Temere Mortis

Chapter Thirty-one

Isla had spoken to herself before, in the muttering under her breath kind of way. When she was focusing on some university work or planning an argument with someone, she would often speak out loud. But she never thought she would have the opportunity to converse with herself casually in the flesh.

Recognizable grey eyes stared back at Isla as she observed her doppelganger with a gaping mouth and incredulous gawk. The two girls would be indistinguishable if it weren't for the length of their hair.

Isla let down her hair from the cap Danny had given her, letting it fall where it rested just above her backside. She fingered the ends, lifting them over her shoulder to observe them shrewdly. It looked like her hair had never been cut, the ends being jagged and uneven; it seemed like it had never been brushed either. She wondered how long she had been on that metal bed, for her hair to have grown at least two years of length.

Her carbon copy had hair down to her shoulders, much like the haircut Isla had received at the clinic those few weeks ago. It curled into silky tendrils at the end and bounced healthily around her pronounced collarbone. Upon observing her twin's figure, she noticed how her bones protruded at her elbows and knees, like a teenager after a growth spurt. Isla hadn't had time to look in a mirror since waking up but as she ran her fingers over her joints she felt meaty flesh. She had gained weight since Alex had taken her from Max. She felt healthy again.

Isla was stirred from her investigation when other-Isla spoke softly. Even when she spoke quietly, her voice held authority that Isla had never managed to command herself.

"Welcome home, sister," the girl greeted her calmly. "It appears we have a lot to catch you up on."

Hushed whispers erupted amongst the crowd as Isla refused to speak. She had so much to say, so many questions to ask but the words hung limply on her lips, like a dead fish in the air that was thick with tension.

"Who are you?" Isla spluttered, feeling Danny step closer behind her, sensing her need to collapse. He rested one strong hand on her back, giving the confidence she needed to stand up straight. She tried to look unbothered as she surveyed the room, seeing pitying glances sent her way that assured her that her attempts were futile.

Other-Isla nodded thoughtfully, gesturing for two members of the crowd to shift from their positions and come to flank Isla on either side. Isla started to panic, her breath wheezing as it spluttered from her mouth.

"Take her to her room, I will join her later," other-Isla ordered the man and woman either side of her. Alex stepped forward from the group with Henry and Isaac following her lead.

"Isla, I really think I should go with her," Alex protested, with Henry and Isaac nodding frantically beside her. At first, Isla assumed that Alex was talking to her, before she realized that she was the her that Alex spoke off. She sucked in a sharp breath, realizing this stranger not only had her face, but her name as well.

"She needs a friendly face when you tell her," Alex continued, watching Isla's face contort in confusion with a look of anguish on her pixie-like features. Other-Isla rolled her eyes, tutting quietly.

"From what you have told me, this girl is terrified of you all," she told them bluntly.

Isla looked down, avoiding her friend's inquisitive stares. She heard Alex sigh, realising the truth in the stranger's words. Isla hated hearing Alex sound so broken, especially over her, but remaining stern she took a deep, steadying breaths into her lungs, lifting her head to stare at the usurper defiantly.

"What about Danny?" Alex tried again, her voice hopeful and unyielding. "She trusts him, she let him bring her here!" She sounded triumphant. It was the same voice she used whenever she won a game of monopoly.