What Lies Behind the Mask

Chapter 2

"Hey, Siren, you ok?" Siren opened her eyes to see the concerned face of her adopted sister staring up at her.

She shook her head. "Yeah Gillie, I'm fine. I just.....I had that thought again." She looked down at the pavement as they walked.

"Really? Again? That's like.....at least the tenth time this week!" she stated, incredulously.

Siren flashed her sister a smile that quickly faded away. She didn't want to startle Gillie. Ever since the cops found her in the home of her dead parents, she'd been staying with Gillie and her mother. For years now, they'd done everything they could to make her feel like family. Siren smiled to herself as she thought of their adoring mother, who had to put up with two teenage daughters all on her own. Especially two freaks like us, she thought to herself.

Siren was now a teenager of seventeen years; eleven had passed since the year of her parents death. She was a tall, thin girl with dark grey eyes that resembled a thunderstorm, and glasses. Her name given to her at birth had been Rose Anne St.Clair. A year after she moved in with Gillie, she changed it. She began to call herself Siren and took Gillie's family's last name. She had kept her naturally silver hair cut short in the past, but let it grow until it touched the small of her back, then began to dress in all black. Nails, shirts, pants, socks and shoes; all were black and most of them usually tight. Health officials said that it was "just a phase" at the time, and it would pass as she grew up, but it never did. The only thing that really ever changed about Siren was her mood, and the fact that she dyed her hair black on occasion. The kids at her school began to tease her about it in middle school, but they soon stopped when they got no reaction from her. That was something Siren was good at; acting emotionless. The way she pulled it off, the apocalypse could be destroying the world around her and she couldn't give less fucks about it. That's just the way she was unless you knew her well enough.

Her sister, however, was almost a polar opposite. Gillie had long, blood-red hair that fell down her back in long waves when she let it down. She usually kept her hair up in a ponytail, and together with her flashing copper eyes, she had a fierce appearance to anyone who saw her. That couldn't be a more common misconception. Gillie had the looks of a lion; fierce, bold, powerful, but she had the heart of a lamb. The poor girl was easily upset and frightened. But she had a brave heart. She stood up for herself and those she loved in direct confrontation when she had too, and Siren admired her for it. Despite her delicate frame and fragile looks, Gillie could probably beat the shit out of anyone she pleased. But instead, she spent her time with her best friend and sister.

The two girls loved each other more than any blood siblings could ever dream of, and they cared deeply for one another. They were always together; protecting, helping, and looking out for each other. Where one was, the other was never far behind, and they spent all their time together. Most people would think that it was because they didn't really have any other friends, but the truth of the matter was, they just preferred each other's company over anyone else's.

"Yeah, I know. I hope that it's not worrying you or Mom too much. I'm fine, really. This just happens from time to time, you know?" She smiled again.

"Well, of course I know, but it seems to me that they're occurring more and more frequently lately. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't causing you any trouble."

Siren laughed softly, and placed her hand on Gillie's shoulder. "No more trouble than usual, sis." Gillie laughed along with her and began to talk about a recent book she had been reading when she felt Siren tense beside her.

"Something wrong, Siren?"

"Gillie, I...I feel it again. Do you see anyone?"

Gillie looked around, scanning the area carefully. "No Siren, nobody's here but us as far as I can tell. Are you sur-"

"Yes Gillie! Yes, I'm sure! I can feel it, like someone's hiding just outside of my field of vision, watching us. Can't you feel it too?"

Gillie looked at her sister uncertainly. "Well, sort of. I mean, I feel it, but just not as strongly as you. I mean, you grew up with it, but I'm just now starting to sense it. I'm not very good at it yet..."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I forgot. Gillie, I think that we need to get home. Now." There was something in Siren's voice that frightened Gillie. She knew that Siren wasn't one to act rash for no reason, so without another word, she nodded and the girls took off running. They sprinted as fast as they could towards their home, not daring to look back. Then Siren heard it. The rustle of leaves, the snapping of a twig. Something was definitely following them. "Fuck! Faster Gillie! Run!" They sped up and almost hit the door when they reached their house. Gillie fumbled with the keys for a moment, then pushed the right key into the slot. She twisted the doorknob and both girls raced inside. Gillie slammed the door shut while Siren looked out the window. She only had enough time to watch a shadow slink away into the bushes in the yard before it disappeared completely.

She turned to her sister, face ashen. "Gillie, do you trust me?"

Her sister turned to look at her, still slightly panting. "Y...yeah. Of course I...I do."

Siren walked up to her and hugged her tightly. "Something's out there Gillie. Watching. Stalking us. I don't know what, or who it is.....but I have a feeling that it's not the run-of-the-mill creep. Something wants us Gillie. And it's not gonna stop until it gets us."