The Stars Will Come

Chapter 4 - Secret Twin? Powers?

        Once we were outside, Eden spun around and grabbed me by the shoulders. Shocked by the sudden attack, I jerk and almost fell off the tree house.

        "Whoa, careful!" I screamed.

        "Sorry, but I need you to understand something. What I'm about to tell you is incredibly important that it remain a secret. No telling your friends, sorry forget I said that," I glared at her. She gulped and continued," But you understand what I'm trying to say. Right?"

        "Yeah, I understand. She continued, looking me in the eye.

        "Grift is my twin, my secret twin. After our parents had died, our aunt and uncle took us in. But then they died under mysterious circumstances. We were put into a orphanage, where I was adopted and Grift was not. Grift ran away from the orphanage and lives here, in the woods."

        "Wow, tough luck. But wait... when was this, because this tree house was not built recently. Plus, you're new in school, so when did you move here?" Some of what Eden was telling me made sense, but others were just plain weird.

        "I moved into town when I was 5, 10 years ago. The family that adopted me lives here."

        "What! You mean to tell me that your brother, when he was 5 years old, built this tree house! He was FIVE!" When the wave of astonishment had passed, I was able to continue. "OK, what you're telling me is making a bit more sense now. But how come I've never seen you around? Were you in the same school's as me for 10 years and I didn't even know it!?"

        "Actually, he was 6. He lived on the street and in my room until my adopt parents almost caught him. I was home-schooled, until recently. My adopt parents live far outside of town, so I hardly ever came into town. We live on a farm, so everything is provided for us." She sighed, "Ok, so are you ready for the really important, most secret secret of all time?" I nodded, totally serious. "Good,... would you believe me if I told you that Grift and I have powers?" I laughed.

        "You and Grift have powers! HA! That's hilarious." Seeing the look of disapproval, I realized that she was completely serious. "Wait... you're serious," Eden nodded," oh, I'm sorry. I...I believe you. What sort of powers do you have?"

        "Well, I am able to see the future, but only in small glimpses. For example, I knew I was going to meet you at school. Plus, word of advice, stay away from the yogurt tonight. Grift says the future. Like earlier when he was talking to you. In between his words he was saying other words. If you took them out, they would make more sense. That's why he talks a lot, he tries to drown away the future words with the present words. He hopes that his power might go away someday, but I doubt it."

        "Oh, wow. Interesting. Well, I've got an important secret too. Promise not to tell?" I looked Eden in the eye, she nodded. "Only my uncle knows what I'm about to say to you. I... I... I see thin-" I was cut off by a sudden whoosh of air right next to me. Then a thunk in the wood next to me made me jump. We were being shot at.

        More shots followed the first. They were shooting from somewhere in the trees below us.

        "Quick, let's get inside!" Eden shouted, trying to be heard above the rain of bullets. Eden and I rushed inside, slamming the door shut behind us.

        "What's going on?!" Grift asked, now on is feet, book forgotten on the floor.

        "We're being shot at! Their in the trees! We need to get out of here and find safety! Maybe we can go to May's house. Is that ok, May?"

        "Ya, ya. Nobody should be home right now, besides my uncle. Grift, is there another way down this tree, besides climbing down?" Grift nodded.

        "There's a zip line, heads straight down to the ground. It ends about 20-40 trees away from here. Should be far enough to escape." He motioned us over to a corner. "It's right here. I'll go first. Eden you go last. Hold on tight and wait until you feel the line stop quivering before heading down." Grift gave Eden a quick hug before grabbing hold of the pole and jumping out the hole in the floor.

        Once the line had stopped quivering, I looked up at Eden, gave her a quick nod, and jumped out the hole. The ride down was tough. I almost let go of the pole, but manage to stay on thanks to the persuasion of a bullet. When I had reached the bottom, Grift was waiting for me. I let go of the pole, falling the last few feet into Grift's waiting arms.

        "Thanks," I said.

        "No problem, anytime." He gave me a tight smile. Eden was there in a few minutes, looking like she was having the best time of her life. Somehow it looked even cooler with the bullets creating sparks behind her, narrowly missing her every time.

        "Man, that was fun!" She said as she landed in her brothers arms," We have to do that again, in the future. But right now let's go." She sped off, with us right behind her.

        It wan't even 10 steps before I felt a hand on my arm and my feet leave the ground. I cried out, but that only resulted in something hitting me in the head. I could feel blood starting to pour down my face. Eden and Grift stopped and turned around. They both looked angry and before I knew it, both twins had knife's in their hands. Eden and Grift pulled back their right arms and flung the knives straight at my captors head. With a squishy thunk, the knives buried themselves in his forehead. I screamed and Grift grabbed my arm.

        "Come on, let's go." I was yanked along behind Grift the rest of the way out of the forest. When we reach the school, Eden and Grift turned to me.

        "Lead the way," Eden said.

        "But... but... knives... dead... killed him...!" I blurted. I was shocked.

        "Later, right now we need to get to your house and safety." Eden sheathed her knife but Grift kept his out.

        "This way," I said and started towards the road in front of the school.

        "I sure hope I don't have to use these again. I've only got 3 left." Grift mumbled.