Identical Darkness

  Looking over her shoulder, scrambling desperately through briar and bracken, trees rush around her. Covered in blood identical to her own, running for fear of being caught by something or someone impossible. Gasping, she falls across a trailing branch into a clearing, sobbing so hard she's left breathless and cannot let out the scream trapped in her fragile throat. My howl rips through the forest, but no one hears it. The blood mingles and mixes as I drag the sisters into an eternal embrace. 

  Midnight chimes, it is now the 19th of October.

18th October 1982

Dear Diary,

  He's so amazingly perfect! Of course, you don't know who I mean. He's called Callum, he's got dark hair and grey eyes. He's so... I don't know! He's mysterious, and he confuses me delightfully, he sends shivers up my spine. His smile is so curious, it's as if he knows what I'm thinking (God I hope not!) and sometimes he looks so deliciously... hungry. Although I think she, my sister, likes him too, and how couldn't she? He's so enigmatically charming. And like someone with a secret. I bet he has a dark secret. But for now, dear diary, he's my dark secret. We're sneaking out to meet up with him, I'll get him only to take me next time, so there'll be less talking, much more...

18th October 1463

Book, I entrust my secrets to you utterly. You know they calle us witches in the village, as we have not a hair's diffrence. She is me & I am her, we are only seprated by our names and our thoughts. Our poverty makes our litracey suspectible as evidence of the craft, but it was only the kyndness of our former master. But today the master's son approaches us. He was so charming! He does not seem to think us witches, I knowe not why. He treats us like ladies, as if we might be friends or even (though I hesitate to wryte it, & if I do I knowe no one must ever wread this account) more than that. Rose & I dare not speak of it, even & to each other. I am smitten, I thynk my heart is his. I will write more later, but now I must go.

18th October 1814

  I have met a dark angel. Never have I veered from the proper path of a good Christian, but now I fear I am caught. A stranger came to town today, Sir Wolfharte. He is much the greatest person we have seen in our humble village save Lord Prattley himself. He is most dashing, he carries himself with such an air and his clothes are of such a fashionable yet exquisitely calm taste. He cuts such a fine figure! He is a notable whip, with wealth, handsome features and charm of character in abundance! Mama says either I or my sister must marry him. Yet he also seems to carry part of him concealed... Mama says that it is the manner of a gentleman of the ton. I don't believe it to be quite so. However as a good daughter I am determined to become close to him. And I must own, he is so handsome. He is more than I dreamed a proper gentleman could be. We are to go riding by the forest, my sister hopes we might chance to meet him there.

18th October 1916

  The new set of soldiers have arrived. I saw them this morning when I opened the blackout curtains. Tess was still in asleep, so I chose an outfit. We always dress exactly the same, today I left out a green dress and a matching jacket. Anyway, when we went outside there were three soldiers walking past the door, I dropped my hat and one of them picked it up and presented it to me. I can't believe I'm writing this, even in my diary (well, Tess DOES read it when I'm not looking!). But I dropped it because the soldier who picked up my hat took me aback completely! He's utterly handsome! He looked at me with his grey eyes, executed a quick salute and gave me the hat. We've been talking and he's so charming that Mother invited him to tea, he's invited Tess and me to take a stroll with him in the park later on. So I'm off to get ready!

18th October 1798

  Lisa does not believe in my visions. I have learnt that twins are only the same in appearances. I see the future, my sister is as blind to it as a bat with ear wax. I have been visiting the court at Versailles these past days at her request, as she waits upon Queen Marie Josephine. She is homesick and wishes my presence and familiarity. We cause much amusement to the Queen, she takes pleasure in guessing which girl is which by taking notice of our manner towards the court. She is not often wrong.

  Today Lisa introduced me to a man of charm, wealth and high recognition in the court. He, like us, is native to my dear Britain. He bears the name Callum and the body of a statue from the finest sculptors in Italy, his face is unblemished in any way. Yet I see something nefarious to him, his past is hidden and his future is simply black. He has invited my sister and I to dine at his home. My sister will not heed my warnings, she accuses me of lies and tells me that if I will not she will go to him alone. Even the impropriety of going completely alone is lost on her, she begs me to remember that France is the country of liberality and such nonsense. She is smitten, I see it every time she says his name or looks into his deep grey eyes. It is most vexing and disturbing. I must go with her, but I know not what will happen. I leave this record in the hope that all is not yet lost, but if it is, I know it will be found by prying eyes. My most desperate pleas go out to you, stranger.

  I was so wrong! We have dined and I must own, I have drunk rather more wine than I had intended. The French have such delightful wine! Wine does rather cloud my 'other' senses, but Callum is so amiable, I don't know what could possibly have come over me earlier. He has told us of his many adventures. He has done so many great acts of kindness! I dare say he is a hero. I must tell you them later, but for now he has suggested a walk in the forest to clear our heads and allow us to sleep better. We have returned to our apartments to gather sturdier clothes. Lisa is so dazzled, but now that I know this charming hero so well I own I am quite as smitten, if not more so! Oh, we shall have a lovely walk through the forest, although there are few paths, so we may end up traipsing through bracken or brier or trailing branches.