The Sister.

Ice

Mel.

She stood in my room, staring out the window at the little garden covered in snow and leafless forest of frosted trees.  She stood in silence for a long time before throwing her bag onto the top bunk and claiming it for herself. She looked at me. She didn't glare, but the coldness of her eyes said something stronger than hate.

"Stupid girl." She said. "Don't you know about the world?" She smirked icely. "Of course not. Leave me alone and I promise not to teach you." My tongue became a wet gag in my throat, and I could find no words in answer.

In the morning, my parents left early for work. I dressed, packed my bag and made lunches for Theresa and I. "It's seven-thirty!" I called. "If you don't hurry up we'll be late!" She slumped down the steps. She wore a black T-shirt with a rainbow graphic over ripped jean shorts over black leggings. Her elaborate dark makeup was worn artisticly, golden smokey eyes and red lips. She swept past me into the entrance way, stuffing the lunch into her bag without thanking me. I reached for the door knob. Icey fingers seized my neck.

My head snapped back against the wall. Stars blazed before my eyes, dancing dizzyingly, the exact shade of Theresa's makeup. Her nails dug into my throat, crushing my breath. I struggled against her grip, pushing hard on her face and arms, but she never loosened. She leaned in, hot, minty breath blew down my collar. I cringed, struggling to breathe. 

"Don't get in my way." She hissed. "Just mind your own buisness, and we'll get along fine, won't we, sister dear?"

She dropped me. Air rushed into my lungs. I fell to the floor, gasping and clawing the air. She opened the door and waited for me to catch my breath. "Done yet?" She asked cooly.

"You." I panted. "You're crazy." She smiled.

"Watch yourself, Melany. You'll slip on the ice." She stepped out into the bitter February morning without looking at me. 

I was late for school. Still in shock, I changed into a turtle neck to hide the purple bruises blooming along my throat. I stumbled along the snowy street, to school. I had to tell some one.  I'd find Ryan, or Jake, tell them Theresa was dangerous. 

But I couldn't. I sat quietly through English, then Art. waiting for when lunch came, I'd tell someone then, when everyone was wandering anyways. But I couldn't. Not once I arrived to find Theresa, smiling shyly and laughing with my friends. "Melly!" She called as I approached. My friends beamed at me. 

"Why didn't you tell us you had such a charming sister?" Jake asked. Theresa laughed.

"She didn't know silly!" 

"Rhesa," exclaimed Tesse, "I love your hair! What do you dye it with?" Rhesa? She had a nickname?

Rhesa approached me. I shied away, imagining her cold fingers around my neck. She reached out her arms, around my neck. She pulled me close, her arms tight around my shoulders, her face pressed into my hair, she held me to her, restraining me. Her breath warmed my hair. her lips brushed my ear as she spoke;

"Act your part, little sister, the game has just begun." She laughed, soft and cruel. My heart froze.

I couldn't tell.

I couldn't...