Prologue & Ch. 1-5 (The Book)
“A Broken Wish”
( prologue.)
When I was younger I would always wake up to cries and screams. I got used to it. But with the house so quiet and narrow it just makes me so uneasy. I can’t sleep, drink nor could I eat without all the noise. Sometimes, I would pass out due to anxiety and stress. I was taking a walk to ease my mind but my attention was withdrawn and caught by someone who started to yank on my shirt.
“Sir?” A boy, about 16, came up to me. He wore a brown coat and white-dirt stained pants.
“Are you alright?” He asked, worriedly. I thought to myself, ‘Is this boy really asking such a question? Ridiculous!’
“How rude of you to come up to a random stranger and ask if they’re alright. Have you got any manners at all-?” The boy cut me off.
“But sir, I am not no stranger you speak of” Deliberately, he tried to stop me from walking away.
“Boy just leave me be!” I yelled. At this point it really got on my nerves and yet he wouldn’t budge an inch.
“For a peaksake child! What? You want to bargain for something? What is it you want to just go away!?”
“Tell me your wish and I shall grant it for you.” The boy requested.
“A…wish? Really?” I answered, Sarcastically.
“Is this some sort of joke?”
“It is not. I see you’ve been through a lot. I’m here to help.” He smiled.
I laughed. He had to have been lying.
“A child has been watching over me, God, I can’t!” I chuckled at the thought.
“May I ask what is so funny?” The boy’s face slowly got grim. I gasped for air as I couldn’t laugh anymore.
“To answer your question young lad, The funny thing is your imagination. Your parents sure have it cut out for them don’t they, kid?” I kneeled down to level our height.
“Now, why don’t you run home before they worry?” I gestured my hands. He didn’t move. He stayed quiet.
“Sir, my family died years ago as did I,” He looked in my eyes sternly.
“What?”
“Years ago, my family was murdered and I was the sole survivor. For days no one even dared to look at me and if they did they would mutter such things like, ‘Look at that boy’ or ‘What a shame!’. Eventually, I died from starvation and dehydration so as you can see..” He paused. “As you can see I have nowhere to stay or go. I was sent to help you.”
Baffled, I tried to believe that was also a part of his imagination.
“You sure love making things up-”
“ I’m telling the truth!” He screamed.
“And you’re no different from me either! You lost your family like I did mine!”
“What would you know?”
“Trust me sir, I know everything! Like how your sister went missing, your mother suicide, your father left and your other four siblings were taken away!” He pleaded.
“You’re the only one left and you’re too depressed to do anything about it!”
Still in shock, I realized this kid was honest. I slumped down into a bench nearby. My mind was blank. The boy said he had to leave but he would be back by tomorrow evening.
“I must be dreaming” I hoped.
“Please be dreaming!” I couldn’t stop thinking about what the boy had told me. All he said was true. I did lose my family.
“What on earth..why am I pondering this?” I put my hand on my face. I got up and headed back home to get some rest.
“I wish I could have them back, just for one day.”
The next morning, I woke up to banging on the door.
“Louis, time to get up. You’re being lazy and y’know mum hates waiting. The last thing you want is her to kill you!” A girl’s voice seeped through the door. I felt younger than I was yesterday.
“Who are you-” I was startled by my voice. My voice was high pitched.
“Oh my lord jesus what happened to my voice!?” I covered my mouth.
“My hands!?” I shook my head. I sat up and got out of bed. Searched for a mirror until I saw myself through the reflection from my window.
“Holy-”
The girl I had heard from before opened the door slightly.
“Louis Hathermore, mum is going mad! You better have a good explanation.” She slammed the door.
“Mum? And what about this room..it looks oddly familiar..”
What year was it? I checked the calendar above my bed to see it was the year 1978. It was 30 years from the actual time I was in the other day. That made me thirteen. I sat down on my bed and tried to remember how this could’ve even happened. First, I remember getting up and dressed for the day. Then, I watched T.V but my mind kept thinking about them. Finally, I decided to take a walk to get my mind off of the subject but ran into the boy. That boy had said he’d make my wish come true did he not? And before I left I had wished for..
“It can’t be..” I murmured. Tears filled my eyes but before they fell I heard banging on the door again and this time I chose to actually listen. Oh man how I had missed my youth.
As I walked out of the room I was in, I saw her. Ten years can feel like ten centuries. It always has ever since that day. But now I got a chance to see her.
