Chapter 5: CHAPTER: 4
Darkness. It surrounded her like an ocean of unwanted memories. Phara had no clue where she was or how she had gotten there. But all she could make out for miles in her vision was darkness. Pure, thick, impossibly-possible darkness. Everywhere seemed blanketed by the lack of sufficient lighting save her person. After a clear look around she was definite something was wrong.
'Where am I?'
Her thoughts seemed to echo around her as if she had spoken in a mountain range but she was more than sure her lips were sealed.
'Ooookay, now that's weird.'
'Is it really?'
Phara spun as soon as the voice spoke only to be greeted with nothingness. To her disappointment, her movement was confined to a rather small radius of space which was demarcated by a weak, thin, glowing line. In attempt to ask 'who was there' her words didn't make past her throat.
'Sorry, but we don't do that here. Speaking?...' The voice scoffed, '...No.'
Phara paid attention to what she heard and made out two things. That the voice belonged to a female and that she couldn't speak.
'Why not try using your mind, it's much better than words. The tongue can be used to lie, and we don't want deceit between both of us, do we now?'
Phara turned to face the direction that the voice seemed to radiate from but still met nothing.
'Who are you?'
'I am you... That is technically but not personality wise. We are different at heart but similar in body.' The voice replied.
Phara still couldn't breakdown how there was a voice responding to her but no physical person. Then show me your face, show me who you are.
A soft chuckle sang in the air. 'I will.'
This time the voice came from behind her scaring the living daylight out of her. Her eyes came in contact with a pair of golden eyes, eyes that shimmered ever so violently in the darkness, like a tiger allowing everyone in a circus to think they are safe as long as it is in it's cage when the opposite was the case. When she did decide to lose the eyes and take in her company her mouth was left hanging open.
'How do you look like me?'
'I did say I am you, didn't I?'
Phara stood in shock and awe not understanding what was going on. Before her stood herself but not herself. She took a while to observe the person before her. Her skin was lined with markings like runes of different sorts with different curves and angry looking bends. Her hair was a gentle gold. She wore a simple brown gown that stopped at her knees.
'Oh my god.'
'Don't, Don't do that. I won't condone any form of swearing.'
'It's just that you look so much like me then again I know you aren't... Just who are you?'
It was all strange to Phara. One moment your parents tell you that you aren't human and you have far outlived your current age then the next you are face to face with a strange looking person who obviously has more freedom than you do in your own dream-state. How was her life making sense.
'I'm definitely losing my mind.'
'Eeehh... That make both of us. Don't you think? '
Phara kept her eyes fixed on her companion scrutinizing every action she made. She didn't seem all to interested in doing anything but she paced around until she came to a grey couch that Phara was very sure wasn't there before.
'But it seems you are still yet to remember', she said as she seated herself. 'I don't blame you though, after all you were very young when you decided on suppressing your memories. Quite the bold move', she drawled dragging her last words.
Phara was now left in total oblivion. 'What do you mean by I decided on suppressing my memories?'
Her tattooed double remained silent as she stared at a book, another thing Phara was sure wasn't there before. Phara tried to walk to her but only met an annoying resistance. The circle restricted her movements a little too much.
'Urgh... Why can't I move.'
'I thought that would be obvious. Anyhow, it's because you are wearing that nasty looking amulet.'
Phara took a look at her neck only to notice the green gem shining gently on her bosom. It left a warm ticklish feeling on her skin as she fondled with it.
'But at least you know something,...' the look alike simply grumbled before getting up and walking away from her. '...and it means things will become interesting soon enough.'
'Where are you going?' Phara yelled after her.
'Wherever I feel like.' She replied nonchalantly.
'Then your name. What is your name?'
She stopped causing an eerie air to pass between them. She slowly turned to face Phara with her golden eyes shimmering brightly. The runes lacing her body adopted a golden glow. Her originally dark hair glowed golden.
Phara used her arms to shield her vision because the sudden transformation was almost as bright as a star. When she was sure her eyes wouldn't hurt if she looked she was graced with an Angelic person, the bright aura that swirled around her gave her that look of superiority both in strength and personality.
'I am... Siphara.' Her voice echoed around Phara, as if a massive storm was blowing about uprooting everything and anything it could. The aura around her rushed towards Phara not allowing her a chance to blink.
***
Phara jerked from her bed. The adrenalin in her veins was still potent and her sweaty face and ragged breathing were signs of a definitely bad dream.
Gathering a fistful of her hair, she steadied her breathing. "I'm definitely running mental."
