Chapter 5.

In the months that followed, Jensa spent almost every moment when she was with Kyrin testing the limit of her abilities. She found ropes to tie to trees and fence posts to see if she could walk on them. She'd find bigger and narrower trees to climb and swing on. She'd even do exercises on the ground, finding herself more and more flexible and agile to the point where Kyrin couldn't watch without her stomach turning.

Kyrin was witness to all of these antics, watching with a strange sinking feeling in her stomach as her sister practiced. The feeling was a new one, different from when they'd been shunned at school, or when all those furious adults had turned on them or even the disappointment in Seylira's voice at their careless actions. These feelings were far more unpleasant, and ones she didn't understand.

It wasn't fair, that Jensa should be so special and Kyrin was still the awkward and clumsy girl she'd always been. Kyrin had tried some of the acrobatics Jensa was so adept at, but as always, it resulted with her in the dirt and Jensa trying hard not to laugh. Weren't they both outcasts? Hadn't they both been shunned by the rest of the town, just for being a little bit braver, a little bit more daring? Weren't they twins, sharing everything? But they were far from the same, and never before had that fact been so obvious to Kyrin. They were two sides of a coin, inseparable, yet entirely different picture. Jensa was the shiny side, baring the noble head of some long ago forgotten king, or maybe showing the lush stalks of grain. Kyrin was the tarnished side that spoke only of the minimal value of the coin.

It wasn't fair that she had to be left out from their world, and now, cut out of the one she had shared with Jensa, their own, private existence. The jealousy and loneliness of it all was enough to make her want to scream, to run away; far, far away.

More and more, Kyrin would force herself to stop watching, to stop caring about Jensa's gift. While Jensa was playing around, Kyrin would take walks, exploring the whole meadow, trying to memorize each detail. However, much as she tried to immerse herself in the contained worlds of insects and plants, she couldn't rid herself of the immense emptiness. She started to feel like it was consuming her. Looking at Jensa would only fill her with such hot emotions, ones she was disgusted at herself for feeling. So she did the only thing she could. She began to distance herself from Jensa.

Seylira couldn't help but notice the change. Kyrin would come to her, after she'd feigned sick so Jensa would go to the meadow without her.

Soft brown eyes probed Kyrin's, always seeing through her. "Whats wrong, 'Rin? Did you and Jensa fight about something?"

Kyrin got red in the face, "do I always have to be with my sister? Maybe I just wanted time to be alone!"

Seylira gave Kyrin an almost knowing look, though as far as Kyrin felt, she couldn't possibly understand.

"You're entitled to want some time alone. Then again, if 'alone' time is what you wanted, what are you doing here with me?"

Kyrin would get a distinctly miffed look on her face, "well if you don't want me here, just say so!"

Seylira held up her hands in defense, "peace, young one. I wasn't trying to pry. Still, I'm sure Jensa must feel awfully lonely, without you around. She depends on you quite a bit."

Black eyes turned angry, "don't patronize me. You know Jensa's the strong one. That I'm always following after her, always the timid, quite one. She's the one with all the glitter and the shine. It's me who's always depending on her."

Seylira would get up, starting in on her cleaning responsibilities. She'd toss a worn bristle broom to Kyrin. "I have watched after you girls since the day you were born. I know you better than anyone. And I know how much your sister depends on you. She wouldn't be half so brave and outgoing as she is, if she didn't always have you at her back. You might not yet be able to see it…but you will. Jensa needs you as much as you need her…perhaps more."

Seylira would kneel before Kyrin, putting a hand under her chin so that her gentle brown eyes could look into ebony ones. "You, Kyrin Devron, are a very special child. Don't ask me how I know, but you are destined to change this world. You have a part to play, in the welcoming of a new, better age. At least, that's what I believe. So please don't be so disheartened. Jensa is Jensa and Kyrin is Kyrin. It is not so bad, being the only you who can be."

Kyrin turned away from the gaze, suddenly embarrassed. She'd headed outside with the intent to go catch up with Jensa, only to find herself face to face with her twin. Jensa would give a half cocky-half awkward smile, "I uh…didn't think it was nice to leave you behind, what with you feeling kind of sick and all. Doesn't make me a very good older sister to not keep an eye on you."

A small smile would pass Kyrin's lips. No other words were needed, but in some way, Kyrin felt lighter