Look Closer

Chapter 2

Allison and Ashley couldn't be more excited to have me living with them. You would think they would take time getting used to me, seeing as we hardly met once a year before now, but no they are very happy to have a 'cool elder sister they have always wanted' there at their home. Instead of finding it irritating, I actually found it to be sweet.

On my first day here, they had shown me about the house, helped me unpack and had constantly offered to bring me anything I need. And they are teenagers. Of course, I know they do expect me to return the favour somehow....like driving them around perhaps, since they're too young to do so themselves and 'it's so obviously cooler to be seen getting chauffered by a young cousin than your father! Even though they love him and all...' That's exactly how Allison worded it.

"Hey Sephie, I was invited to this birthday party today and I have no idea what to wear. I was hoping you could help me pick something out? If you're not busy of course..", Ashley asks from the doorway to my room.

I look up from the screen of my laptop, which I had been staring at in hope of some inspiration for the book I so desire to write someday. Well, like I said, someday...

"Oh I'm not busy at all Ash, I'd love to help you out. Is Allie going too?"

"Yeah... and I know she's going to come here in a few moments now...but since I asked first, you help me first," she says smugly.

"Hey! Ashley! That's not fair! I told you I was going to ask her for help! You can't go first, it was my idea!" Allison screams from the hallway.

Ashley opens her mouth to retort but I intervene saying, "Girls! It's alright, we can pick outfits for the both of you at the same time. In fact, I have an idea.." I smile. "Let's have a fashion show!"

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I wake up all of a sudden. No disturbance, no bad dream, no one calling me. I just do.

I'm early though, judging by the time my wall clock shows. School doesn't start in another three hours. I try to go back to sleep then, but am unable to. You know the times when you want to sleep but you just can't? Yeah, this was one of those.

Since I have time before I need to go, I decide to go for a walk. Mystic Falls is very green, and I'm sure I'll enjoy the early morning breeze, causing the tinkling of the wind-chimes on my window.

On my way back, I come across the Mystic Falls cemetery. For a small town, they sure have a large number of graves. Some of them even have huge statues and granite stones with engravings in elaborate cursive writing. I have seen enough horror movies to be scared of cemeteries at night, but in the morning, it looks like a very peaceful place. I can't help but take a look around. It's getting closer to the time for school, but another five minutes won't hurt.

While wandering around, I come across an area surrounded by low walls and ivy vines. It seems to be the older part of the cemetery. There is a stone structure, not exactly a building, covered in ivy on one side. Above the wooden doors I notice a sort of pattern etched. I look closer to find it's a name....something beginning with an S. It's quite old and crumbling but I make out the name...."Salvatore.."

There are more ruins a little way ahead and I am tempted to explore those as well, but I am quite close to the forest as it is, and that is someplace Uncle Brian has told me not to go. "That area is too prone to animal attacks," he had said in all seriousness.

I decide to go back and get ready for school but at that very moment, I hear voices. One of them seems recognizable.... I move closer to where they are coming from and realize it's Caroline's. There she is, standing with some girl I haven't seen before. The girl is tall and slim, with long straight brown hair and olive complexion like me. I wonder who that is.

Aware that what I am doing now can be categorized as spying, I start to move forward and greet them, but I hear the other girl say something in desperate tones to Caroline and I realize this is not something I must interrupt. I catch the words "Stall" and "important" but I don't really understand what she's saying. It's nothing good though, if Caroline's nervous expression is any indication.

I see Caroline give a hesitant nod and move towards a large stone with some sign drawn over it. It feels like I know what that sign means but I just can't seem to recall what it is. I rack my brains hard, but still can't seem to remember anything. It's like it's there inside somewhere, but just out of reach. When I focus on Caroline again, I see her moving the huge stone aside, with little effort apparently, to reveal a cave behind it.

Whoa. This is getting interesting.

Both the girls just stand there, looking at the entrance, waiting for something. After a few moments, I see movement in the dark interior of the cave. It looks like another person, a girl, but her face is not visible yet. The other girl says something to Caroline who then leaves, leaving her staring at the person inside the cave and me at the both of them.

Why? Because they were identical. Really. The girl inside looked exactly like the one outside. The only difference was that the one outside was looking a lot better than the one inside. That one was looking like she would collapse any moment now. Are they twins?

 I watch from afar as the one outside takes out some stuff from her bag, which the one inside tries to grab for, but can't. For a moment, it was almost as if there was an invisible wall stopping her. But I shake my head and clear that thought. Of course that's not possible...

I don't, however, have time to stay some more, as my cellphone beeps with a message from Uncle Brian, "Hey, you're up early! Missed you before you left, but saw your car still parked out. Caught a ride with someone?"

Oh God. I had totally forgotten. School!