High Above...

High Above... Isn’t that what you always told me? That when you were up there and could touch the clouds, you knew that you’d escaped everything? Yeah, not the normal way to start a letter, but HEY WERE 21!!!! I should commemorate somehow, right? Well whatever. Happy 21st Birthday to the both of us!! Ha-ha I remember when we first met, like 11 years ago...1

~ ~ ~2

‘Smart idea C.T. Get yourself into another huge fight with the teenagers. Didn’t Jed always warn you?’ C.T had gotten into another major battle with gang of kids, and he hadn’t gotten off so easily this time…3

Usually, he could outrun his attackers, but not today. They had been able to hold him down, and take turns beating him senseless. He couldn’t remember anything much, except a scream, and someone picking him up and running off. At some point, he had blacked out.4

But now, examining his injuries; He was lying on a cot in the middle of a room, and his head and hand were heavily bandaged. His stomach and face had been cleaned of all blood, and he was wrapped in a huge sweater. At that point, someone walked in.5

“Feeling okay?” the figure asked. C.T stared at him, his mouth hitting the floor; this kid looked exactly like him, with the same dirty blonde hair, gray eyes, tan skin… the only difference was that this kid has a scar across his nose than ran onto his right cheek.6

“Who-How-Why-Your-, 7

“A simple ‘thank you’ for saving your butt would work,” the kid said, sitting beside the cot. “I’m Braden.” C.T continued stared at him.8

“Uh, thanks?” Is this some sort of joke? “Have I seen you before?” C.T asked. Braden laughed.9

“Well, I am your twin brother so-” 10

“Twin? Huh. Sorry, I don’t have a twin. Much less a brother.” C.T started to get up. Braden grabbed his arm.11

“You’re 11 years old. You were born on January 28th, and you have ADHD.” C.T stiffened. “You have a zigzagged scar on your neck. You love playing drums, and you’re an amazing artist, whose favorite animals are dragons.” C.T yanked his arm away. How does he know all this?12

“What’s my name?” he asked in a stone cold tone. Braden looked hard at him.13

“Canaan Tyler.” C.T whipped around.14

“Can I trust you?” he asked. Braden smirked.15

“Who can you trust?”16

~~17

Well, once I figured out that you weren’t trying to kill me, we got along pretty well. But I got to admit, I was kind of overwhelming; I had a twin for 11 years that I never knew about that just came out of nowhere. I always questioned you, mostly about my past. I remember the day when you sat me down and told me everything...18

~ ~ 19

“It’s time you knew,” Braden said. C.T sat down on the couch as he started talking.20

“We were both 4 years old. Dad was an alcoholic, and Ma couldn’t really do anything about it. He was really abusive, but you were a fast runner and always got away.” Braden gave a bittersweet smile at the memory. “One night, Dad came home really drunk. He and Ma got in a huge fight. She told us to run, and then Dad hit her in the head really hard.” Braden bit back tears. “She didn’t get up after that. I remember running, and when Dad got me. But you were fast. You got away. Dad gave me this that night.” Braden touched the scar on his face. Then, he got up and walked away.21

~22

~23

I had nightmares for weeks. You told me so many painful stories that you had to go through.24

But there were happy times.25

Like when you, me Artemis and Vlad would go play music in the streets, remember? But then those stupid scouts from Rolling Hills caught us, and made us go to their school for a community project. Remember Mr. Sparks, the hater?26

~27

~28

“We have a few new students today,” said a tall, brown haired mustached man. He motioned to the Vlad, Artemis, C.T, and Braden. Everyone craned their heads to get a better look. Mr. Sparks walked over to Braden’s desk.29

“Head up and hood off.” He said. Braden lifted his head.30

“I’d rather keep the hood on.” He said.31

“Hoods are prohibited in school.” Braden sighed and slowly removed his hood, and everyone gasped, even Mr. Sparks. He knew they were staring at his scar. The teacher regained himself and returned to his desk. He stared at C.T.32

“I see you’re twins. And judging by your brother, you two are no angels.” He said sternly. C.T started to protest, but bit his lips.33

“But I must say, welcome to Rolling Hills.”34

I thought I was going to kill that guy. He can’t just judge someone based on their appearance. But then we found THE BAND ROOM, remember? And you and Sunny were in love…..35

~ ~ 36

BANG37

“Ouch.” Braden rubbed his head. He looked at what had hit him… a trumpet?38

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I swear, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” A brown haired-girl bent down, and started picking up the contents of her case. She was wearing simple jeans, and a Rolling Hills T-Shirt.39

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m guessing you play trumpet?” 40

“Yes I do. I’m Sunny,” she said, offering her hand.41

“Braden. Or Red. Whichever’s easier. Is Sunny short for something?” he shook her hand.42

“ Yeah, Sundance. My parent’s were crazy when they named me,” she rolled her eyes. Braden laughed.43

“My brother’s over there. He plays drums.” C.T waved, and then continued playing.44

“Do you have any siblings?”45

“Yep,” Sunny said.” You’ve already met her. You know Bailey, don’t you? She’s my stepsister.”46

Oh yeah. Bailey was my first ever crush; Weird, because she and Sunny were complete opposites. Good times. But nothing lasts forever. We were being chased by the evil people and we were hiding behind that dumpster…47

~ ~ 48

“Listen to me. I want you to run. Don’t look back.” Braden held C.T by the shoulders.49

“You told me that a while ago. I didn’t see you for almost 8 years.” C.T said. Voices started coming down the alley.50

“Listen, I’ll be back,” the voices became louder…51

“RUN!” C.T took off. He heard a scream, punches, and a gunshot.52

And that was the last I ever saw of you.53

- C.T54

C.T finished his letter and laid it at the foot of his brother’s shrine.55

"You would’ve been 21 today.” He said, a couple tears slipping down his cheeks.56

He knelt down. “You can’t be dead, so where are you?” he stared long at the shrine, then turned around and left.57

A shadow like figure emerged from the air and picked up the letter. And that in fact, was what it was; a shadow, dressed in gray, with a single scar running across his nose. He wanted to scream to his brother, but couldn’t, for he was only a shadow.58

“You’re right twin. I’m still here.” He sighed59

“I love you Canaan. Don’t ever forget it.