One

**It all began with a dream**

The atmosphere was misty. I was running like there was something in the mist I needed to get. I had a strange feeling that my sister was there in the cloud of mist ahead. I could feel that she was in danger but it was an endless journey. Every single step I took seemed like I was getting further away from her. Our gifts were as perfect as ever, I could hear her thoughts but faintly, which implied that I was miles away from her.

 Then I ran into a snow land, two big balls of ice slapped me hard on my back. Since it was unavoidable, I continued to run. The snow rained mercilessly, somehow extraordinarily.

I stumbled on a pile of snow, tried to get back on my feet but could not. I began to crawl through snow. I needed to safe Arkishair, my only sister. It was real hell crawling through snow. I tried to catch my breath at intervals, tried to get her thoughts again but this time I got nothing. I realised that it would be a waste of time crawling further when I can't feel her thoughts anymore. I needed to leave this snow island or i'll freeze to death but i felt this strong urge to scream her name and  I did.

“Akishair!".

Just then  I realized that I had used up all the energy I had. I fell face down into snow falling in and out of consciousness.

 Just some moments after. I felt another thought, a new and strange thought.

[my sister]. The voice sent. 

I got it very clearly, like she was speaking into me.

[who are you?]. I sent back. It was strange enough that she could speak to me like Arkishair, with our thoughts ( only few people have gifts like ours) but more strange that she called me her sister . She's not Arkishair, I know Arkishair's thoughts and this isn't like hers.

[Rise up, Arkishair is here]. She sent back.

This time I felt more seriousness and sadness in her thoughts. I felt her hands around my waist and slowly I was pulled out of the snow. I felt warmed, her hands were warm even in the snow (too weird). One look upon her face, I was mesmerized. She looks exactly like me, my golden hair, green eyes, pointed nose, even the mysterious scar beneath my nose, all the same.  I could not stop staring into her like I was looking into my reflection. I got distracted by a push at the back of my leg, someone else was there then. I swung around to take a look. I was completed shocked by what I saw. My frozen blue sister!

“ Oh my God, Arkishair! ” I gasped. I reached for her, swung her out of the snow. She was cold, frozen, pale blue, her eyes sealed with snow. She was...dead

***

I sat straight up in bed, breathing hard, beads of sweat dripping off from my face. I looked around disoriented. It was a dream. A dream that looked too real. I tried to control my breath. It was a dream, a very bad one.

 I walked to my bathroom, sprinkled warm water from the sink on my face. I could see the atmosphere outside through the window, it was snowing. My dream came back to taunt me. A hot bath would help.

I slipped into the bath tub, switched on the warm water tap and washed myself. Slowly, I began to understand real life. I was the only one in the house. My father walked out angrily yesterday, promised not to sleep in the house because--Oh my God. Mum--mum is dead and Arkishair --in an accident. Tears rushed out of my eye. I needed it. I needed something more than tears. He promised to kill me. He accused me of killing my mother--his wife. It's ridiculous, they died in a road accident. Truly, I feel very guilty for their death, they had gone out to buy my drugs. I can't live without them. My asthma--my  weakness, ending my life would be as easy as killing a mosquito.

“ NO ” I could hear my voice in my head.

“I will not die by his hands. I can't be a weakling even in my death".

I've always been perceived as weak. Though I don't have a bad stature, I'm tall and lean and smart but I'm one of the rare kind of Caucasian. Well, I use to love my own little perfect life but now, I have nothing else to live for.

I disconnected the heater from the socket and rolled its cord around my neck as tight as i could. I tightened it desperately hoping I would be gone by my own hands. It was hell painful but I didn't care. I heard sudden movements in my room, yet I didn't care. If there's a person in my room then I should be dead before the person finds me here.

I could have sworn with my life that I heard a voice--that same voice in my dream. She was there in my bedroom. What does she want? Get me killed also?... No. Did she kill Arkishair? No! That was a dream but if she's right there in my room then I need to see her. I've got a million questions for her.

Slowly, I loosened the wire around my neck, rushed out of the tub and tiptoed to my room. I searched every nook and cranny of the room but no one was there.

She's scared of me, I thought. A slight smile forming at the corners of my lip. It was a smile of hope. A hope that someone can be scared of me, that the girl who called me 'sister' in my dream is mortal and I need to find her. I found something I could live for -- “answers”. I'll find her with every inch of my being.

I sat by my dress table, I could see myself in the mirror across the table. My neck--full of red stripes, I can't believe I did this to myself. One look upon my innocent face, I remembered my dream. Is she my clone? She looks exactly like me. For hell's sake, I must find her. My head ached. I swallowed hard, examining myself. A weird fourteen year old, weak and vulnerable (severe asthmatic patient) . Arkishair has  been my backbone all these while and now she's gone. It's now me, Katty, my monster of a father and Emiliar, a mysterious friend.

Oops,I almost forgot. School exams, I would be expelled if I miss it. It's an overpopulated state school and the government is trying to reduce its population. I can't imagine my life without school. Though,I might not pass the exam (because I'm not prepared ) but I must attend at least.

I was dressed in minutes. If I would live, then I'll live well and school is my first priority. Then I'll find that girl. I brushed my hair at the mirror, glared at my image more awkwardly than ever.

“ You little bitch, show up now. Let's have a talk. I command you!” I screamed at her  -- my image. My voice echoed through the room. I was calmed a little by the realisation that I was still alone in the house. I wish I could see her right now. We need to have a talk. She owes me a lot of explanations.

“ please speak to me, who are you?” I continued

It was certain that I'd ignored the fact that the image on the mirror was my reflection.

“SPEAK!”

I waited for sometime seething silently. Then I glanced at the clock-- almost time for school.

“Damn you! I'll be back I promise”

I grabbed my backpack and left. Really I was going crazy. I needed to see Emiliar. I'll learn to trust her. She's got magic that can help me with the ghost.