4. Just An Ordinary Airport Trip.

“Ha! I beat you to the airport!” Orion shouted, pumping his fist in the air as he stood in front of the doors leading to the airport. “So does that mean I win a kiss?” he grinned.

“Actually,” I started as I stepped around him, opening the doors and walking inside, “what I had said was, if you could catch me before we reached the airport you get a kiss.” I laughed, patting him on the back. “Better luck next time, huh?”

“What?” he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. “You know this means war, don’t you?” he smirked and started trudging towards our luggage. “Why did you leave our luggage where anyone could steal it?”

“Ahhhh! Kidnapper!” I shrieked and started pounding on his back. “Help! Heeeellllllp!!!!” Shrieking even louder, I started waving my arms.

“Sir!” A security guard yelled as he ran past a group of staring pedestrians up to us.

“What? No! See, she’s my friend and--” Orion stuttered, pointing at random objects.

“No way!” I yelled, “He’s a stalker! And, and, he’s kidnapping me! Help!” Struggling away, I slipped off his back and ran over to our luggage as the guard led him away.





“Hey, anybody here?” I popped my head through the door and beamed. “Oh, who are you?” I asked innocently.

“You. Are. Such. A. Jerk.” Orion frowned as I walked over to him and sat on the table, putting a bottle of water next to me and holding another. “It feels like I’ve been here for hours! And it’s all. Your. Fault.” He whacked his head against the steel table, causing the one bottle to fall down and roll, making a soft “thump” against his head.

“Hey, you’re the one who said it meant war.” I said, plucking the lid off and taking a sip. “And you know, all’s fair in war.”

“Isn’t it ‘All’s fair in love and war?’” he asked, picking his head up to stare at me questioningly. “Or has it changed and I’ve failed to have been notified.”

“Neither. It’s just that all’s fair in war.” I stared up at the ceiling and flicked some of the water onto the lights. “It’s so boring here, why don’t we leave?”

“Gee, what a great idea. Why didn’t I think of it?” He rolled his eyes then picked up the bottle.

“Well, did you try it?”

“Well, no.” he stared at me as I flicked more water onto the ceiling. “But wouldn’t they leave a guard or something there?” he stared dumbfounded as I hopped off the table and kicked the door open.

“Hi-ya! Oh, no! There’s a guard, RUN!” I yelled, turning around and gesturing dramatically then stopped and folded my arms. “Seriously, dude. How do you think I got in here? Let’s go, our plane leaves in ten minutes.” I said and walked out the door.





“You’re an evil little girl, you know that?” Orion asked as we sat side by side on the plane. “So far today you stomped on my back, made me cry, and got me sent to airport jail. What’s next? A beating in a dark alley?”

“Are there dark alleys in Hawaii? There probably are…” I said as I stared out the window. “Only if you WANT a beating in a dark alley. If you’d think, they were all for your own good.” Turning around, I poked him in the forehead. “Think.”

“Okay, so the back thing snapped me out of my zombie phase, and the crying was to make my gift better, but what was the jail thing for?” He asked, slapping my hand away and leaning back into the cushy chair.

“Uhm. Fun. For me.” I shrugged, drawing faces onto the window.

“You just said that all of it was for my own good!” he pulled me away from the window. “Eeevil little girl.” He said, pointing at my face.

“I lied. And it’s rude to point.” I grinned, bending his finger backwards.

“Ow! Hey, that’s hurts!” he sunk to the ground, trying to pry my hand off his finger. “Let me go!”

“Fine.” I released his finger and watched him get back up and sit in his chair. “Have you learned your lesson?” leaning back in my chair, I watched him flex his fingers and stare at me.

“Yes, I’ve learned my lesson,” he grimaced. “How is it I’m older than you, but you act superior?”

“It’s not acting.” I grinned as he plopped back against his chair and went to sleep. “Thanks for listening.” I rolled my eyes and went to sleep also.





