Eden's Children

by Sandy Johnson

  “Are u looking forward to Christmas?” She asked. Nope she didn’t notice.

  “Well not usually but this year I am. I get to spend it with you.”

  Wow that was way to soppy. What was this girl doing to me? I mean sister, although I couldn’t look at her that way. I figured it was because when I first saw her she was just another girl.

  “Yes, me too. I’ve never had a brother before. It was always me and mom, and now I have a whole family to spend it with.” I could hear the pain in her voice as she said it. I knew she didn’t mean it as a dig, but it sure sounded like it.

  “You ok?” I asked.

  “Not really. It’s just so hard not knowing what happened to her. I almost wished they come after me so at least I could find out if she’s alive or dead.” She said.

  “Don’t say that Evelyn. She wouldn’t want that for you” I told her. Then she spoke about mom and dad like it was some tragic love story. She walked over to the window and I followed close behind. She was looking down at the orchids. I didn’t know where the little one came from. I guess that’s another thing we had in common. I moved my hand around her waist and pulled her back slightly. “Maybe she didn’t want to move on because she loved him so much, but they loved us more and did what they thought was best for us.” I whispered into her ear as her scent filled my mind. This was exactly what I dreamt of every night, and I did now what I did in my dreams. I held her wrist in my hand and held her finger up to the bud. I rested my forehead in her neck. She smelled like roses. I wanted to claim her as mine. As I touched her finger to the bud, I softly kissed her shoulder and poured all my love for her into that one kiss. When I looked the orchid was fully grown and brilliantly white with flecks of blue. I heard her gasp and I realised what I’d done and what I was doing.

  I let her go and I left. I needed air, I walked down the stairs.

  “Aiden is that you?” I could hear Pete in the kitchen. I walked in to face him, but I was dripping of shame and he knew something was wrong.

  “I’m just going out for a run.” I said putting my sneakers on.

  “Aiden its 11.45 at night.” He said concerned.

  “I need space!” I snapped.

  “I understand Aiden but please be careful out there” He said.

  “You’re not my dad. I don’t need you hassling me!” I shouted at him. I saw the pain on his face. “I’m really sorry Pete you’ve been a great dad to me. I’m just overwhelmed and confused at the moment and you know I can take care of myself.” I felt even worse now. What was happening to me!

  “You are our son. We will always worry about you and Jake and Evelyn.” He said. Then it dawned on me. What if they found out I had feelings for Evelyn? I’d probably be thrown out.

  Chapter 11

  Aiden

  Sarah and Pete didn’t care for me like they cared for Jake and it wasn’t their fault. I’d always been independent. I’d learned over the years that I could look after myself, but Jake got in lots of fights, which he usually lost. I had to step in before he got really hurt. His problem was that he’s a natural flirt and he got on the wrong side of a lot of guys in school. Sarah was pulled into the office often to see him with a black eye or bleeding nose, me next to him without a scratch, and another boy or boys opposite me with the same black eyes and bloody noses. Sarah thought for a while it was me beating him up and Jake covering for me, but the teachers could see it happening most of the time. They would ask me why I do it and I’d tell them he’s my brother and my friend. Then they would ask me why I didn’t stop it sooner. Well the answer was simple. “He got hurt when I wasn’t close enough to stop them. You have no idea how many times I’ve saved Jakes arse.” And yes, I said those exact words. I was 9 at the time and this was the 14th time we had been in the office, but probably the 100th time he’d been targeted by the bullies. I wasn’t big. I was quite little then, but size didn’t matter. I was fast, and I vouched I’d be strong! If those men came for me I’d be ready, and I wouldn’t have anyone holding me down. God, I missed my dad, and somehow, I knew if he was here he would be able to help me deal with all this. He wouldn’t think I’m disgusting or depraved. He would know how to help. How to help both of us.