“M-Mum..” I whispered underneath my breath but somehow she had heard me.
“Yes, dear?” she replied, smiling. She was cooking breakfast while holding the youngest, Charles, in her arms. He has blonde hair, blue eyes and he is about two to three years old in this timeline. I walked up to her and poked her on the arm to make sure she was real.
“Hm?” she looked down.
“Darling, food is almost done just you gotta wait.” She said, vexed. I wasn’t that hungry but she wouldn’t know that anyway.
“Took your time didn’t ya?” A girl's voice throbbed in my head. I turned around.
“Of course it was you who had woken me from my slumber..” I sighed.
“What was that!?” She grabbed my ear.
“Let him go, Scarlett.” Mum called out. Scarlett started to sardonically repeat mum then stomped to her room and slammed the door. She has brown hair like me. The rest of our family only has blonde hair which has always made us question the reason behind it. Anyway, she is my fraternal twin so that part wasn’t surprising. She has green eyes and is the same age as me, which is thirteen but out of the both of us I was the older one and the oldest kid in this family.
“So, where are the other three?” I looked up at her, confused.
“School.”
For some reason this question seems familiar somehow.
“Why? Today is a Saturday.” I asked.
“All three of them got in trouble. We had this conversation yesterday over dinner, remember?”
I hesitated then laughed it off.
“Ahh..right! Sorry I forgot haha!” I forcefully smiled, slowly backing up and going into the old bathroom. I closed the door soaking my face with water then staring at myself in the mirror. Flashbacks started crawling in my mind like insects attracted to light. Remembering why this memory was so familiar. I remember now.
“This is when Scarlett..goes missing isn’t it..?” I talked to myself and started to shake.
“Correct.” A voice came from behind. It’s the boy.
“Boy, it’s you..! You’re the one who got me here right?” I asked, surprised at the sudden visit.
“Yes and call me Lawrence would you? It’s impolite to keep preferring me to that.”
“Sorry” I apologized.
“It’s not a big of a deal. But from the question you asked before, yes you’re correct.” Lawrence grinned.
My smile faded and I started to panic.
“Why would you put me on this day?”
“I fulfilled your wish. And besides you really think I am capable of choosing which day you relive?”
“Well I was expecting them to be there in my normal time set, not thirty years back!?” Angrily, I yelled.
“Nonsense! You didn’t even know your wish was going to come true. And even if you did that’s impossible. I mean think about it. Common sense. Their bodies have already rotted, only bones are left.” He giggled.
“Sorry but I gotta go. Enjoy your stay, Louis. well bye-bye!” He waved and left through the window. I stayed quiet. I didn’t want to go through this hell again. I mustn’t let her leave this household. I left the bathroom and headed down the hall to Scarlett’s room.
“Hey..” I knocked on the door gently.
“I’m sorry for what I had said. I didn’t mean any harm, honest.” She opened the door.
“Come in then.” Silently, I walked in her room. Out of us two she was the most responsible. Her room was always spotless, her bed was always made and she had always done most of the chores.
“Louis..will you tell mum if I head out? I’m seeing a friend.” Scarlett quietly whispered as her face was also turning a bright red.
“Scarlett I don’t think you should–” I stopped talking as she started to tear up.
“Please brother! You never do anything, at least do this for me! At least once please!” She pleaded. But I remember having the same conversation back then. At that time I had let myself give in. But this time I will make sure Scarlett stays safe.
“Scarlett, I don't think it’s a good idea. Both me and you would get punished if you leave. I promise to make it up to you okay? Now stop your crying.” I wiped her tears and hugged her.
“What’s up with you today? You've never been this uh–touchy?” She asked, concerned. I laughed.
“Touchy huh? Well I suppose I did have a bad dream last night.” I replied, grinning sadly.
“Huh? Do you want to talk about it?” She moved away from our hug, still sniffling, But I ignored her question.
“I bet I can make you laugh.” I shoulder bumped her.
“Oh yeah? Give it your best shot”
“Remember that time when we all went to that festival and you laughed so hard water came out of your mouth and nose?” We both looked at each other with a smirk. But hers started to go away.
“But in all seriousness Louis, are you sure you don’t want to talk about your dream?”
“I’m fine, really.” I gave her a reassuring smile.
“Now, let’s go to mum and help her with supper” I told her while getting up. However, she looked down and stayed in place.
“Scarlett?”
