Hysteria

I always feel like i have to put something in this box >.<

 

      Alexiana stood before the cracked mirror in her room. It was covered by a red veil and hidden in the corner. She remembered the way her mother would smile at herself each morning before leaving the room. Alexiana would always sit on her mothers bed, watching the woman brush her identical pale blonde hair.

      “Lexia,” Saphire called up the stairs, “I'm going to the market. I'll be out for a bit, will you be alright on your own, sweetie?”

      Alexiana swallowed and replied in a fake happiness, “Of course!”

      She listened for the opening and closing of the doors, then watched out the window as her cousin walked off into the autumn day. Returning to the mirror she let out a deep breath and unveiled it. The mirror was covered in dust after years of not being used. Alexiana wiped at the surface to reveal a small child in a green dress with dull blue eyes.

      “There's no use in crying,” she told the reflection.

      Tears were threatening to spill from the girl's eyes. Alexiana held them back, not letting the sadness over power her. The girl in the mirror did the same, small cracks across her face as she sighed.

      “All my tears won't drown my pain...” she whispered to the mirror.

      Images of her mother laughing passed her mind and she quickly dismissed them. She wouldn't allow herself to worry about the past. Alexiana wouldn't allow her mother, or even her lost sister, to bring her to her knees any longer. She walked away from the mirror and went downstairs. She stared at the barren walls where pictures once hung. There was no use in keeping the memories in sight, she thought.

 

      Alexiana went to the kitchen and wrote a note on the pad. She was going out and didn't want her cousin to worry. Reaching for the handle she took in a breath and smiled. On the other side of the door she found Nikolae, his hazel eyes staring at her with a new found wonder.

      “Lexia...” he whispered, “I remember.”

      They walked to his special spot in silence, a smile on each of their faces. The autumn trees were beautiful around them as they walked along. Alexiana stared at his hand which was clenching hers protectively. Entering the field, Alexiana ran to the center and laid down. There were new bushes near the lake, and Nikolae advanced them.

      “White roses,” he gasped.

      “What did you say?”

      He turned to her in disbelief, “White roses. They haven't grown here since...my mother died.”

      Nikolae picked a few and brought them to Alexiana. She smile and smelled them. The petals were soft again her face. He sat behind her placing the roses beside her.

      “So...what did you remember?” she asked facing him.

      “I remember you; your name.” he smiled, “She told me to protect you.”

      Alexiana's blue eyes filled with confusion, “Who did?”

      The wind blew wildly, sending a shiver down her spine. The field went silent, no birds were singing. Nikolae stared at her, wrapped up in his own thoughts.

      “The girl with the green eyes and burgundy hair.”

      Crystal, the name whispered across her mind. Sister...

      “When?” Alexiana's voice was frantic, “Crystal? Do you know where she is?”

      The world spun around her as tears spilled down her cheeks. The boy from her dreams had met her sister. She needed answers; Nothing made sense except for that Crystal had told him about her.

      “I don't know...are you okay?” he asked, reaching towards her.

      Alexiana stepped out of his reach, “You don't....know...?”

 

      The hope building inside her crashed down, sending her world spinning. The sky darkened, black clouds rolling in, and a light rain began to fall upon them. She fell to her knees, shaking.

      “Why...” she whispered, “Why does he do this to me!”

      Nikolae grabbed her hand and she looked up at him. His hazel eyes were hidden in his sandy hair but she could feel the intensity of his stare.

      “Lexia...what are you talking about?”

      She fell into his arms, crying. He held her as the tears rolled down her face. Her body shook violently, and the rain was chilling her skin but neither of them moved. Nikolae picked up a white rose and placed it in her pale blonde hair. The rose reminded him of her. It was so frail and pure, just like Alexiana.

      “He's so cruel...” she whispered, “Why does he like playing with my mind? He showed me my sister last night, in my dream...he showed....” her voice cracked.

      “Showed what?” Nikolae pressed on.

      “He showed himself taking her away from me....he showed me her death...but, she's still alive. I can feel it in my bones...”

      Nikolae stared into her blue eyes. They willed him to believe her, searched for a sign of hope in his face, and he gave it to her.

      “I believe you.”

      Crystal came across his mind. Her chilling green eyes held him in a trance. He thought of her cold beauty and compared it to the warmth of Alexiana. How could two girls so different be sisters? He thought.

      “You should go home, where it's warm, Lexia,” he stood, taking her hand.

      Feebly, she stood, and they walked back to the village. Alexiana let the rain soak her, her pain and sorrow doing the same.

 

      The village streets were empty and the rain still poured down relentlessly. Nikolae stopped, staring at Alexiana's defeated figure. Pain raced through him looking at her so frail and broken.

      “Sister,” he whispered, “She'll be back one day. Please, do not lose hope...”

      Alexiana looked to him, his smile so sincere. She wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled back at him. The sky cleared and the rain stopped, reveling a twilight sky.

      “Looks like we've been out longer than I thought,” he noted, looking at the sky.

      Alexiana hugged onto him, “Walk me home?”

      He placed face in her hair. The fragrance of watermelons filled his lungs and he smiled. He had never noticed the fruity smell that she had but he liked it. Her innocents made him smile.

      “Sure,” he replied, smiling.

      As the walked, Nikolae thought of her melt down. She went from being hysteric to happy in a matter of minutes and he was confused.

      “Tell me something while we walk,” he said.

      “What would you like to hear,” her voice chimed.

      Slowing down he sighed, “You live with a woman, she's not your mother. Who is she? What happened to your mother?”

      Alexiana paused, thinking of his question.

     “My mother...was a beautiful woman. Her hair was a pale blond like mine, but her eyes; those were a warm golden color that always made me feel safe. Much like Saphire's- that's my cousin, who I live with. Mom...died when I was only three, and my cousin...I call her mom a lot by accident. Whenever I see her eyes it makes me think of my mom. I love my cousin, though. She never lived in this village before until my mother's death. My father left me before all this, so I had no one other than Crystal...and she wasn't old enough to take care of us both. My cousin is- she's eighteen. Does that answer your question?”

 

      Nikolae nodded, “Your cousin seems very nice.”

      “Thank you,” a voice said.

      They were standing in front of Alexiana's house, where Saphire was sitting on the steps. Nikolae blushed, noticing her and Alexiana giggled.

      “So, did you two have fun today?” she asked, her golden eyes filled with the warmth of the sun.

      Both children nodded, looking to each other. They hugged and Nikolae started walking for home.

      “I love you, Saphire,” Alexiana jumped into her arms, “I'm so lucky to have you.”

      Saphire held the small child, “I love you too. Nikolae is lucky to have you in his life these past few months as well.”

* * *

      Nikolae stepped into his home, the emptiness welcoming him. No one was there to greet him, no cousin or family member to ask about his day, just the silence and echoes of his steps.

      “Alexiana, I'm so glad that you aren't alone...”

He walked to his room, the door echoing as he shut it for the night.