The Neighbors

Chapter 3

Benjamin was aware he didn't possess a vast vocabulary knowledge, but when Emerald was near, the few words he had disappeared as well. He wasn't sure how to explain this phenomenon except with one word; love. There were other common symptoms as well. His stomach was so tight he barely ate the lunch his mother packed, he felt his palms sweaty and they remained clammy no matter how many times he wiped them on his jeans, and he felt a powerful urge to trip his sister. The latter was not that uncommon, but he counted it nonetheless. Now, standing in front of their house he watched as Bella shook her head angrily.

"Ben!"

"I don't have a date either, you know," was all he could manage to say now that they looked at him.

"Then we can all go together, I guess."

Ben felt that neither he nor his sister were very satisfied with that response, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

"Do you want to come inside?" Emerald asked Bella.

"We can't. I mean, we have homework and chores to do around the house. Plus, Mom will be waiting for us for dinner."

"It's only three o'clock." Emerald argued and Ben felt his head nodding vigorously like one of those tiny dolls at gift shops.

"I don't know," Bella mumbled while fidgeting with her backpack strap.

"We have a little time," Ben said.

That seemed to be enough for Emerald because she turned around and headed towards the new house. Ben followed right behind her, he could hear his sisters shifty steps dragging on the concrete behind him.

"We're still moving some stuff in," Emerald said, pushing open the door, knowing it would be unlocked.

They lagged behind mouths open in awe as she led the way. All the furniture was seamlessly arranged, no giveaway of the Uhaul truck they had seen in the morning. The floor, a rich dark wood, glistened under their feet. Lavish colorful carpets separated the open concept floor plan into respective areas. Towering bookcases lined the walls and windows took their absent spaces. There was a clear view of a long semi-circle pool in the backyard framed by thick mustard curtains. None of their furniture looked like the ones Ben and Bella had at home. Everything had more depth, more gleam, more mystique.

"This way," Emerald said, leading them to the left hallway.

"Is it bigger on the inside?" Bella whispered and Ben half nodded before responding.

"Don't be stupid."

His sister was too confused to punch him.

They stopped in front of a purple door adorned with eye stickers.

"This is my room," Emerald said. "That's the bathroom," she added to another door further down.

They stepped inside a completely different habitat. Emerald's room was all silks and sandy hues. The bed was slightly elevated from the floor, surrounded by throw pillows of varying sizes and shades. The ceiling was covered by swooping tapestries and the walls layered with band posters Ben wished he knew. Little fairy lights buzzed alive and on the far wall there seemed to be a terrarium of some sorts, its green hues gave a radioactive impression against the beige and brown colors surrounding it.

"We just moved him in here this morning so he is a little scared," Emerald said, nearing the clear glass. She let go of her bag and it hit the rug soundlessly.

"You have a snake?" Ben asked, dropping his own bag and peering down, eyes searching the green foliage and wooden logs.

The top of the enclosure came off with a pop under Emerald's long fingers. Her right hand disappeared in the cluster of leaves a moment later her left one did as well before both returned holding a long coil of brown spots.

"What kind of snake is that?" Bella asked, but it came out more like a statement as she backed away from the glass and tightened her grip on her backpack straps.

"What's his name?" Ben asked, taking a step closer, filling his nose with the rainforest smell.

"It's a ball python, his name is Chester."

The snake was huge and glistening, there was no sign of his head or the end of his tail no matter how long it slithered along her fingers. It felt as smooth as silk under Ben's fingers until Emerald's grip slackened and their hands touched. It couldn't have been longer than a second but he could swear he saw the sparks he felt.

"You're afraid of snakes?" The question was obviously directed at his sister, but he dumbly shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I should've asked before opening the tank, I'll close it."

Ben retracted his arm and Emerald snapped the enclosure shut. Her face didn't hint at any embarrassment for apologizing, it radiated the same indifferent welcome. The sun didn't care who it shone for either.

"Do you guys want to stay for dinner? Do some homework until then?"

"Really?"

"I think we should go home," Bella mumbled.

That was when a sound came from the other side of the house. A loud, restless banging that repeated once, twice, three times, and then suddenly stopped. Ben and Bella both turned to look at Emerald at the same time. It was fine when other people did that but when twins did they said it was uncanny. They felt uncanny, like underneath the surface bickering they were the very same soul. They would've stopped to contemplate such a thought if it weren't for Emerald's face. Her eyes were wide open and she seemed a few shades lighter than previously. For a second Benjamin could swear he saw her hair frizz up but as she moved towards the door he realized it must have been some trick of the light.

"I'll be right back," she said before slamming the door shut behind her.

The house was silent, the floors too new to creak underfoot.

"We should go!" Bella whispered.

"Why? She's being friendly and she's new at school. Why do you want to leave so badly?" Ben said, allowing himself to sit on the bed. He got up immediately, avoiding even the possibility of Emerald being mad at him. He settled for a large cushion on the floor instead.

"This place gives me the heebie-jeebies! You felt it too, I know you did." She is standing in front of him with his own backpack in her right hand. She offers him her left one to help him get onto his feet.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I like Emerald!" He whispers back.

"The whole place feels  like static. I can't touch anything without getting a little shock and this all looks a little too set up for people who just moved in this morning."

"What are you even saying right now?"

Bella drops her hand and the backpack on the floor.

"I don't know! You don't feel it?" she drops to the floor beside him, but keeps her backpack on.

"So what? They're rich and got some movers to haul everything inside. I'm taking her to the dance!"

"Please. I have homework to do." Bella begs and so they both get up.

Bella opens the door after a little pause and they tip-toe down the hall. The whole place is lit by warm tones and moody side lighting. They stop at the end of the hall before stepping into the open concept area.

"Why are we creeping like criminals? We should at least say bye," Ben states until they hear the banging again. It is agitated and frantic on the other side of the wall. The thumps are so aggressive that they both jump back, half expecting the wall to fall in. They hear a mumble of words on the other side, too quiet to understand. The noise ceases and Ben looks down to see Bella's hand on his own. She shakes it off angrily before they make a beeline towards the big oak door.

Ben's stomach drops. He doesn't understand how he didn't see this sooner. The door has a multitude of locks. Some of them are done while others lay opened, chain links hanging loose. It's only a second of dread, though because as they are about to reach for the handle the door is pulled open from the other side.