Stepping into the Shadows Excerpt: Astraea & Ichnaea
“I’m so bored,” Astraea groaned. She laid on the forest ground and threw her arm over her forehead for added dramatic effect.
“You’re a drama queen, is what you are,” Ichnaea said back. She was leaning against a nearby tree and wasn’t in the mood to listen to Astraea’s bitching.
“You’re so unsympathetic to my struggles. Just for that I’m sending my bad mood to you.”
Ichnaea rolled her eyes. “We might be twins but we can’t share feelings, no matter what you think.”
Astraea and Ichnaea were identical twins with dark brown skin, full lips, and long eyelashes. Well, they were almost identical. Astraea broke her nose once and now it was slightly crooked. Astraea wore her hair in boxer-braids and Ichnaea wore hers in a two dutch braids. Astraea’s eyes were purple and Ichnaea’s were brown.
But other than that, they were identical.
“Our life is filled with a series of insanely stressful days followed by a series of days where nothing happens and then the cycle repeats itself, you know that?”
“Yes Astraea, I know. I’ve been doing this for three years now, same as you.”
The snapping of branches alerted Ichnaea to someone approaching. She sat up straighter, adjusting her sunglasses at the sight of Lieutenant Richardson. He had a white skin tone, hair shaved close to his head, and a face that showed his age. He looked from Ichnaea to Astraea, gaze lingering on Astraea who was still laying down. Her mouth curled in a smile as she sent him a sarcastic two finger salute. He glowered at her before he started talking.
“We have a new member joining our squad. Should be arriving in a few days, so we’re going to camp here until then. Be on your best behavior.”
“Of course, Lieutenant, aren’t we always?” Astraea drawled.
“Watch yourself, girl. Best trackers the U.S. has or not I won’t hesitate.”
Ichnaea felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She knew he wouldn’t kill them. They were the best trackers in the Orion Project, but they both knew there were things worse than death.
“Course. Cross my heart.” Astraea’s mouth was smiling but behind her sunglasses Ichnaea could see the coldness in her eyes.
The Lieutenant looked like he wanted to say something else but thought better of it and left.
Once Ichnaea could no longer hear his footsteps, she hissed, “why do you antagonize him?”
“Cause it’s fun and I can. Relax, he won’t do anything about it. If he hasn’t yet, I doubt he ever will.”
Ichnaea narrowed her eyes as she watched her sister carefully. “You’re awfully happy after being told they’re adding something else to the squad.”
Astraea shrugged the best she could while laying down. “We could use new people, spice things up a bit.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. You’re hoping that they send a pretty girl that you can pine over.”
Astraea laughed. “True. I don’t know why you said it like it’s some great secret I’m trying to hide. And if it is a girl, I’m sure the pining stage of our relationship won’t last long.”
“Oh my God, I don’t want to hear about your imaginary sex life.”
“You’re the one who went there.” A dreamy look crossed her face. “God, I hope she’s strong.”
“You’d really hook up with a soldier?”
Astraea rolled onto her stomach so she could see Ichnaea. “How do you know they’re sending a soldier?”
“Who else would they send? Lieutenant Richardson and Corporal Williams are the only soldiers here, only ones ‘keeping us in line.’ The ratio of Deviants to humans is four to two. They probably want to even the odds, and if they’re going to send another human they might as well send a useful one,” Ichnaea pointed out.
“Damn,” Astraea muttered. “Was hoping for another Deviant.”
“And they might send a guy.”
“Ugh, I hope not. Don’t say that.”
Ichnaea laughed at the disgusted face her sister made.
“Please don’t call me that.”
“-and it’s not like there are any opportunities to meet someone, what with how we move every week. The only other girl in our squad is like ten.”
“There’s no way she’s ten.”
“She could be,” Astraea insisted. “Either way, her specific age doesn’t matter- she’s definitely too young for me. I’m going to be alone forever.”
“I can’t tell what I’d rather have happen,” Ichnaea began thoughtfully. “Have them send another asshole soldier boy and have to listen to you bitch and moan about being lonely or have them send a woman soldier and have to watch you flirt. Badly.”
A laugh burst out of Astraea like she was surprised by it. “Shut up, you asshole. I spill my deepest feelings and darkest fears to you and you make fun of me? What kind of sister-”
“Oh my God,” Ichnaea said, laughing as well.
Once their laughter settled down, Astraea smiled softly and took Ichnaea’s hand in hers. “It’ll be alright, no matter who they send. We’ll be alright.”
Ichnaea stared down at their hands, at Astraea’s chipped pink nail polish and her own dirty, uneven nails and smiled. She squeezed her hand.
“And who knows, maybe they’ll be great, yeah? Maybe it’ll be amazing.”
“Maybe,” Ichnaea whispered, not believing it.
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