Act I

One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious

 - Carl Jung

I fear not the dark itself, but what may lurk beneath it.

-Anonymous 

Sometimes, the things in our heads are far worse than anything they could put in books or films.

- C.K Webb

We stopped checking for monsters under the bed when we realized they were inside of us

- The Joker

Is evil something you are? Or is it something you do?

 - Bret Easton Ellis

Chapter One

Olivia remembered hearing lots of horror stories at slumber parties. "Do you know why our parents can't see the monster under the bed?" Livi would ask as she would keep her torch beneath her chin. It would give her face a scary, disoriented shape.  Olivia would shudder and hunch her shoulder to make herself the smallest target of danger that could possibly come. "It's because the monsters aren't really under our bed or closet or mirror, they- they are us" Livi would whisper dramatically.

“The monsters, they are inside us, coming out when we are alone.”  Dad used to scold Livi a lot for her stories and yet she was known to recite the same stories every time they had company overnight.

Dad told Olivia that they were just some silly stories Livi had picked up from a seventh-grader, and she did believe him, yet the nightmares wouldn't stop. Screaming at the top of her lungs she would wake up crying and sweating but not remembering what the nightmare was. Olivia thought that maybe Livi felt guilty so she stopped reciting the stories when she turned eleven but paranoia and fear still haunted her. 

"Livi stop! It's not nice to scare people and anyways demons and monsters don't exist" Millie would say. Her clear blue eyes would sternly look at Livi and then at Olivia reassuringly. Millie was perfect. She was pretty and good at studies and drawing and basketball, she had freckles and dimples and... she was different from Olivia. I don't recall how exactly she and Olivia became friends but it was a miracle that someone so pure as her would-be acquainted with the likes of Olivia.

But this murky world wasn't meant for Millie.

As children. We are  afraid of the monsters lurking in our cupboards and closets  but now we realize, it's not the monsters we should be scared of

But of ourselves

_____________________

Olivia gasped as she saw the clearing up ahead. All she remembered was the blood-curdling scream of terror and the two missing girls. The surrounding forest seemed to be watching her as if waiting like a predator. It wasn't right, the forest was breathtaking on specific days and especially at night,­­­ yet it watched her like she was its prey that was about to take the bait.

The bait to end her life.                                            ____________________________

"Tomorrow is your first school day girls, be ready by seven I'll have Arthur drop you off" their dad explained over dinner. To Olivia, the wood walls looked much more interesting than talking about the impending doom that was tomorrow. She tapped her foot on the floor as she continued to eat the leftover portion of chicken curry.

"I'm done, so I'll be going to my room" she declared pushing away her plate and getting up. The chair made a scratching sound which disturbed the quiet of the manor except for the usual clinking of cutlery. She headed down the empty hall, her sandals clicking and echoing. It had been a week since she had moved to Minus Ville but she was still not used to this much placidity. The Blackthorn manor was pretty, no doubt but it was also harrowing. And the long empty hallways did not help with her always paranoid nature. After turning around awkwardly she took a deep breath and continued the seven minute long walk to her room.

She turned to her right and then entered the room on the left of the corridor and to the third room with the sea painting beside it.

Her room as it was called, was not yet fully decorated. Moonlight filtered through the bay window she had. Olivia switched on the lights and her room and its cream walls became visible. As you entered the room the first thing you'll see is the beautiful bay window and white window sills. Pillows of the color pale yellow, sage green, and coral lined the mattress at the bay window. She flopped onto the soft, plush bed and looked at the ceiling, and sighed.

This place was supposed to be a new start, for her ,Livi and dad. Especially for her. Tomorrow, whether she wanted it or not, she would be attending Minus Ville High. The only school in this stifling town. With a total of only four hundred and eighty nine-now four hundred and ninety one students. The school was never a problem except for the students. And being new meat everyone wants a piece of you in such small towns like this.

Would she survive? Who knows but whatever may come, it won't be worse than three years ago.

Right?

______________________

As she looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Olivia thought that either she was on her deathbed or the ceiling light made her skin even lighter than it was. She wore a simple pink sweater and a pale yellow skirt and blue sandals. Her dark red hair was done back in a ponytail, yet a few stubborn strands framed her face. As she slung her bag over her shoulder she walked out of her room to get breakfast.

"Morning Livi" she greeted her younger sister as she got out of her bedroom. Olivia was struck by a pang of jealousy. Even though they both shared the same pool of genetics it felt as if Livi had managed to grab the better, Livi's jawline looked sharp even though she was only thirteen . Her dyed purple hair was curled into stylish waves as they bounced cheerfully as she walked. Her blue eyes were bright even this early in the morning and her body was more curved than Olivia's. She wore a simple white shirt and a purple jacket with a denim skirt and yet she rocked it.

