My Ghost Twin

1

I had to get home quickly. It was past my Curfew and my parents were going to kill me if I came home past ten-thirty: there were strange things happening in the little town of Woodenbrough, including the mysterious disappearance of my twin, Amy. My parents didn’t want anything like that happening to me.

   Woodenbrough is a strange place to live in; as far as I know, the least throng of people would be off on out living here. About eight hundred live here, and they are a set of very paranoid people. If you are out past eight, you’ll hear eerie howling — there are wolves on the Rackin hill. They don’t like it when there are humans out on the premises. That’s why most parents have jobs abroad, because it seems like no one wants to work here in England. Woodenbrough is a poor town, for there are always places to stack old rusty supermarket trolleys and abandoned cars and there are at least only two camping sites you can go to. There are clairvoyants and no beach sites and no gardens. There are spooky parks and launderettes that you watch for hours and hours that seemingly lure you into a trance. The mayor isn’t even trying to do anything of the sort about it. Why, if I was the mayor, I would turn Woodenbrough into a beautiful city, with a bouquet of flowers at every doorstep.

   It seems that there is something strange going on about my family, that every set of twins seems to become single, because one always goes missing. And every man with a job goes out for a business meeting, and never returns.

   I’m just glad there is only one tragedy in my family, because I’m not in the mood for any more accidents, like what happened to my twin.

   Some say my sister, Amy, was pushed of Branky cliff, high atop a beautiful crashing sea in the horizon. My parents tell me it was a depressing accident that is best forgotten. My friends say that if you answer a question saying “she was accidentally pushed”, or “she was being dangerous or careless”, that she will kill you by stripping your face off with her bare hands, and hanging you on the edge of Branky cliff. I, for once, had actually never known her because she was always overseas with my Aunt Cathy in Norway, so I’m not so sure what to think about the stories.

   Ding-Dong went the church bell. I was late. Wolves howled. I heard the shrieking cries of spirits. I was witnessing it today. I was witnessing The Darkest Hour!!

   My heart was racing. I had to get home fast or I would be trapped in the ghost realm forever. It wouldn’t be all bad, though. I could see my twin again! Surely that’s the good in it?

   However, that wasn’t the problem, now. The problem was I wasn’t home when I should have been. I ran, chasing the stars like a wild cheetah. That’s the animal I would want to be if I was one — a cat like that can beat Usain Bolt!

   Suddenly, when I was only three blocks away from my house, I heard a shifty voice from the St. Peterson’s Park. ‘Adelynn… Adelynn… come here… if you wish to get back home…’ It said. The voice sounded out of breath. Cautiously, but quickly, I plodded over, looking around for the mysterious speaker. ‘I’m right here… look down…’ the voice whispered. I was fixated on the mysterious beguile object; hence, I obeyed. When I looked down, I saw the most beautiful amulet. It was gleaming pink, and seemed to float. ‘Pick me up…’ it instructed. Again, I did as it said. ‘Good… now, focus your energy, and imagine your sister… the one you lost.’

   ‘You mean Amy?’

   ‘Yes… focus your energy… and you will see amazing things…’ the voice whispered once more. I closed my eyes, held the amulet in my hands, and imagined, that I was standing next to Amy, and that I could speak to her for the first time. In a blazing, pink, electric flash, a misty figure appeared before me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Amy!

   ‘A… Amy?’ I stuttered, leaving my chapped lips wide open in two opposing arcs.

   ‘Hey there,’ she said calmly, smirking.

   I just stood there, nervous. I couldn’t speak. I was in a stupor. My long-lost sister just appeared, and I was seeing her for the first time! How could I speak???

   ‘You wanna get home? It’s starting to rain, you know,’ she said.

   ‘W-What? Oh sure, but what do I do?’

   ‘Focus your energy once more… and you will appear at your doorstep…’ said the eerie amulet. Once more, I closed my eyes, and imagined my home. Suddenly, in another blaze of pink electricity, we appeared home. ‘Good… you’re ready for the next step…’

   ‘Next step?’ I asked.

   ‘Yes… but we shall deal with it tomorrow…’ it answered.

   ‘O-okay then,’ I said, shivering. ‘L-let’s get in quick.’

   As I picked up the key, the amulet stopped me. ‘Young stone-keeper… your existing family and everyone in this town will not see Amy—she is a mere ghost. You must keep her waning existence a secret, as you will only be able to talk to her for a limited amount of time each day.’

  ‘Sure thing,’ I said.

  ‘However, when the time is right, you will be ready to bring your sister back to life… but only if you have enough focus. While she is still here, she can train you. Do not be careless. Take your amulet everywhere, but do not allow people to know of the power it wields. You cannot use it to win prizes, or any flimsy thing like that. Use it to make things right. You can use it to bring you back into time, and discover all the wonderful things the past life had to offer. Is that clear?’

   ‘Yes,’ I answered. I thought very wisely about how exactly I could use this emerald’s power. I soon heard footsteps.

