Misplaced Fate of Twins

After I died, everyone realized the countdown above my sister's head was mine. Everyone in the pack could. see the death mark above my sister's head; they all knew she would die on her 20th birthday. We were twins, wearing the same face, and yet only she had that countdown hanging over her. So Stella became the most precious person in our household. The good snacks were hers, the pretty dresses were hers, even the bedtime stories Mom and Dad told belonged to her. I pitied her. And I resented her for having all of it. Then, her 20th birthday finally arrived. Afraid I would cause trouble, my parents locked me in the storage room. They had forgotten I'd been sick for a week. Mom, let me out, my head really hurts. That's enough, your sister is dying today. Can't you manage for just one day? But I feel terrible Outside. the entire pack had gathered around the house, keeping silent vigil From somewhere deep in the woods came the sound of howling The clan sending Stella off In the storage room, my wolf was fading with me.

Have you already forgotten what happened on your 18th birthday? Stella's 18th birthday was the day our family, against all habit, splurged on a cream cake. Mom had lit the candles with careful, trembling hands. Dad held up the old camera he'd had for years, trying to capture one of the few birthdays Stella would ever have. I watched from behind the door; the candlelight caught Stella's face. She closed her eyes to make a wish. My parents blinked hard against their tears, and then I ran out. Maybe I just couldn't bear losing the one person who's always been gentle with me. I grabbed the cake and overturned it; cream smeared across the floor. I don't want to see you throwing her a birthday party. I still remember the look on my parents' faces. Stop, Dad! Stop hitting her! It's my fault, this is my fault That night. Stella crept into my room and pressed a small piece of chocolate into my palm, one she'd been saving away There was a red welt on her wrist from where a chair had caught her when she got between us. Ivy, I'm sorry, I'm going soon after that. At least there won't be anyone taking things from you anymore. and that soon was today. Stella, don't mind her. That child has been jealous of you since she could walk You know how she is. I froze I turned and drifted toward Stella, reaching out to take her hand I wanted to tell her I really was sick My head really did hurt But my hand passed straight through her body So I was already dead.

My body went suddenly weightless. Through the old wooden door, I could see the warm glow of the living room lights. Mom and Dad were pressed close to Stella on the couch. Mom, Dad, is Ivy really okay? I heard her say her head hurt. Don't worry about her. Exactly. She's not really sick. She's just putting it on for sympathy. Stella pressed her lips together and said nothing more. But the crease in her brow only deepened. I knew she'd always felt she owed me something. For as long as either of us could remember, every bit of warmth in that house had been piled onto her. We were born on the same day, but we might as well have grown up in two different worlds. I had to watch and wait even for a bowl of hot vegetable soup, let alone new clothes or new toys. I was an adult now, but as thin as a 15yearold. But Stella would always sneak her snacks and new clothes to me. Whenever mom and dad came down on me, she was always the first one to step in. She always. said, Ivy, I'm sorry. It's because of me that you get treated this way. But our parents saw it differently. Right now, in fact, mom was busy soothing Stella. Don't keep making excuses for her. Have you already forgotten what happened on your 18th birthday?

I was already dead, staring dumbly at my own transparent fingers. The storage room door was still shut, and I saw myself curled among the clutter inside. My death had come before Stella's countdown. Memory came flooding back when I was very small, before I knew the countdown to Stella's death had already begun. I had truly hated her. There was only one piece of candy in the house; it was Stella's. The only apple got sliced in twothe bigger half for Stella, the smaller for me. New clothes always went to Stella first. By the time they reached me, they were worn thin and patched over patches. Bedtime stories too. Hers. I would crouch outside the door with my arms around my knees. Why couldn't they read one to me too? One summer when I was five, a neighbor brought over a chicken. At dinner, Mom carefully lifted both drumsticks and placed them in Stella's bowl. "Eat up, Stella, you need to keep your strength up. " I stared down at my plate of plain pasta and a few limp spears of asparagus. The tears came before I could stop them. Why does Stella get both drumsticks I want some too, want two Ivy, what is wrong with you?

Why does Stella get both drum things? I want some too! I want some too! Ivy, what is wrong with you? Don't you know Stella isn't well? Don't you. Don't you know. Stella? I didn't know. All I knew was that Stella's face was always pale. Why don't you just die? Get me back all my things! Let her learn, let her understand what she can and cannot say. 15 more years. The next morning, I eavesdropped on my parents talking. I know. Mom's voice was wet with crying. That was the moment I understood Stella was really going to die, that number above her head, visible to every wolf in the pack, was her death mark, now Mom and Dad guided. Stella back to her room. Maybe, maybe we should let Ivy out, let her wait a little longer. After Stella goes, we'll make it up to her. we will. He walked to the kitchen, took a small piece of bread from the cupboard and carried it toward where I was.

Ivy. here eat something, don't let yourself go hungry. Dad, I'm right here, I'm dead, please go inside and check. on me, Ivy. I reached out to touch his face. Fine, still pouting, just stay in there a bit longer and stop making a fuss once Stella's gone, Dad will make it up to you. I promise. It's all right, Dad. You don't need to make anything up to me. You never will get the chance. Then came a faint sound from the living room. I wanted to see Stella. Stella's resting in her room, come sit down, I'll go get her, no, no, let her rest. Where's Ivy?