salvation, or will it be a train that will crush the life out of me?
A wave of relief crashed over me as I walked into the light and saw that it wasn't an oncoming train. But the relief barely lasted five seconds before a scream echoed around me. It took me a minute or two to realize that the screaming was coming from me.
The scene that was unfolding before me hit me worse than any train ever could.
As soon as I closed my eyes, at an attempt to block the pain that played before me, I felt myself falling through what seemed to be a bottomless pit. I didn't even dare open my fearful eyes and the screams never ceased.
Out of nowhere I heard voices echoing my name desperately. What did they want? I was way beyond caring about the simplest things. But then light began burning through my closed eyelids. Unable to hold any longer, I opened my eyes, blinking in confusion.
"Alice! Alice! For God's sakes, wake up!"
I refocused my eyesight and was taken aback to find myself back in my room. I felt something wet on my cheek and reached up a shaking hand to see what it was. I touched my burning right eye, only to realize that tears were streaming like river water down my face.
When I looked up to see the indistinct vultures of my brothers staring back down at me I was shocked. I jumped back in bed, consequently smashing the back of my head into my headboard.
"Ow!" I muttered, rubbing the back of my throbbing head. I had thought I was alone.
The larger one, which I knew to be Emmett, let out a large guffaw and I think I saw a hand reach out and smack him loudly on the head. Edward.
My vision cleared and I was able to see that they were both looking down at me with concern. Shit! Another dream. I hated them, but they had been going on for almost two years, why would they stop now? It was foolish of me to hope, I mean, even if I hadn't had any of them for almost a month, they wouldn't just end like that.
"What was it this time?" I looked back up at Edward.
"The tunnel," I replied, my voice emotionless. They were used to this by now. You know, comforting me. They knew every form my fears had taken. And my parents, well they stopped caring a long while ago. Why should they care? I'm just their troubled daughter that caused the death of her very sister. I didn't blame them for ignoring my existence. Some parents would have killed me; others would believe it wasn't my fault. Well, my parents were in the middle, they said they never blamed me, but, three years later, they still couldn't look me in the eye. I couldn't even look at my very reflection in the mirror.
Every time I saw myself I would see her, Cynthia. The blazing violet eyes, cherry-blossom lips, faintly flushed cheeks, heart-shaped face, and the flowing black waves curling down the back of our petite heights. Now that was where the similarities ended.
I was the fashionista, the party girl, electric, exciting girl who did gymnastics and dance lessons, while she was quiet one who got straight A's and dedicated all her free time to the basketball team.
But every time I looked in a mirror I saw her smiling back at me. So I did what anyone else would do to stray from being haunted for life, I changed my appearance, cutting my hair to a short , pixie-style haircut which I liked to put up in spikes.
But did it work? Of course not, because my eyes still echoed her friendly gaze, my lips still formed the same smile she used to sport, and my voice still was an echo of hers. But it eased a bit of the pain, gave me a slither of hope to manage to go on and that's what I did. I moved on, or at least that was what I told myself, but every time I woke in the midst of my screams it called to me, like a sign from above reprimanding me for forgetting her for a single second, for not focusing on my last happy memory of her for every second of every day.
I noticed that I had unconsciously turned to the empty side of my room, the side witch I had no desire to ever fill. Years ago, when I used to pray to have the room for myself, I'd formatted an image of what I would do to the other side of the room, creating my very own dance studio, with a large stereo and a bar for me to do my exercises on. But I gave up on that now, I never danced again since she had died, I never had the energy, the spirit or the will to twirl, jump or even listen to music anymore. What was the point? I was alone, because no one truly understood what I was going through.
