Mary And Annabelle.... Is That All?

Footsteps

"Mum?" Annabelle called, to her mum.

"What is it like to have a twin?" Annabelle asked with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Well," Mary started. "It's like having a talking shadow with you all the time. Just like your aunt looks like me, not all twins do, yet one thing in common is the strong bond they share with one another, like two bodies and one soul."

"I want a twin too!" Annabelle shouted, running around the living room as her shadow followed her. Mary watched her from the kitchen door as she was adding the final touches to the evening's dinner.

"I think it's too late for that!" her mum laughed as she brought the plates and glasses and set them on the dining room table. Annabelle slowed down and took a seat in front of her food, as a look of disappointment crossed her face.

It was her favourite: steaming mashed potato covered in brown gravy, that was making its way to the bottom of the plate. It was sided with a piece of chicken and some ripe peas. Annabelle stared at two droplets of gravy making its way down to the plate, as though it was a race and she was to see which of the two won.

"Annabelle, sweetie don't be disheartened," her mother spoke, as she kneeled down beside her, "how about we go out for ice-cream after dinner?" she said, as a smile crept on both their faces. Annabelle nodded, full of enthusiasm as her mum chuckled as she poured in some Ribena into her glass, two plates lying empty on the side.

That night, as Mary lay in bed beside Annabelle, she watched as Annabelle breathed evenly in deep sleep. She contemplated on their life and how life would have been if Annalise was still alive, if their father was still alive. Maybe she would be able to spend more time with her children than do shifts during certain nights at the local hospital as a cleaner. She still remembered the morning when Annabelle and Annalise were born, the day when her whole world collapsed.

*************

The sun shone brightly on a summer's day when Mary had just been discharged from hospital but she felt as though she could run a marathon due to the excitement that overcame her.

"I will drive today Alex, I promise, I will be careful," she looked at her husband, pouting. He gave her a judging look after which she agreed,

"Okay, put Annabelle at the front whilst I'll buckle up Annalise at the back."

It was hard for her to tell the difference, it was only due to the small beauty spot on Annabelle's right index finger she knew who was who, same as the one on her father's finger.

As she drove down the busy lanes of London she looked outside at the shops she was driving past, it felt like she hadn't had an intake of fresh air in weeks. Her phone beeped as a notification popped up. She turned her head towards the passenger seat on which her phone was placed, next to a sleeping Annabelle in the car seat. Just as she was about to lift the phone to see who had messaged her, she heard a petrifying scream,

"Mary! Watch out! In front of you!" Alex screamed to the top of his lungs. She realised that she was in the wrong lane, with a truck drawing nearer. Without a second thought she turned the steering wheel as the back of her car collided with the truck.

That was it.

Her happy, joyful, innocent family was broken. She had been the reason for the death of her husband and daughter, Annabelle's sister and father. She was the reason of four lives being destroyed and her dreams of her future being shattered. Although she was announced not guilty, deep down in her heart she knew that had she waited for another five minutes until they all reached home safely, this fatal incident wouldn't have occurred.

*************

Later the following afternoon, she set off to the grocery market, holding Annabelle's hand firmly. It was a cloudy day with busy streets. The clouds were pearly white like soft marshmallows and the pitch-black streets contrasted like sweet liquorice. They walked quickly down the lanes as their tummies rumbled ferociously. Everything looked like food.

She stopped in front of a grocery shop, next to which there was a small, grey apartment. It always looked the same with its huge electric doors slightly opened, its remote lost probably many years ago, the faint red light flickering through the cracks. Mary let go of Annabelle's hand as she looked for fresh peppers for the pasta she was going to be making this afternoon. Annabelle found this as her chance to explore the mysterious apartment, she always wondered what was behind those strong doors. Slowly, she crawled inside, making sure no eyes made contact with her. It was dark.

Mary turned around only to see Annabelle had gone. Where could she have gone? She was only a six years old child now lost and alone in the cruel world, where it is hard to survive without family. Half her family already gone, her last companion was Annabelle, now also gone missing. This was injustice. Mary ran left to right moving everything out of her way, the smallest things that undoubtedly couldn't hold a six years old. She was looking in every nook and cranny, tension and fear rose within her, her blood boiling and bubbling like that of a kettle ready to be poured out, freed from all the compression of the reality of life. She cried and cried endlessly screaming for Annabelle till she became lightheaded, her hair soaking in her salty tears. Where was she?

"Annabelle! Sweetie! Please come here! I beg of you! Come back to me!" Annabelle heard her mother say, as her voice cracked at the end, followed by almost silent sobs. Annabelle made her way out the apartment, stopping to turn around and wave. She saw her mother stumbling left to right, fear present in her eyes. She ran to her and gave her a hug.

"Annabelle what were you thinking! You are all I have!" she sobbed endlessly. Annabelle looked down at her feet.

"I'm so sorry mommy, I understand my mistake and I am ready for any punishment you give me... even if I can't go on the iPad for a week.." she said sorrowfully. Mary chuckled slightly,

"Right, explain everything to me once we get home in detail... but for now let bygone be bygones, and promise me you'll never do that again. Ever." Annabelle looked up into her mum's watery eyes noticing how her face was red and tearstained. She nodded slowly, "Promise." She whispered. Mary grabbed her hand.

"Let's go home" she said with a sigh. They walked home in silence though Mary could feel the presence of someone else there too, treading slowly behind them and this feeling stayed there the whole way home...

Hey guys this is my first story hope you liked it ❤

Who's fault do you think the car accident was?

What do you think Annabelle saw in the apartment?

When I get at least 10 reads I will update the next chapter

Love you all xxx