Faults

Chapter 11: Aydin

Today's the day.

I'm finally leaving this hell of a prison. The events during the last three months have completely broken my spirit, my pride, my body. As I wait for the guards to let me out, I gaze at my countless wounds.

Scars, bruises, burns, cuts, gashes. The list goes on and on. The darkness of the cell makes my bruises look as black as the void that was put in my relationship with Archie. While the torture mostly came from the guards, Archie would carry out the punishments himself every once in a while. I think that's what hurt the most–more than any physical wound I've received here. The fact that he never realized it was me and not my brother. Just goes to show how strong our friendship was, I guess.

Taylor is about to hear it from me, though. The only issue is that I'm not even sure what to say to him. I'm mad at you for having the guards arrest me instead of you?

It's not like he would listen even if I found something worth saying. If that bastard hates me enough to throw me away like this, it's probably not worth talking to him at this point. I'll let my body speak for itself. He can witness the damage he's done to me. What a fucking prick.

The fraternal love I may once have had deep down for my brother no longer exists. He doesn't deserve words. What he really deserves is a hard punch to the face.

My head snaps up at the sound of the lock clicking and the door to my cell opening. For once, that little noise from the lock is a sweet one. "Get up, Wright," the guard barks at me.

I happily oblige and follow him out of the dungeon quickly despite my limp and the pain that comes with every step. When the sun hits my eyes, I'm forced to squeeze them shut. It's just now that it really strikes me that I haven't seen the sun or been outside in three months. Oh yeah, Taylor is getting more than just one punch.

The guard gives me a shove to get me all the way outside and then he retreats into the dungeon, the heavy metal door shutting behind him. I rub my eyes and begin the walk to my house.

When I reach the cottage, I knock on the door, knowing it's probably locked. To my surprise, Archie answers the door. "A-Archie?" I stammer.

"Taylor," he says, sounding both angered and disappointed to see me. He doesn't move out of the doorway.

"Would you move? I'd like to get into my house," I grumble.

Reluctantly, he steps to the side and I walk inside, slamming the door behind me. Taylor and Mother are sitting at the kitchen table, both with teacups in front of them. There's a third cup of tea on the table which must belong to Archie.

My mother covers her mouth in shock when she sees the extent of my injuries. It just now occurs to me that I walked through the village and all the way to my home without a shirt. It's not the worst thing, I suppose. It just puts my brother's damage on display.

I turn my attention away from my mother and to my twin. "Taylor," I seethe, my eyes burning holes into him.

"What are you talking about? You're Taylor," our mother says.

"I am Aydin, for crying out loud!" I glare at her, not feeling the slightest ounce of guilt for back talking to my mother. If looks could kill, I'd be a serial killer.

Archie takes a seat next to Taylor. He looks up at me and arches an eyebrow. My brother only gazes up at me, looking slightly shocked. For the love of the gods, what has he done to Mother and Archie? It's like he has them under a spell, completely convincing them that he is me. Completely convincing him that he is innocent.

I think not.

"Taylor. Why don't you tell them what the truth is?" I growl.

"I'm Aydin. I don't know what you're talking about," he responds.