The only thing that was still a flower shaped clock that no one had the heart to box up because it- Wait a second! Was that the time?!!! I quickly jumped off the bed and ran over to my closet. The closet space being the only thing I took from my sister after she died. To deal with her death in (my brothers' words not mine) a more mature way, I had began throwing myself headfirst in stores, malls, fashion magazines and even making my own designs. Losing your best friend in the world and giving up your favorite hobby left you with bunches of extra time, and that was something I couldn't take. Extra time is unbearable; you have nothing else to do so your mind inevitably wonders. It wonders to happier times and leaves you in pools of salty tears later on.
Ironically, my grades only went up after Cynthia, a.k.a genius, was gone. It's incredible how the world works these days. I can't bear to let my thoughts overcome me, so I have to pay meticulous attention to everything, leaving my mind busy. What I really hadn't thought about was that listening to what is going on around you includes listening to whatever nonsense your teacher was saying. And now it wasn't nonsense anymore. I began actually putting my brain to work and realized that school could be useful for something other than socializing.
I picked a white blouse that was mostly open at the back and at the front, near the hem tiny silver fireworks were exploding, sleek black jeans, and silver kitty-heels and walked back into the room to the faces of my bemused brothers still sitting at the edge of my bed.
"What are you guys still doing here?" I exclaimed, "We have very little time until school begins and you two need to go get dressed."
Emmett looked at the clock, "Chill, Ali! We still have one hour."
"Exactly!" I exclaimed exasperated, "An hour! And I still have to approve of your clothes, call Bella to make sure she doesn't screw her outfit, approve of your clothes so you don't make a fool of yourselves again, take a shower, dress myself, and eat my breakfast while still arriving at school by eight! I overslept way too much!"
Go ahead and call me a Drama Queen, because I won't act like I won't act like I don't know it. That's what I am, I've been like this since I was born and I'll probably be like this until I die.
"Alice," said Emmett's whiny two-year-old voice, "We can get dressed without you approving what we wear!"
"Really?" I asked dubiously.
They both nodded.
"Can any of you remember what happened the last time I let you guys get dressed by yourselves?" I questioned, two blank faces met my inquiry, "Well, I'll tell you guys what happened. Emmett, you went dressed as an army man and then fooled Edward into thinking it was pajama day at school, then C-Cynthia went in her basketball uniform! And since I was sick in bed and didn't see you guys until you came back, I had no way of seeing the mess you guys made until you came back from school and the deed was done."
Shit! There come the tears again! Why do I have to be so sensitive? I quickly wiped them away, together with the memory of my sister in going to school in her basketball uniform.
I shooed Edward and Emmett out of my room and walked to the bathroom that was now only mine and took a quick shower. I rubbed my skin ferociously, hoping that the memory of the dream could also come off and go down the drain. Of course, it was all for nothing.
I put on my clothes quickly and turned to the mirror. I covered all the remnants of the sleepless night with make-up and added a bit of mascara and lip-gloss. I put my hair up in its usual spiked fashion and walked out of the bathroom.
I grabbed my schoolbag in my room, fishing out my cell phone while walking down the staircase. I typed a message to Bella as a sat down at the breakfast table, not bothering to look at my parents.
What are you wearing, Bells?
Pressing "SEND", I set it down next to my plate to await her response.
Valerie, my mother, set down some toast on my plate.
"Did you have a good night's sleep, Mary?" Sometimes I wondered if my mother was deaf. She never seemed to listen when I told her to call me Alice (my actual name is Mary Alice Brandon) and somehow she seemed to be the only person in the entire neighborhood who didn't hear my screams when I had I nightmare. My father, Philip, I knew, was well aware of my bad dreams and was normally the one who would question me about them with his cold stare. Luckily, on Mondays he had to work earlier so he had already left quite a while ago. My brothers seemed to be the only ones who cared, comforting me when I broke down, making me laugh when I felt like never smiling again, and protecting me with their lives. I would do anything in the world for them.
They had already finished their breakfasts and were waiting for me in the living room. I was about to get up to put my plate in the washing machine when my cell phone beeped, indicating that I had just receive a message. It was Bella.
