The small town of Pebblebrook was a collection of lights on the horizon. Anne and Kate quietly walked over the grassy stretch where only a few trees dotted the landscape, with dense clumps of trees lining the river to their right. They neared the town within ten minutes.

We need to find a spot for you to get into fresh clothes. You are going to catch a cold with that ripped shirt.

Yeah... I guess. It still hurts a bit. I didn't notice.

Kate flashed a worried smile and pressed on.

They neared the edge of town where a small but long storehouse edged a town square. The moon was struggling behind a thick cloud that cast everything in temporary darkness. A cobblestone street led from the square into town, where the first of many streetlights cast their glow.

I can't see a thing. Me neither. It's too quiet. I guess everyone is in bed.

They rounded the building's corner and started across the empty square toward the light. Dry crunches broke the silence, as crisp as walking on brittle autumn leaves.

Please, no. Not this.

A breeze sailed through the streets before them that carried a putrid smell that was as familiar to Anne as it was dry. Kate gave a wet choke and grabbed Anne's shoulder, who pushed forward without hesitation, each crackling step forming part of a melody of death.

This is like my first memory of this life. This is what Tom and I found when we came to. What the hell, Anne. That is horrible. This is disgusting. What is-?

The crescent broke free from behind the clouds, and its dim moonlight returned to blanket the scene. The small cobble square was an ocean of scarlet that glistened under the moon. Blood clung against all the lampposts that framed the quad, where the stone met the grass. Every lightbulb had given its last light some night before.

Anne was slightly dazed by the fear that crashed from Kate, who was frozen in place, but she pulled her by the hand and they persisted once more.

Kate winced from the grip of her small hand.

"Anne, what is going on? You are scaring me."

"Look behind you."

Kate swung around. The building they had passed could now be seen more clearly in the moon's shine. It was an open storehouse filled with large glass canisters and metal jugs. Many had been smashed or tipped over. Everything was empty. Rows of bloodied taps pointed toward the center of the courtyard.

"Oh no. This was the town's water reservoir."

"So that is what it is. I hate it." Anne replied shortly.

None of this whole VD absurdity makes sense. The parts of this that almost makes sense nobody seems to agree on.

Anne's silent outburst seemed to have distracted Kate from her own worries, and they both focussed on calming their nerves.

Can we please go? Yes. Please.

They squinted from the light as they passed below the first street lamp, making no effort to keep themselves hidden.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Kate asked.

"I... don't know if I should answer that," Anne retorted.

Oh, you know what I mean.

Kate looked at the empty streets and alleyways around them.

"What I meant was, you know, this place. Do you think anyone is still alive?" Kate asked.

Anne shook her head.

They passed house after house. No sounds nor any signs of life. Kate flinched at the sight of house windows darkened red from the inside where its residents had their lives taken.

Kate gasped and covered her mouth with her trembling hands.

"I'm sorry," Kate said.

I only now realize you almost saw... saw me. It must have been terrible. You even mentioned... claws? But my mind kept wandering away, ignoring it.

"I saw you die."

"But I didn't. You saved me."

Anne led them up the stairs of a house and threw the door open. Cracks shot across the inlaid glass as it swung into the wall.

"Did I?"

Anne flicked the lights on, dropped her backpack on a seat as she passed the living room, then looked around the kitchen for food.

"You're confusing me. You broke through the cages and saved me, right?"

The fridge door creaked as Anne's hand tightened around its edge. "I can't remember."

"What-"

Glass and fluids rained as the fridge door crashed into the floor, ripped from its hinges.

"I don't know, ok!"

"I wish I did!" Anne said. Tears blanketed her face.

"If only I knew. If only I understood."

Anne's words were heavy and her breaths a shuddering mess.

"I could have saved Tiff."

"I could have saved John."

"Every time I see a bloody mess like this, I think of them. I'm so tired of seeing blood, including my own, and being forced to be content with not knowing anything."

"Even now... I am angry and scared... so scared."

Anne held her arms wide, her gaze sweeping over herself in confusion.

"Nothing is happening to me! Why am I fine when only days ago I was bleeding and nearly dying alone?"

She slowly sunk to the floor, where Kate had already moved in to catch her. She held her as she wept, with their legs wet from the water and juice that swirled across the tiled floor.

I could have saved Tom.

But you saved me. That means you can save Tom.

Kate pulls her closer. "And you are not alone... and not dying. Focus on that"

"Thank you," Anne said after a long pause.

"I don't want my clothes to smell like old fruit punch tomorrow. Let's get some clothes and something to eat, ok? Then I will tell you what I have come to understand about all this. Maybe I'll make sense."

Anne could not help but smile.

"Poor fridge."

Oh, shut up. Anne weakly tried to push Kate away, but she pulled her closer and wiped the tears from her face.

"I'll go look for some clothes," Anne said as Kate helped her up. She grabbed her backpack and disappeared around the corner.

The door to the main bedroom at the end of the corridor was open a notch. Anne approached the door, eyed the red stains that peeked out from beneath, then closed it with a loud click.

Don't go into the main bedroom. The... family is there. Oh. Thank you.

She entered another room, pulled off her shredded shirt, and slid into a fresh blue shirt she pulled from her backpack. A young girl lived here, and while her clothes were a bit too big, Anne found an old charcoal-colored jacket that fit her like a glove.

She grabbed a few more clothing items that looked like they would fit her and stuffed them into her backpack. She gave the room one more quick glance then dashed back to the kitchen.

Kate had swept the broken glass into a corner and piled all the food she could find on the kitchen counter. Her feet made soft splashes as she moved around.

