The History of The Other One (Astra Davies Book 1)

How You Survive

Astra gasps in silence.

The person staring at her in the mirror is a young woman; she has long, brown, curly hair, and dark brown eyes. Her skin is also a light brown color. She wears a pink dress.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my mirror?"

The woman looks back at Astra in shock.

"You can see me?"

The woman's voice is soft but kind. It also sounds very distant.

Astra looks behind her again and back at the mirror. The woman is gone. She splashes her face with water and pats it down with a towel. As she goes to turn around again the woman is back; Astra bumps into the counter.

"Okay, I think I'm going mad. Who are you?"

The woman looks over Astra before speaking.

"My name is Leta Lestrange. And I've learned a lot about you, Astra Davies. Congratulations on the babies."

Astra shakes her head.

"Leta as in the Leta that Thesaurus was to marry? But you're supposed to be dead; he literally just told me."

"I know it's strange, Ms Davies, but please listen to me while you can. I need you to tell Theseus something for me. I-"

There's a knock on the door and Leta vanishes.

Astra looks where Leta stood.

"No, wait, Leta!"

Credence enters the bathroom slowly.

"Are you alright, Astra? You've been in here a few minutes and your mom wanted me to check on you."

Astra nods her head, not wanting Credence to think she's crazy.

"Yeah I'm fine; I was just about to head back to you and the babies."

Astra leaves the bathroom and heads back to her room. The babies are both falling asleep in their baskets. Astra looks around for a cup of water; once spotting it she downs the entire glass. Credence seems concerned.

"Are you sure you're alright Astra?"

She nods.

"Yeah, I think I just need some rest."

"If you think you're going crazy Astra you aren't."

Leta pops up again, this time behind Newt. Astra laughs.

"Or maybe I'm just going mad."

Everyone looks at her, confused.

"Why would you think you're going mad? You just had two beautiful babies; you're probably worn out."

Albus tries to comfort her.

Astra laughs again.

"Does everyone see dead people after giving birth?"

The room is silent.

"Exactly; I am going crazy. And I know it's what you all are thinking. But tell me why just moments after telling me about his dead fiancee I begin to see someone with the same name in my bathroom mirror?"

Theseus looks up at Astra.

"You mean you've been seeing Leta's ghost? How do you know it's her?"

Astra shrugs.

"Long, brown hair? Brown eyes? Light brown skin? In a pink dress? She also wanted me to tell you something but disappeared before she could say what. She's also behind Newt."