Location: Orlova Residence, France WC: 496 Outfit: Reducio

I’ M N O T Y O U R F R I R N D

It was the middle of the night. There was no warning, nothing seemed out of place or different from usual. ”Kira.” my mother’s sharp voice rung loudly, echoing off the walls of my previously silent bedroom. ”Get up and pack your things in here.” I sat up, rubbing my eyes, ”Mama, it’s…” I checked the glowing numbers on my nightstand, “3 in the morning.” Why on earth did I have to pack? We weren’t planning going anywhere this summer, were we? ”Перестань задавать вопросы, Stop asking questions” she replied hastily, ”Be downstairs in half an hour and take Sasha with you.” I got up, my mind still foggy with sleep. Grabbing the duffel bag I usually had my skating stuff in, I started around the room. First went my hairbrush, pencil case and a framed image of her, Sasha and Nastya as I passed my desk. Next came my favourite skirts, dresses and pants from the large cherrywood wardrobe. Finally, stray objects from around the remaining room, hair ties, a book, jewelry. I checked the clock again, 10 minutes left. I changed, adding my pajamas into the mess of my bag in favour for something more presentable, and headed out of the room. The corridor was lit by dim rays of moonlight from the large arching windows. It was the type of place they spoke of in a ghost stories, grand, luxurious but empty. I headed to the room two doors away from my own. Sasha. Two knocks before the male version of myself was facing me. Though we weren’t identical twins, we looked so similar we may as well have been. ”Ready?” I asked. The unspoken question hung between us; what is going on? ”I guess we have to be.” The pair drifted down the grand staircase into the reception area. The place that usually seemed so normal suddenly appeared foreboding. Awaiting them was our mother, “Hurry,” she said curtly, guiding them to the large fireplace. “You know the drill, speak clearly and step into the flames.” How were we supposed to say the name of the place if we didn’t even know where we were going? She voiced the thought, “You’re staying with your grandparents in Scotland for a while. Scotland, Divogenia” Where even was that? It had been so long since I’d last seen them. We stopped visiting ever since moving. “But why must we leave? What happened?” These were but the two most important questions on my mind. What if I didn’t like them anymore? What if they had changed? How long were we staying for? “I’ve explained it all in the letter,” she answered, pressing an envelope into my hand before handing an identical one to Sasha. “Read it when you arrive. Or don’t.” she caught her breath, looking her down “Good. At least you’re dressed reasonably. Now GO!” A solid shove sent me forwards. The last thing I saw before I entered the world of green was Nastya, watching from the top of the stairs with her thumb in her mouth. “Wait!” I cried out, but it was lost as I spun in a tornado of chimneys.

O R A N Y T H I N G D A M N