“Yo, time to wake up, sleeping beauty.” I laughed and started pulling on Orion’s hair. “We got on the wrong plane, we’re stuck in Cuba.”

“What?!” he shrieked, shooting up and whacking his head on the ceiling. “I don’t even know where Cuba is!”

“Doesn’t matter, we’re not really in Cuba. I just wanted to wake you up with minimum effort. You whacking your head was a bonus, though.” I grinned, getting up to pull the luggage out of a compartment.

“Your ways of doing things are cruel and unusual.” He grumbled, standing up to help me. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this and threw a suitcase into him. “OW! Hey, watch what you’re doing!”

“Like you do?” I asked, grabbing the rest of the bags out and heading off the plane. “Ah, Hawaii. A new land to torture you in. And best of all, we got here just as gloomy weather arrived.”

“Hey, maybe you’re a vampire or something. Miss Avoid-the-light-at-all-costs!” he grinned, following after me. “Oh wait, you can touch crosses, I forgot.” He said, catching up to me and staring at the silver cross necklace I was wearing.

“Stop staring at my chest, you pervert.” I grinned and whacked him with a bag. “Hey, you never know. I could be a super vampire! Muahahaha. Wow, I’m such a dork.” I laughed as we walked through the airport.

3. Fun With Friends.

“Nuns.”

“What?!” I asked, raising an eyebrow and turning around. I stood face to…well, neck with a dark haired, brown eyed, zombie expression Orion.

“My mom, she took me to a play about nuns for my birthday. I don’t feel so well now…” he swayed past me on the sidewalk then collapsed. “Ow. That hurt,” he said, staring at the street.

“I know how to fix this.” I said, walking up to him and looking down.

“How?” he asked, trying his zombie best to look up at me. I think he just ended up rolling his eyes back some.

“Like…” I swung my backpack off my shoulder and dropped it on the ground. I jumped up and came down hard, stomping on his back. “…so.”

“OWWW!!!! Luna, what’s your problem?! Have you gone nuts?! I think you just crippled me for life!” he shrieked, whacking at my legs until I got off. He jumped to his feet and stared at me like I’d gone crazy.

“Well you’re not rambling on about nuns anymore, are you?” I grinned, scooping my backpack up and putting it back on my shoulder. “So, uh, what was the play about besides the nuns?”

“I don’t know, my brain blocked out more than half of the play.” He shrugged, staring down at the sidewalk as we walked on. “But hey, at least it’s not as bad as last year.” He picked his head up then and stared at the sky.

“What?! Are you telling me you didn’t enjoy watching Anteaters on Ice,” I said, dramatically waving my arms. “I loved it! Especially near the end!”

“Maybe that’s because you put tons of marbles on the ice.” He grinned, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

“Hey, nobody saw me do nothing.” I puffed up my cheeks and pointed at him. “Oh, before I forget,” I said, pulling my backpack off again and rummaging through it until I found the box, “Your present, Monsieur.” I bowed, handing him the present.

“Tell me it’s not tickets to another nun play.” He smirked, taking the tiny box and opening it. “Why?!” he started crying, and tossed the box back at me. “What did I ever do to you?”

I burst out laughing and grabbed the tickets from the box. “Chill, Sherlock. These are the tickets your mom got. Look in the BOTTOM of the box.” I laughed, handing the box back to him.

“If these are tickets, I’ll kill you.” He sniffed, pulling the paper out of the box. “I’m not sure I can look now.” He glanced over at me with a frown but continued to remove the paper. “You…” he gasped, pulling several tickets out of the box. “These two are notes from our school saying we have a week off, these are plane tickets to Hawaii…how did you get these?”

“I have friends. You missed the tickets that basically pay for a week’s vacation, too.” I said, pointing at the box. “Oh wait, you didn’t want tickets for your birthday…” I reached out for the tickets and he slapped my hand away.

“I’d die for these tickets.” He stared at me menacingly. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve tried to get even a day off of school?”

