Shattered Vows, Silent Fire

Chapter 1

They say that people hurt others because they have been hurt before themselves .

" You're never going to find love . " Nora's mother spat at her .

It was late evening but her mother had been sleeping for a while now , she had not at all expected her to waken . Nora and her twin sister Nova thought it was the perfect opportunity to put on television while she was asleep , a sweet romantic comedy started playing and they couldn't help but be mesmerized of how different the world outside looks . The large cities with huge buildings , the sky a beautiful bright blue laced with fluffy clouds . The streets were so clean , they would be willing to lie down on them if prompted to do so .

What intrigued them most was the sight of delicious food outlets ; cafes , pizza huts and candy shops calling out to them.

" Do you think we'll ever be able to see these places ? " Nora had asked her sister excitedly . It's the first time that Nova had seen such expressions on her formerly sunken pale face , she didn't want to disappoint her in the slightest . How could she lie to her though ?

" I hope so . " She smiled and just as Nora's face sunk so did her heart . Nora knew that what she had hoped for could only happen when pigs fly ! She felt foolish for being swayed by such unattainable promises .

" What will watching these things bring you ? You don't deserve to receive love anyway . " Her mother angrily turned off the television .

" Do you want me to cut the line ? " She continued speaking , receiving no particular response from the frightened girls .

Amanda wasn't always such an unbearable person , she herself doesn't know how she ended up this way . In fact , most of the times she isn't even aware of where she is and how the twins are related to her . She had long before decided to blame genetics and accepted her fate , not even considering the possibility of receiving some sort of treatment because she could not afford it .

" You won't reply ? Then I'll just cut the cord . " She stomped away with a huff and retrieved herself a scissor . As she's about to cut it , Nova stands up suddenly.

" Please don't do it . We won't watch anything . " Nova doesn't like lying . However , she seems to make an exception for her sister.

" Nova what are you doing , sit down . " Nora whispered in fear. Her eyes increased their diameter , she was thinking of all the ways Nova could be punished for acting like a brat .

" If you won't watch anything then what is the need for it ? " She mocked as she placed the wire right in between the scissors .

She grit her teeth .

" Do I sense vexation ? " Amanda's voice grew louder with each word . ' If that's the case , why don't I cut something else instead ? To teach you a lesson . " She grabbed Nova's beautiful blonde hair and pulled hard , withdrawing the scissors and searing off her hair a few centimetres above the root . Nova could only yelp in pain as a response .

" Don't you dare protest . " She finishes cutting off her hair until the entire dark wooden floor is lightened by bright strands scattered throughout .

Nora watched the strands float and fall . Her eyes simply latch on to a single strand of hair lying against the dark floor and refuse to divide her attention anywhere else . It seems that she didn't want to watch .

" Now stop wasting your time on this ridiculous crap and go clean something instead . "

Amanda huffed all the way to the kitchen - which wasn't very far - and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a glass , heading to her room .

As sad as it sounded , Nora was glad that all her mother had done was cut Nova's hair . She assured herself that it would grow back and no harm was done .

" Nova .. you can't .. " Nora trailed off in discomfort when she noticed her sister's eyes glisten .

Nova had always admired her long blonde hair , she was hoping to grow it out until her waist . Nora , on the other hand , had dark brown hair . She had inherited more features from her father than her mother .

" I'm not crying . " Nova assured her , shaking her head and hoping the slight air turbulence would dry out her eyes before anything dropped . It was a well known fact , tears would piss off Amanda like anything else and it was in the girls' best interest to maintain a monotonous face as to not annoy her .

After 17 years of training , one ends up getting quite good at something.

" You know the routine . " Nora shrugs as she stands up on her spot and grabs a broom from the closet in the kitchen .

" Work until she drinks herself to sleep . " Nova nods in unison .

...

The twins sigh in relief and lie on the couches . There were 2 couches in the living room , set in front of the TV . For as long as they could remember , one couch was for Nora to sleep in and the other one was for Nova .

They tucked themselves into their respective couches , using a thin sheet to pass off as a blanket for coverage during the cold night . 

Winter was approaching and it would soon get colder . Nova would have to once again borrow some blankets from the only neighbor who was slightly willing to help . She would hide them under the couches during the day and bring them out at night .

"It's cold isn't it? I'll go get us some blankets." Nova whispers, finding solace in the snores that could be heard from their mother's bedroom.

It was a chilly evening , nonetheless the faint sunlight shone upon the ground , lighting up the dirt of the streets .

Nova's hands push open the creaky front door , freezing as it made more noise than usual . She looks around , wondering if she had accidentally woken up her mother . When no sounds were out of place , she sighed with relief and slipped out with a gentle closing of the door.

" Tch . " Nova kicks a few pebbles on the dirty ground as her discomfort raises progressively as time passes .

She knocks on Mrs.Bell's door , knowing fully well that she would receive an unwelcome scowl as a response 

.

" Back again so soon ? " She frowns , eyeing the state of her head.

Nova knew that she never liked sharing her things with the girls but was doing it out of sympathy . The look in her eyes - full of disgust and condescension - really pissed her off . It wasn't like she had a choice in the matter , she was just trying to look out for herself and her sister .