“You go on. I’m going to stay here if that’s alright with you, Louis.” Looking up she had dreary eyes and a frown. I had almost forgotten about this whole conversation and what it was about. She wanted to see a “friend” and I told her not to. I can tell she’s upset but I just can’t afford her to leave. I can’t go through this trauma again.
“Okay, you can stay here. I’ll come check up on you later”
“Much appreciated”
When I left the room I looked back with absolute bother on my face, then I took a deep breath and shut the door. I headed into my room to plop onto my bed. I stared at the ceiling full of dents for another five minutes. Sighing, I got back up and went to help mum with dinner. Thirty minutes passed and I called for Scarlett because supper was ready.
“Scarlett!” I yelled. I walked up to her door and pounded onto it.
“Scarlett, you've been sulking in your room for about an hour now. Supper is ready.” I grabbed the handle and slammed the door open.
“Scarlett stop ignoring-” She wasn’t inside. Her clothes were all over the floor and the window was open.
“Mum, we have a problem!”
Chapter 1
“Ten days”
We rushed and looked all around for Scarlett but we couldn’t find her anywhere.
My mom was panicking as she would and I was stressing that we wouldn’t find her. This didn’t happen, no this is different from thirty years ago. Last time she went with a so-called friend that we had no clue who it was and she never returned home. This time she ran away. Nervously, mum and I went to go grab my other three siblings from their school and we explained the situation.
“Why isn't father here?” Iran asked, the third oldest in our family. He has green eyes and blonde hair.
“Yeah, I don’t understand. We go to school because we got in trouble and now Scarlett is missing?” Jasper joined in, the second youngest.
“Listen boy’s, I’m as clueless as the rest of you. Now, please just stay quiet.” Mum anxiously said while driving our way back home.
“This is all my fault..If I hadn’t told her not to go or left her in her room she would’ve never ran away..!” I snap, hiding my face and the tears.
“Louis chin up and stop your pouting. Boy’s don’t cry, understand?”
“Understood.” I responded. But she hadn’t a clue that thirty years ago was also indeed my fault. How can I not be upset? Either way the story will probably be the same now. Mother will lose her sanity, overdosing. Father never returns home. And I’ll lose Iran, Jasper, Charlie and Liam
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-from Child Protective Services just like thirty years ago. I’ll have to see this once again, all the memories I’ve tried to forget but wouldn’t. How can I change history like before? How can I save Scarlett and my family?
“You can’t” A voice pounded in my head.
“You can never change what happens to your family. It’s impossible.”
“And so what if it is? I’ll find a way somehow. I will save her and the rest of them!?” I yelled back with the urge to cry. The voice was silent but throbbed in my head even more.
“Enough. Stop thinking such foolish thoughts. No one can. Not even God himself can change the past but only look up for the future ahead. It’s how we’re made.” The voice sounded both loud but distant.
“Oh yeah? Well that surly explains how my sister went from getting kidnapped to running away doesn’t it? Explain to me how that was ‘impossible’. I will find a way to save her and you can’t convince me otherwise.”
“So that’s what you proclaim is it? That’s what you’re set up on doing? Very well,” The voice began to laugh.
“You got ten days. If you can find your sister by then, save your family and make them live then maybe then you can convince me that even not the brightest people could change their fate.”
“Ten days? I will take on that challenge.” I requisitioned, smirking.
“We’re here” Mum interrupted my thoughts. “Now go inside and don’t leave.”
My other siblings went inside.
“Louis? Go with your siblings.”
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“I’m staying.”
“Listen to your mother, Louis. Don’t make me get up and throw you in there!?”
“I’m going!”
“You’re not going with me. Get inside. Also explain to Nanny Marila what’s going on.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
‘No!”
“Louis!” Her face was filled with rage.
“What now!?” She stayed quiet then sighed.
“Fine, you can stay on one condition.”
“That is?”
“Don’t leave my side. Understood?”
“Yes, mum.” I rolled my eyes. Mum turned around and started the car again.
Ten days I got. Ten days to find my sister and save my family. Only so much to do in such a brief time. Even so I will find her and fix this. We headed to a nearby park to start looking for Scarlett. Before, mum tried to file a police report but they were too busy. So much for relying on them for our safety.
“Start looking over there while I look over here.” Mum said, while pointing the opposite direction where she was standing.
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“Got it.” I started to head over to the direction she was pointing to. I checked under the slide for any clues, same with the seesaw but I couldn’t find one thing that was Scarletts. If I was Scarlett, where would I run off to?
