Hey, guys...sorry for the super late update but again, I'm afraid that's how it's gonna be. I am currently going through major medical issues right now and I'm dong school work at home. With doing my work at home, I'm on the computer a lot. It drains me to where I don't have the energy to do much typing. But I will finish this story somehow and someway. Good thing for Spring breaks.

And I was wondering...what happen to all my reviews? I'd really like to know how you like my stories... Read and Review

Happy Easter!

Chapter 15

Grace

I ran through the field, giggling. It was beautiful. It reminded me a lot of the meadow Momma and Daddy brings us to sometimes. I enjoyed it. The feeling of the soft ground mushing between my toes, butterflies landing in my hair, my white sundress swaying with every running move I make. I love how the spring weather sent a slight breeze to cool off the heat of the sun. Spring was my always my favorite time of the year-besides Christmas and my birthday.

This was all a dream. My dream. I wished I could stay here forever. I wanted my family to enjoy this with me. I could see everybody was so stressed. Maybe being down here would help them relax. They would love it here! Where were they? Momma? Daddy? Kaleb? My grandparents? My great-grandparents? My aunts, uncles, and cousins? Sage? If this was my dream then why can't I have the people I love with me?

"Because this isn't a dream? It's real."

I shot up from the grassy spot I was laying on, hearing a voice. It echoed. Was it in my head? Nobody was around me. I was simply alone.

"You're right. You are alone. Don't worry though. You'll have a lot of others to join you soon." The voice echoed. It actually sounded like it was me speaking. Was it my sub-subconscious?

"Who are you?" I asked out loud.

I gasped when I saw a girl my age standing in front of me. She looked exactly like me except for one thing. My nose was not that big. Other than that we had the same eyes, hair, height, high cheekbones, and all the other stuff. This was freaky.

"I'm you." She said. Or…I said.

"No, you're not." I stated, crossing my arms. "I'm me."

We-I-she laughed. "Isn't that the same?"

"No. You sound older and your nose is bigger."

She laughed again. "Typical of us. We've always got to find a flaw in something."

I closed my eyes. This dream wasn't as fun as I thought. I wanted to wake up. Why can't I wake up? Why can't I feel Momma's sweet hums or Daddy's warm hugs? Why can't I hear Kaleb's joking laughed and my brother…Sage! I wanted to hear his voice.

"You will if your fate changes." Look alike me said. "Or some of it anyway."

Fate? How can Big Nose Me know what fate was? Yes, Sage and I were not normal but that didn't mean I knew what fate was. I just found out about imprinting. That and fate sounded like the same thing. Was it?

"What's that?" I asked as she sat in front of me. She wore the same stupid dress I did. I hate her. Which means I hate me since I was her and she was me, and we were-

Arg! This was aggravating.

"Momma and Daddy really do shelter too much. Fate is like the ultimate decision, I guess. Something we can't decide. Daddy would say it's kind of like imprinting."

I shrugged and closed my eyes again. The mirror me is an idiot. Does that mean I'm calling myself an idiot?

"It's also like how Momma lost the baby-and he's here by the way."

My eyes popped open. Our lost baby was here in my dream? Did I hit my head on something?

"What?" I asked.

"You don't know where we are?"

I ignored that question. "Where is he? How is he fate?"

Mirror me got up, brushing off the grass on our matching dress. "You'll have to meet him to understand that."

She grabbed my hand and we ran towards the woods. I was smiling until we got into the deep, dreary woods. I used to like them but here they reminded me of the horror movies Kaleb laughs at. Did every weird creature laugh at scary movies?

"Where are we going?" I asked warily, trying to pull myself of her grip. "Let me go!"

"I can't! I have to make you see!" I/she said.

See? See what? I wasn't blind. "See what? I am not blind. I demand you to let go of me now!" I shrieked.

I stomped my foot and the plopped to the ground. Me doing this caused mirror me to stumble and let go of my hand. I crossed my arms and smiled in pride. Not even me can't make me do something I don't want to do.

Wait. That sounds confusing. It didn't even make any sense even when I said it.

"Now I see why Sage says we're aggravating." Mirror me mumbled.

I got angry. 'What is that supposed to mean?!"

I focused on my shield and released it on her. When she stood there as if nothing happen I tried again. I kept trying again and again until I was hot and sweaty. She was still perfect.

