Nothing was too boring, or too exciting; just normal. He hadn’t thought much about it. The morning of his 18th birthday he found his life would never be the same. Caine went to school and reached out for a textbook, but it came to him on its own. He shrugged it off as his eyes were tricking him, and they were closer than they appeared. After a week, he began to realize he had telekinesis and teleportation. The ‘magic council’ decided magical beings should only be allowed to have their powers when they were ‘adults’. It wouldn’t have been so bad if people weren’t trying to destroy him to get it. Not to mention the attractive classmate that got invariably involved! Now he had to save her too! Was he really strong enough to protect this person who is most precious to him?

        Sarah Willow couldn’t believe her luck! One attack after another! The crime rate in the city was really becoming astonishing! Yet, it wasn’t so bad. Caine Malvey always came to her rescue in the nick of time. She didn’t know how he did it! One minute she was being mauled and nearly raped, the next the perpetrator was on the ground with Caine standing over him. She was grateful and curious. Caine was pretty attractive and mysterious. Sarah vowed to unveil his secrets and get him to ask her out. Suddenly she finds herself in a world of danger and with only Caine as her ally. Was this really worth a dinner at McDonalds?  
        
Coming Soon
Misadventure

I

        The usual morning buzz filled the room and Caine Malvey groaned. He picked up the annoying alarm clock and threw it out the window. This did not halt his wake up call. His twin sister bounded into the room with her dark hair curled around her face and frilly clothes on her slender body. Her brown eyes sparkled with delight and enthusiasm. Their eyes were their only physical difference. However their eyes seemed to change color. While his sister’s ranged from brown to black, his ranged from purple to blue to black. It had always been that way.
        “BROTHER ♥! Oh, dear brother! Wake up! This is your most wonderful day in the year! Do you know why?” his sister asked. Caine groaned and rolled over pulling his pillow on his head. His sister snatched his pillow from him. “Do you know why?” she whined.
        “It’s Thursday?” he asked snatching back his pillow. His sister giggled.
        “No silly! Guess again!”
        “I’m too tired for these games, Becca! Just tell me so I can go back to sleep,” Caine groaned but his voice was muffled by the bed. Rebecca Malvey harrumphed.
        “You’re such a sour puss!” Rebecca pouted. Her mood was quickly replaced with her bubbly enthusiasm. “It’s my 18th birthday!” she exclaimed.
        “Mm!” Caine acknowledged pulling his covers over his head trying to fall back into his peaceful slumber. Rebecca jumped on him. “OOF! What are you doing?!” he demanded pushing her off.
        “Well? What did you get me?” Rebecca asked pulling the covers from his grip.
        “A big fat can of nothing! Can I please have my long-deserved sleep-in-on-Thursday-morning rest?” he begged sitting up and looking up at his sister who was standing over him on his bed. Rebecca sighed.
        “I’m eighteen and you didn’t get me anything?” she asked disappointed. Caine pulled the covers from him making his beloved sister fall smack on the floor.
        “Guess I’m not sleeping in,” he muttered running a hand through his straight dark hair. He walked to the kitchen and made himself a cup of orange juice. All the while, his sister trailed behind him.
        “Are you planning to get me anything?” she demanded perturbed.
        “Over ten years of cooking, cleaning, clothing, and buying you Christmas and birthday presents and you still want one when you’re an adult?!” he asked sleepily.
        “You really don’t have anything for me?” Rebecca’s disappointment washed away all bubbly enthusiasm from her face and actions. Caine sighed then pulled an envelope from the silverware drawer.
        “Here, you little imp!” he said tossing it across the marble counter top to her. Rebecca’s eyes widened with renewed excitement. She opened it and pulled out two tickets.
        “Yura-yura? This band is the sh-”
        “-Best? For you maybe…” he interrupted her. He didn’t want to know that his sister cursed. “You can take your boyfriend, Jared.”
        “Jerry will be out of town. Besides he doesn’t like them because it’s a band made up of girls. He believes only a guy should be good on drums,” she explained. “Chauvinist!” She muttered the last word to herself, but Caine heard. He got up before his sister went on one of her rants and had to defend the entire male gender. “Wait just a minute,” she told him as if reprimanding him. Crap! No escape! he thought. Once again he would have to defend himself. He turned and she shoved a box into his hands. He looked at her in confusion. She rolled her eyes as if it were obvious. “We’re twins. It’s your birthday too!” she drawled. Caine looked suspiciously at the light weight box. Putting it on the table, he unwrapped it. He forgot! He stared at the box for a minute then hugged his sister jubilantly.
        “Thanks for the stereo. I know you must have had to save up a lot for this!” he said happily. He pulled away
        “You’re welcome. Don’t forget to thank Jerry. He installed it, but it was hard to do that quietly so we wouldn’t wake you,” she complained then smiled. Caine kissed her forehead.
        “Thanks again. Now let’s go to school. We may be geniuses, but you still need to attend your high school classes. Even if they are tediously easy,” he added the last muttering. He and his sister could have skipped at least two grades. If you listen closely the first time, there was no need to learn it repeatedly. High school, however, was unrelenting. You had to attend class for the lectures, attendance, and due dates.         Surprisingly, no one would tell them what the assignments were because they were “supposed to know because they were so smart”. Caine scoffed and sipped his juice. He and Rebecca quickly dressed then headed to school. He thought to skip but, no. His sister had to wake him up!  He growled then raked a hand through his hair. He was going to make his sister pay for waking him.
