Chapter Three
Shania’s POV
I water the plants absentmindedly. The green hose sprays my dying plants continually. I couldn’t keep my mind from the girl I saw. It was the first time that kind of thing had happened. I remember those green eyes every time I look into the mirror. The thing is, she didn’t even look like me. I have blonde hair that goes to the small of my back and I definitely did not have a lip piercing. Her hair was black and to her shoulders. The only thing we have in common was our body shape and our eyes.
A sharp spray hit my face knocking me from my thoughts. The hose is turned up and was spraying half my face. I gasp and I throw it down. I move the wet clump of hair off my face and look at my dark blue shirt now dripping onto the cement. I pick up the hose again and turn off the water. I walk over the middle of the driveway and lay down. After I had dropped the picture, I could still feel her there. I had told her to run from a father I never had. What scares me is the fact that I know exactly where she is and can pinpoint it on any map you could give me. She’s passed out in the middle of the Ivory Forest, woods that is almost across the country and somewhere I’ve never been to. How I can get to her and help her is the problem. Maybe I could ask Mom to drive me once she gets in range. No, I have to go to her. She could starve to death for crying out loud! Well, first I have to find out who she is. I’m going to have to ask Mom.
As if on cue, Mom’s car starts rolling down the street and I scramble to get up. She pulls into the driveway and cuts the engine. She looks at me and she says, “What are you doing in the middle of the driveway?”
“I was laying down,” I sat innocently.
She sighs, “There is a sofa and two beds inside, why couldn’t you take a nap there? Anyway, help me bring these groceries in.” She slams the car door and pops the trunk, grabbing two bags. I go behind her and grab three, then follow her inside.
I decide to just come out and ask her without beating around the bush, “Ma? Do I have a twin?” She almost drops the gallon of milk she’s holding but catches it at the last second.
“What? Why would you ask that?” Her voice is steady but I see the worry in her eyes. I noted that she dodged my question. I make my eyebrows go up, letting her know I’m not fooled. Still, I could have imagined her. A trick of the light maybe.
“I thought that I saw her…” I trail off. I sound so naïve! I guess I did make her up. The only thing keeping her alive in my mind was Mom’s reaction when I asked her. “Mom, what’s her name?”
“I don’t know what you’re….,” Mom looks at me with grief in her eyes, “Aubree. Her name is Aubree.” I don’t have to ask her who Aubree is. Mom picks up the last of the groceries and lets that sink in. I didn’t make her up. She’s real, Aubree’s real and in the woods right now. I wonder if she can talk to me like I did to her.
“Mom. Mom, we have to help her! She left… she left Dad and is in the woods right now. The Ivory Woods. She’s passed out and we have to go get her!!” I grab her hand and try to pull her towards the door, and fail. It was hard to say that he was my father since the father Mom told me was dead for fourteen years.
“What?” The color drains from her face and her eyes widen about an inch, “She left your father? How could she have pulled that off? And in the Ivory Woods? That’s a three hour run from our old house!” She paces around the room thinking hard. I try to let her go around and I hope she will bring up the idea of going to get her herself. I still can’t get over the fact that I have a sister, a twin! I’ve always wanted a sister or brother. Mom finally sighed, “We can’t let her Dad find her. You know where she is?” She didn’t even seem phased by that question; as if she knew I could do it. She hands me a physical map of the country and I don’t even blink when my hand reaches down and taps a wooded area north west of our small home.
She grabs her keys, tells me to pack up some clothes and food, and grabs her wallet. I run to my room and hear her start the car.