“Five thousand three hundred and seventy two.” I stated, staring at him. “And as your probably not wondering, I had a friend make androids identical to us. Well, as far as looks. They actually behave themselves.”

“Wait, we’re both going?” he asked, still staring at the tickets. “Oh yeah, I probably should’ve pieced that together when I saw two of each ticket.” He laughed, handing me mine. “You know, this seems like a plot to get me to fall in love with you. Just the two of us, no adult supervision…” he grinned deviously.

“Of course it is.” I tucked the tickets into my pocket and started jogging ahead of him.

“What?!” he yelled in shock. “You’re not serious, are you?” he ran up to me, grabbed me by the shoulder and turned me around.

I grabbed him in a hug and he gasped. “Of course I love you and want you to fall for me! And then we can get married, have kids, travel to the moon, go back in time, sprout wings and fly…”

“You are kidding, you jerk!” he tugged me off of him, his hair falling over his red face. “Don’t ever do that again.” He said, staring off to the side.

“Oh, so I was right. You DO like me.” I punched his side. “Well, we’re still going on the trip, our luggage is at the airport and we have to leave in an hour, let’s go, lover boy!” I pointed towards the airport and dashed off.

“Don’t call me that, you--” he started as he chased after me. He tried to grab my backpack and missed.

“Ooo, lover boy’s maaaad.” I laughed, running even harder. “Tell you what. You catch me before we reach the airport, and you’ll get a kiss.” I stuck my tongue out at him and ran even harder.

2. Another Day, Another Dread.

“Luna, Luna, wake up, honey.” I heard my mom say as she gently shook my shoulders. I open my eyes and blinked, my mom was next to me in her soft blue robe. Her eyes were tired and her brown hair was a mess. “Was it that dream again?” she asked softly.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Mom, are you sure I never had a twin?” I asked.

“Yes, Luna, I think I would’ve known if you did,” she chuckled.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” I sat up, narrowing my eyes at her.

“You don’t,” she grinned as if she held thousands of secrets I’d never know, “Now off to school, you don’t want to be late for your first day.” She walked over to the window and opened the blinds, letting blinding sunlight stream through.

“Ahhh! My eyes! I’ve gone bliiiind!” I shrieked, diving back under the covers and pulling a pillow over my head. “It’s the dreaded monster of light, banish it! Banish it I say!”

“Luna, I know you don’t like sunlight. But would it kill you to go out without pretending it’s an evil monster that’s going to devour us all?” she asked with a frown.

“Who’s pretending?” I grumbled and she ripped the covers off of me and ushered me to the dresser. “No. Way.” I stated, folding my arms and staring down at the frilly sunflower dress she’d set out for me. “No offense, mom…but your taste in clothes is worse than dying a slow and torturous death by having your limbs ripped off and getting dunked in a tank of salt and acid over and over again.”

“What’s wrong with the dress I picked out?” she stared blankly at me as I tossed the dress aside and rummaged through my drawers.

“For one,” I grunted, yanking at the skirt that caught in the drawer, “it has the word ‘sun’ in it. Midnight Blue, Blood Red, Black Abyss; those are good colors. Bright yellow? Never.” I gasped as the skirt came loose and I fell to the floor.

“Oh no! The skirt ripped,” she exclaimed as she examined the long tear down the side. “I think I may be able to fix it by tomorrow.” She started gnawing on her fingernail as she stared at it.

“Fix it? It’s better now.” I grabbed it back from her and tossed it onto the dresser, glancing at the clock. It read 6:15 a.m. “Mom, I’m almost sixteen, can’t you let me pick out my own clothes for once?” I asked, hands on hips.

“Alright,” she sighed, “I guess it’s about time I let you do things on your own. My little baby is growing up!” she sniffed, wrapping me a vice grip that she called a ‘hug’ and crying on my shoulder.

“Mom! Pull yourself together!” I said, wriggling out of her hold. “As far as we know, I won’t be leaving home for another 2 years and a day. Sheesh.” I trudged back over to the dresser, ripping fishnets and a Lolita corset top out. “Mom.” I said, turning around to stare at her.

