Burden Ridge

Sync

I start my way down to the twin's room, they're nine and inseparable. I tread slowly passed a couple maids dusting the heirlooms that spread among the galleries. I find my way to their door and knock twice, then four, then two later more. The door groans open and Lydina and Corder jump at me with squirt guns loaded with water.

"Unarm yourself, peasant," Corder spits, his voice whistling a little because of the missing middle tooth he has. His shaggy hair remains in his face. Lydina's cheeks get red as she grins at Jaymes behind me.

"Oh, Ayeth." He states and clutches my hand, tugging me inside their room. I feel Jaymes' hand around my arm, accompanying me into the twins' room.

Their room had always been the largest, considering they're nine, and share a bedroom. Half the wall is pink and the other half is a forest green. Lydina pushes me into an overly small seat by an even tinier table. I pick up a plastic pink cup and stick my pinky out. I know the only way I can get to the twins, is to convey to them, the only way they would understand.

"Lydina, Corder, I need to discuss something with you both, over tea." I explain and I look at Jaymes and he discreetly pulls a metal flask out of his tunic and dumps a small amount into mine and his plastic tea cup. I nod my head at him and he winks at me, as I bring my mouth up to drink the alcohol.

"Jaymes, Jaymes, can I have some?" Lyndina questioned while bouncing up and down. Her pigtails spring around her face.

"Yeah, no," I say and sip the rest of my drink. "Okay, guys. Has Avice talked to you recently?" I ask, they look at each other and then to me. Their faces remind me of my brother. They have his nose and his green eyes. Something in my chest cavity melted and I bring my hand up to my eyes to make sure water didn't fall down my cheeks.

"Yes." they both say in sync. Creepy.

"What did she say?" Jaymes asks, and I look to both of them. They look at each other and shake their heads in unison. I set down the plastic teacup and stood up from the table.

"She told us not to tell anyone what she said." Corder explains and I walk over to him.

"Why not?"

"Dunno. Maybe because it has something to do with your-" Lyndina jabs Corder in the side. She brings her index finger up to her lips and shakes her head.

"Do with my what?" I ask and send a glare.

"You know, Jaymes being your love partner and all." Jaymes nearly chokes on his drink. He spits it out and laughs awkwardly. Lydina laughs hysterically and Corder smiles awkwardly, not knowing what he said wrong. I placed my hand on his small shoulder and gave a little laugh. Jaymes smiles at me and winks once more.

"Corder, do you know what that is?" I ask, and he shakes his head.

"I just heard Avice say it." he says and shrugs. I frown. I grab Jaymes' arm and pull him towards the door.

"Thanks for the tea." I say.

                                                                       * * *

" You think?" I hear only a part of what Jaymes says and I look to him.

"Sorry, can you repeat that?" I ask. We're back in my room and I'm sitting on my bed, with Jaymes in front of me at the edge of the bed. His eyebrows go into a line and his lips close together. He reaches out and grabs my hand.

"I was asking if you think we should talk to Avice," he says, and I shiver thinking of my sister. I pull my hand away from his and rub my face. "Ayeth, what's wrong with you?" It wasn't cruel, more concerned.

"Oh, you know, my older sister wants to kill me and the twins. Other than that, nothing. How about you?" I say, as though I'm asking for a weather report. Jaymes doesn't find it as funny as I did. He grabs both my hands and kisses the top of them.

"I know." Is all he manages.