" It's getting colder . " Nova says quietly , suppressing the urge to talk back in the same tone as she had . She was grateful for the help but she could feel her dignity stripping away with each sharp look that she was given in return for it .

She holds out her hands as 2 warm blankets are placed in them .

" Here . " She shoves her hand in the pocket of her pants and takes out a 10 dollar bill .

It was laying around on the kitchen counter and in a drunken state , Amanda hardly remembers where she puts her things . It's highly unlikely that she would find out .

Mrs. Bell seemed surprised to see the money . She had never asked her , knowing the condition they live in . 

The shock lasts for a second before she takes it.

" Hold on . " Mrs. Bell calls out as Nova begins to leave with her hands full . She saw the familiar sympathy in her eyes , which was intensified after she received the money .

The only reason Nova gave her the money was because she didn't want to take her help for granted , nor did she want to see the pity and disgust in her eyes . It seemed she didn't succeed .

After a bit or rustle and bustle inside of her house , she comes outside with a box and a magazine .

" Some cookies . Tomorrow is ya birthday innit ? "

Nova hesitated for a moment and then smiled faintly . Muttering a thanks , she gladly takes it from her hand . She had considered denying it as it wasn't something they needed particularly , then she remembered how happy Nora would look to receive cookies as a present as opposed to the plain bread with soup they usually have .

A few pebbles later , Nova silently creaks open the door to her house . It was musty and old so it made quite a bit of noise when opened . She had , however , mastered the art of tip toeing with minimal sound. It was as if she was as light as air.

Nora was sitting on the couch , huddled in between her sheets , watching the television on mute .

If there was one thing Nova was grateful for , it was that the old television had subtitles . They could watch it with no sound and not get caught .

" What are you watching ? " She whispers as she tucks the blankets underneath the couch and brings along the cookies with the magazine .

" I don't know , the channel randomly changed . " Nora whispers back , her eyes glued to the bright screen .

There seemed to be a couple . The man was shirtless and the woman was in quite revealing clothes .

' You made a mistake . You know your punishment right ? ' The man said darkly .

The woman simply nodded dropped on her knees in front of him , unbuckling his belt and then she -

Nova widens her eyes and grabs the remote from Nora , switching the channel . It's not that she understood completely what had happened either but somehow she knew that it was something they shouldn't be watching . Especially not when Amanda could walk in at any time . She sensed it would get them in trouble .

As a cartoon comes on television , Nova lets down the remote and gives it back to Nora , who seemed unfazed by what had just happened .

" I got you a gift . " Nova smiles at how her sister's eyes light up in response to the box of cookies . She opens it excitedly and sighs with content when she notices the warm chocolate chips on top of them .

Nora gives one to Nova before digging in and munching on one of them , almost moaning when the soft chocolate melts in her mouth .

 There were 6 cookies in there , the girls decided to eat the rest of them the next night when the clock would strike 12 , marking the anniversary of their birth . Since it was something they weren't usually happy about , Nova made it a point to do at least something good each year so that the younger wouldn't have such bad memories associated with her birthday .

"It's getting dark outside, there's a storm coming." Nova observed from their spot outside the window. Her couch was faced backwards towards it so she would always be on guard during the night just in case a window due to the storm.

"I'm going to take a walk." Nora stood up. She never liked storms but there was something about the things that preceded it that appealed to her.

The strong winds that smelled of sweet rain. The scent of the soil under the rain. It tasted of comfort and freedom to her. 

The actual thunder however, she didn't like.

"I know." Nova took the television remote and switched channels as she tucked herself into her couch with the blanket she had gotten. She knew her sister's habits down to the bone.

It had started drizzling at first, then the rain progressively became more agressive. Nora didn't mind as long as there was no thunder. She walked calmly under the rain as the evening turned into night. She knew Amanda wouldn't wake up until it was close to morning, around 5 or 6 am. She felt that it was safe to roam around during the only time she had for herself.

A time where she could not be bothered. A time where she didn't have to constantly be afraid of doing something wrong.

The slippers made squishy sounds as they stepped into water puddles. She didn't know how long she walked, she secretly wished it would rain forever.

In such a small town, there were no street lights but it wasn't hard to find things since there wasn't much to find.

Nora walked through the streets, drenched in the rain. The doors to all the houses were closed, she saw as strangers worriedly shut their windows in an attempt to keep out the rain. The little light from their rooms was enough to guide her path. 

When she reached a T point from the street she was walking on, a few voices could be heard. They seemed to be right in front of the building at her side. If she crossed the T point, they would be right beside her.

One of them was deep, stern and empty. It could only be described as shiver inducing. She couldn't imagine how she would react if such a voice yelled at her. The other voice- though still deep- was much more lively than the prior one.

Bright rays of light shone through the T street ahead of her, presumably from a car. It was uncommon for cars to drive through the small streets of this place. 

"What are we doing here?"

 “Reminiscence. This was where it all began.” The dark voice said.

“I get that. Why all of a sudden?” The lighter voice seemed to complain.

Nora, pressed against the building, takes a single step forward to get a look at the speaking figures. Unfortunately, her slippers did not have the best grip and in the process she slips and lands on her front with a loud thud.