“Yes dear?” she asked, innocently staring back.

“Give me my black lipstick,” I stuck out my hand and started tapping my foot.

“Fiiine.” She grumbled, grudgingly handing it over. “My baby’s gone to the dark side.” Sniffling, she left the room.

“I’ve been on the dark side!” I yelled after her. “Now where is it…” I mumbled, plopping onto the ground and digging under my bed. “Nope.” I said, getting back up and glancing at the clock, 6:34 a.m. “Ughh,” I groaned, dressing hurriedly and running down the stairs. “Hey mom!”

“I’m in the kitchen, Luna.” I heard her yell back as I tripped and fell halfway down the stairs. “Are you okay?!”

“Fine, mom.” I said, getting up and strolling the kitchen. “I don’t see why you’re so obsessed with yellow.” I shielded my eyes from the blinding color as I made my way over to a large wooden table.

“Because it’s a cheerful color and brightens your mood.” She smiled, dropping an empty plate and a pile of pancakes in front of me.

“Well it makes me more pessimistic.” I frowned, pulling two pancakes from the center of the pile and dragging them onto my plate. “Where’s the present I got for Orion?” I asked, poking at the pancakes, “And are these safe to eat? They’re blue.”

“They’re blue because I spilled food dye when I was mixing the batter. So yes, they’re safe to eat. And as far as the present…” she said gesturing at the closet, holding a cup of tea in the other hand. “You really need to find a way to remember where you leave things.” She drank some tea then and walked back over to the blue mix of glop.

“You should add blueberries, it would make it a little less weird.” I trotted over to the closet and pulled a small black box and my backpack out. “Well, I’m off.” I opened, the door and started jogging away.

“What about your pancakes?!” she yelled after me.

I flipped my phone open and dialed the home number. “Hello?” she picked up after two rings. “Not hungry.” I said then hung up.

1. Just A Dream

“Cassie, wait up!” I screamed, running after my sister as she disappeared through the dark forest. “Cassie! Don’t go!” I yelled breathlessly, tears streaming down my face. I caught a glimpse of her silver hair through the trees and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. She had stopped dead in her tracks, her back facing me. “Cassie…” I whispered slowly walking up to her. I reached my hand out to touch her shoulder.

“I’m not Cassie,” she whispered.

“What are you talking about? Of course you’re Cassie.” I decided against putting my hand on her shoulder and dropped it to my side.

“I’m NOT Cassie.” She said, louder this time.

“Yes, you are. You’re my twin, you-”

“NO!” She screamed and spun around. I gasped, her eyes had changed from their usual deep blue to a blood red, she had an angry but sad expression on her face. “I’m not your sister anymore, Luna. I- I’m something else. I don’t know why or how, but- I- I just don’t know anymore.” She sighed, shaking her head. She stared at the ground, her hair falling from behind her ears into her face.

“Cassie,” I whispered, reaching my hand out towards her.

She jerked away and screamed, “NO! I’M NOT CASSIE, AND I WON’T BE EVER AGAIN,” I gasped as she screamed in pain and dropped to the ground. I saw razor sharp fangs emerge from her gums, and long black wings sprout from her back.

“CASSIE!” I cried when she started running again. I took off after her. After what seemed like hours of pointless chasing; we came to a big clearing where the moonlight washed over everything, the light radiated off of her body, giving her a heavenly glow.

“I’m sorry, Luna, I really am. But- I’m not who you think I am. I’m not Cassie.” She slowly floated off the ground, her wings gently flapping the cool night air.

She floated higher and higher, “WAIT!” I shouted, “If you’re not Cassie, then, who are you?”

She looked down at me with sad eyes and smiled weakly. “I’m just one of your shadows,” she whispered then flew off into the dark of night. I stood there confused, alone, and utterly shattered by the horrible night I had witnessed.


Little did I know that this event was the one that would alter my life forever.