Chapter one

"Coming home"

I walked down the steps of the Greyhound bus that I had been riding for the last six hours from The New York Institute for the Blind, Deaf, and Mute to Richmond, Virginia, which was two and a half hours from my home in Mystic Falls, Virginia. When I stepped foot on the cement of the unloading zone, my wide cobalt blue eyes roved around, trying to find Elena, my fraternal twin sister's SUV. I moved my tall, lithe, and thin frame, which looked exactly like Elena's except a bit more muscled off to the side to let other passengers off; I held my viola case in the right hand—in the shoulder bag that I hitched higher on my left shoulder carried the new text-to-speech translator that was given to me to communicate with those who didn't know sign language or if there was no translator available to interpret for me. It also carried the sketchbook I'd been using to draw with my therapist's encouragement at the school, who had suggested that I use it to help me get out any feelings and emotions about the disability I had that the accident caused and my feelings about losing my parents.

I didn't use it for that necessarily. However, my drawings included scenes of the accident, like the drawing of my mom, dad, and twin sister sitting in the car; there were things I added to them that, logically, I knew couldn't have possibly happened.

For example, after the car tire blew, but before our family car went over the side of the bridge, I drew two sets of three figures standing in the middle of the road with their hands raised as if they were calling down magic from the heavens. In another drawing, I sketched two other people outside the car who had jumped in the water after them. Still, I was positive that I and my sister had lost consciousness and saw no one try to rescue them. Still, somehow, I knew one of the two people was on Elena's side of the car, checking on their father, who was frantically motioning to the back where Elena and I were floating, still buckled into their seatbelts and the other had somehow had glowing symbols appear on his skin. He pulled me out of the car through the metal of the jammed and closed door.

Then there was the drawing of Elena and me walking away from the party at the Falls. Elena had been talking to the girl's friend Bonnie on the phone, while I was trying to be understanding of Elena's relationship drama and irritated with my twin for taking us away from the party; my and Elena's friends, and the fun we had been having, especially after all the fuss Elena had made about going to the party in the first place and talking me into missing our family night with mom and dad, Jeremy our little brother, and Aunt Jenna who'd come from Whitmore College to spend time with them, our Uncle John.

In that drawing, I had placed a tall, dark-haired man wearing dark clothes, a leather jacket, and black leather Italian shoes, who had come out of the forest and faced us. His body language was menacing, but the stranger's head was curiously tilted toward Elena. When I looked at the drawings afterward, I was confused as to how I was able to draw the figure well enough that someone could understand his motive and intent through the tilt of his head and the language his body was projecting when his face, eyes, and expression were covered in shadow, I didn't know.

As I flipped through the other drawings that had added details like that, details that I was sure hadn't occurred that night. My therapist, Dr. Hastings, had suggested to her, "Maybe your subconscious is adding in these small details to help you find an explanation as to why the accident occurred because you're physically sensing for some kind of explanation as to why this tragedy happened to you and your family, to not let you have a hard time coming to terms with the old saying "Sometimes bad things happen to good people."

And it made sense, but deep down in my stomach, I knew something had happened that night, something other than the accident, and my heart was telling me the same; not only had I changed in a physical sense with the loss of my voice, but I had changed emotionally with my new determination to not let this disability beat me. I was not that sweet, trusting, and open person anymore. I had become stronger, more determined to be independent, less trustful, and more cautious about who I was around. I was now more focused than ever on creating her own destiny.

Coming out of my reverie. I picked up my Viola case and walked towards the back of the bus to where the bus driver was unloading the luggage tagged for offload in Richmond, Virginia. Among them were my three bags, two were two huge purple rolling suitcases and a smaller green bag that was also a wheeled case, all three of which held everything that I had needed for the last three months that I stayed at the special needs school my family had been sent me to after Dr. Fell told them that the trauma from the accident had caused so much damage from the seatbelt crushing my vocal cords.

It was just the three bags, wasn't Miss Gilbert?" the bus driver asked me.

I pulled out my text-to-speech translator and began to type, "Yeah, just the three, thank you." The translator said after I pressed the enter key.

He nodded at me and smiled, "Do you need any help with your bags?" The bus driver kindly asked, "Are you taking a taxi, or is someone picking you up?" I typed again on the keyboard of the translator, "My sister is going to pick me up, but thank you for the offer." He nodded.

I grabbed the two large bags and clipped them together, then placed my Viola on top of the first purple bag, then took the smaller bag into my left hand and started walking towards the pickup lane, I walked around with my bags trailing behind me as I tried to spot Elena's car, but I couldn't see it. I stood around for about three minutes before my twin's dark blue SUV pulled up and honked at me; when I squinted, I saw that it was my sister, Elena.

