Control

“I would like you to define a word for me.” He says. "Control."

“To exercise restraint or direction over; to dominate; to command: to hold in check; to curb.”

“When did you lose control?”

I look him right in the eyes and say, “I never had it.”

My face is emotionless. My voice is monotone. I no longer care.

They think I have lost control, but you can't lose something that you never had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alena had never been one for following the rules. Even as a small child she did her best to make everyone’s life hard. Her twin sister, on the other hand, was made to follow rules. They were as different as summer and winter yet they complemented each other perfectly. It seemed that the parents knew that their daughters would be polar opposites for they named their first-born Ciara, from the irish word ‘Ciar’ meaning dark, and their youngest they named Alena, meaning light.

Despite their differences, the twins loved each other and Ciara feared for Alena’s safety. So, when Alena decided to take a dangerous trip, Ciara went along for the ride. No one knows what happened to cause the car crash and Alena’s not talking. Ciara’s not talking either, but for a much different reason: the crash landed her in a coma. Everyone think’s that Alena’s lost control, including the physiatrist that her parents are forcing her to see, but Alena knows the truth: she was never in control.

Follow this story down a dark path that just may have no return, at least not for Ciara. Can Alena live with the guilt?

Cover by wintertide