Out of Sight

A Twin in Moonlight

Author's Note: was able to do this by making my baby giggle, which sounds like a sound bite of heaven.

I fell asleep much like I had the night before: warm in fuzz and listening to the crack of fire. Naru made himself a bed in front of the fire from a comforter and pillow, keeping the coffee table between us. We had eaten more canned soup and those store-bought biscuits in a can (the sudden popping of those still terrify me). We talked of lighter things, like school and how my exam of the science building was going. Overwhelming fatigue rolled over me. I thought I could hear Naru say something, but when I woke up sometime around two in the morning to go pee, I couldn't remember a thing, though I did find myself bundled up in his full-size bed. I had no memory of being carried either.

I felt my way to the bathroom, did my business, then stepped out to find Naru asleep on the couch. Only then did I notice the full moon shining through the kitchen window.

I don't know if everyone gets this way, but when I see a full moon I get a tickle in the back of my mind, as though something should be happening tonight, or perhaps I should do something. It was nearly bright as daylight.

I turned around and came face to face...with Gene.

I knew it was him because he wasn't wearing silky dark blue pajamas, but dressed in Naru's usual blackety black. The way he looked at me was also different from Naru—less natural glare from underneath his eyebrows.

I froze. "Please tell me this isn't a dream and that I didn't just pee the couch."

That full blown smile cracked Gene's face, blowing away any doubt I had left as to whether this twin was Naru. Naru could never replicate that bright, eye squinting smile, nor the laugh that followed after that didn't bounce around the kitchen like my voice had. The air swallowed it whole.

"No," he said. "You're just lucky. You're mental defenses have been beaten down so far, you're spiritual eyes can open."

I frowned. "But Naru's house is protected against spirits."

"Not all spirits," the wide grin turned cocky. "I've got personal dibs on my twin and you. My own personal haunting." His expression fell, and he looked to the side, suddenly disarmed by something. "But I still shouldn't be this clear. This kitchen shouldn't look so clear to me. Nor the moon." He looked back at me. "The spiritual realm—"

"—is built off perspective and intention," I finished for him. Then I shrugged. "Beats me. I just started being a Junior. All the juicy stuff is in the black magic class."

"I am not black magic."

"Oh, but you are black," I wriggled my fingers at him.

He looked down at himself. "What are you talking about? I'm wearing blue. Blue shirt, jeans..."

"Ah, it must be how I perceive you. Nevermind."

Palms sweaty (this still wasn't an everyday thing you could get use to,) I leaned against the stove.

"What can I do for you, Gene?"

He was still looking down at himself, as though all he had to do was squint hard enough to see what I did.

"Nothing. Just...thanks. For putting up with him."

I raised an eyebrow. "So far it's more like him putting up with me. I've been all ragged- Anne-doll sobby."

Another smile. "That makes no sense."

"So does. But, what, were you worried that he'd be alone forever? Is, that, like the thing holding you back?"