Chapter Three

Mira wandered through one unfamiliar alley after another. She practiced her guitar loudly not caring who heard. After about an hour, she knew she was lost. Completely lost. In fact, she had somehow managed to find a stretch of thick forest and small river. How the hell did she do this? Sometimes she just didn't think before she did things... actually she almost never did.

But instead of turning around and trying to find her way back to Arthur's house, she just kept on walking. Alone in an unfamiliar forest. It seemed kind of like the set up for a horror movie. But Mira liked the feeling of fear. She enjoyed it. So much so that it seemed as if she wasn't even afraid. As Mira strode deeper and deeper into the thick woods, she thought about her family. At the moment she felt more alone than she ever had before. Her mother was gone, and she'd runaway from New York and now she finally finds out that she had a twin brother this entire time! All those times when she'd felt sad or angry for no reason, was that some kind of twin thing? Why didn't Niko like her? What did she ever do to him? Her life was falling to pieces. It was already cracked, but now it was actually breaking. Maybe her mama had the right idea, maybe if she'd killed herself she'd feel some kind of relief. It's not like anyone cared about her anyway. Arthur didn't.

As the idea grew in her mind it began to seem like the best option. How would she do it though? She could drown herself. Nah, drowning seemed like it wouldn't be very fun. Her mind would wander too far away from her goal. How about hanging herself? Her mama had done it. No, too painful. She wanted to have fun before she died. She wanted to go out happy.

Niko found her hours after he'd started �" and stopped �" looking for her. She'd found his favorite spot by the river. How on earth had she found it? Stupid girl.

“What are you playing?” he asked as he came to sit down next to her. Mira didn't even jump. She just looked up at him and kept on playing. She was ignoring him, go figure. Niko pulled his knees up to his chest and stared out into the water, watching as it rushed passed him. After about ten minutes, Mira stopped playing. “What were you playing?” he asked again.

“I don't know. Sometimes when I'm really deep in thought, I don't even realize that I'm playing at all,” she answered quietly.

“What were you thinking about?” Niko blurted out the question before he could stop himself. He was about to tell her she didn't have to answer, but she did before he could say a word.

“Suicide.” Niko stared at her wide-eyed. Was she serious? She looked serious.

“Mom's suicide?” he asked dully. He really didn't want to know the answer.

“No. Mine.” Niko stood up suddenly. He balled his hands into fists and stared at his sister incredulously. She glanced over at him briefly before looking away casually.

“You want to kill yourself?” he questioned, his voice full of anguish.

“I sure was thinking about it,” Mira answered truthfully.

“Why?” Niko blurted, again without thinking.

“Because I feel like it.” Her answer was indignant. “Besides, what the hell do you care? I got the distinct impression that you hated me.” Mira stood up abruptly and pushed her guitar onto her back. She walked a couple of yards before she jumped into a tree and started climbing as fast as she could.

“I don't hate you!” Niko called up to her. “In fact, I thought you hated me.”

“Why the hell would you think that? I didn't even know you existed 48 hours ago.”

“Yeah, but I knew about you. I used to go visit mom every Thanksgiving and for two weeks every summer. You were never there. I always wanted to meet you, but every single time mom made up excuses as to why you weren't home.” Mira felt unshed tears prick at her eyes. Mama hadn't told her she had a twin. She hadn't told her he wanted to see her. It made her sad hearing someone else call her mother, “mom.” Why did everyone lie to her? Mira climbed as high as she could. She pulled her knees up and leaned against the great big tree trunk, being sure to move her guitar out of the way. She was incredibly thankful that it was dark, so Niko couldn't see her tears.

“I never knew,” she told him, careful to keep her voice even.

“Come home with me Mira. Please?” Niko pleaded softly from far beneath her.

“Okay,” she answered wiping away the last of her tears.

***

“Niko has never been out past two before.” Arthur was frantic. “Why would he do this? I mean, I know he's mad, but we could've sorted this out.” Kimmy rubbed his back soothingly.

“Don't worry dear, he'll be home soon. He would hate to disappoint you.” Arthur was silent for a minute.

“I let him down though,” he whispered, looking over at the clock. 4:32. Kimmy opened her mouth to speak, but before she did she heard the door open. A quiet, unfamiliar laugh was the first thing she heard. She glanced over at her husband.

“I cannot believe you did that,” came Niko's distinct voice. “I could never do something like that.”

“Niko is that you?” Arthur called, even though he knew who it was. There were two audible sighs from the hallway just outside the living room.

“Sure is.” Niko's voice was colder than either parent had ever heard before.

“Who's with you?” Arthur asked trying not to sound suspicious. Of course, he failed.

“Why do you care?” Arthur felt a chill run down his spine. Niko had never spoken to him that way before.

“Well, I'm off to bed, honey. Goodnight, I love you,” Kimmy whispered in his ear before tiptoeing up the back staircase. Arthur nodded to his wife warily.

“Just come in here,” Arthur growled irritably. Niko and Mira walked slowly into the room. Niko was rigid and angry, while Mira looked indifferent to the entire situation. “Mira? Oh.” Arthur looked genuinely surprised to see her.

“I'm going downstairs now,” Mira announced. She could sense the distaste for her. Her own father hated her, how messed up. Shouldn't she hate him? Wasn't that the way it was supposed to be? He left her and never tried to get in contact, not the other way around.

“Mira, wait.” Arthur stood up and hurried toward her. He grabbed her arm firmly and forced her to face him. “I'm sorry about your mom sweetheart.” He hugged her tightly. Instead of breaking down and hugging him and crying, like he expected, she just stood there stiff as a board. When he pulled away he saw a bit of a scowl on her face.

“You're not sorry Mr. River. And you don't have to call me “sweetheart” as if you care about me. I know I'm nothing but an obligation to you.” Arthur couldn't help but feel angry, even though she was as polite and sincere as possible. How dare she come into his house and offend him in such a way after his peace offering? He pulled his arm back and swung his open palm at her as hard as he could, and slapped her across the face. Niko gasped angrily, astonished. He'd never seen his dad lay a hand on anybody before. Mira didn't even flinch. She glanced over at her brother and then back to her father. She shrugged.

“Goodnight Niko. See ya tomorrow.” Mira smiled dazzlingly at Niko, as if Arthur hadn't just hit her, and then she casually made her way into the basement.

“Niko, don't tell Kimmy about this,” Arthur warned harshly.

“Screw you,” Niko spat. He pushed his shoulder length, dark brown hair away from his turquoise eyes. He stood up to his full height of six feet three inches and stared at his father, who stood two inches shorter. Niko's fists were balled up and he wanted so much to hit something. It was a feeling he'd never had before.

“She was being disrespectful,” Arthur justified. Niko clenched his jaw.

“'Don't ever hit girls Niko, I'm serious. If I ever find out you hit a girl, I'll knock you into next week,'” Niko quoted mimicking his father's voice. “You're a hypocritical b*****d. And to think, three days ago I worshiped you. What the hell was I thinking? Thank god for Mira, or else I probably never would have come to my senses.” Niko turned and walked slowly up the wooden stairs, leaving Arthur standing all alone.