"That was quick," Kate said as she sorted through the food.

"Yeah, I could not stand to be in there too long."

"Oh. Did she? In there?"

"No." Anne's voice trailed off.

Anne gazed down at the floor, looking for words.

"The girl here, she... loves pink."

Before Kate could ask, she shot her a hard and teary stare. Kate almost dropped what she was holding but forced a hopeful smile, yet could not stop herself from shivering at the sensation.

"Well, there's a lot of food here, and very little has spoiled. We can stock up for days, especially with some canned food."

Kate tossed a small can at Anne.

Tuna? Yep! Is it good? Oh yes, you will see.

"You take those, and I'll pack these," Kate gestured.

With their backpacks heavy from their loot, they each picked a couch in the living room. They lay in silence until Anne sat up, pulling her locks out of her face and taking a few deep breaths.

"Please tell me what you believe."

Kate slowly sat up straight, then placed an orange-white crystal on the tea table. Anne frowned at the Kua crystal.

What does that have to do with this?

Relax. Let me explain.

"First, tell me what explanations you've heard."

Anne crossed her arms as she slouched back, blowing a stubborn lock around her face.

"That stupid water shop girl said something about it being a disease. It definitely does not feel like just being sick."

Kate rolled her eyes and nodded in agreement.

"Then there is what Darius said. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Voice of God, punishment, and all that."

To this Kate barely moved.

"That's all I know. None make any sense. No offense."

The sharp sensation from Kate shook Anne, and she sat up straight again.

"Sorry."

"No, no. It's just Darius," Kate said.

"I really hope he is ok. He is the closest thing I have to a real father. I don't want to think what would have happened to me if not for him."

Kare shook her head. "Let's not think of that now. I have a lot to tell you."

There was a moment of absolute silence.

"Oh, where the hell do I begin?" Kate burst out.

"Why are we not exploding?" Anne asked bluntly.

"Good start. Well, I think it is because we are both twins."

"What?"

"Yes! From what I've read from old news articles and from people I have met, it looks like twins are more resistant to VD events."

I hate what they call it. VD events. Yeah, me too, but I'm not going to give it a better yet worse description.

"It also turns out that if one of the twins dies or gets moved far away... they become hyper-sensitive to VD." Kate ended in a whisper.

Anne could feel her heart beat faster.

"So, I think that twins share a hollow. Or each of their hollows has a part of the other inside them."

"What is this hollow? I remember it mentioned when you first brought me to the chapel." Anne asked.

"Think of it as like... your core. Your being. Your soul. Or rather, your hollow is where your being is found."

"Wait! So you are saying that part of Tom is, or was, inside me?"

"Was... but yes."

"That is why I could feel his emotions, and he could feel mine?" Anne asked. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Yes. Wait, you are inside my hollow! Yes! Darius was right. You do catch on fast.

Kate could not help but laugh. Then leans forward and picks up the crystal on the table.

"Come smarty-pants, take a guess." Kate rolled the crystal between her fingers and pointed it at Anne.

"You said that a twin without the other becomes more sensitive. Does that mean it leaves a gap... like a hole, inside your hollow thingy?"

"Ok, I am impressed. That's what I also think. That space in your hollow for your twin is left open, which is very bad."

Kate held the crystal up and stared at it intently.

"This is how I stayed alive. Came across these long ago while I was hiding in a cave. These crystals somehow filled that gap."

"The crystal is alive?" Anne asked, now eying the crystal wide-eyed.

"Well, to a degree. I could always feel a presence, but there was never any thought or emotions I could feel from them."

"Them?" Anne asked.

"Well, yes?" Kate smiled.

Though now that my lovely Anne is part of me, I can't feel anything from them anymore.

Anne held out her hand and gestured to the crystal. Kate twirled it once more and then threw it at Anne. She caught it, held it for a moment, then shrieked. The crystal landed on the glass coffee table with a clatter.

"What happened? Are you ok?" Kate jumped up.

"Yes, I'm fine. That thing was freezing!"

Kate picked up the crystal and sat down again to study it. "Not cold at all for me."

Yeah, this is weird. I have no clue.

Another eerie silence.

"Kate?"

"Oh! Yes?" She tucked the crystal in her pocket.

"You haven't talked about VD events. Like, what they are."

"I actually have no idea. I know that everyone is susceptible, twins less so. That's it." Kate shrugged.

"And as you know, VD events are triggered by a state of heightened emotion." She continued.

Anne sat back with her eyes closed and mulled everything over.

What am I missing? These pieces must fit somehow.

You know I can hear you. Yeah yeah.

Wait!

"Kate... if these crystals things can fill the hole in your hollow, can something else out there not do the same?"

That scream on the farm. Tiff and John. That thing that came out of Kate on the train.

Kate sat quietly.

"What I saw. On the train."

"Are you saying some shadowy thing with claws killed my sister!"

I'm so sorry. I should keep my mouth shut. No! I think you are right, but that is the problem. If that is true.

Kate pulled on her hair, looking bewildered.

"I need some air," She said and rushed out the front door.

Anne followed. Kate had dropped onto her knees and was vomiting on the grass. Anne knelt behind her and rubbed her back with both hands as Kate sobbed. She wiped her mouth with a shaking hand.

Thank you.

We need to move, get out of here, and clear our heads.

Good idea. We have a long way to go anyway, and the silence here is creeping me out.

Something in the corner of her eye caught Anne's attention.

"Kate. I think we will be there much quicker than we thought."

"What? Why?"

Anne helped her up. A naughty smile stretched across her face.

"Ever ridden a bike before?"