Chapter Two
“The mysterious boy. ”
[Scarlett]
“They don’t ever listen! Especially Louis. He acts all tough but on the inside he is a ruthless, rude and insignificant child who only cares for attention!” I ran faster.
“I hate him; I hate everyone!” Distracted from anger, I bumped into a boy. He was wearing some white but dirt stained pants and a brown coat.
“Well pardon me. Are you alright?” The boy offered his hand to help me up.
“I’m quite flattered for you trying to help me up, but still don’t do that to a stranger you just met and certainly one who is the one who had bumped into you.” I got up, whipping the dirt and dust off. There was something off about this boy. He was a bit…eerie?
“I’ll keep that in mind but you remind me of a person I know. His name is Louis, Do you perhaps know him by any chance?” The boy's odd smile turned into a grin.
“Sorry, but I must go,” My voice got shaky.
“So I see. You must not like Louis. Well I apologize for bringing him up into our conversation.”
“It doesn't matter. Much obliged that you offered help and I’m sorry for bumping into you but I do need to get going.” I picked up my bag filled with my clothes.
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“It seems that you’re in a hurry. You sure you don’t need me to walk you to your next destination? People around here are not the best to trust in.” He asked with the kind of curiosity that made me quiver.
“That’s exactly why I’ll be fine, thank you. Goodbye now.” I walked past him as we both made eye contact.
“Wait!” He called out. I picked up my pace as I saw he was right behind me. I tried to lose him but he knew every turn I’d take. Out of breath, I just chose to stop.
“Why must you keep following me?” I threw down my stuff and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
“Please, calm yourself. I wasn’t doing it to make you feel uncomfortable. A random guy was creeping behind you and I felt the need to act as your guard.”
“Yeah, as if! That guy couldn’t possibly be you? I would say it is seeing how much of a total creep you are turning out to be.” I gruffled.
“How am I the creep?”
“For starters, you first offer your hand to a stranger, not saying I didn’t feel thankful for your consideration, but not normal people would do such a thing. And more importantly to one who had bumped into them. Secondly, you stated you knew my brother, which of course totally doesn’t sound a bit odd knowing he doesn’t go to school nor is he good at socializing with other people, however it turns out you knew him. Lastly, you wanted to take me to the next place I am going. I even gave my answer no when you asked and you still followed me without condoning righteous thoughts when you as well picked up your pace. Now look where we are.”
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“You’re just making it sound like I’m the bad guy.”
“You are!”
“Am not. Like I had said before, I was simply protecting you from someone.”
I sighed and let him go.
“It isn’t worth the argument. We’re both just drawing attention to ourselves.” I opened my bag and grabbed some money.
“Take this and leave me alone.” I handed him thirty dollars.
“No thanks.” He handed it back.
“See!? You are psycho! Anyone and I mean anyone would take up this much money in an instant.”
“I am not psycho. I don’t find it pleasant to take money from a stranger. It might be fake.”
“But you’re somehow fine with acquainting a stranger when they’re being followed?”
“Yes”
“Yup, a psycho.” I crossed my arms but smiled a bit. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as I thought but that doesn’t make me trust him.
“You can take me to my next stop which is the train station. But be warned I know how to take you down if you do anything funny.”
“How would you do that?” He asked.
“Why would I tell you? You’d know my secret weapon and how to stop me from doing it.”
“Reasonable enough I suppose. Let's head to the train station then.”
“Indeed. I’d hate to be late.”
Chapter Three
“The Incident.”
[Louis]
I have no clue what is in her mind. What she’s thinking right now or why she left. I do know she most definitely planned this if I gave her that answer. All of this is my fault.
“Louis, any Luck at all?” Mum called out.
“No none.” I yelled back.
“Maybe she returned home. Or she ran to your fathers office at work?”
“No, she wouldn’t. She had always talked about running away though I never thought she’d actually do it. And let’s not forget that the last place she’d go is to fathers work..” I clenched my fists in the thought that I could’ve talked her out of it. I sat down on the grass and tried to think. Were there any clues at all? Did she ever speak of where she wanted to go? Wait..
“Didn’t she always say she wanted to go to France? One way to get there is the train station.”
“Get in the car. We’re going there.”
[Scarlett]
“So that’s the reason behind why you ran?” The little boy remarked.
“It is. They’re always seeking approval, attention, while I’m over here not giving a care in the world.”
“Y’know..your brother cares for you and your family more than you believe.”
