Eyes Story

Chapter 1

My little brother stared at me as I carefully arranged the white flowers into a bunch before tying them together with an elastic band.

"Why can't I go with you, Skye?" Seth whined

"Because you have school in half an hour and besides, you're going later with mum and dad" I explained for about the third time in the last 10 minutes. I rummaged through the kitchen drawers in hope to find some decent coloured paper but all I could come up with was some brown tissue paper. Oh well, it would have to do. Whilst wrapping the flowers in the dull paper I accidentally spilt a glass of orange juice that was on the counter. I swore under my breath as I dived for the kitchen towel to quickly clean up the mess. With the liquid cleared up and the flowers all ready I ran up the stairs to retrieve my bag and C.O.I (card of identification). These were issued to everyone above the age of 10 and must be kept with you at all times when you leave the house. If you lose it, you have to get a new one made ASAP otherwise the authorities will be on your case. I grabbed my bag from my bed but couldn't seem to find my C.O.I. Once again I didn't know where my card was, it happens to me all the time but this time I was determined to find it on my own rather than asking my mum. Again. Glancing up I saw that it was stuck to my mirror with blue tack. I walked towards it silently thanking my mum assuming she must have stuck it there knowing I'd forget it again. I took my card and was about to turn away and leave when I saw something wasn't quite right with my reflection. I gasped and realised my eyes were bright blue. I was about to scream when I blinked and my eyes were back to normal. My eyes were brown again, just like everyone else's. I was safe. Then I heard something to my left. Heart pounding I swirled round to see Seth standing silently in my doorway. He stood there looking at me and for a second I thought he saw what I saw too. I started planning threats I could use against him if he dared to say anything to mum or dad but all he said was "please." He wore a hopeful look on his face. For a second I had no idea what he was on about when I realised he wanted to go with me.

"I'm sorry Seth, I can't do that but I promise I will tell him you tried" I expected him to start moaning again but all he did was nod his head in defeat. I couldn't bear to see him so upset so I walked up to him and whispered something in his ear that I was sure would make him happier. Immediately he smiled, I kissed him on the cheek and said "see you later munchkin!" on the way out of the house.

Half an hour later I was walking down the narrow dirt path, dodging the large stone slabs. I hummed a tune my mother used to sing to me when I was a child.

"Hey Zach, how you doin'?" I said as I sat down on the little wooden bench my dad built years ago. "I brought you some flowers" I continued, "I know you're a boy and everything but I thought you might like them. They're not the prettiest I've seen but I only got a few pounds this week from the office. They seem to have less and less jobs these days," I babbled on as I set the flowers down "the office I mean. But I did get two watercolour orders this week" I said proudly. We sat there silently for a little while until I remembered to say "Seth did try to come with me today, but he has school and he's missed enough already so don't get mad at him for coming with mum and dad later." And then I started telling him about everything that happened since I last visited. "Oh you should have been there Zach, the look on her face was priceless" I laughed a bit and then we lapsed into silence.

The birds were singing happy tunes among themselves. But today was anything but happy, however much I pretend otherwise. I looked at Zach's gravestone.

Zachary Mathew Kydson 2051- 2066

A loving son and caring sibling

Exactly 2 years have passed since my twin went missing. A body was never found but the police said remnants were found at an explosion sight near Baker Street. A tear slid down my cheek as I remembered the day I was told he was never coming back. Then another and another fell until I couldn't keep it in anymore. A sob caught in my throat as the grief for my brother was let loose after all those years of hiding it, of pretending I was okay. This was why I hadn't allowed Seth to come with me. I was afraid my fragile composure would crack and he couldn't see that, I couldn't let him see just how much I missed Zach.

We didn't look anything alike, Zach and I. He had straight, golden blonde hair cut close to his head and was unnaturally tall whereas I have dark brown hair which falls in loose curls almost down to my bum and a light sprinkle of freckles that cover my cheeks and nose. But despite our differences we were inseparable. One time when we were 10 a girl asked Zach if he wanted to go to a party with her and Zach said no without hesitation. The girl asked why and Zach said he was going with me. The girl looked confused and said "But she's you sister," Zach just nodded and turned away. 3 more girls invited him before the party but Zach didn't budge. He said that unless I had someone else to go with, he was staying with me.

I cried even more at the memory. Checking my watch I realised it was time for me to go do my chores and check if there was any more work available. After composing myself I was about to stand up when I felt a strange sensation come over me. I slowly turned around to scan the area around me, expecting to find someone watching me, but could see nothing other than the usual; the small forest on one side, and the meadows that lead to my house on the other.

"Bye Zach, I'll see you soon" I said and quickly grabbed my things and turned to leave. I started walking towards the meadows when I heard footsteps behind me. Whirling round I reached for my bag to take out the small bottle of pepper-spray I always carry with me but then paused when I saw who was behind me. It was Jimmy, an older man who comes to visit his wife daily- she lays beside Zach, me and Jimmy like to say they keep each other company. We used to talk sometimes when we visited but mostly we just sat in silence, enjoying the calm and peace. I realised it must have been Jimmy who was watching me earlier.

"Oh, hi Jimmy, I didn't know it was you," he nodded his head in reply and went to sit by his wife's side.

As I walked away I couldn't help but think about what I saw in the mirror this morning. Although I hated to admit it, they looked beautiful and... natural- like they belonged there. Don't be stupid, no one has coloured eyes anymore, I told myself. I pushed all thoughts of eyes - especially coloured eyes- out of my mind. It was an extremely dangerous subject and I couldn't afford to be distracted right now, my family needed money and I had to earn it, at least some of it. With a clear mind I walked on through the meadows.