After a while a certain scent made her feel nauseous. She got of her bed searching for the source of that detestable smell until her eyes landed on the closet that stood opposite her bed. A hole had been borne in it and it was obviously done by something hot and big. She approached the closet while observing the burn. The hole seemed wide enough to permit her fist entrance with little obstruction, and beyond the hole was the smell of burnt cotton.
"What on earth..." Phara hastily opened the doors revealing a set of scorched clothes. A couple of jeans which weren't neatly arranged, some tops and her favorite leather jacket. She sorted through the clothes separated the burnt clothes from the good ones, and fortunately the ones that met a very terrible fate were few.
She held up her jacket before her grimacing at the clean hole that graced it's back. "Looks like the end of the road for you bud. Probably have to order another one." She set it down and began to make her way downstairs when a pecking sound stopped her movement.
A glance at the window revealed her visitor. A black sparrow sat there bobbing it's head as it stared at her. When she made no attempt at coming closer it continued it's assault on the window.
"Shoo-" Phara made her way to the bird and hit the window at where the bird sat expecting to scare it but the little guy just stared at her. She hit it again but it continued knocking on the glass not flinching in the slightest.
Phara finally lost her cool and banged the window but not hard enough to leave any damage. This time the bird flew off but still hovered in front of the window as if waiting for something to happen.
Phara finally slid the window open to whack the creature with a small cloth she held. The bird charged towards her, reflexively she dodged it allowing it to crash land at the other end of her bed before it dropped to the ground.
"Urk-" came a groan from where the sparrow had fallen followed by a cracking and crunching noise. Feathers flew in the air followed by a deep groan.
"Ack! Really hate turning into those tiny critters." A black calico cat walked out from where the bird had landed. It stared at a now wide eyed Phara. "Oh, hello Mistress. I am your flinché, Sullivan," the cat said with a visible grin.
Phara just stared at the cat in disbelief. The thoughts running rampant in her head made her see the world in a negative light. "I'm running mental. Definitely losing my sanity. I need to see a doctor,..." she kept muttering nonsense while using her hands to brace her cranium.
"Um, mistress you don't seem well," the cat spoke again jolting Phara's reasoning into a crescendo. She reached for the chair beside her and sunk into it.
Animals don't speak. Why is he speaking? He was even a bird or was there a cat under my bed? Why would a cat be under my bed? Why am I losing my mind? What is going on with me?
"Phara mom said you should-" Laurel's voice brought Phara to reality and she faced the girl who was entranced by the feline that stood in the middle of her room. "Eeeeeek!" Laurel squealed as she picked up the cat. "Where did you find him? He looks so adorable." Laurel said hugging him tightly with a very cute expression plastered on her face.
Phara was almost lost in the moment until the feline itself killed the vibe. "You are hug-gging me to t-tightly," he gasped.
Laurel's eyes flew wide open and she slowly brought the cat to face her. Its puny face held deep green eyes that held human-like features.
"There, that feels much better." He said releasing a heavy breath.
Laurel let out a deafening scream as she flung the cat onto Phara's bed. She ran behind Phara only taking a quick glance at the cat one more time before hiding behind her again. "Phara what is that thing?" she whispered.
Phara let out a tired sigh, "I have no clue."
Since Laurel can hear it then I'm either sane or both of us are facing the same madness. Is madness even contagious?
Phara stared long at the feline who had made himself comfortable on her bed. Then she finally spoke, "What in heaven's name are you cause I find myself doubting my own sanity."
The cat looked at her again. "You don't know?" it asked.
"Know what?"
"So you really don't know. That's not good at all."
"What am I supposed to know?"
"Do you know what a flinché is?"
"A flinché, no I don't?"
"Do you know what a nylock is?"
"I just learnt about them just like yesterday, why?"
"Tell me you're being sarcastic." When the cat saw the expressions on her face hadn't changed he dipped his head and let out a frustrated groan.
"Phara, what is going on?" Laurel asked timidly.
"I'm having a hard time figuring that out myself." Phara directed her gaze towards the feline, "You said you were my flinché."
"Yes, that is correct." The cat replied lazily.
"And your name was -ur- Sullivan?"
"Yes, that is my name."
"Then Sullivan could you explain to me what you are?" Phara's eyes pleading alongside her tone.
The cat stared at her then finally allowed himself rise from his perch, "Fine then, what is your name mistress?"
Phara stared at Sullivan a while longer before speaking, "Phara- Phara Carlucas."
"Well then, Aurak shinick ferosé malbunien. I pledge my fealty to my Mistress, Phara Carlucas." He got off the bed and approached them. "Where would you like me to begin?"
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