Paranormal Twins: The New Beginning

Lauri and Sierra packed for travel and helped Rachelle and I as well. She bought us new clothes, bags, and other necessities. I kept telling her that we were fine, we didn’t need anything, but Lauri wasn’t going to listen to me.

“I’m not going to let you go somewhere with one outfit that you stole and nothing else. Don’t worry about money- we have a lot saved up for emergencies.” I told her I didn’t think we were a cause for an emergency, but Lauri wouldn’t change her mind. Sierra told me that nothing I said would stop her, so I, reluctantly, stopped fighting it.

A week after we were brought to Lauri’s doorstep, we were leaving. We piled into Lauri’s Jeep, our luggage squeezed in the very back.

Sierra helped Rachelle set up her portable DVD player. I leaned over and saw she was planning on watching Cinderella. I smiled. She loved Disney movies- she would never grow out of them.

I poked her shoulder and she glanced at me. I pointed to her ear, where an ear bud was resting, then pointed to myself. She took one out and gave it to me. I smiled and put it in, listening to Cinderella sing about dreams and love. I leaned my head against the back of the seat and closed my eyes. If I concentrated, I could almost imagine that this was a family road trip. As if my family ever had one.

But it was nice to imagine a real family, even for a little while.

When we drove out of the city Lauri asked us if we were hungry. We all simultaneously groaned.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” Lauri mumbled, rolling her eyes and taking an exit off the interstate. “We still have about an hour before we reach the airport. Let’s just go somewhere quick and easy. Suggestions?” Lauri looked at Rachelle and me in the mirror before looking back at the road.

Rachelle bit her lip and hesitated before answering. “Arby’s?” She asked. I smiled- that was her favorite fast food place when she was 7. Back when our dad had a decent job and our mom didn’t drown her sorrows in liquor.

Lauri nodded. ”We can do Arby’s. Actually, I saw a sign that said it was close by.” She took a few turns and there it was, Arby’s. She pulled into the parking lot and we went inside.

Rachelle and Sierra went to the bathroom while Lauri and I ordered food. I ordered Rachelle’s favorite, chicken nuggets with a Dr. Pepper. I got myself spicy chicken with sweet tea. Lauri ordered for herself and Sierra with a Pepsi and a “special A plus,” whatever that was. She also ordered a “special O minus.”

I didn’t understand what that was supposed to mean, but apparently, the cashier guy did because he didn’t question it. Lauri asked me to find a table while she waited for the food. Rachelle and Sierra came out of the bathroom and found me at the table.

Once Lauri came back we all reached for our food like hyenas lunging at their prey. “Calm down, calm down, the food isn’t going anywhere, please, one at a time, thank you.” She shooed us away and set the tray down, handing out everyone’s drink. Lauri handed me an extra drink and I shook my head.

“I just ordered my sweet tea,” I said. Lauri nodded.

“I know, but planes don’t serve this. This should tide you over until you get to the facility.” I looked confused before taking a sip. I recognized it as blood. It was more bitter than it was back at their house, which I liked.

“How did you order this?” I asked. “Is there a secret conspiracy of Vampires that run Arby’s or something?”

Sierra laughed and Lauri shook her head, a grin creeping onto her face. “Most places serve blood. You just need to know the correct way to order it. Most waiters don’t even know that are selling blood. They’re just taught that there are certain drinks that are not on the menu that people may order and they need to give them that. You should usually do it in places you know, because you don’t want to confuse yourself if a place doesn’t serve it.”

I took another sip of the blood. I asked why it tasted different than at Lauri’s.

“It’s a different type. My favorite is A+, so that’s generally the only type we keep at home. It’s sweet and thick. I love it.” Sierra said, emphasizing that with taking a big drink out of her cup.

Lauri nodded. “I wanted you to try a few different kinds since everyone has their own preference. Do you like that kind?” I nodded.

“It’s good. It’s not super thick and it has almost a… Bitter taste to it.” I took another sip before I started eating my sandwich.

Sierra smiled. “Positive blood is sweet while negative blood is bitter. I think positive is better so even if I can’t have A, I always try to get positive.”

I looked over at Rachelle. She was being very careful with each bite of her food. I bit my lip and rubbed her back. She looked up at me quickly. Our eyes met and she smiled. I smiled back, but I felt bad for her. Even though we both got pushed into this type of life, she was normal. She shouldn’t have to be here, listening to this conversation. She should be at school, hanging with her friends and talking about her crushes.

Arby’s ended up getting crowded, so we stopped talking about blood and Vampires in case eavesdroppers were trying to listen in. We quickly finished eating and got into the car.

“What do you mean, you aren’t coming with us?” I asked, shocked and angry. I can’t believe, after everything she’s done for us, she would do this.

“Exactly that. I don’t go to the facility. I haven’t been there in 10 years. Sierra’s been there many times, you’ll be fine. You don’t need me.” She kissed her daughter on the head and pushed us over to security. I looked back and saw her waving us away. I glared at her until Sierra put her arm across my shoulders.

“Don’t take it too hard.” Sierra said, pulling her luggage behind her with one arm and wrapping her other arm around my shoulders. I shook my head and sighed. “She’s doing what she thinks is right. She feels like she doesn’t have a place there anymore, not since her and my dad divorced. And you’ll have me; you aren’t going completely alone. I used to live there with my dad. I know the place like the back of my hand. You’ll be okay.”

I stayed quiet for a few seconds, taking off my shoes and putting our stuff in the plastic tubs, before finally sighing. I wasn’t happy, but I can understand where Sierra was getting at. Besides, I should be used to disappointment by now. It’s all I ever knew. I guess I was just hoping that, after our parents died, things would finally go right for me.