I watched as my sister stepped out of the car with a smile. Elena ran up to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and embraced me tightly, "Gyda, I am so happy your back!" Elena exclaimed as she bounced me around.

I tried to hold onto the bags in my hands. At the same time, I was being jiggled; I would have told Elena to let me go so I wouldn't lose my grip on the bags. Still, I no longer had that ability, so I had to suffer through it. When Elena finally let go of me, I smiled and mouthed, "It's good to see you too, sis."

Elena noticed that my hands were full of bag handles and gave me a sheepish look for forgetting that I now needed my hands to talk instead of being able to use my mouth, "Sorry 'G,' I forgot," Elena replied. I rolled my eyes with teasing exasperation while dramatically sighing and shaking my head. Elena laughed at my antics. I knew it would be a big adjustment for my whole family to learn to communicate with her now that I couldn't speak. Still, hopefully, things would become easier as time passed.

Elena grabbed the two big bags out of my left hand, giving the viola case back to me, then leading me back to her car, "Aunt Jenna would have come with, but she decided to stay home and get dinner ordered from the Grill as a welcome home for you. We didn't invite anyone because we didn't want to overwhelm you." Elena said as she opened the trunk.

I placed my Viola in the back of the SUV, then the small green suitcase. I sighed a breath of relief; it's not that I didn't want to see our friends again, but I was a little nervous about the new dynamic, "Thank you, I don't think I'm ready to see anyone else yet. Communicating will be hard enough as it is with just our family." I signed to Elena before I helped lift the first of my two bags into the back of Elena's car since they were heavy.

"Don't worry, Gyda, you just need to be patient with us and yourself," Elena said, smiling warmly at me. Elena's brown doe eyes looked at me with loving compassion and understanding. Elena's words warmed and reassured me; they gave me the confidence that Elena would help me when needed.

"And I've been practicing sign Language while you've been away, so I'll be able to translate for you if you need me to." I hugged my twin, grateful I had her support and she would be by my side. We got in the car and began the two-and-a-half-hour journey home.

I leaned against the window, watching the beautiful green trees pass them; Elena had an album, 'The Fray' in her CD player, playing the song 'How to Save a Life.' Both of us liked the music for different reasons. Elena liked it because it was sad, emotional, and melancholy. And since the accident, that's been Elena's attitude.

I liked it because of the instrumentals, the chords of the piano and the strum of the guitars, and the beat of the drums bring out the emotion of the lyrics. I had always loved music; I participated in choir, and the drama club, before the accident, but my viola music was the only thing left to me. And since then, I have put all my feelings, passion, depression, and sadness into my music. It helped a lot, and Dr. Hastings, my therapist, encouraged me to continue to study and play music.

"So, Jeremy's been drinking and smoking pot all summer, so be prepared for a dark and moody little brother when we get home," Elena said, interrupting the silence that had pervaded the car. I pulled out my text translator and typed, "How bad is it? And why hasn't Aunt Jenna done anything about it? Have you talked to him?" The translator replied after I pressed play and turned toward my twin.

Elena let out a long-drawn breath before glancing to her side at me; she pushed her long brown hair behind her ear, "there wasn't much we could do about it 'G" Elena explained while giving me a nervous side-eyed glance; Elena knew that I would be fuming and worried because I was the oldest twin, I always took my role as oldest sibling seriously. I felt like I was supposed to be taking Care of Elena and Jeremy, but since I couldn't be there this summer for then, it tore me apart, but God, how did they get so messed up just in three months? I wondered.

"I mean, he's fifteen, he's got connections, and Jeremy's resourceful; our brother is gonna get the weed and the Alcohol from his friends; he's also been hanging around Vicki Donovan and her group of friends a lot too, so we figured we'd give him a summer pass," I really couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I couldn't believe that my Aunt Jenna, who was supposed to be our guardian, was allowing it and that my twin sister Elena had just let it happen. "You should have Emailed me. I would have texted or emailed him," I said as I whacked a hand against my forehead in frustration with my darling sister and loving aunt.

"You would have done things differently, Gyda, if your voice hadn't been taken from you in the accident," Elena said, her face begging me to comprehend that while I was gone, my siblings weren't getting over the event as quickly as I had. Losing my voice and re-learning sign language forced me, the eldest Gilbert twin, to keep going for my own sake. I sighed and nodded but kept my eyes closed. Even if I'd been there, our brother still would have spun out of control. Reaching out, I gently squeezed Elena's arm to tell her I wasn't too upset.