“What do you know about him?”
“I know everything” He grabbed my hands.
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“More than even he knows. He’s probably searching for you right now.”
“I doubt it.” I pulled my hands away from his.
“Before we were even born he was the favorite twin. I was technically supposed to be a boy. Well so my father proclaims. He thought he was going to get two boys. When we were born and he realized I was female he neglected me.”
The boy was silent for a few minutes.
“So, how would he care for me if he gets everything he’s ever dreamed of? Both of our parents' attention is always on him.”
“Maybe he didn’t want that. Maybe he wanted you to notice him, you are his twin after all. Losing you would be like losing a part of himself he still yearned to learn more about. He seeks not their attention but yours.” I stopped walking. The boy's words hit me. Why did I not see that before? The obvious signs he gave to me. That doesn’t matter now though it’s too late to turn back.
“This is my train.” I said, as well as changing the subject.
“Guess this is goodbye?”
“Not quite. I’m sure we’ll meet again.” The boy put out his hand.
“Why would you think that?”
“Intuition of course. But seriously, nice to meet you. My name is Lawrence.”
“Scarlett.” I shaked his hand and hopped on the train.
“Scarlett, wait!” A voice shouted from a distance. I saw Louis.
“Louis!?”
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“Scarlett, get off!” He screamed. I couldn’t though. The doors were locked. I pounded the window calling out to him but it was too late. He quickly disappeared and I was now heading to france.
[Louis]
“Scarlett!” I called out. She was gone. I got on my knees and punched the ground.
“Well, well, well. I suppose you remember me?”
“That voice..” I looked up.
“Lawrence!?”
“Helloooo dear friend! What brings you here?” He kneeled down.
“You little..”
“I know, I am the worst. Although this is entertaining.” I got up and hit him in the face. Catching himself he felt his cheek and smirked.
“That wasn't very nice now was it?” He clenched his fists and smashed it in my gut. I fell down.
“You should be grateful I even gave you ten days.”
“That was you?” I said, surprised.
“Who else would it be?” He grinned then kicked me into the side.
“You shouldn’t start a fight if you’re not the one who will finish it.” Laughing, he looked me into the eyes.
“Only five days left. It takes a few hours to get to france. That leaves her with a few hours to hide. You have to search for her when you get there. What ever shall you do now?”
“How do you even know she is going there?” I questioned.
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“Why I know everything, Louis. Have I not told you this before?”
“Shut up!” I kicked his legs to make him lose his balance.
“Like I said I’ll get her back.”
“Heh..whatever you say.” He waved, got up then ran off. I coughed a bit of blood then sat up.
“Ugh..” I wiped my nose covered in blood.
“Did you find her, Louis?” Mum came rushing towards me.
“Oh dear..” She gasped.
“What happened here?”
“We need to get to France” I got up, ignoring her question.
[Scarlett]
I sat in the seat looking at my bag. I started to tear up. I regret running. I regret all of it.
“Miss?”
“Oh, yes?”
“Would you like a beverage?”
“No, thank you. Much obliged for the offer.”
“No problem Miss.” The lady walked away. I looked out the window and noticed my reflection. I saw my brother's face when I saw mine. I didn’t think of his actual feelings but judged him as if he was someone in the newspaper. Perhaps I am the one at fault. My eyes then caught someone else in the reflection.
“Lawrence!” I turned around.
“Miss me?”
“What are you doing here?” I asked as he sat down next to me.
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“I got on before it left. Guessing you didn’t see me?”
“No, I didn’t.” I looked down. He grabbed my hand.
“I’m glad I came with you. You look like you need some company.”
“You read me like a book.”
“Do you like to read?” He asked.
“I love to read!”
“Okay,‘If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends,” Lawrence grabbed my hand tighter.
“What?”
“It’s a love quote from Jane Eyre.”
“Oh. Never read the book before.”
“You should.”
“Maybe, I’ll consider it.” I giggled.
“As you shall,” He laughed. I’m glad he was here. I felt so alone but he is making me feel a bit of hope.
[Louis]
Mum and I headed to get the next train to France.
“Mum, I’ll go. You need to be with the other four. Don’t leave them behind!”
“They have their father and the nanny Louis.”
“He isn’t going back home..he sent me a letter.” I tilted my head away.
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“He said he’s leaving and won’t return.” I reached into my pocket with the forged letter. He never gave a letter back then. He just left. I had to forge it. My mother cried while reading the letter. She knows we can’t pay the nanny without him.
