Dedication
For the one who kept on pushing me, my plot twist, my chapters, and my magic time turner.
Chapter 1 – The Beginning
Callie
Another day with the torture of living with my sister. I am the living proof of her wrath. Ohh, you know the I Survived series? I need to write to Lauren Tarshis to write a book about me: I Survived The Hurricane Evangeline of 2015. That is how evil she is.
My life was a normal one, except when Mum disappeared, nothing was the same. I cannot express more that ever since Mum went, Eva decided that since she was older (BY THREE. MINUTES), she was in charge of making my life miserable. You know the funny thing is that she was born on June 7th and I was born on June 8th, even though we are twins! Sure, being the most popular girl in the school is amazing, but nothing could have been worse than my sister hurricane.
Today she ruined my sports bag. I mean who does that, my favorite sports bag?
I love my sports. I do soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, cross country, and dance. Dance is the only thing we have in common. I cannot like anything she likes, but I can’t leave my pop, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and traditional. I love the feeling of my golden flowing hair in a ponytail flowing flawlessly and my skin feeling the wind. I am a star player on my teams and everyone loves me, except Evangeline Tara, James Smit, Susan Kendra and maybe Katie Bell, my best friend’s sister.
I wish Dad was home more. Nan and grandad are darlings, but Dad is who I curl up and talk with. Dad is a famous journalist and goes on the most dangerous missions. I get scared for him with his job. But at least he’s coming back tomorrow. Evangeline misses… Never mind, she isn’t worth thinking so much about.
Chapter 2 – The Calculator
Evangeline
I lay in bed rethinking a perfect life. First thing on the list? Stay far away from my darling little bratty twin sister.
Yesterday, she and her gang of little friends made fun of my grades. I was so like, “Excuse me, school can be challenging for people like you.” I am an A+ student. Angeline said I would go into a dead faint if I ever got a 99.99. Thank goodness I have never, or I couldn’t have used Katie’s favorite roast on her.
Yes, I might seem like a nerd or a crybaby or a little strong headed, but they do not understand my life. Ma always made me feel like enough. Cal doesn’t understand me. Or maybe she doesn’t want to.
I have plenty of interests that keep me away from the house: theater, vocals, piano, flute, violin. And yes, dance. The one thing we both do. You might think that I hate her, but I feel this nagging feeling that our relationship isn’t very healthy, Ma always kept things in place. I really miss her, I remember her as clear as day. Ma had long black hair, a warm smile, rosy cheeks and a beautiful face. Ma was Indian and Dad is British, Callie is more like Papa and I’m more like Ma or as Cal says Mum. I have a picture of her on my desk and sometimes I cry remembering her. Katie also comforts me being what Callie should be, we have been friends since we were two. Ma’s best friend was Auntie Karen, Kat’s mum.
Chapter 3 – Visions
Callie
I cuddled under my sheets thinking about tomorrow’s test. I don’t understand government systems and the only one who does is Eva, but I’m too stubborn to ask for help. Maybe Miss Cappucca—a.k.a. the best teacher ever—could help if I went in early. I sighed heavily as Nan walked in.
“Hello dear!” She chirped!
“Good Night Nan,” I sulked.
“What is the matter Cal?”
“Nothing, Nan.”
She frowned at me and replied, “I know you better than that, I’ll have to tell your father if you don’t talk.”
I breathed slowly. “We have a Social Studies test tomorrow and I don’t understand the topic, but the only one who knows is Miss Know It All,” I nodded towards Ev’s room.
“Why don’t you ask Evangeline?”
“Na-an,” I sang, rolling my eyes.
“Okay, Okay, darling, go to sleep, but please patch up soon!”
“Okay, Nan, Sleep Tight!”
That night I had a strange dream.
I was standing in a golden field, the wind brushing against my skin like it did on game days. In the distance, I saw Mum and Dad. They were smiling, holding hands. Between them stood two little girls who looked just like Eva and me. And then there was a girl. She looked about our age, but her features were blurry. She reached out to me, calling me. I ran toward her, but the ground turned to water, and I sank. The girl dissolved into light. The last thing I saw was Mum’s necklace glowing around her neck.
Chapter 4 – Birthday Gone Wrong
Evangeline
The Next Day
“Come on, Kat! Once we’re out of uniform, we can head to Suse’s house.”
“You mean her mansion,” Kat corrected.
I hesitated. “Kat… can I ask you something?”
“What do you want now? Want to borrow my lip gloss again?” she teased.
I fiddled with my sleeve. “I think Dad’s been hiding my birthday gift. Can we stop by the house before heading over?”
Kat narrowed her eyes and smirked. “You’re impossible. You ruined Suse’s surprise party for you and you’re spying on your dad?
I winced. “Sorry, Katie Cam Bell,” I sang, teasing her.
“Hey! Take that back scribble witch!” She swiped at me.
“Race you!” I smirked and ran.
We bolted to my house, heart beating and bags rattling. I don’t know who won—probably Kat—because the second we got there, I froze in fear and let out a cry. Kat dropped her bag, her face green.
A female investigator wearing a blazer, with two sheriffs, stood at the door. Nan and Grandpops were speaking to them worried.
