The Gate

Chapter 15

“Terra,” Faye whispered again, taking another step back.  She almost tripped on her own feet, all sense of balance lost.  She couldn’t think of anything—anything—but the girl in the cell.  “Terra.  Is it—is it really you?”

Faye watched as the girl’s eyes widened and she wrapped her hands around the bars.  “Faye,” she whispered, so lowly that Faye almost couldn’t hear her.  If it weren’t for her total concentration, the screams would have covered her words.  “Oh my—Faye.”

Faye fell forward, her hands curling on the bars.  She couldn’t believe it.  She just couldn’t believe it.  Terra was standing right in front of her.  Terra, who for the past seven years Faye thought to be dead. 

Nothing made sense anymore.

“This can’t be happening,” Faye said, feeling dread curl within her stomach.  “I saw your body—I saw it.”

Terra shook her head.  “No, Faye.  You didn’t.  I’ll explain everything later.  For now, I need you to get the key from Miranda.  Once I’m out we can get out of here, okay?”

She sounded exactly as she had seven years ago, Faye couldn’t help but think . She looked and sounded exactly the same.  It was like she hadn’t aged at all.  At all.  It didn’t make any sense, Faye’s mind kept saying.  No sense.  No sense.  No sense.

But it was happening.

Faye found herself nodding, and she was moving away from the cell when she heard a huge bang.  She spun around, her eyes wide as Miranda came storming in, her arms flailing as she ran.  Something had happened.  Something had happened to her.

“Miss!” she hollered as she came barreling closer.  She came to a stop in front of Faye, her eyes narrowing.  “Olyv, what are you doing here?  What are you doing here?”

Faye bit down the question as to why Miranda asked the question twice before trying to muster up a reply.  “I’m—”

“Miranda, we’ve been over this,” Terra said tiredly, dragging a hand down her face.  “This is not Olyv.  This is my sister, Faye.”

Miranda froze.  “You—you have a sister?”

“Yes.”  Terra paused.  “Miranda, I need you to unlock my cell.  Can you do that for me?”

Faye watched with surprise as Miranda nodded, pulling out the keys she’d taken from Courtnie’s office.  Was this the sole purpose of the keys?  Visiting Terra inside her cell?  How often had Miranda done this?  How often over the past seven years had Miranda come to visit Terra while she was stuck at home mourning the loss of the sister who hadn’t died.  How often? 

Miranda selected a key from the ring and moved forward, swiftly unlocking the cell.  Faye stared as her sister strutted out of the cell, still as confident as she had been before Faye was tricked into thinking she committed suicide.  “Faye,” she said softly.  “Oh my God, Faye.”

Faye rushed into her sister’s arms, squeezing her tightly as she was pulled closer.  Terra held her just as tightly, her chin resting on Faye’s head.  Faye felt tears burn in her eyes as she hugged her sister.  She knew thought she’d be able to do this ever again.  And it killed her.  But now?  Now she felt like anything was possible.  “I’ve missed you so much,” she wept into Terra’s shoulder.

“I’ve missed you too, hon.  More than you know.”

The girls pulled away and Terra held her out at arm’s length.  “You’ve grown up on me!” Terra said, smiling.  “What happened to the little girl who was scared of the beast on the other side of the Gate?”