Keep Her Safe

Now

Branches whip your face. Leaves crunch under your feet. You can hear your breathing, quick and strained, shuddering as you run. You are terrified. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. You trip over a protruding root in the ground, one that you couldn’t see in the light of the moon. You crash to the ground, tangling in your long skirts. You stagger back to your feet just in time to turn around.

“Just let me go,” you gasp out, taking quick steps backwards

The moonlight silhouettes a figure you know as well as your own. One holding a knife.

2 hours Earlier

You stare down at your hand. Or, more specifically, what is in it. A small, weirdly warm sapphire amulet, ringed with metal leaves. One that your mother had given you long ago, right before she vanished.

“This can protect from those who may do you, or someone else, harm”

But it isn’t you who needs protecting. You clench the amulet tightly in your fist, ready to give up the one thing your mother left for you. You would sacrifice anything to keep safe the person most dear to you.

“Lizzie!” You hear a faint shout coming from the other side of the house. The one you share with your twin sister Annabell, along with your Father. “Come quickly! People will be arriving soon.”

“Coming Bell!” you call back, jumping up from your bed. You aren't even close to ready. Flinging open your wardrobe, you quickly grab your finest gown. It is a lovely one, green and floor length, with gold embroidery shaped into woodland creatures and flowers. Just as you are about to try and pull it on, Fiona, the handmaiden of your estate, pops through the door.

“Morning Lizzie!” She looks at you, taking in the sight of your harried appearance, still in your nightgown. “My goodness, you look quite a fright dear. Let's get you ready for this ball.” Minutes later, you are at your vanity, being vigorously powdered and dusted.

“Much better, isn't it darling” she exclaims, once you have been laced into your gown, with your hair in an intricate updo. You take a peek in the mirror.

“Yes, it’s lovely Fiona. Thank you.” You sigh, taking in the sight. At least she didn’t use too much rouge this time. Skirts whispering along the ground, you snatch the amulet up from your bed and follow her out of the room.

Entering the Bell’s room, you are immediately accosted. “Oh finally! I need your help with something” she says, walking towards you, wringing her gloved hands. “I don’t know what necklace to wear! I just can’t find anything that matches.” This is evidenced by the clothing and jewelry scattered all about her room, boxes rifled through. “My outfit needs to be perfect for this. Father would be so disappointed if I looked like a mess on my debut night.” Distressed, she casts about her room once more. Your sister, your best friend in the world. You would do anything for her. Looking her up and down, you take in her fluffy silver gown. Noting the blue accents, you realize this is the perfect chance to slip her the amulet.

“I have just the thing!” You hold up the amulet already in your hand. “It was mothers. She gave it to me, but I think it would suit your dress just magnificently”

Bell looks at it, considering. “It is very pretty, you’re quite sure about this Lizzie?”

“Of course I am Bell. I’ve never even worn it. It will look very nice on you”

“Oh thank you, you are just wonderful!” after saying this, she walks up and kisses you on the cheek. “Help me put it on, would you?” she turns around, and you clasp the necklace into place. Walking forward towards the mirror, she takes herself in. “It’s just perfect. Shines in the lamplight so… nicely.” Her voice comes out weird, almost strained.

After a long moment of looking at the amulet, which you notice does seem to be glowing strangely, she shakes her head, as if getting rid of an errant thought. Picking up her skirt, she walks towards the door. As if she had forgotten you are there, she walks right out the door without another word.

“Bell? Are you ok?” you run after her, nearly tripping over your skirts.

Not looking back, she says “Of course Lizzie. Just nerves is all. Now keep coming, we need to finish getting the house ready.”

1 Hour Earlier

The house bustles with guests. People are still arriving, you can hear the clack of carriage wheels outside the ballroom doors. You are standing in a corner, drinking a glass of champagne and watching the people. Lots of family and friends, but you can see people you don’t recognize as well. Mostly eligible young men, come to see your sister debut into society. You are glad that you and Bell decided not to debut at the same time, though you were born together. Bell was much more excited about it than you are, and she will shine with this moment to herself. It is then when you hear the loud clinking of a glass, and everyone in the room falls silent. Near the front stands your Father, holding a glass.

“Hello and welcome, family and friends. I am so excited to share this moment with all of you” He speaks loudly, so everyone can hear him. “The debut of one’s daughters into society is not a small matter. But this daughter, Annabell, has been looking forward to it for some time. So please welcome her!” clapping ensues as Annabell walks through a side door into the room. She is glowing in the light of the chandeliers, but you notice something seems off with her. Her eyes dart about, seeming a little scared. Reaching up to touch the amulet, she seems soothed by its presence. She then smiles for the people, so you assume that the usually outgoing Bell really is just nervous for once. The guests queue up to make their introductions, and you get in line to congratulate her.

Minutes Earlier

After congratulating your twin, you mingle about the room, making small talk and dancing, trying to forget about her weird behavior. Taking note of possible suitors, and speaking to prospective friends. You watch Bell out of the corner of your eye. She still seems to be hesitant, averting her eyes when speaking and twitching when suitors kiss her hand. You shake yourself. She can handle her nerves. Just as you are about to grab a small tea cake off of a passing waiter's plate, Bell calls for quiet. Seeing the amulet around her neck, you remember the rest of what your mother told you.

“This can protect you from those who may do you harm. It will see threats where you cannot. When your sister grows old enough, you must give it to her. What I have seen I do not understand, but I know that she may be hurt. Look after her please Lizzie. Give her the amulet.”

