Flooded Waters

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓

Dylan did not always hide in the shadow of his twin. He used to be, just like her, part of the Elites. His dark brown hair and green eyes contradicted her strawberry blond hair and ocean blue eyes. Their only physical similarity was their athletic and tan bodies.

Dylan was as shy and selfless as she was outgoing and self-absorbed. Yet, nothing could ever separate them. Even if in front of everyone, it seemed like she couldn't stand his presence, he was her everything.

Their father's death was what transformed their complicity into a distant, misunderstood relationship.

Dylan was quietly playing in his room when his mother rushed in, her eyes red and filled with tears.

"Dylan, we need to go! Quick, put your shoes on!" she screamed, hysterical.

"Why? What's going on?" he replied, confused.

"We don't have time, Dylan. Do as I say!"

He noticed the panic in his mother's eyes and understood that something terrible must have happened. He remembered his twin sister and their father had left the house a couple of hours earlier, to go see the view from the cliffs. He wondered where they were.

His mother rushed to one of the expensive cars the McMillens owned and opened the door, almost pushing Dylan inside. She rapidly turned the engine on and they drove in a direction Dylan was not familiar.

He had never been to the cliffs, his parents were very strict about it and he was surprised when his mother parked next to a sign that indicated the way to the cliffs, a short distance away. His mother turned around and faked a smile.

"Stay here, Dylan. I will be back soon," she announced before locking the car, abandoning him.

He was counting the people that passed by the car when his mother returned, his sister in her arms. She was sobbing and her strawberry blond ponytail was messed up. Her beautiful ocean blue eyes were filled with tears. He couldn't recognize his twin, who was always wearing a bright smile on her face.

"What's wrong, Tara?" Dylan questioned, intrigued.

"Dylan, you should leave your sister alone. I'll explain everything once we are home," his mother intervened.

The ride home seemed to last an eternity but finally, their residence was to be seen. Dylan quickly ran to the door, waiting for his mother to unlock it.

"Dylan, calm down! There's nothing to be excited for," his twin sister grounded him.

He looked down, ashamed of himself.

"Dylan, Tara, please sit down," their mother interrupted.

"What happened, Mom? Why are you crying?"

"Your father fell off the cliff. He's gone, Dyl."

"What?"

Dylan was shocked. How could his own father have died? He was the stronger, most fearless man he knew and he was gone. He would be left with no male figure to look up to. Tara seemed pissed.

"Don't you get it? Dad is dead and I saw it all! No one will ever feel the pain I felt when I heard his scream as he fell down the cliff! I hate all of you!"

Tara ran to her bedroom, leaving her mother in tears and Dylan in complete shock. Tara was not just his twin sister, they were also best friends. They shared everything, from their belongings to their deepest secrets. She never hated him and somehow, the pain he felt was worse than any other feeling, even the death of his father wasn't comparable.