  When I got outside it was cold and refreshing. I took off through the woods as this is where I felt free. I must have run for hours. I only stopped to look around when I heard something crying, but as I went towards the noise I saw a fox was eating a Hare. I walked up right in front of the fox, but he didn’t move. They never did. It was like I was invisible to them. I even stroked the foxes back as it continued to eat. The hare was already dead. I couldn’t save it. Then I heard the noises again. I followed them and found a den type hole with three little white baby hares. I had never seen these hares in the wild here before. I sat down next to the den and they jumped up into my lap. The fox looked over a few times but never came to take them. Guess I’m not as invisible as I thought. I sat with the leverets in my lap for a while. The fox was long gone with his meal. The hare was male and didn’t look like the ones in my lap. I knew they usually fend for themselves by now, so I popped them back in their little den and started the run home.

  It was morning when I got back. I walked through the kitchen to get a drink. I grabbed a bottle and turned around. Jake was sitting at the table eating breakfast, I didn’t even notice him when I came in. He looked at me.

  “Where the hell were you?” He asked confused, probably because I was covered in sweat, mud and leaves and probably white fur.

  “Oh, I was just petting some bunnies.” I said it with a straight face and he looked at me the same way, then we both started laughing.

  “Idiot. No really, where were you?” He asked again.

  “I was running in the woods and I stopped to pet bunnies. Oh, and a fox that was eating a bunny.” I said. It even sounded confusing to me. Jake just shook his head

  “Aint getting no sense out of you.” He said. Evelyn walked in then. She looked stunning as always. It made me feel happy seeing her face.

  “What happened to you?” She asked looking me up and down, and before I had time to answer Jake did.

  “He was petting wee bunnies in the woods. You need to watch out for this one, he does weird things like that. Then again you’re pretty weird yourself.” He got up then and left the table.

  Evelyn watched him with a confused expression on her face then looked back at me with the same expression. “So, you pet bunnies in the woods now? And you need a shower.”

  I looked down at myself. Yeah, she was right.

  “Want to come with me?” I asked. Her eyes widened. Then it hit me. “No, I mean the woods not the shower.” I laughed nervously. Wow that was bad.

  She came over and looked me up and down.

  “Why are you covered in mud? I sometimes think your just pulling my leg. You tell me the weirdest stuff, but I still believe you.” She was laughing at herself now.

  “That’s because I wouldn’t lie to you.” And I meant it.

  After I had showered I was making my way downstairs and could hear an argument. I could feel Evelyn’s anger from upstairs. I didn’t worry about it as I thought she was angry at me for my remark earlier about the shower. Which was an accident, but this was between her and Sarah. As I reached the bottom step I noticed Pete and Jake had retreated and were hiding in the kitchen looking worried.

  “I wouldn’t go in there if I was you.” Pete said to me.

  “Yeah, she’s scary when she wants to be.” Jake said with wide eyes.

  “Who? Sarah?” I asked. This was weird. I hadn’t seen them like this before.

  “Nah dude its Evelyn. She looks crazy.” Jake replied. I was worried now. I walked straight into the lounge.

  “Evelyn I’m sorry but I can’t let you go. It’s too dangerous. We don’t know if they’re still looking for you! You’d be putting yourself and everyone at risk.” Sarah said to her.

  Evelyn was irate. “You can’t keep me here! I’m going w
hether you like it or not. I’m not a prisoner and I’m not your daughter. I’ll be out faster than you can blink if you try and stop me!”

  “I can stop you, and I will even if I have to call the police to drag you back here. You’re in my care you’ll do as I say.” Sarah said.

  She looked at me now with a ‘get the hell out while you still can’ expression. When I looked at Evelyn she seemed to be in a rage. She didn’t even notice I was standing there. You could feel the danger pouring off her. I could see why everyone looked scared. She looked like she was going to explode and blow up the house. I walked up behind her and wrapped both my arms around her chest.

  “Sshhh its ok.” I whispered into her ear. She immediately slumped into me crying. I turned her around and pulled her into me. Her face was against my chest. I moved my arm, so her face was hidden. I knew she was embarrassed. I could feel everybody’s eyes on me. I looked at them and waited. They knew this wasn’t normal, the effect we had on each other. I took her to the bathroom and sat her on the toilet. I got some tissues and started wiping away her tears. Her eyes were so bright now it was almost like they were glowing.

