The Eight Cycles of Immortality

Chapter 1: Twins

There were two aspects of Mathilda's immortal life that had been constant. Being immortal meant that people kept trying to kill you. The irony of this wasn't lost on her. Her unnatural state evoked a general discontent in anyone who had a shorter life span.

The other aspect felt much more dangerous. Being immortal meant that she was eternally stuck with whomever shared her affliction, which exclusively happened to be her siblings.

With great impatience she looked down onto the street from the first floor, in their old town house in Strasbourg. Every time Mathilda returned, the view outside had changed drastically. In a vague memory far away, she could still see the fields and meadows signaling the end of the village not far from here. Now there were buildings in any direction she looked. The last time she was here, there had been a tram line going through the road below. Although there were still remnants of its trails in the concrete, it had been turned into a busy road with cars instead. How things changed so quickly, Mathilda thought. Yet 'quickly' was relative. It had been an eternity since the last time she had been here. At least that's what it felt like.

This room used to be a study room, almost like a library, that was often occupied by her sister Gwen. Somebody had changed the interior in the last years. The new furniture looked a bit more disassembled and cheaper than the old one, but Mathilda didn't mind. It appeared fresh and lively. She had no idea which of her siblings had set it up. It had been so long since they had been here together.

A colder shiver ran down her spine. She hadn't been back in Strasbourg since 1950, and with great reason. A part of her always thought she could forget the pains of those days, but now that she was back the grief announced itself from deep inside her.

"What a marvelous view!" Peter said impressed. "For its age, your family home is in such a good state. But I'm sure the original owners did not spare any expense with the builder. The framework is extraordinary!"

He had made similar comments ever since they had arrived a week ago.

Glad to be taken out of her somber thoughts, Mathilda smiled. "It is lovely, isn't it?"

"Tilly," she heard a voice behind her.

She turned around and saw her sister Gwen standing in the doorway. Dressed in a blazer, perfectly cut trousers and heels, she looked like she had just come from a job interview. But this was just usual Gwen. Even on days where she travelled long distances.

"Gwen!" she announced happily and hugged her sister, who half-heartedly hugged her back.

Mathilda had long given up being upset about that fact. Gwen wasn't the hugger type. "You made it!"

When Gwen noticed Peter, she raised an eyebrow.

"This is Peter, my boyfriend," Mathilda said.

"You must be Gwen. Mathilda has told me so much about you and your brothers," Peter held out his hand and shook Gwen's heartily.

Gwen smiled weakly. Mathilda could tell that her sister had no interest in continuing the conversation. Instead she put down her small duffle bag.

She had packed lightly, Mathilda thought. Clearly she wasn't planning on staying long.

But that would change as soon as she heard the exciting news. Mathilda was sure of that.

Unfazed, Gwen turned back to Mathilda. "Can we have a word alone please?"

"Gwen, you're being rude," Mathilda countered.

"No, it's fine!" Peter gave an innocent chuckle. "I'm sure you sisters have a lot to catch up! I need to get back to my work in any case. I will take your bag upstairs!"