"And here I looked like I got dressed in the dark" Olivia thought. "Sup Olivia!" she waved at Olivia as she wore her silver flats.

Olivia walked in silence as she  mentally got ready for the day to come. Livi merrily hummed by her side not questioning her sister’s quietness. It was normal behavior for Olivia to be abnormally quiet. Opening the large doors, Olivia could feel her throat tightening as time ticked closer.

As they sat in the black car Olivia slumped back at the comforting smell of the leather and enjoyed the scenery outside. It was raining as expected. "Miss Livi and Olivia, here you are. I will pick you up at three" Arthur; their driver told them and Olivia thanked him and got out. The school itself was as if a bunch of houses had been colored white into a collection of buildings.

"Look, the registration office is there" Olivia pointed at a building at the far left trying to dislodge the lump of terror which forming in her throat. "Why does this place remind me a lot of the town in Twilight?" Livi eyed the amount of greenery all around us as we walked towards the building, clutching her umbrella more hardly. Not many students had arrived yet, "Hope there aren't super hot, twinkling vampires here" Olivia joked as she understood that Livi was trying to lighten her mood.

"More like a manipulative, creepy old man" Livi muttered giving her sister a small smile before they entered the building.

Inside they were hit with warmth. The institutional white walls were begging to be splashed with rainbows of color, more plants in pots clattered the indoors if more greenery was needed. The left side was separated a by long desk which had tons of baskets with papers and fliers and sticky notes lining them. Behind the table, tons of academic trophies and recognitions were kept. On the right were some foldable waiting chairs. A lady in her forties sat behind the desk. Her dark hair was done in a bun and she wore just a red t-shirt which made the twins feel overdressed.

"Hi, we are new here and were told to come here" Livi addressed the lady whose eyes got brighter for some reason "Oh, you're the Hale sisters right? Olivia and Malvina.” she greeted them as she turned to the backside and looked for papers.

Livi looked at Olivia nervously as she took off her jacket and hung it on her waist. "Alright, here are your girls' timetables and maps for your subjects. Your student guider will be coming in a minute- oh! there she is" the lady smiled and her eyes turned towards the doors which led to the front.

Both of the girls turned back to see a girl their age. She was a bit tanned and her freckles were more visible on her face her blue, welcoming eyes bright with excitement, her strawberry blonde hair was done in a French braid as she straightened up excited.

"Hello! My name is Roselyn Parker and just call me Rosie and I'm your student guide" Rosie said cheerfully, shaking Olivia's hand and then moving on to Livi.

"I can already see we are going to be the best of friends" Rosie exclaimed. And Olivia inwardly groaned

  ______________________________

Olivia realized that maybe this place wasn’t as bad as she was thinking. Rosie was a charming girl and was nice as she showed Olivia around the school. Livi though, had tagged her boring and left to explore on her own. But as more students started showing up Rosie had to leave. “It was great hanging out with you but I have some things to touch up on” Rosie explained sadness suddenly filled her eyes. “Um sure,” Olivia muttered before she could say anything Rosie was off, bouncing away as she greeted some people in the hall.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

She flattened her sweater and made her way to her first class. As she entered she realized why she, in the first place had thought that moving to Minus Ville was a terrible idea. She could feel their eyes on her, as they scrutinized her, judged her. It was terrible to say the least. As if being tested whether you were even worthy to be there with them.

The classes passed without any trouble. As a class would end few brave students would introduce themselves to her and ask her how her day was going. Olivia tried half-heartedly to continue the small talk but it seemed as if they got the idea that Olivia did not want to converse and left. The studies themselves weren’t that much of trouble as she looked at the syllabi list in her third class. They should be easy enough for girl who had nothing else to do other than read. There was one problem though, a bunch of girls kept inviting Olivia to come sit with them after lunch and she was pretty sure one of them was Rosie’s friend.

“So let’s go?” the girl with black hair asked as class ended for lunch. Olivia knew they had good intentions in mind but she couldn’t bring herself to socialize, not today. “I’ll meet you guys, I need to go to the washroom real quick” Olivia replied giving what she hoped was a sweet smile.

The girls washroom on the second floor wasn’t busy as Olivia sat on the top of the toilet seat wondering whether hiding in an unhygienic place for the rest of lunch was a good idea. A part of her chided her to go- make friends to help distract herself, it would do no good wallowing in… whatever this phase was.

“Darn there’s no toilet paper in here” she heard someone in the cubicle on her left. “Hey! Is there any toilet paper in your stall?” the silvery voice came again. Olivia blinked, was the girl talking to her? “Are you asking me?” she quietly mumbled. “Yeah!” the girl affirmed.

