What Lies Behind the Mask

Chapter 3

"A...are you sure Siren?" Gillie asked timidly. "I mean....I know that there is definitely something out there, or at least there was today, but are you sure it wants us?"

Siren sighed deeply into her sister's hair before pulling out of the hug. "No, Gill, I'm not sure that it wants us," a look of sadness and remorse crept over features as she spoke, "but I'm certain that it's after me. That, I have no doubt of."

Gillie covered her mouth with her hand. "Siren, I don't-"

"Gillie, we both know that I've been a freak ever since the night my parents were murdered. It's become a fact over the years. Obviously, you're the only person I ever hang out with because you're the only one who understands me, and doesn't judge me for who I am. I had a dream about a man in a mask trying to kill me before my parents were killed downstairs. I'm confident that whoever's responsible for their deaths, wasn't coming for them," her eyes flashed like lightning in a thunderstorm, "they wanted me."

The other girl took her hands in her own, squeezing them gently. "Siren, you can't be absolutely sure of that. It could've just been a random killing. The psycho probably didn't even know that you were upstairs during that time."

Siren shook her head solemnly. "No, Gillie, he wanted me. I could feel it then, and I feel it now. And I hate to say this, but he's not gonna stop until he gets what he wants. Being around me is dangerous, for both you and Mom. I don't want either of you to get hurt; I love you both too much. If you were to get injured or die because of me, I don't think I could live with myself. So, I think it's best if I-". She was cut off by the pain of sharp nails digging into her flesh.

"No, Siren! You can't! You can't just leave. We're sisters, which means that no matter what we stick by each other!" Tears were forming, blurring the bright copper of her eyes. "I won't let you face this alone. I...if you leave, I'll follow. I won't let you leave without me!"

Siren hugged Gillie as tightly as she could without hurting her. Damn, I love this kid, she thought to herself, fighting to hold back the tears in her eyes. She let go and gently swiped Gillie's hair out of her eyes. "Gill, I'd never dream of going anywhere without you. If you would've waited for me to finish, I was going to say that I think it's best if I leave and take you with me so that we're not putting her in danger. I hate to hurt her feelings like this, but I think that it's for the best."

Gillie looked at her sister, astonished. Could she really just pack up and leave her home like this? Well of course Siren could; she was Siren. Their mom had raised Gillie, and adopted Siren when she had nowhere else to go, and loved and supported them up until this point all by herself. Gillie felt a pang of sadness in her heart at the thought of never seeing her mother again. But Siren needs me, she thought. I've got to do everything I can to help her. "Ok," she finally said, surprising Siren. "I'm ready to do all I can, sis. But first, where's Mom?"

"Oh, I think she said something about being out with some of her friends this afternoon. She won't be back until really late. That'll give us plenty of time to pack our things and leave. Ok, so let's get this over with and get out of here. Go pack and meet back here in twenty minutes, Gill."

"Yes, Ma'am!" She gave a salute and bounded up the stairs with flawless grace, Siren chuckled to herself quietly and followed to the floor of their rooms. She opened the door to her bedchamber and gave a small smile when the thousands of posters decorating the walls and ceiling greeted her. The plum colored walls were barely visible anymore. Her bed sat against the back wall; an iron frame cradling black bed sheets and blankets, and midnight blue pillows. She picked up her grey duffle bag from the floor, set it on the bed, and began to meander around her room, collecting the items she thought she would need.

After about fifteen minutes of searching, she had seven outfits (one for each day of the week), three pairs of shoes (the converses she wore on her feet, a pair of sandals, and a pair of heeled shoes; just in case), and several other miscellaneous items. She headed downstairs and dropped her bag on the couch. Looking around, she smiled at all the memories that flooded her mind. She sure was going to miss this old place. She was going to miss her mom, too. But not as much as Gillie would. Siren instantly felt guilt bubble up in her heart. This was Gillie's home, Gillie's mother, Gillie's life; and Siren was asking her to give it all up to become a runaway with her. To quite possibly face the end of their lives. She sighed to herself. I hope Gill doesn't come to resent me in the future for letting her do this, she thought.

Speaking of Gillie, what was taking her so long? Siren had expected this, but she still rolled her eyes at the thought of her sister's room. Clutter was everywhere. Halfway-finished stories, incomplete drawings, and more were scattered around her bedroom. But Gillie thrived well in her environment of organized chaos. She smiled to herself at the thought of her dear sister's unusual ways. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of Gillie coming down the stairs. The young redhead smiled at Siren and threw her bag down next to her. "Ready to go yet?"

Siren lazily cocked her head up to look at Gillie. "Not yet, sis. As much as I don't want to do this, we're gonna need food." She stood and walked over next to her sister. "Let's rummage the kitchen before we leave, mkay? Grab anything canned or that will last in a box, and put it in our bags."

Gillie smiled sheepishly at Siren. "I uh....my bag's kind of already full..."

Siren rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "Fine. Put it in MY bag then." The two siblings left and began to go through the food in the kitchen. They grabbed everything from canned vegetables and fruits, to boxes of cereal, crackers, and other things. Siren finally hauled a case of bottled water to the couch, packed it on top of her things, then began to pack the other food inside of her bag. When she was finished, she shouldered the bag and gave Gillie's to her. "There. Now we're ready to leave. Got your chainsaw?"

Gill patted her bag. "Wouldn't run off without it."

"Good. Oh! One more thing."

She searched around the house until she found a piece of paper and a pen. Then she proceeded to write to their mother that they decided it was time for them to leave home. She wrote that they would find a new home together, and continue their school careers. It bothered her to lie, but she told herself that it was all for her mother's safety. When she was done, she signed her name and passed it to Gillie, who then read it over and did the same. They turned to look at each other. "Ready?" Gillie asked anxiously.

"As I'll ever be," Siren responded. The girls turned to leave their childhood home. As Siren placed her hand on the doorknob to turn it, that's when they heard the sound of footsteps running towards them from upstairs.