Behind them a squeal ripped through the tent and I was surprised to find it coming from Braven who was jumping, ducking, and weaving to avoid the lash of Vega's twisted tea towel which she flicked out at him with a crack. I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face. These were my friends, my family. No matter what came next, I had them.
Maya rose to her feet as she realised Fletcher and I had appeared at the tents doorway.
“How was everyone in the medical tent?” she asked. Leaving Tyler and Alice was going to be hard for her, but she didn't want to let her brother go after the Elite without her.
“Domino and Lark are sad they can't come with us, but Lark thinks we should leave as soon as possible.” I looked to Braven.
“We've already started packing,” he said puffing. “You give us the word and we'll be off.”
“We've all got your back Aurora,” added Vega throwing the tea towel onto her cot.
I drew in a deep breath. “Best I get packing then, let's leave at sun down?”
“Good idea,” Braven turned back to Vega.
There was a tug on my singlet and I looked down to find Alice had crept up beside me. “Aurora, can we come too?”
I knelt down to her eyelevel and beckoned her closer, lowering my voice. “I have an important job for you to do here.”
“You do?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“You know how my dad is sick?” I whispered.
“Yes,” said Alice.
“I need you to visit him every day until he gets better okay? Can you do that for me?”
“I promise,” she said wrapping me in her arms.
I held her tight, hoping I would be seeing her again soon. She pulled back and I tucked a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. “And you need to look after your brother too.”
“He's going to miss you and Maya,” she said.
“I know. But he'll have you until we get back.” I hated giving her false hope, but I couldn't bring myself to admit things might not go as well as we hoped.
Tyler gave me a nod from across the room and I returned the gesture.
“I'm going to miss you too.” Her eyes grew glassy and I had to swallow hard to stop my own tears.
“Not as much as I'll miss you.” I wrapped her in one last tight hug. “Now go help Maya pack her bag.”
Alice took off towards her brother and Maya and I turned and lifted my backpack up onto my cot.
“Aurora?” I hadn't noticed Fletcher sitting silently on the side of my bed. He waved my dad's envelope at me. “Are you going to open this before we go?”
I shrugged. “I don't know? Its Dads, not mine.”
Fletcher tilted his head to the side. “But he told you to open it.”
Ignoring him I unzipped my bag. “He told me it was in his pocket Fletch. He also said Seth's name, so I don't think he was in a great frame of mind. Whatever's in there was between him and Kylie.”
“What are you scared of?” he pried.
I snatched it from his hands, “nothing.”
“You're worried you'll find something in it you don't like.”
“Maybe, all of my questions are answered. What happens if this raises more?” I held the envelope towards him.
He pushed my hand and the envelope back towards my chest. “We'll find out the answers to those too.”
I looked at the envelope in my right hand and ran my left hand over my pendant which now had Kylies piece attached to the back of it. Dad hadn't told me what we'd be looking for on each city. I assumed it was another pendant, but was it? Kylie had mentioned three pieces and I hadn't asked Dad what happened when they were put together. What was I supposed to do with them when I had them all? My friends all looked at me as though I held the answers, but I still didn't know what came next. Maybe what I needed to know was inside the envelope.
“Here goes nothing,” I tore open the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
It was a single, white, crisp page, and printed along the top were the words, 'The Scientific Institute of Eden.' Below the heading were the words, 'DNA testing, Aurora Adams and undisclosed sample.' Lowering myself onto my cot, the world went quiet around me as my eyes ran over a series of acronyms and numbers comparing me to the unknown sample. At the bottom a simple sentence revealed the results. 'Test results conclude these are a positive sibling match.'
“Seth,” was all I could mutter as I let the page fall to the ground.
Fletcher scooped up the piece of paper and a gasped sounded at my side.
“Does this mean Seth…” he asked.
“Seth is my twin brother.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
Eden may have evolved from my imagination and love of conspiracies, but it wouldn’t be half the story it is without the help of a small village of people.
Thank you to Miika and the Creativia team for taking a chance on my books and making the publishing process smoother than it’s ever been before. I may not have found it easy to let go of control, but the end product ensures me every moment was well worth it.
As always, thank you to my BB’s. Your talent, creativity and sarcasm are exactly what I need and I always know where to go if I’m having a bad day. Another thank you goes to the team who read the first drafts of Eden and helped me mould it into the story it has become; Michelle L, Michelle B, my mum Jane, Kylie, Yvonne, Kayla and Patrick.
My inspiration comes from many places. People, movies, documentaries, and posts I see on social media, but one of my main sources is my husband and beautiful children who inspire me to chase and achieve my dreams. Without them I wouldn’t be doing what I love every day.
About the Author
L J Higgins hails from Queensland, Australia, and is a wife and mother of two gorgeous children. She is the author of the futuristic Dreamer Trilogy as well as On Delicate Wings, a story of a teen trying to fit in.
She likes to write stories that make you question, and remember to appreciate, the world around you, and to remind you to open your eyes, minds and hearts.
www.ljhiggins.com
Thanks for reading! Please leave an honest review on Amazon and let me know what you thought!
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