“Promise me you’ll stay safe.” She hugged me.
“I promise.” She then let me go.
“Bye dear.”
“Goodbye.”
Chapter Four
“Lawrence..”
[Louis]
I got off the train, with a map. This will certainly be difficult. Where would she go? I started to ask residents who were there if they saw her. Describing her long, nourish, beautiful brown shining hair. Her lovely eyes. But no one had seen Scarlett. That’s when I knew I needed to take matters into my own hands. I was given ten days and now only a day left.
“I will prove this to you Lawrence.”
[Scarlett]
“Here is your food miss. That’ll be six dollars please.” The waiter handed me a plate of food.
“Much appreciated thank you.” I handed him the money.
“So, now you’re in France, what's your plan?” Lawrence asked, eating a piece of bread.
“Not exactly sure but we did book a bed and breakfast so we have a place to stay. For what I’m planning? I am going to start working for people to gain a bit of money. After that I will change my name to ‘Roselena’ and start educating myself as much as possible.” I answered. He smiled and stared at me.
“You sure are a sight for sore eyes, Scarlett.” His face was a bit red.
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“Do not make this awkward Lawrence. We just met six days ago.” I got up from the chair, turning my head. He continued to smile.
“My apologies.”
“Let’s finish our meal then start by going to see our rooms.” I say, while sitting back down and shoving food in my mouth.
After twenty minutes, we left the restaurant to head for the Bed and Breakfast. Lawrence looked like he was having the time of his life.
“Lawrence, sorry if this is an impolite question but what age are you?” I asked. He looked at me then looked up at the clouds.
“It’s not impolite at all, rather I guess I forgot to mention it. Hmm let me think..”
“But why would you need to think about your age? Why shouldn’t you already know?” I look at him with concern.
“Well I never once celebrated my birthday so it is difficult to remember. I believe I am sixteen? And you?” He tilted his head towards me.
“Oh, well I am thirteen.” I sped up a bit but he also increased his speed. We stayed quiet for a brief moment then Lawrence started to talk.
“The thing you said about your brother not giving a care in the world about you. I’ve been thinking about it and I feel as if it could be true. At first, I wasn’t sure but now I know. So forget what I said before.” I stopped walking and turned to face him. He stopped walking out of surprise.
“Huh? What is it Scarlett?”
“How could you say that? What gives you the right to say that!?”
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“If he truly loved you he would’ve gotten on the train!”
“It started to move while he was far away so of course he didn’t get on the train!” I started to frown.
“Even so I got on so he could’ve. Please Scarlett I just want the best for you–”
“Best for me? I regret leaving my brother as I should’ve taken him with me. How is believing my brother doesn’t care good for me the best for me? You know, you said you knew my brother, That you knew more than even he knows about himself? Well I doubt it. First, you say that he loves me and now this? I should’ve never trusted you.” I smacked him. His eyes widened.
“Well..I see you two are the same type of person after all.” He clutches his fist and grinds his teeth.
“What a pity. I really did like you from the moment I set eyes on you. I thought it was your choice thirty years ago to leave and go with me but no? You asked him, your brother, before even leaving.”
“Thirty–what?”
He laughed and wiped his tears with his sleeve. He sloped down against a wall and pulled his head to his knees, mumbling.
I kneeled down towards him and touched his shoulder.
“Lawrence..?” I said, concerned. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable. He’d never come off to be the type of person to just break down in public. People were staring.
“Lawrence let’s head somewhere different like some place more—softer and quieter. Here people are quite noisy. Plus, the change of scenery may help calm you down..” I whispered softly. But he hadn’t looked up. More people began to look. I shook him but he still wouldn’t look up.
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“I’m sorry..alright!?” I yelled to gain his attention but it didn’t just get his, but everyone else's attention was now on me. He got up and grabbed me by the arm, taking me to a nearby alleyway. He let me go, then I faced the opposite direction and began to speak.
“The thing you said about my brother Lawrence..I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s true. You best be on your way–” He twisted my head to make us face each other.
“It doesn’t matter. Please can we not fight? I only said those things out of what I believe. There’s no way he’s looking for you right now…I just..” He paused and started to shake. I could tell he was upset still. Maybe he didn’t mean those things..
“I won’t leave if that’s what you want then.” I repeated, “I won’t leave you!”
