Replaced

Chapter 1 - Ike

Today's the day. I can see sunlight seeping through my bare window, despite my eyes still being closed. I'm no longer asleep, but I'm not ready to wake up... Not really. Waking up means facing everything ahead. Waking up means there's a strong chance I go back to sleep, only to be stuck in a nightmare I can't escape.  I'm not ready and, well, I'm not sure that I ever will be. I knew this day was coming. I've known it for my whole life; And yet, here I am. Lying in bed, attempting to will myself back to sleep in hopes to prolong the inevitable. 

The sound of a fist gently tapping on my door is what pushed me to decide what I was going to do. I open my eyes and slide out of the bed, no longer hiding in the safety of the covers. I glance down at my body, contemplating putting more clothes on than the boxers that are on my body. I glance over at the closet, before shrugging my shoulders and opening the door that the knock emanated from. As I open the door, a girl with fiery red hair stands before me. Ivelisse; my sister. 

"What do you want?" I groaned, watching her glare at me, crossing her arms. I could only assume it's because she was wanting a happy response, rather than the answer I ended up giving her. I didn't grant her entry into my room, but she took it upon herself to push past me and sat on my bed. 

"So," She began as he let out a sigh. "Do you know what you're going to do?" I closed my door, and walked past her, moving towards my closet. I simply shrugged my shoulders rather than vocally give an answer. I began shuffling through the clothes that were hung up, pulling down a black button up shirt that has faded over time, and a pair of light jeans. As I turned around and faced her, I was greeted by crossed arms and a glare.

"Ivy, I don't know what you want me to say," I muttered as I made my way towards the door to my room exiting my room before making my way towards the bathroom. My exit was followed by the sound of Ivelisse scoffing, and the springs of the mattress creaking as the bed returned to its original state, as my sister stood up and followed me into the hallway. 

"I don't know, why don't you start by saying something to reassure that you're not going to screw me over by leaving?" She stated as she placed her hand on my shoulder, stopping me from entering the bathroom. "Ike, please." Her voice seemed to be shaking. 

I shrugged her hand off of my shoulder, before entering the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I set the clothes on top of the counter, before sitting on the lid of the toilet. I wait until I hear her footsteps on the wooden floor grow quieter. Once I could hear them no longer, a sigh escaped my lips. 

I sit in what would be complete silence if not for the wall clock. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Ivelisse and I had no clue why it was hung up. The clock was an hour and a half- give or take a few extra minutes- slow. My mom never used that bathroom, so I guess I could have easily taken it down. Ivelisse said that she though that I found the ticking calming, since I've moved it to my room many times over the years. Ivy always moved it back the next day. 

My eyes stayed fixed on the clock for another minute. I was wishing that the hands would begin to spin backwards. I look towards the floor before standing. "Guess it was going to happen sooner or later." I mutter before reaching my hand into the shower, turning the faucet