"It doesn't work here." She said, smiling sympathetically at me. I don't like that smile. Momma says that's my trouble making smile. Now I knew why. "And if you use it on me that means you're using it on yourself too."

I blinked, rubbing my eyes. My vision kept blurring together but I didn't know why. I felt sick like I normally do when my shield gets to me. My head hurt badly.

I curled into a ball and whimpered. I wished Momma and Daddy was here. They would make the pain go away. Why can't they just show up when I need them to?

Mirror me put her hand on my arm and I looked at her, the tears I didn't bother to hide showing up. "Please…" I begged. "Make it stop. I want to wake up!"

"I'm sorry, Gracie. I tried. This is something I can't do. Only you can. The dice are still rolling for you." She said, tears falling down her eyes like mine were.

I closed my eyes and willed myself to wake up. This wasn't such a good dream now. I don't like this dream. Can't Momma and Daddy hear my screams? What about Ethan and Emma? Where was Sage and Kaleb? Where was anybody? I want to wake up!

I stood there shocked when I pushed "I hate you" at my brother. I held back tears as he pushed it right back at me in so many words. Sure, of course we fought, but we've always made up shortly after. I don't think we are now.

I didn't mean to say it. I would never hate my brother. Just…at that point I did. I couldn't stand him! He was acting like a brat! He was being mean to Kaleb when all Kabe was trying to do was be his friend. Sage was just one jealous monster.

I realized I let out a growl; but my anger made me stomp out of his room, ignoring Ethan. They would probably make us apologize. I wasn't. Not now. Not until I'm bored. If I have a bad dream I'll come curl next to him and act like I was sorry until Momma and Daddy made me apologize.

I slammed my door and threw myself down on my bed. I grabbed the stuffed wolf next to my bed and clutched it to my chest. Why would Sage be jealous of Kaleb? Sage was my twin. We were connected in more ways than anybody could imagine. Him and Daddy would always be the number one men in my heart. I'm only seven. I won't wake up and be seventeen in the morning.

I hope not because that would be…weird.

"Grace?" I heard Kaleb say. "Are you going to come down to finish playing?"

"No! I'm never coming out!"

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"I said no! I hate you! I hate everybody!"

I closed my eyes and heard Kaleb huff as he shut my door softly. I didn't care if I hated him too or not. At this point I didn't care who I hated. I hated everybody. I hated Ethan and Emma for being here. I hated Momma and Daddy for leaving even when we were the ones that pushed them out the door. I hated Kaleb for trying to be friends with my stupid brother. And I most definitely hated Sage.

My stupid, mean brother ruins everything!

I curled tighter around my stuffed wolf before drifting off to sleep. The pain in my head was like an explosive bomb going off. Fighting with Sage just made it worse. I wished Momma or Daddy was here. They would know how to get rid of my headache. I wished I didn't push Kaleb away. I needed this headache to go away.

I jumped awake for some reason. I'm glad I did. I heard the snarls, whimpers, screams, and bad words. I heard several crashes. What was going on?

I was about to get up when I heard a creak in my room. I froze as time ticked by. It wasn't until I heard the sound come closer that I realized who it was. I shirked back as this vampire came closer. This must be one of the bad vampires Momma and Daddy tell me about. I knew because none of my vampires looked like that.

"You must be scared, my Grace." The vampire said. If I didn't know he was a bad guy I would have liked him.

"How do you know my name?" I asked. Stupid me. I was told to never talk to strangers.

"I have been watching you and your brother for a very long time." He answered.

I moaned when the shield was threatening to come out. It would be fine now, right? Could I do it even when I was scared? Momma and Daddy didn't say anything about not using my shield in self-defense. So I technically won't get in trouble.

The pain in my head exploded and I screamed, curling up in a little knot. It was released but I was still in agony. This was new. When I release my shield I always feel better.

I noticed while I was crying that the vampire was on the ground, clawing at himself with a blank face. I almost sighed in relief when I found Sage standing in the doorway. I was so happy to see him!

"Gracie, come on!" he said.

I got up and ran to my brother and we ran down the hall. There we saw another bad vampire, gripping Emma tight. His mouth was on his neck and he was sucking her blood. I know by how Sage and Momma hunt. Seeing them hunt didn't scare me. I was one quarter vampire for Pete's sake. But when I see a bad vampire killing my friend, I was terrified. We were next.