  “You have such beautiful eyes.” I said, but I didn’t mean to say it. There was a knock on the door, so I opened it a little and Sarah was outside.

  “Is she ok?” She asked.

  “She will be, but she’s still quite upset.” I told her.

  “Ok we’re going into town now. To give you both some space, but we’ll be back later, do you want anything?” She asked.

  “No, I’m good thank you” I said.

  She turned away and I shut the door again. Evelyn still hadn’t moved. I waited until I heard them go out the door, and then I took Evelyn’s hand and brought her downstairs. I took her over to the couch and sat down. I pulled her down with me and laid her head on my chest. Within a few minutes she had stopped crying as I stroked her hair. I didn’t want her to be sad. Then I felt her body relax and her head drifted down as she fell into a deep sleep. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. This position wasn’t very comfortable, but I was exhausted and within minutes I was asleep.

  When I woke up the house was dark, we had been asleep all day. I could feel Evelyn asleep in my lap with her face to close to where it shouldn’t be. I shifted slightly so she was on my leg. As I stroked her hair she was starting to awaken. She sat up and looked at me.

  “Are you feeling better?” I asked her. She nodded in response. “What happened?” She looked around the room to see if anyone else was here.

  “I wanted to go home for a few days at Christmas. I would have stayed with Caitlin, but Sarah told me it was too dangerous, and I couldn’t go. I don’t know why I got so angry. I understood. I just miss her so much. So, I asked if we could go to Michigan instead. My mom owns a cabin by a lake. We went there often for holidays. Its surrounded by trees with no other people nearby. Somewhere I could be free. Mom use to say it was our Eden. After I met Caitlin she would come up there with me. We had the best times there.” She was staring at the wall saying this I knew it was hard for her.

  “I’m sure we can work something out, so you can see Caitlin.” I assured her.

  She turned and hugged me, and I held her tight. I knew she wasn’t angry anymore. She pulled away slightly and looked at me. I watched as her eyes darted from my eyes to my mouth and back again. My stomach dropped. It always turned me on like this when she was so close. I could even kiss her right now and she would let me because she needed to feel wanted. I smiled at her and moved away.

  “Right little sis we need to find out where everyone is.” I said standing up. I could feel her disappointment, but I knew when she was feeling better she’d be happy I had backed off.

  “Why do u call me little sis?” She asked. “Were the same age.”

  “I’m not sure, I thought I was born first so your technically younger.” I replied. She was smiling now.

  “You’re an idiot.” She said behind muffled laughs.

  “Oh, am I?” I countered.

  I walked over to her looking as menacing as I could. She got up to run, but I grabbed her and started tickling her. She squealed so loudly. I loved the fact she was ticklish. She had gone red in the face, but I had to stop when it became a little too close, so I stood up.

  “Wanker.” She said then punched my arm.

  This was fun. I don’t think we’ve ever mucked around before. Not in that way. I loved it when she called me names. She said them with real passion, and I knew she meant it. She didn’t like the way I made her feel either.

  “Wow its 7 o’clock where is everybody?” I was asking myself.

  “I’m never going sleep tonight.” She said.

  She was still a bit dazed I think, but now I’m worried. I looked around and I could see our house phone blinking with a voicemail. I walked over to the phone and played the voicemail. It was Sarah.

  “Aiden? Aiden please pickup! Its Jake. We have been in an accident. We’re on our way to the hospital. Meet us there.”

  My blood turned cold. Evelyn rushed over to me.

  “We have to go.” She said pulling me towards the door.

  I didn’t move. How could this have happened? I was sleeping while they were in a car crash! I looked down at her and snapped out of my trance. We ran out the door and to the garage.

  “Can you drive?” She asked me.

  Well I could drive, but I usually didn’t. I had a car, but it was a pile of junk. I took her over to the Volvo and put her in the passenger seat doing up seat belt. As I clicked in the seat belt I realised that what I was doing was weird. I looked up at her surprised face.

