Found (Harry Styles) #Wattys2017

Chapter 57

Ro's POV

Everything around me became obsolete, tunnel vision setting in as I continued to stare at the spitting image of myself. It was like looking in a mirror. I would have believed that, except she was in workout clothes and I was in jeans, boots and a leather jacket, I looked down at myself to make sure I hadn't changed on the way here and had just forgotten. A forgetful memory seemed to make more sense than anything else that was running through my brain. I stumbled closer, both our hands reaching out to touch the other's cheek. I felt heat, flesh. She was definitely real. Or I had finally lost it. That also seemed much more reasonable.

"I've had dreams about this moment and about finally meeting you, again for so many years." She whispered. "I always wondered what I would do if I ever had you in front of me. I came up with so many scenarios, I thought I was ready, but looking at you. I don't know how to feel."

A tear spilled down her cheek, wetting my hand, snapping me out of the stare fest. "Who are you?" I mumbled, not willing to believe the obvious.

"Dakota." She answered with a small smile. "I can't believe you forgot me."

"No... no. You're dead," I shook my head, not being able to wrap my brain around what was happening, though the possibility of this had been tossed around a few times. "I saw you, sick. I went to your funeral. I cried over your casket. I... I watched them lower you into the ground. I felt the pain of missing you. You died," I repeated. "You died."

"I did," she nodded. "To the Monroe's and the rest of the world, I died. I even have a death certificate to prove it. But, I am very much alive."

I stumbled back, the room suddenly becoming smaller, my hands covering my mouth in desperation. "H-how?" I stammered, reaching out for her again, making sure she was actually real.

"I didn't come back to life or anything crazy." She chuckled. "I was sent away when I was a little girl. By our parents." She made sure to add.

"So you took her place?" I was suddenly reminded that we weren't the only two people in the vast room. "She went missing and you took her place?" I recognized the voice instantly. Collin.

I turned to see his face followed by Gabe's and finally, Calliope's. My heart broke as I took them in. I'd missed them more than anything and all I wanted to do was hug them, but judging by the looks on their faces, it probably wasn't a good time.

"Take her," Ethan ordered, two of his little goons moving quickly to grab Dakota.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I put my arms up in defense, stepping back until I hit what I assumed was Dakota's body. "Ethan, what are you doing?" My head tilted in confusion.

"She's an intruder, we ne-"

"She's our sister," I defended. "It's like taking Calliope away. Or Ron, Gabe, or Collin. What the hell is your problem?"

"We don't know if she's telling the truth. Ro, just listen. For once in your life, just do as you're told." Ethan pleaded, taking a step closer to me. Us.

"How do we not know if she's telling the truth?" I screeched. "Look at her. She's me!"

Ethan shifted his eyes between the two of us, thinking of what his next move should be. I was fully prepared to fight him off, again, if it came down to it. Clearly, I didn't know her, but she was still my sister. That had to count for something. Everything. As he thought out the situation, my mind began to drift into thought. If this were Ron, Gabe, Collin or Calliope, I'd be doing exactly the same thing. It was this primal instinct in me that felt the need to protect them. I couldn't quite explain it, but I felt it with Dakota as well. I felt like the same connection I felt with Calliope. Intense and established.