"We're going to die." I pushed to my brother.

"Push your shield out more. We need to run and call Momma and Daddy."

I obeyed and pushed it further, hearing the howls and the screams. We tried to run but the bad vampires circled us just as we got to the woods. Why us? Why can't they go after other seven year olds? Why did we have to make Momma and Daddy go on that stupid date?

I pushed my shield out a little bit further when all of a sudden I was ripped away from my brother. I heard him scream for me until I was dropped. I groaned and brushed the dirt away from my face when I decided the best thing for us to do was run. (Okay, I ran because I was scared.) So I ran, using my shield even more, screaming for Momma, Daddy, or Kaleb. None of them appeared. I wish my magic was more useful now than ever.

I noticed that Sagey wasn't behind me and I turned around. I felt somebody tackle me and I cried in fright. I felt the cold hands wrap around my neck. No! No! No! I can't die. I have Sage. So I pushed my shield out even further. The most I've ever pushed it. I could feel the blood dripping down my nose (gross) but that didn't matter. I scooted out from the vampire and his screams and ran back to my brother. I had to get to him.

I ran until I saw him. I knew it was him just by his curls. They were just like Momma's. But pushing that to the back of my mind I saw that he was limp. One thing went through my head. He can't be hurt or worse. The worse I didn't want to think about.

"Bubba?" I called, shaking him. "Wake up, Sage. We have to go find Momma and Daddy. Somebody please help me! Help us!"

The tears came harder as a pain went through my head. It was worse than the headache I get when I have to hold my shield in. Way worse. I gripped Sage's hand as I screamed. I felt him squeeze back. If he can do that then why can't he get up? We needed to get out of here.

A light erupted between us. I could hear everything but it seemed distant. Like I was underwater. All I could do was shiver before falling to the ground…

I opened my eyes again, confused at where I was at. Why was tears falling down my face? Why was I in the woods? These weren't the woods that I know.

"Sissy…Sissy, wake up." I heard a voice say, shaking me.

I groaned. I was going to kill Sage-Wait. That voice wasn't Sage. This boy sounded younger. He was too young to be Sage. Who was he?

"You're awake!" he announced proudly.

"Who are you?" I asked, rubbing my head. I didn't bother wiping my eyes. It seemed like I was never going to wake up so why bother.

The boy sat up straighter. "I'm…your brother!" he said with a smile that reminded me a lot of Momma.

"I have a brother." I spat.

"I'm your little brother."

"I'm also older than my brother, Sage-even though we're twins."

He huffed. "No, silly. I'm your little brother. The one Mommy couldn't have."

My mouthed dropped open in shock. This was the little brother? I must have hit my head hard or-

No. I can't be dead. There…No!

"I'm not mad though." He went on, "Things would have turned out bad anyway. Oh, I'm Liam by the way.

I shivered and Liam sat in my lap. He was warm. He looked like us. A mix up between Momma and Daddy. He had straight, black hair and Momma's eyes. I always wished we would have a younger sibling with Momma's eyes. They were so pretty.

"Wha-what bad would have happened?" I asked.

Liam looked away as a tear slid down his cheek. "Mommy wouldn't have made it. Daddy would have been forced to live and raise us by himself."

I cocked my head to the side in confusion. I didn't believe him but curiosity gets the cat. "What would have happen?"

"Mommy would have went into labor with me. Daddy would have had to deliver me. By the time Grandpa and Grandma got there, Daddy would be holding me…with blood all over him and crying. You and Bubba wouldn't have remembered her as much as you do now, and I would have never know her. I wouldn't mean to kill her. I didn't meant to die!"

I've practiced being a big sister for so long now because I always thought that Momma and Daddy would eventually give me what I wanted. I just never thought I would be playing a big sissy to the baby Momma lost. Oh well. More practice.

"It's okay. I like your name. You would have been the best little brother ever." I told him, kissing his cheek.

Liam got up and I did too. He took my hand and we started walking. I didn't know where but I wasn't as scared as I was with mirror me. I like spending time with my lost little brother. My family would have too.

"Thank you. Bubba would have liked me too. I've seen it." He shrugged, smiling and I giggled. "I like Kaleb too. He's funny."

"He is." I agreed. I wish Sage would like him though. For some reason I sense Daddy and Kabe being tense. "Why does Kaleb and Daddy always act tense around each other?"