   ‘Hide the amulet,’ the voice rasped. ‘Your mother must not get suspicious.’

Quickly I stuffed my amulet into my drenched jacket pocket. I knocked on the door and it creaked open very slowly.

My mother was in a huff, her red hair swaying out of her face as she opened it.

   ‘And where have you been?’ she snapped. She was obviously worried. ‘I’ve been waiting for you all night.’

   ‘Um… the teachers kept me in.’ Lie number one.

   ‘Oh, curse those teachers! You know I don’t like you coming home alone. You know how dangerous it gets at this hour at night; you could have gotten seriously hurt, or… even worse…trapped, in that ghastly spirit realm.’

   ‘At least I got home a little early. And I had to finish up with my spellings. You know I’m usually tardy.’ Lie number two.

   ‘All right, then. Come in, I’ll run you a bath, and you can have a drink. Your brother Tony has been alone upstairs. Father is out on a business meeting, and he won’t be back until Monday. And I’ll be out often for errands and meetings.’ My heart stopped.

   ‘What?’ I screamed. ‘You can’t be sure he’ll come back! Haven’t you heard anything?!’

   Mum rubbed her head and sighed. ‘I know, dear, but he’s working so hard and he seems like he’s never done; he’s doing his best to get us to move to Bales. You remember Bales, don’t you? It’s where your grandmother had me and Aunt Ashlyn.’

   ‘Mum, you still can’t be sure! What if he doesn’t come back? What if we never move? How long until he’ll disappear like Amy?’ I was bringing it all out now. I was bringing out all my pains, all my worries; all my fears. I wanted her to know how I felt. I wanted her to know how much I loved him and missed him. ‘How long…?’ I let my voice trail off as tears rolled down my cheeks.

   Mum sighed. I guess she knew how I felt now. Deep inside, she missed him too. ‘Have faith in God, honey. I know He’ll bring Dad back.’

As I walked upstairs, my ten-year-old brother played video games in his room with his door wide open. ‘You’re home early,’ he snarled with a voice dripping of sarcasm.

   ‘So glad you noticed,’ I said, smiling scornfully. He mimicked me and I ignored.

   I walked to my room in silence. I removed my jacket and squeezed the rainwater into a bucket. The amulet popped out and landed safely on my bed. It was a bit damp, but I think it will manage.

   After I ran a bath and had my drink, I stayed in my room with the telly on. Wacky Town, my favorite TV show, was on.        ‘You still watch this?’ Amy sneered. She seemed too mature for this type of thing.

   ‘How old are you? Nineteen? You used to love this show! Lighten up.’

   ‘Whatever. You have some practice to do,’ my ghost twin snapped. She snatched the remote from me and turned it to The Dream Boat. I hated it. It always ends in stupid Justin Bieber songs.

   ‘Practice what? How to become a helpless drama queen?’

   ‘No, stupid. You need to practice using the power of the amulet.’

   ‘Weren’t we doing that tomorrow?’

   ‘The amulet changed its mind,’ Amy snapped once more.       ‘Now, you need to take this book…’ she paused to grab a book from under my bed, ‘…and flip to page two hundred and twenty-one.’

   Quickly I skimmed from page to page until I got to page two hundred and twenty-one. I read it aloud: ‘“How to use the power of the Crystal Amulet: Firstly, the wielder of power must remain vigilant and agile — they might not know where danger could strike; all they know is that it is possible. The wearer of such a powerful crystal should only use such power when necessary. Secondly, the wearer shan’t tell anyone of the power that has been bestowed upon them: this could raise great suspicion. If the wearer is that careless, then many people fighting ‘for’ or ‘against’ such power could become corrupt, thus causing a two century long war. Thirdly…”’ Amy slapped the book shut.

   ‘Give it to me,’ she whispered. ‘Someone’s coming.’

I lunged it at her, and she shoved the giant dusty book back under my bed. I remained on the chair as the door slowly creaked open.

   ‘What are you doing in here?’ said my brother as he walked in.

   ‘None of your business,’ I snapped. ‘What’re you doing?’

   ‘Nothing,’

   ‘Then get out!’ I yelled.

   Tony shrugged and walked out, leaving the door open. When he was halfway out, I reached out to slap him, but he slammed the door shut and jammed my fingers. I yelled and grunted. ‘Sorry about that,’ I said. ‘He’ll leave us alone now.’ I sat back down in the chair and Amy opened the book. ‘“Thirdly, the wearer must remain calm at all times. If anger must stir inside the wearer, it boils up inside the amulet and it continues to blow until…’

   Amy snatched the book from me… again. ‘Uh… that’s enough reading for now,’ she said quickly.

   ‘What? Why?’ I asked.

   ‘Shut up, will you,’ Amy snapped. ‘That’s enough for tonight. Get some sleep. The amulets on the bedside drawer. It glows a little; try not to make it shine too much.’

   I nodded and drank my glass of water and got in bed. ‘Goodnight,’ I grumbled.

   ‘G’night,’ my ghost sister replied.