We both stared into each other’s eyes and for a split second I could’ve sworn I saw a tear in his. He started to speak but he was rudely interrupted by a yell from a distance. As we both looked towards the direction of where it was coming from we started to make out what they were saying.
“Scar..” The voice got closer. “Scar..let..” Lawrence's eyes widened.
“Scarlett?” I questioned.
“Wait, is that really..” Lawrence started to walk closer to them.
[Louis]
“I found you!” I ran towards her with open arms. I saw both Lawrence and her. But with no warning Lawrence ran back to Scarlett, grabbed her arm and started running. I heard my sister scream and struggle to free herself but she couldn’t manage to free herself from his grip. It made me go mad. What was his plan? Why is he doing this? Who is he really..? I wondered…
“Let her go!”
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“I won’t” He yelled, tightly holding her arm.
“I will never and I mean ever leave her!”
“Let me go! What’s gotten into you..!?” Scarlett called out.
He took off and I ran after them.
“Why are you so eager to be with my sister? Why are you so desperate to spend time with her and have me not find her!?” I questioned, out of thought he answered back yelling,
“Because I know everything..” He continued, “Because I know if you take her with you then your future will change and that shows I wasn’t..” He didn’t finish his sentence because Scarlett got loose and fell. He looked back, tears within his eyes and stood there.
“Scarlett come on-” He reached out his hand but she smacked it with full on rage.
“If you knew everything then why did you grab me without consulting me first. If you knew everything like you say you do then you would’ve known that hurt both physically and emotionally, Lawrence..!” She sat as she moped.
“It just is not fair!” His tears began to fall.
“And what is that!? It’s not fair she is not going by your rules. Not fair she is calling you out on the truth!?” I jumped in without any conclusion of the argument.
“No, No, No, that’s not it!” He pleaded.
“Then what is it!? Because since this morning I’ve been playing your little game and have had enough of this nonsense. When will you learn that life is not fair–”
“If you can change the future then why can't I!?” He fell on his knees in tears. “If you, a useless depressed old man, can change the future then why couldn’t I change it!? I was given years to
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-and yet no result. But then I give you ten days..TEN days and with only two hours you change your fate..”
Scarlett, confused from all of this, got up and looked at me with concern.
“What does he mean, Louis?” She asked me. I couldn’t help but not answer and look at her dumbfounded.
“Louis!” She repeated, “Answer me!”
“Just shut up!?” I screamed at her.
Chapter five
“The Mistaken Truth Within Fate.”
(Last and final chapter)
[Louis]
She looked at me then looked at Lawrence concerned, but I on the other hand was wondering what he had meant. So he had done this for a test? To see if someone like me could change my fate I would assume but even doing so he didn’t like the outcome?
“I’m sorry to both of you, Louis and Scarlett” He looked up as it started to rain.
“I just thought you wouldn’t be able to change fate like me Louis..but it seems I thought wrong. Therefore, I tried to take advantage of that..”
“But one thing doesn’t make sense at all..” He gave a curious face as I said my remark.
“Why give me ten days if you had a feeling I would find her? Not just end it there?”
He stayed silent for a moment.
“I was given ten days to change mine, Louis. That is the reason.” He stood up.
“You said you were given years though?”
“Yes, that is what I said. What I meant by it is I am reminded every year of my painful past. That was the deal I made with my wish giver. ‘If you can change your fate young man then you will live an eternal happy life. However, if you can’t withhold this promise to change your past life and it stays the same as before then you shall live in an eternal hell of those memories forever..’ He told me. He gave me ten days and I couldn’t stop my brother from hurting them..my family!”
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I was baffled. What a tragic story to be told. And his brother of all people is the person who murdered his family? What unmistakable bloodshed!? But that doesn’t excuse the things he had done. I sighed and walked over to him.
“I am sorry for you but you still do know this isn’t the best way of coping. At least you were given a chance to save them. Now you know if you’re ever given the chance to do it once more..then you’ll have courage to do it right.” I hugged him for comfort. He is just a dumb kid I suppose. He smiled and hugged me back.
“Enjoy this happy life..” He gave us both a smile then disappeared within my arms.
I woke up, in my normal bed, but with tears in my eyes. It was all just a dream..but a very extravagant one. That boy, Lawrence, taught me something. I realized there is no such thing as a “Broken Family”. I used to not accept it. Them being gone. But now I know they’re in my heart. That broken wish was not because of Lawrence, but not spending the time I should have with them. You never realize how important family is until they’re gone…
