Shadows of the Heart

A Morning Like Any Other

Phoebe and Simone Thompson were as different as night and day. Phoebe, the free spirit, thrived on spontaneity, while Simone embraced structure and organization with an unwavering zeal. The twins shared a bond that reached deeper than anyone could comprehend, yet it was often tested by their contrasting lifestyles.

That fateful morning began like any other. The sun filtered through the lavender curtains of their shared bedroom, casting a soft, warm glow on the walls covered with posters of indie bands and dream journals. Simone was already up, her meticulous routine punctuated by her planner’s neon pinks and greens. Phoebe, on the other hand, was still tangled in her sheets, drifting in and out of dreams of adventure and excitement.

“Phoebe, don’t you have an appointment at the studio today?” Simone called out, her voice crisply cutting through the serenity.

“Mmm, five more minutes,” came the muffled reply.

As the minutes slipped by, the mundane turned into the extraordinary. A sharp, echoing knock rattled the front door, echoing through their small home like a clamor of thunder. Simone, ever the responsible one, rushed to answer it while Phoebe pulled a pillow over her head.

Standing on the doorstep was a stranger clad in all black—a leather jacket, combat boots, and piercing green eyes that seemed to see straight through to the souls of those they watched. The mysterious figure introduced himself as Asher, a name that would resonate throughout their lives.

“Are you Phoebe and Simone?” he asked, his tone both serious and laden with urgency.

Simone nodded, her heart racing in both curiosity and a hint of trepidation.

“We need to talk. It’s about your parents,” Asher said, his gaze sweeping past Simone and into the house, searching for something—or someone—hidden in the shadows.