Elena gave me a wobbly smile, "You've always been able to get through to him better than I could, but you know how bad he took Mom and Dad's death, and with you having gone to New York…." I trailed off, looking out the window to my left for a second or two to compose myself, "he just began spiraling, and we- well, we thought we'd give him the summer to grieve and rebel a little. Hopefully, things will get back on track now that you're back and with school starting tomorrow." I nodded and typed, "I hope so too, Lena…."

When Elena pulled into the driveway, it was about five in the evening; she gave the horn a couple fast pushes. The two of us got out and headed toward the back of the car. I opened the door and pulled out my small green bag and Viola. I was surprised when a pair of strong lanky arms wrapped around my neck and hugged me tightly.

When they let go, I turned around and found that it was Jeremy; I couldn't help but fight back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes as I closed in for another crushing hug. My emotions overwhelmed me, but I tried to contain them, only letting a few tears escape my cheeks onto Jeremy's shirt. "Hey, 'G,' it's okay. I missed you too." Jeremy said awkwardly.

I pulled away from him, swiping at my wet eyes. When I looked up again, my younger brother's expression was sympathetic. "Hey, Jer, could you help us with Gyda's bags? They're heavy." Elena asked. He hugged me one last time before grabbing the last suitcase. The three walked up the pathway towards the house with Jeremy in the lead. Opening the door, he called out a loud, obnoxious exclamation. "Hey Jenna, she's home!"

I walked in and set my bags down in the entryway. I looked around, and the memories of my last day in our house spilled through my mind. Though it had been only three months since I'd left, everything felt eerily familiar but glaringly different simultaneously.

Flashback-

I stirred the cheese sauce for chicken Alfredo in the kitchen, attempting to block out my family's conversation. "Gyda, the school has cutting-edge technology and incredible teachers that you'll learn from," I heard them say. I shut the spice cupboard hard, causing the rest of the doors on the cabinets to shudder at the force of the slam.

I ignored my family's shocked expressions when I turned around, grabbed the notepad, and jotted down something. I then threw it onto the counter for them to read before returning to the stove and retrieving the saucepan. I took two serving bowls from a cupboard nearby and poured the sauce into one before adding the fettuccini to the other. "It could be beneficial for you, Gyda. You should at least go and look," Aunt Jenna suggested.

I placed the food bowls on the table, spilling some Alfredo sauce onto the surface. Elena gave me an understanding look; Elena could tell I was unhappy about attending school in New York. "We'll be okay, Jeremy and me," my twin said as they returned to the counter where the lettuce was waiting to be rinsed off. "Yeah, it's not like you can walk around with a whiteboard and marker around your neck," Jeremy taunted, trying to make me feel better about leaving them.

Jeremy took the lettuce over to the sink and washed it. At the same time, Elena started mutilating the tomatoes while I worked on the red onions. John walked over, peeled the boiled eggs, and Jenna began grating the parmesan cheese.

"You're a fast learner Gyda," Uncle John said, cutting the eggs in fourths, "I bet you'll have learned the basics of sign Language your first month there."

I turned and stared into my uncle's eyes and saw the same look my father gave me when I was stubborn; this time, there was something else I couldn't quite place. Uncle John seemed more worried about me than usual, but I shook off that thought. "I can assure you that attending this school and studying there for three months will help you," he said soothingly. "Plus, there's a therapist on staff if you need one."

I rolled my eyes; although I could have probably benefited from visiting a therapist, as the oldest, Gilbert, I was too stubborn to think about my needs. My concern lay with Jeremy and Elena as I pointed at them and asked nonverbally, "What about them?"

"They have me here," Aunt Jenna said when she noticed the gesture while she placed the grated parmesan cheese in a bowl next to everything on the dinner table. I sighed resignedly and looked back at my siblings, Elena and Jeremy, giving me encouraging looks as if to say, 'You can do this.' I turned back to Uncle John and nodded my head; he smiled in response and gave me a pat on the shoulder.

Now that I had agreed to go, a sudden relief filled the room. We quickly sat around the dinner table, and Aunt Jenna placed my homemade Alfredo sauce in front of them. Elena quickly scooped some onto her plate, followed by Jeremy, who started eating his fettuccine without waiting for everyone else. I plated some for myself before pulling the paper pad over and began writing; I turned it towards my uncle, who quickly read what she wrote, "So, Uncle John, when do I leave for this school?"

