Boiling Point Between Sisters – Part 2
Danger in Australia
1908 A.D.
Australia
The old factory loomed in the distance, a hulking relic of the Victorian era; it’s windows dark and shattered much like the two lives of the twin sister that found themselves entangled within its rusted walls; Elizabeth and Lydia stood at the entrance, their paths so starkly different, the divergence of beliefs made it hard to believe they shared the same blood.
Elizabeth had been a loyalist to their father; George Smythe, a fervent cultists until the events back in Greece; in the past he had filled her head with promises of power, glory; meanwhile, Lydia had been the one who wanted to escape that life, when she escaped to be with her mother though, even then she couldn’t escape, the difference though, she had more freedom; Cathryn was a fierce anti-cultists; she had spent her life being raised by those who opposed the Imperium; raised to question authority, to value freedom and fight against oppression; it was these beliefs instilled within Lydia.
Tasked by their mother to work together with tracking down a Cultist group, the two found themselves in an uneasy alliance, their strained relationship made it very difficult when they found themselves being chased; their one goal now was simply to escape the very cultists they were meant to be observing, who now hunted them.
Elizabeth did not make things easy for Lydia, she would taunt and jibe at almost every opportunity, she had a long resentment of Lydia because of the lies told by her father the night Lydia and their half-brother; William had escaped.
“You’re going to get us killed” Lydia snapped, her silvery-grey eyes narrowed in frustration as she scouted the area; the air was thick with dust, the scent of rust clung to everything like a heavy blanket “If not for you we wouldn’t have been caught; you can’t be reckless, we needed to observe, to be smart”
Elizabeth simply shrugged, her usual bravado was on display “Oh pack it in Lydia; the plan you had was cowardly; besides, I am tired of all this running” she felt an adrenaline rush, a surge of the power that had been promised, but her sisters glare seemed to cut through her bravado
“Stop acting like some spoilt child; we stand a better chance being smart” she shook her head “You think your charm and manipulative tactics will save us here”
“Do you hear yourself when you talk” Elizabeth said rolling her eyes, she was purposely being dismissive
“Do you ever listen!” Lydia growled; her voice sharp, the tension between them escalating like a thunderstorm brewing in the sky “We need to stay low and quiet; they aren’t going to let us walk out of here”
The rift between them was palpable, but they had no choice but to work together, as they crept deeper in the factory the shadows danced around them, the broken machinery and twisted metal standing silent witness to the turmoil between them.
A sudden crash echoed through the cavernous space, sending a jolt of panic through both sisters; Elizabeth’s instinct was to move, to run; but Lydia held her ground, her heart raced as she surveyed their surroundings “Stay put” Lydia ordered, Elizabeth snorted derisively, brushing off Lydia’s authority
“Stop being dramatic; it’s just…” Though before Elizabeth could finish her sentence, a group of Cultists appeared around the corner, their faces were obscured by hoods; eyes glinting with malevolence, Lydia’s heart raced
Lydia quickly moved, grabbing Elizabeth’s arm and pulling her into the shadows “Shh!” Lydia whispered fiercely, but Elizabeth’s restless energy was contagious, and the clash f their personalities threatened to tear them apart
“Why do you need to be such a coward; a downer” Elizabeth hissed, the tension thick “You know what, I don’t need your help”
And with that Elizabeth decided to make a move, pulling a revolver free as she moved quickly to step out into the open; Lydia’s blood boiled at her sister’s idiocy, and she moved to grab her, but within the chaos, Lydia lost her balance, slipping back against the iron railing of the balcony they were stood upon
“Lydia!” Elizabeth’s eyes snapped back to her sister with horror as her sister’s foot slipped, she made her way to reach out for her, but she was too late; Lydia fell backwards
Time slowed as the world tilted; with a heart-stopping gasp, Lydia felt gravity seize her, dragging her down into the darkness; the fall was endless, the air around her suffocating as she crashed to the concrete floor below with a sickening thud
Panic flooded Elizabeth’s senses; the Cultists had noticed her, and were now closing in, there wasn’t any time for her to waste as she rushed down the nearest set of stairs; her heart pounding in her chest as she raced down, her earlier bravado evaporated in the face of her sister’s fall and subsequent injury “Lydia!” she shouted as she reached her sister; Lydia lay motionless on the ground, pain etched on her face, with blood trickling down along her forehead
Lydia groaned painfully as her eyes fluttered open “I…, I’m okay” she gasped; but Elizabeth saw a look of fear and pain present in her face
“No, you’re not” Elizabeth replied “I didn’t mean…”
“It doesn’t matter” Lydia interrupted, slowly pushing herself up, she let out a pained gasp as she moved “We need to go” she couldn’t hide her pain from her voice as she looked at Elizabeth
“They are down there!” a voice shouted, a voice Elizabeth recognised; glancing upwards, she saw Jack staring down from the balcony she had raced down from
“Elizabeth; we need to go; please…” she looked at her sister with pleading eyes; Elizabeth quickly moved to help Lydia up who let out a pained gasp; pulling her arm up and over her shoulder, giving Lydia support as they began to move; Lydia struggled but with little choice, she kept moving with Elizabeth’s help
Written By: Westley H.
Coming From the Shadows Series
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