Wings of Darkness

Chapter One

Tamzyn and Claire were lounging in their cosy living area, the fire in the hearth keeping them warm. Tamzyn had decided that since it was their birthday she would stay home for the night, spend time with her sister.

"Hey, Tammy?" Claire broke the silence.

"What is it, Claire bear?" Tamzyn replied, using her childhood nickname for Claire.

"I have a gift for you."

"Oh, Claire bear you didn't have to do that"

"You just work so hard and give so much. I just wanted to give back. And besides, it's your seventeenth birthday."

"It's yours as well."

Claire reached over the arm of the new couch. She sat back up, extending her arm to her sister. She held between her hands a box wrapped delicately in silver paper.

"Just open it" she pleaded Tamzyn.

"Alright, alright," she replied, which seemed to make Claire happy, if not looking a bit anxious. Tamzyn slowly started unwrapping the paper, careful not to rip it or ruin her sister's precise job. Once the paper was off, Tamzyn opened the box revealing what was hidden inside. Tamzyn sucked in a breath and looked up at Claire, tears springing to her eyes. She refused to let the tears fall even though they were ones of happiness. She knew that if she had let them, Claire would start bawling.

"Do you like it?" Claire asked tentatively.

"No, I love it. Where did you get this?!" Tamzyn held up the stuffed animal. It was a pink bunny, an exact replica of Mr. Fluffy whom Tamzyn had left behind years ago in her parents' home. It was exactly the same as she had remembered, right down to the missing eye and bald tail due to many years of love from a child.

"I... made it," Claire replied sheepishly.

Tamzyn leaned closer and embraced her sister. "I love you, you know that? No matter what, I'll always love you. Always."

As they pulled apart something caught Claire's eye. Tamzyn followed her sister's gaze to the window. A streak of light passed across the sky and vanished. Then another, and another.

Tamzyn set the bunny down on the couch and reached for Claire's hand "Let's go."

"Where?"

"To get a better view"

~~~

The twins walked a mile to the edge of the town and then into the woods. They were heading for a clearing Tamzyn often went to when she needed to clear her head after spending most nights in filthy taverns and various apartments. They reached the clearing and sat down in the soft grass, tilting their head up so they could watch the stars fall.

"I got you something as well"

"No." Claire stated firmly.

Tamzyn turned her head, looking at her sister "What do you mean 'no'? Of course I did."

"I don't want it"

"Why not? You don't even know what it is." Hurt could was audible in Tamzyn's response, though she tried to hide it.

Claire finally returned Tamzyn's gaze,"You give me too much, Tammy. I just wanted to make today about you, to make up at least a small fraction of the debt I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything, Claire bear. I do everything for you because I love you, not at all because I hope for anything in return. Will you please just take it?"

Claire moved to reach for the box, but just as she did, the world flashed white and then they fell into darkness.

Tamzyn opened her eyes just long enough to witness three women standing over her sister's unconscious body. The strange women took Tamzyn's sister from her as her mind slipped from the world.