“Nana, what happened?” I cried. Kat clung to me.
“Nothing, birthday girl. Go have fun,” Nan stammered, obviously lying.
“Three officers, Nan. You’re worried. Where’s…?”
“Ev—wait! I’ll explain!”
But I already knew. Something was very wrong. I needed to tell Suse. And Callie.
This was supposed to be my big day. Cake. Friends. Maybe a sparkly gift or two.
Instead?
Worst. Birthday. Ever.
Chapter 5 – Sister Mess Up
Callie
I spotted Evangeline sprint towards me with Kat running behind. Never had I seen them so upset.
I ran forward, but jolted to a stop, Angeline walked down the street. I sucked in my lips and played with my hair. “I can see you are with the scribble witch Evacuation.” I winced slightly at that harsh nickname.
Katy spotted the tiny tears in Evangeline’s eye. She stepped in front of her friend. “Nice one, Wanna Beast,” she snapped at Angie. “Did you have anything original to say, or are you just reading Queen Callie’s daily script?”
Angeline’s smirk faltered for a second, but I scoffed and crossed her arms.
“Oh puh-lease,” I said, flicking her ponytail like punctuation. “You think defending ‘birthday girl’ makes you what, some kind of hero? What’s next, capes?”
Evangeline’s lip trembled, but she stood taller, wiping her eyes quickly. Katy hooked her arm through hers. I let an unseen tear fall.
“Oh, are you talking to me? I thought you only did that behind my back!” I couldn’t do anything, but stare.
Eva turned to Angeline then, her voice softer but no less firm. “You, Angeline—Callie made one mistake. You made it a team sport. Congrats on the teamwork. Cute how you turned betrayal into a bonding activity.” Angeline’s smirk faltered, but she tossed her hair and crossed her arms, hiding it. Katy tightened her grip on Evangeline’s arm, and Evangeline leaned into it slightly. She faced me, her voice growing steadier.
“You used to be my best friend,” Evangeline said, the words heavy. “Before you decided it was easier to mock me than to stand by me. Real original. ” I rolled my eyes, but Evangeline kept going. “Sweetheart, I cry when I drop my grilled cheese. You don’t even make the list.” She gave a small, dry laugh.
“Amazing performance, Juliet. Should we cue the violin solo, or are you waiting for the Oscars?” Angeline sassed, her smirk back.
“Stop acting like I personally burned down your fairytale woods. You only called out me and Angie because, what, your diary ran out of pages? You get bold when Katy’s around playing your bodyguard. Newsflash: people grow up! Maybe try buying a mirror sometime, Miss Goodie Two Shoes!” I scoffed and I realized the word that just came out of my mouth.
Katie exploded at that. “I’d smack you, but I’m against animal abuse!”
Eva, eyes wet, delivered the final blow: “Dad is missing.”
Suddenly a bunch of moss came flying out of nowhere and hit me on the head. Later I laughed at how the moss made quite an entrance. Evangeline turned and ran to the house. I reached out after her, but Kat gave me a glare. Instead I ran after her.
Chapter 6 – Defying Gravity
Evangeline
I ran to the house, the police were gone and I slammed the door of my room. I was infuriated by what had just happened, trying to process it at the same time. I laid my head on my desk and then lifted my head. But the world wouldn’t stop spinning.
Then… footsteps. Soft. Slow. Uncertain. Outside my door.
I did not feel like talking to anyone, but wasn’t up to argue.
Callie walked into my room, she has never been into my new room and looked around for a minute. Her eyes lingering like trying to understand the new me, what I was without her. Then looked at me. I glared at her and she looked down at the floor.
My throat ached. My eyes burned. The scream inside me pressed harder against my ribs.
But I stayed silent.
Callie opened her mouth and I heard the words I never thought I would hear from Callie Tara’s mouth. She bit her lip and whispered, “I’m so sorry Ev.” I felt my stomach fall. I cried hard and Callie just stood there not knowing what to do. So, she repeated the words, “I’m so sorry Evi, sorry.” And I kept on letting the tears fall out. I didn’t ask for her comfort.
Then we heard Nan. I did not want to see her.
I grabbed Callie’s hand. I did not want to do this, but I just knew that she didn’t want to talk to her either. When I pulled the doorknob I realized I forgot my keys. I pulled open my drawers searching blindly and took out the first key I found. I shoved the key and rushed into the closet.
Nan opened the door and after a long moment, she left.
I looked down, In my rush, I grabbed the wrong key — not my closet key, but Mum’s. The one she always wore. The one no one had touched for years. I sat on the floor where Callie was silent, and shook uncontrollably, clutching the necklace tightly.
Until I heard a click.
The back wall slid open, shaking violently, groaning, revealing a wooden door carved with ivy, fairies flying with the birds, werewolves howling, hidden shade and 3 girls standing. I stared at the dim lights ornamenting the door like unknown stars. It felt… right, like it always was there.
I touched the door knob while receiving the warmth and it felt alive. I looked at my neck where Ma’s necklace hung…
Her key.
I turned the handle and together we left our world.
Answers to be found, grief, evil, good, anger, happiness.
Somewhere ancient.
Our beginning.
Away into the unknown.