Jolting back to reality, you realize you have missed the first part of Bell’s address. “… for attending this special day. I have had a glorious time. It truly has been…” Stopping in the middle of her sentence, she shifts and looks up, as if listening. Shaking herself, she finishes her short speech “a pleasure to have you all.” Though Bell has spoken little, she is twitching. You think she might be getting ill.

Suddenly, she leans down towards the person in front of her, an older woman. “You could hurt me, couldn’t you?” Bell hisses, face suddenly full of loathing. Her hands, moving quicker than I can see them, are suddenly up, shoving the woman to the floor.

The crowd gasps, and suddenly Bell straightens, looking about, confused. The amulet swings on its chain, glimmering in the light. It seems almost alive, somehow. Bell peers concernedly at the woman on the floor, and asks in her usual voice “Oh dear, are you alright?” the woman just shakes her head, looking at her aghast.

Father, quickly grabbing the crowd's attention, hurriedly thanks the guests again and asks them to make their way to the door. They all toss weird glances at Bell as they are handed hats and coats by the footmen. You run up to your sister, grab her hand, and pull her out of the room. Once in an adjacent hallway, you speak.

“Bell, what on earth was that?”

“I… I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. Why is everyone leaving so soon?” She says, voice quavering ever so slightly. She looks down at your hands, still clasped. She jerks, pulling her hand out of yours. She reaches up to the amulet, holding it between her palms. Her lips move soundlessly, and for a second she is silent, as if listening to something only she could hear.

She then lets go, and looking at you like a rabid animal, she growls “Don’t touch me. Don’t hurt me.” Walking closer, she grabs your arm again. Tugging, she drags you up the stairs.

“Bell, what are you doing? Are you ok? Let me go!” You pull at your arm, but her grip is firm.

“You can’t hurt me if you are locked up” Yanking harder, she keeps going up the stairs.

“What are you talking…” You are cut off as she throws you into the first room she sees. “Ow, Bell!” the door slams behind you, and as you go to open it again, you hear a click. Locked. You search your dress pockets, but realize you left your key set in your room. Looking around, you see that you are in a guest room, furnished for a family staying the night. You go back to the door, pounding on the wood. “Bell, let me out! What’s going on?”. You can hear her breathing loudly on the other side.

“They can’t hurt me. They won’t, if I don’t let them. If I don’t let them get close.” Her voice is shaking, but she seems resolved.

“Please, tell me what is going on. I can help!” you say, breaking down. “What is it?”

“You can’t help. Only it can keep me safe” she says. Just as you are about to respond, you hear her walking away, back down the stairs.

It is when you hear the screaming that you know you have done something that you can’t undo.

Almost there

Frantically, you search the room for a way out. Spotting the large window on the other side of the room, you run to it. Throwing it open, you don’t immediately notice a way down. Panic sets in as you hear people downstairs, crying and hysterical. You can hear Bell as well. She is shouting.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t you touch me! You could hurt me! All of you!” Screaming follows these shouts. People are running. You can hear them opening doors, looking for an escape. Bell’s voice gets louder, and you know you have to get out. Scanning the balcony, you spot some large handholds. Just as you have swung yourself out of the window and are about to start climbing down, you hear the lock wiggling.

“Lizzie” says a voice from outside the door. It sounds like your sister but… not. It’s too calm. Too eerie. “Don’t be afraid. I can help you. I can keep you away from me” You know that this, this thing, this monster can not possibly be the sister you know. Speeding up, you hurry down the side of the house, falling a few feet about the ground, breathing hard. You get up. You can hear her following you. You run into the woods.

Now

Branches whip your face. Leaves crunch under your feet. You can hear your breathing, quick and strained, shuddering as you run. You are terrified. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. You trip over a protruding root in the ground, one that you couldn’t see in the light of the moon. You crash to the ground, your skirts tangling around you. You gasp and stagger back to your feet just in time to turn around.

“Just let me go,” you gasp out, taking quick steps backwards

The moonlight silhouettes a figure you know as well as your own. One holding a knife.

“Please Bell, don’t do this” you can feel tears tracking their way down your face. You take a step towards the figure. “You know me. I would never hurt you”. The girl in front of you, Bell, stumbles back.

“I don’t believe you. It said you might harm me. It is protecting me. Keeping me safe” The voice is so familiar. But not the words. The words cut deep. You can’t believe that the person in front of you is your sister.

“I swear I won’t Bell, I swear it. Believe me, please. I would never lay a finger on you”. The words come out of you in a whisper, talking to her as if she is a scared animal.

“I’m scared Lizzie.” Bell shudders out. “The voices, they won’t stop. Won’t stop whispering.”

“It’s going to be alright Bell. We can fix this. Together. Please, just put the knife down” slowly, you inch towards her, holding your hands out.

“No no no no no” She whispers, sinking to the ground, looking at her hands. You can’t tell what she is seeing until the light hits them. Blood. Dripping off of her hands and on to the forest floor. Drip, drip, drip. Gasping, you stumble back once more.

Horror fills you as you take in her whole form, silver dress barely peeking through the red. “Bell, what did you do?”

“I killed them Lizzie. I killed them all.”

You can see her eyes, so similar to yours. Glimmering in the moonlight, they are the twin to the amulet on her chest.

Your mother was right. The amulet did protect her. But it left everyone else behind.