He stopped. "I can't say. They would be mad at me."

"Who? Daddy and Kaleb wouldn't be have been mad." I said. Well, they wouldn't be.

"I can't say, Sissy!"

"Why?"

"Because…because it isn't time yet!"

I huffed and we continued walking. It was now back to being beautiful. When I wake up I'm going to tell everybody about my dream! They would love to hear about Liam. They would be happy knowing that I was okay. Momma and Daddy came home early and rescued us. They saved the day and now we were on our way to our house in Washington. I'm asleep on Daddy's chest as of right now with my nose buried in his shirt. Momma's twirling her finger around Sage's curls, the only time she can get away with it was when he was asleep. Pretty soon we'll both wake up and realize Momma and Daddy have saved the day.

We came to a spring. It was so beautiful. Mommy would love to take pictures here. I can see it now. She would make us stand in front of that rock and smile. Daddy and Kaleb would have us perched on their shoulders or showing us how to skip rocks. I could even see Momma and Kaleb pushing Daddy into the water.

Those thoughts for some reason made me sad. I felt a deep yearning, something I've never felt before. I usually always get what I want. For some reason I knew this time I wouldn't get what I want. Right now I wanted to wake up but that couldn't be it. You can wake up from a dream when it's time to wake up, right?

"This place is beautiful." I awed, giggling when I butterfly hit my nose again. Purple. My favorite color.

"This is my favorite place too." Liam said. "I watch everybody through here. That's why I knew you were coming."

Something made me stop from putting my feet in the cool water. I spun around, looking at my little brother. I didn't like what he said. It rubbed me the wrong way.

"How? How did you know I was here?" I asked, swallowing a growl like Momma and Daddy do when they're angry but don't want to show it.

"I…"

"Tell me!" I demanded.

"Turn around, sissy. You'll have your answer."

I turned and looked down, watching the water ripple and turn into something else. It was almost dreamlike at first but then it turned scary. It was real, so, so, so real. The picture was really like watching a TV show. A show I didn't want to really see.

My voice trembled when I spoke, "What's that?"

"The real world."

My stomach dropped and I felt sick. My head pounded. In the glassy water I saw Sage in a dark place. Dried blood was on his temple and his curls were a mess-something that I rarely saw with my brother. He was crying, shaking, and apologizing. There was a bundle in front of him but I couldn't clearly see it…yet. If there was a will there has to be a way.

No! It was me! And I wasn't moving!

"Wake up, Grace! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it! Please don't leave me! Wake up!" Sage sobbed.

My heart reached out for my twin. I could still feel the magic between us but it was dwindling. A tear slid down my cheek as I couldn't tell my brother that I was okay. Trust me, I tried. I shouted it to him. I tried, and tried, and tried again until my voice was hoarse.

Something hit me like cold water. I must be dead and Sage doesn't know it. That's why I can't wake up! I won't ever wake up! That's why I can see Liam and why everything here was so amazing. That was why our magic was dwindling. If we lose that then we both die.

"Am-am I dead?" I choked out, unable to take my eyes away from Sage shaking my body.

"It's still in debate. Your fate is still deciding." Liam said as if we were talking about a subject in school he didn't like.

"This has nothing to do with fate!" I shouted. "I can't leave him! Our magic can't die!"

I shook with a sob and fell to the ground, crying. I was dead or at least about to be. That dream I had was real. We were taken. I did tell my Sage I hated him. Did Momma and Daddy really save us from those bad guys? If they did then Sage wouldn't be in that dark room looking the way he did. Momma and Daddy didn't save us and my brother thinks I hate him. He thinks I think I hate him.

"I'm fading then…aren't I?" I asked Liam, who I noticed had wrapped me in a hug.

"Sort of. You'll know for sure what happens. I can't describe it but it's pretty cool actually."

I know now. I am dying and my brother will never know how much I love him because of my stupid anger and big mouth. I'll never feel Momma's kisses or Daddy's hugs. I'll never laugh at Kaleb's jokes or run and play with my friends and cousins.

The dice say they're still deciding. I already knew. Or at least I think I know. I just hope I'm wrong. I can't die! I'm only seven! Those stupid dice better decide the way I want them too. But I think they already have and I didn't get what I really wanted-other than a little sibling. If they haven't decided yet then I wouldn't be here, wouldn't I?