He thought for a few moments before replying, "I guess next week would be good. The school year will be over by then; you can get the rest of your assignments turned in while we figure out what you'll need to pack to take with you."

Aunt Jenna and Elena exchanged glances before Jenna said, "Well then, it's settled," she said with finality, "We'll get you ready for next week." Everyone nodded in agreement before continuing to dig into our meals. It was silent for most of the dinner; everyone seemed lost in their thoughts. Suddenly, Elena burst the silence with a query aimed at me, "Are you going to miss us?"

I lightly tapped Elena's arm as if silently saying, "Of course, I'm going to miss you." I knew there was no way to avoid being apart from them for the summer, and it would be painful not knowing what would happen while we were apart.

We finished our food and chatted about my next steps before Aunt Jenna volunteered to drive me there. Uncle John organized all the details from the New York City side. Before we said our goodnights, we hugged each other tightly before heading to bed.

End of Flashback:

After a few moments of reminiscing, Jenna came up behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. Jenna hugged me again before speaking up. "It's good to have you back, 'G'; we've all missed you."

We all entered the kitchen, where Jenna returned to preparing dinner; the warmth radiating from my family welcoming my home felt like a warm blanket on a cold winter night; it was comfortable and reassuring in its familiarity.

The three of Jenna and I gathered around the Pizza she had ordered while we discussed all that had happened while I was at the special needs school; Elena told me that she'd skipped cheer camp; I could only imagine what Caroline had to say about that, I could only hope that our friend was a bit more tactful and sensitive than the Blond normally is with Elena since the girl felt like she had to compete with her in popularity.

I had asked Jeremy about his drawing and sadly found out that he wasn't drawing anymore, which hurt me a lot because that was another hobby my little brother and I had bonded over.

When I was young, I drew my little brother Jeremy as a superhero, and that's when he became interested in art. I became concerned when he started to give it up. When he turned twelve and tumultuous hormones began to swell, his mood volatility had become evident, especially since entering high school. His artbook served as an escape from adolescence's drama and peer pressures.

"Well, it's good to have you home, honey; you better go get your things unpacked and some rest; it's going to be a big day for all of you tomorrow since it will be your first day back to school," Aunt Jenna said.

At the same time, She picked up the dishes, took them to the sink, and started the water to wash them; Elena, Jeremy, and I nodded. Jeremy and Elena helped me take all my bags upstairs; I opened the door to my bedroom, which was located on the opposite side of our parent's bedroom. Elena followed me and set my small green bag on my bed before she wandered around, looking at the pictures taped on my mirror and the posters on the light green walls. "It's been a while since I've stepped foot in here," I signed to him while Elena translated.

"We kept everything the way it was when you were last here; no plans to move or change anything," Jeremy replied as he rubbed his neck in embarrassment. I pulled out my text translator and started pressing buttons. "Well, I'm glad you didn't get rid of my stuff because I would have kicked your butt, little Bro." the robotic voice said.

Elena and Jeremy's laughter echoed as they left the room, leaving their sister to her task. The sun had just begun setting when she finished stowing away her belongings in the drawers and closet. Fatigue settled into her bones as she got ready for bed. Gyda freshened up with a hot shower before slipping on a silky slip, my favorite pair of pajamas. Before falling into bed, I took out My Viola. I filled the room with the warm sounds of Scordatura, transporting me back to all the memories it held in its strings.

The first memory that passed through my mind was my first performance in the elementary her Mom and Dad attended when I was six. I remembered the excitement that passed over their faces. This pride shone in their eyes when I told them I wanted to be a violist after watching Fiddler on the Roof with Jeremy and Elena. I had always loved music, musical theater, musicals anything with music in it because it spoke to my soul. Hence, as I played. I put all my sad and depressing thoughts about my parent's accident into my playing; I added all my anxieties about tomorrow and what it would hold for me as I stepped back into my life in Mystic Falls. I poured all my hopes for Jeremy, myself, and Elena into my playing so we'd overcome their difficulties and become stronger.

When I had finished playing, I carefully laid the musical instrument on its stand, unaware of a large Raven perched on the windowsill. Its dark feathers shone in the moonlight, and its eyes seemed to follow my every move. Unaware of its presence, I loosened the strings of my bow and hung it on a hook next to the wooden instrument.

The Raven puffed out its feathers as I nestled in for the night. The Raven sent a prayer to the All-Father, asking that I would have a peaceful sleep after the accident when The Valkyrie marked me with Runes awakening my divine heritage as a volva; from then on, I had been plagued by nightmares of werewolves, witches, vampires, and a faceless man who seemed like he would shake up my life one day.