The Dark Twin|1|✔️

XI

Atlas

I was in our room, getting ready for the day when suddenly Hope started to whimper in her sleep.
"Hope, wake up. Hope!" I called softly.

She jolted upright and screamed. My heart jumped as a paintbrush flew through the air, embedding itself in my stomach.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry, At!" Hope gasped, panic in her eyes.

I grimaced but nodded.
"I'm okay, Hope."

Then my phone buzzed. A message from Lizzie flashed on the screen:
"Um, there's a boy named Roman Sienna here."

My blood ran cold as memories crashed over me.

Flashback — May 2026

Mom and Greta were locked in a vicious fight. I was tied down to the table, my werewolf side suppressed with restraints. Suddenly, the front door burst open.
"Dad!" I yelled.

He rushed to untie me but was stabbed through the back with a white oak stake.

"Uncle Elijah?" I whispered, eyes wide.

Mom and Greta both looked at him, but he stared back blankly, like he didn't recognize us.
Then Greta clenched her hand, squeezing Mom's chest.

"No! MOM!" I screamed.

Mom looked at me with tired eyes.
"Nickie..."

Roman stepped forward, his hand closing over my heart. I gasped in pain.

"Atlas!" Dad roared. "Roman! Let my son go or I'll tear you apart!"

Roman smirked coldly.
"Do that and he dies."

Mom's voice broke the tense silence.
"Nickie?"

"Mom?" I asked, trembling.

Her next words shattered me.
"I love you so much."

Tears blurred my vision.
"Mom, what are you doing?"

"Always and forever."

She turned to Dad.
"Nik?"

He looked up, stunned.
"Little Wolf?"

"Take care of our babies. Take care of yourself. Even if it looks like I don't like you... I do. You gave me the best thing in the world. Two beautiful kids. Always and forever."

Then, she grabbed Greta's daylight ring finger and snapped it.
She took her soldiers and fled the house in a blur.

"NO! MOMMY! NO!"

"NO! HAYLEY!"

My mother was gone. My best friend. The first eyes I ever loved.

Roman whispered coldly,
"I let your family deal with another death."

"Dad!" I yelled as Roman's hand squeezed my heart and ripped it out.

"Nooooooo, Atlas!"

End flashback

Hope's voice brought me back.
"Atlas, what's wrong?"

I showed her my phone, my hands shaking.

Without another word, I left the room, the past heavy on my shoulders.

Later — Third Person

Roman was wandering the school, trying to keep a low profile. Suddenly, a voice echoed down the hall:
"ROMAN SIENNA! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Roman's eyes widened in fear.
"I have to get out of here."