“I have toilet paper here” Olivia replied back after looking around herself. She heard the girl sigh in relief, ”Mind passing some from the gap below” the voice said a brown hand emerged from the gap down towards her left. “Sure” Olivia fumbled as he hand the girl the torn toilet paper.

“Thanks” came a reply. “No problem” she responded back and sat down again, After a minute she got up and went out, she had kinda just socialized right now right? It couldn’t be that bad. And with whatever bravery and strength she could muster Olivia went headfirst into battle.

I mean, to lunch.                                                          ____________________________                                        

  “Lauren, nobody wants to hear about what Cormac Driscoll did in the boy’s locker room” Alex Chase snapped as she picked her protein bar. “Yeah Lauren, we’re eating” Rosie added a slight tinge on her face. Lauren Hunter huffed “You see that? That uncomfortable look on both of your faces? You guys are just hearing what that creep does, I on the other hand, experience this BS every day.”

“Wait, you mean Cormac shits in his football jersey every darn day?” Alex frowned. “And now I don’t want to eat anymore” Rosie announce pushing her food tray away and scowling at Alex who shrugged in return. “It’s just the first day back after the summer holidays and Driscoll pulls this stunt, I can’t live like this” Lauren groaned as he dropped his uneaten apple. “Dude, then just drop out of football team” Alex sighed.

Lauren looked offended “I’m not dropping out of a thing I’m passionate about just because someone in not potty trained”

“Then shut up” Alex retorted  and that was the end of that topic. “You guys got some juicy stuff on you?” Alex asked after a while. Rosie rolled her eyes “Alex, it’s just the first day back after summer break, what do you expect is going around”

Lauren straightened up and said “I, on the other hand have news”, Alex groaned “I swear to God Lauren if this new of yours is as shitty as the last one I’ll shove my fork up your-“

“Did you just make a shit related pun” Rosie asked dubiously. Alex paused for a second as realization dawned on her and the trio was snorting into there food again. “But no seriously Lauren, continue on” Rosie wheezed, wiping tears from her eyes. “Okay so, I heard that the Hale family is back” he announced and Alex suddenly sat straight “No way”

“Yes way” Lauren affirmed. “I knew” Rosie shrugged. “You knew?” Alex asked disbelieved as she leaned forward, her dark brown hair slinging to the front. “Why didn’t you tell us!” she asked. “Well, I thought it wasn’t a big deal” Rosie defended her blue eyes wide.

“You know that a family from a creepy legend is back and you thought it was no big deal?” Lauren asked skeptically. Rosie’s face flushed pink “Now you put it that way…”

“But how do the girls look like?” Alex asked. “I guess they are pretty, but the younger one was so rude and stand offish you know. And the older on who, by the way is in our year had a personality of a door” Rosie ranted.

“Hey doors can have a good personality too” Alex replied

“Yeah, they also come in variety” Lauren added and an argument started about whether doors had a personality or not.                                             ________________________________

"History class is supposed to be this way," Olivia thought as she tried to navigate through the crowd of students and teachers. Olivia couldn't say that she was having a bad day as it was going pretty well. When she was looking for her classes the following morning Rosie had helped her and after lunch, a polite girl had shown her the way to art class, but as the last class of the day came she couldn't find the class f-3. "Sorry!" she exclaimed as she bumped into a  student who didn't even bother looking at her. 

"Ah, there it is!" she muttered finding the classroom over the sea of students. As she entered most of the seats were occupied except for a few which would soon be filled. The teacher was already there  "Hello dear, you must be the new student. I'm Miss Rogers your history teacher please take a seat next to Michael over there" Miss Rogers greeted Olivia and pointed towards a table in the middle on the right side which was occupied with a boy with dark hair who was looking out of the window in his own world.

Olivia made her way down the aisle and almost fell. Stumbling she held a table's edge for support and the girl sitting giggled. Olivia’s breath hitched in her throat as she continued. "Don't cry. Don't cry" she kept repeating to herself as she made her way to her seat. 

"Hel, hello" Olivia stuttered, Michael turned towards her and nodded, and took out his textbook and a novel, and started reading it. That simple show of pulling out his book and reading meant that he did not want to be disturbed and so Olivia tried to mind her business by doodling on her notebook. But as an avid reader herself  and seeing that there was a yellow 'do not cross' tape pictures on the book she couldn't resist but ask. "What book is that?"

Michael looked up with a slight frown on his face which made Olivia rethink her question. "It's the Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes" he replied his voice and face monotone. Olivia's face lit up "That book is such a masterpiece!".

"Have you read it?" he asked showing a bit of interest. "Yeah, like five times already" Olivia laughed. "Do you like books?" he asked turning towards her with interest. Olivia hadn't paid attention to his appearance. But he looked pretty good for a fifteen-year-old. He had soft brown eyes which were cold at the same time. His hair was a bit longer from the back till his neck and his overgrown bangs were parted from the center to prevent obscuring his vision.

