by Arushi Gupta, 9C

When reality cuts you off from the rest of the world, at unpredictable moments, that is when we realise how agonising life can be. I was living a happy life, safe from the brutal reality: living in my own fantasy. Then, out of nowhere, the universe greedily snatched away my only hope: my only faith, my dad. They say he died in a car crash but who knows if they’re hiding the dirty, rotten truth inside, waiting until it explodes?

Everyday is torture. There’s nothing to wake up to except darkness, which is busy eating away at your innocent yet guilty heart. My mom died when I was born, so I’m living alone, lost among the cold dark sea, trying to light up the last of hope. I got up from my bed and entered actuality. I quickly left the home of broken memories and went onto the grand shopping mall, where I work.
Along the way, traffic popped up. Seems like the universe was on reality’s side today. As I waited, I fingered my necklace which was filled with this weird liquid. “Keep it safe...” he said. Those were the last words from my father, before the day I would hear the news of betrayal- his death. After what seemed like forever, I pulled into the parking lot. I went inside and stared at the living beauty. It was enormous with breathtaking structure. It definitely upgraded the word ‘fantasy’. As I walked by a shop, I saw a mannequin that looked just like me. I looked with suspicion as my mind began to battle confusion. The eyes seemed to follow me, the rays of innocence staring into my soul. More than fear, it gave me the wicked feeling of panic.
I went to the washroom and tried to run away from this intricate maze of reality. As I closed the door, behind me, stood a figure which looked exactly like me. “AHHHH!” I screamed. “Could you... like... shut up?” she said casually, like she did this everyday. “Okay...” I said, my nerves getting the better of me. “Oh, stop acting like a fool, Sara. I’m your identical twin, Tara. Dad must have told you about me,” she said, slightly annoyed.
It was then that my brain decided to tell me this vital piece of information: dad had mentioned something about a long lost twin. Could it be true? My mind, somewhat aroused by curiosity, asked the question that would have been nominated for the most stupid question in eternity: “Why are you here?” “Is your brain mentally damaged? Wherever that serum is, I need it. NOW!” she said in a sassy voice, with a stern look on her face. How could she even be related to me? “What?” I asked again, filled with confusion. “That’s it, I’m out of patience.” Saying that, she pulled her gun, intensifying the already rising fears. “Our father was a Russian spy. The serum is vital, well, because it can make you the most powerful human being on earth,” she said in a monotone voice.
I was taken aback for while. Then with a blank mind,I tried to make sense of the words that seemed like nonsense. “Russian. Spy. WHAT?” I asked quickly.The words finally spilling out of my mouth. “ He really didn’t tell you huh?” she asked with pity. I shook my head.
“So much for a father,” she heaved with a sigh.
I just stood there, not afraid of the gun, but afraid of the fact that my father, who was my only companion, never told me this. “The serum...” she muttered, eyeing my necklace. “No way, kiddo. You ain’t getting this,” I said with a smile on my face. You would be astonished by the fact that cruelty could go to such an extent.
She shot the gun. Mercy decided to disappear at that moment as the cold, hardened bullet lodged deep into my left arm. I screamed in pain, my soul exploding with agony.
Before she could attack me, an explosion shook the room; fires breaking out everywhere, letting out their forgotten fury. My necklace went flying across the room. “Nooo!” I screamed as the excruciating pain overwhelmed me. My vision got blurred, trying to shade itself from the agony. I lay on the ground, sprawling with pain.
A vague shape, that looked like my dad, came towards me. Is this it? Was I in heaven? “Dad?” I asked, with hope finally cascading through my dying body. “No kiddo. It’s your dad’s brother. The one and only uncle!” he said with an evil chuckle. After that, the world went pitch black.

About the author: Hi! I’m Arushi from 9C and I love writing in my free time! It’s beautiful how you can express something without it being judged. I love reading books, swimming and painting. I hate healthy food (everyone does) and spiders (creepy creatures).