  “Sorry I’m not with it at the moment.” I muttered and closed her door.

  I jumped in the driver seat and turned the key. Thankfully it roared to life. I was speeding, but I needed to get there. I felt Evelyn put her hand on my leg and squeezed it. I knew she was only trying to help, but it was only clouding my judgment.

  “Please stop touching me.”

  I tried to say it as nice as I could, but I could see the rejection on her face. She looked out her window and wouldn’t face me again. I tried to talk to her, but she wasn’t replying. I wish I could tell her that when she did it, it felt good and I didn’t want to feel that way now.

  I noticed the clouds were starting to rumble and saw there was a storm coming. The hospital wasn’t too far away, but I could feel the darkness coming like it was following us. When I looked at Evelyn I saw tears rolling down her cheeks in the windows reflection. I knew I should be going straight to the hospital, but I didn’t want to see her this way. I pulled over and turned to her.

  “What are you doing? We need to get to the hospital.” She squealed at me. I grabbed her hand and put it back on my leg. She tried to pull away, but I didn’t let her.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to snap. I am just worried, forgive me?” I pleaded.

  “This doesn’t matter right now.” She snapped.

  “You mean more to me than anything else on this planet. I’m not leaving till you forgive me.” I said, and I meant it.

  “Ok I forgive you. Idiot.” She mumbled. She looked mad, but I was smiling. I pulled back onto the road. I felt much calmer now. In the end I needed her. She was my other half. I was just worried about how much power she had over my emotions.

  When we got to the hospital I walked around to open her door and I took her hand in mine. Luckily the storm had eased off. We walked through A&E and up to the front desk.

  “I’m Aiden Tellus. I think my family are here, they were in a car accident.” I said.

  “Ok let me check. What are their names?” She asked.

  “Jake, Sarah and Pete Andrews”

  “Yes, they are here, if you could take a seat someone will be out for you.” She said pointing over to the waiting area.

  We walked over and sat down. Evelyn leaned into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her head. I thought that might look at bit weird, but I didn
’t care. As we waited another patient, an elderly lady was smiling at us.

  “Pretty one she is, hang on to her.” She said very sweetly, but I could tell Evelyn was a little uncomfortable by this remark. She tried to pull away, but I didn’t let her.

  “She’s actually my twin sister and I would never let her go.” My heart was soaring when I said those words.

  “Aw well it’s nice to see and brother and sister be so close.” She said then turned around. Yeah, a lot closer than you think I thought to myself.

  “Aiden Tellus?” I looked up and saw a doctor waiting. We walked over to him.

  “Yes, that’s me, where’s Jake?” I asked eagerly.

  “Jake is unconscious at the moment. I’ll take you to your mom and dad and explain more then. This is Evelyn Terratellus?” He asked, a little confused at our surnames.

  “I am” She said.

  The doctor led us down a few wards and finally we reached them. Sarah and Pete were both in a hospital bed in a shared room. They were covered in cuts and bruises and Pete had a cast on his arm, but they looked ok. I walked over and hugged Sarah.

  “What happened? I asked.

  Pete answered. “We were in town getting a few last bits. When we were finished we got in the car and there was a black car behind us. When we pulled off he did as well, then every turn we took he took the same. We got worried it might be someone looking for you both. We knew the day may come so we didn’t go home. We drove around for an hour. I guess he was waiting to see where we lived, so I pulled onto the highway and tried to lose him. When he knew we were giving him the run around he started speeding up and driving erratically. He slammed straight into the side of us and we both came off the road and down a steep slope. We were upside down and when I looked back Jake was unconscious and his head was bleeding.” Pete was sobbing now. “I tried to keep us safe and I almost killed him.” He cried as Sarah held onto him.

  “Where is he?” Evelyn asked.

  “He’s in a private room. We’re waiting for the doctor to speak to us.” Sarah said gently. Lucky for them they hadn’t had the worst of it, at least they were awake. I couldn’t imagine what they were feeling. The doctor came in then.