"Um yeah I, I love them" Olivia replied taken aback a bit. How was this dude more good-looking than her? "I'm only till chapter eight yet," he said showing his bookmark sticking out of the book. "It's ok then, I won't tell you any spoilers" Olivia replied smiling. He gave her a short smile. "My name is Michael Spinster but just call me Mike," he told her. 

"I'm Olivia Hale" 

"Hale? Like the Hale's who used to live here but moved away?" he asked his eyebrows slightly raised. "How do you know that?" Olivia asked confused. "I don’t know much since I don’t like spreading rumors, but there was this thing going around town for ages that the Hale family left suddenly one day because of a tragedy or something bad.” he replied keeping his book back into his bag. "Something bad? you know what that  is?" Olivia asked squinting. "No, I don’t really care much about it” he shrugged. 

Before Olivia could reply Miss Rogers said "Alright! Welcome to a New Year with me guys." and so the class began. Throughout the class, Olivia couldn't help but think about the incidents that occurred today. With the receptionist squealing that the entire town was waiting for them and now Mike telling about the rumors that had been going around for years. It's not that Olivia denied that those rumors are incorrect, rather there was an unusual  truth behind them. 

"Oh well, it was to be expected I guess," Olivia thought as she scribbled down about Napoleon Bonaparte. "Such small towns need their gossip to thrive on," she thought mockingly . She felt tremendously insecure as the realization struck her that maybe everyone in this school knew about the incident which had occurred thirteen years ago. She had not known what exactly happened and how but it had a huge impact on her and Livi as a kid. Mostly on her, since Livi was too young to remember anything.

"Alright! class dismissed! do not forget to do the homework given" Miss Rogers' voice brought her to the present. As everyone started getting their stuff Olivia who was disorientated took a second to process that school was over. "Bye Olivia, I'll see you tomorrow," Mike said giving her a short wave as he got up and got going. "Yeah! Mike" she replied as she hurriedly packed her stuff as she knew Livi would be waiting. "Ah, Olivia dear could you wait?" Miss Roger's asked her and so she stopped mid-way. "Yes Miss Rogers?' she asked.

"Oh, I just wanted to ask, that if you were liking the school?" she said gently. "It's a really good place and I have met many nice people" Olivia replied giving her a reassuring smile. "Good to hear dear and oh, here is a club form that you're supposed to fill, there are many clubs so choose wisely"  miss Rogers added handing her a flier "Alright Miss Rogers, I'll get going," she said and rushed out of the classroom and towards the front

         ________________________________________

"Yo! did you die in there or something?" Livi exclaimed as she saw her sister speed walking towards her. The rain had stopped only a few minutes ago and Livi was glad that it had because she was not in the mood to run right after her gym class. She was sure she was going to have cramps by the next day. "Nothing, my history teacher was handing me the club sheet thing" Olivia replied as she reached Livi. "You got one too?" Livi said surprised. "Why wouldn't I? I am new as well you dumbo" Olivia said rolling her eyes. "Yeah well, let's go" Livi huffed but before both of them could enter their car they heard someone calling them.

As they turned, Rosie came into view "Hi guys! sorry, I couldn't keep you company during lunch but I was hoping you guys could exchange phone numbers with me, so we can stay in touch?" she said fixing her hair. " 

"Yeah sure," Livi shrugged.

So after a quick phone number exchange, the twins got into their car. As they got out of the school Olivia turned towards her sister "Why did you say yes?". Confuse, Livi asked, "What do you mean?"

"Why did you say yes to exchanging numbers?" Olivia asked again, annoyed.

"Why? you wanted me to say no?" Livi snapped sarcastically. "Yes!" Olivia exclaimed.

"Why though?" Livi asked. "In case you haven't realized, Rosie is a very popular girl and now she'll be inviting us to her friend group and stuff" Olivia explained.

"Just because you don't want to have social interaction does not mean that I will let that happen" Livi replied. "But you don’t eve like her!" Olivia whined. "Look honey, I don't want your human interaction to last just with just me. As much as I think that Rosie is fake and all, I still have to make sure you  make friends." Livi said leaning back. "Excuse you, I do fine by myself" Olivia retorted. "Yeah well, I don't care " Livi sighed. Olivia huffed as she turned towards the window.

"But damn, is Rosie Parker an overly energetic girl," Livi said mockingly. "Says the girl who gets hyped at the idea of a new season of anime" Olivia responded. And so the bickering began once again.

                                     _______________________________

And soon, a week had passed with the twins settling in town and making new friends. Everything was pretty normal and Olivia was starting to relax but change is inevitable and constant. And that change would turn her life upside down, again.