U never forget, do u? **sigh** Jeans, new shirt u gave me, black jacket + red All-Stars. See u at school, hon!
Bella, my completely clumsy, fashion ignorant friend. How I ended up being friends with the exact opposite of myself is crazy, but I guess opposites attract, for example my best friend in the world had been my opposite so I guess there is just something wrong with me. I quickly wrote her back:
When will u learn that I never forget anything? Oh and, forget the jacket. I don't think it will rain 2day.
After dumping my plate, I headed over to my brothers for them to drive me to school. Since my last "stunt" my parents had decided it would be "better for me" if I were banned from using my car for the rest of my high school years. So now I had to have my brothers drive me to school every morning. I missed the days when I would drive with Cynthia in our car to school every morning. The Forks High Twins. I missed those days. My life had been just too perfect to be true. That's why someone up there decided to ruin it forever.
As my brothers headed out the front door they picked up a coat and an umbrella each from the cupboard, but I simply ignored the place and walked right past.
The weather outside was filled with heavy clouds, indicating rain, but I knew it wouldn't fall, at least not for now, regardless of what the weatherman was saying.
I stepped into the backseat of the Emmett's Jeep and closed the door with a bang.
"Careful!" Emmett's agitated voice came from the driver's seat, "I know you are frustrated, but there's no need for you to take it out on the car. The poor thing doesn't enjoy being messed around with."
I just rolled my eyes. I knew he was attempting to be funny and make me laugh but today I simply wasn't in the mood.
As Edward jumped in, he looked back at me, "Hey, Alice, where is your coat? This is Forks you know."
"It's not going to rain today," I replied dully.
"But, Ali, look at the sky. It's about to pour," said Emmett.
"Guys, just trust me, it's not going to rain today,"
They shrugged their shoulders.
"Just don't come crying to us when you come back home soaked through 'cause I'm not lending you my umbrella," said Emmett.
"Don't worry, it won't happen," I guaranteed them.
My twin and I were, you could say, different. No one knew it but the two of us. I had a sort of premonition, I would get ideas of things that would happen in the future, and sometimes I even had visions, though they were very blurry. My strongest type came in my dreams. I would see things in clear colors and I could hear everything as though I was there. As if I were inside a movie, but the only difference was that they actually happened. But my visions were only 90% accurate. People change their minds, the visions change. But things like the weather were always right.
Cynthia's "power" was the opposite of mine. Hers like mine came in blurry visions or vivid dreams. But hers worked with the past and present. She would see how things happened in the past or in the present, but through another point of view. Her visions of the past got her the best grades in history of the entire class and she was always going on about how this book or another got things wrong. But at times she would see important things like when there were bombing attempts or crimes she would be able to go back in the past and see who did it. I've lost count of how many anonymous phone calls we've already made to the police, the FBI, and even once the CIA, helping them solve crimes. It was fun. But now those days were over.
By the time we parked in the school parking lot, the sky was baby blue flecked with cotton balls. The warning bell rang just as we climbed out of the car, so I turned to my brothers.
"Told you so," I whispered, before running like a bat in hell to my first period class.
From behind me I heard Emmett shout, "Since when are you a psychic, huh pixie?"
That put a grin on my face, "Since I was born, brother dear, since I was born," I murmured under my breath laughing lightly.
Having missed homeroom, I headed straight to my second period class. Throwing an apologetic smile at my teacher, I sat in my desk, dropping my book-bag to the floor with a slight 'thump'.
"Class," the teacher began, "Today we will be welcoming two new students to our school. They are twins and will be in our Social Studies class this year. I want you all to help them fit in. Come in kids."
Twins? Oh no! Now I will have a daily reminder of how my life could've been.
Then in through the door came a boy and a girl. Both blond, both gorgeous. I looked at the boy's face and my breath hitched in my throat as a vision overcame me. This was the strongest vision that I've ever had and it made me lose all coherent feeling by its intensity.