        Unlike most teenagers, instead of spending his time blaring music 24-7 and dating like a Casanova, he investigated his parents murders. Not deaths, murders. They were killed when he and Rebecca were about seven years old. Instead of living in a foster home, Caine lied to the police about a distant relative and worked to support him and his sister. The uniforms had already given up the case, and who could blame them? Every suspect and lead turned up cold. He couldn’t explain the motive or discern the modus operandi. He thought back to his relatives he’d known and knew they had neither motive, incentive, or the means. But that was just it! The markings on their bodies and the crime scene weren’t normal; the means weren’t normal! Somebody wanted them dead. That much he was certain. But how did they do it? Why did they do it? Caine sighed.
        “Earth to Mr. Malvey. I asked you a question! The steps to solving this intricate problem are important! Please listen!” the teacher reprimanded. Some of the male students snickered. Caine sighed again.
        “I’m sorry, Ms. Charlotte. My mind wandered. I was trying to solve a murder case. Please continue. I will take notes, and once you finish explaining I’ll tell you that the answer is four,” he said opening his book appearing ready to take notes. Ms. Charlotte gaped. The class had gone silent. “Sorry, people have told me that I’m a genius,” he said bored. Ms. Charlotte turned back to the board and continued albeit embarrassed.
        “That was cool,” the girl sitting next to him whispered leaning toward him. “I didn’t think anyone was that smart! All you had to do was look at it and you could tell…!” she said still whispering. He could tell she was hesitating.
        “I assume you have something else on your mind?” he asked trying not to let his irritation shine through. The girl nodded.
        “My name is Sarah. Sarah Willow. I’m sorry. You probably know that. We’ve sat together for half a year.” He actually hadn’t known her name and was grateful she introduced herself so he wouldn’t have to ask and look insensitive. “Anyway, I was wondering if you could be my tutor,” she said looking hopeful. Caine was used to things like this.
        “If you’re really having trouble, I’ll help. If you’re only doing this so that you get kudos from your friends by getting remotely close to me, then you can take your invitation and shove it,” he whispered with a wry smile. The bell rang. Caine grabbed his bag which was practically empty and his binder from the desk before turning to leave. Behind him he heard Jamey Tyler say enviously “Did you get a number? He freaking smiled at you!”
Sarah Willow
        At first Sarah thought she would talk to him because her friends begged her to. But when he shut up the teacher and answered the problem, she genuinely wanted help with her calculus work. His words stung. He’d definitely hit a nerve. Then, Jamey didn’t wait until he was out of earshot before asking if she got a number! A number! Sarah scoffed and grabbed her things. “I don’t care about his number!” Yes, she did. “There is no way there will be a next time!” she said as a gleam of mischief lit up her friend’s face. “If you want a number, you get it!” she nearly shouted before storming out of the room. She hadn’t realized she’d passed Caine in her haste until he caught her by her elbow.
        “That was mean!” he teased. Sarah huffed then reclaimed her arm.
        “I don’t think so. She was the one that told me to talk to you. Then I genuinely wanted your help and you told me to ‘shove it’. I think that everything I’d said was very appropriate!” she said then started the walk faster down the hall.
        “Too bad. I might’ve actually given you my number. But you so clearly don’t want it,” he drawled.
        “Good thing you’re sexy. Or else I would’ve punched you right in your face,” she said with a fake smile then walked quickly to class before he could say another word to her. Crap! She forgot he was in her Virginia History class! Trying to ignore him she focused on Mrs. Lewis. To her dismay, her gaze kept shifting to him. At first, he only caught her staring once or twice. Now he was staring at her! She should’ve felt lucky but she felt more on edge and nervous than she had before. She took down every word on the board (even the date) to avoid Caine’s mesmerizing gaze. Does he have to be cute? Sarah thought looking off into space. She had long finished her work. Everyone (except Caine) was still working. Sarah always knew it was a bad idea to finish quickly and have time to her own thoughts. Especially when the thoughts involved spectacular purplish eyes. Damn him! Sarah thought angrily and snuck a look at him. He had a hand propping up his chin, with his elbows on the table. Not only was he staring at her, he was doing it openly! Sarah quickly looked away. Hot damn, his eyes are gorgeous! she thought.
        “If you still want my help in Calculus…” a voice whispered in her ear. Sarah covered her mouth to keep from screaming and quickly turned to the source. Caine narrowly dodged her elbow as she spun. He smiled crookedly at her. Before contemplating what the smile could do to other girls, Sarah took a gulping breath.
        “Please do not do that,” she whispered at him through the silence of the room. “And yes, I would like your help with my Calculus work! I’m not happy with my C-,” Sarah whispered and sighed with relief. Caine took the empty seat beside her.
Caine Malvey
        Caine was genuinely surprised. Sarah wasn’t like other girls. She was blunt about the truth and never said anything she didn’t want to. As he went to grab the chair, it came to his open hand. Caine almost paused. That was strange. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him, he reasoned as he sat in the chair next to Sarah. She pulled out her work and Caine helped her work through the problems.
        “Wow. That wasn’t so bad. It was easier than when Ms. Charlotte explained it!” Sarah said sounding surprised. Caine smiled at her.
        “That’s because she was teaching it wrong. In any case, the bell is about to ring. I have to go to Mr. Brown before next period. Mrs. Lewis already gave me permission,” he said as she opened her mouth to talk. “Did you still want my number?” he asked innocently. Sarah glared at him and searched his face for evil intent. When she decided she’d found none, she shrugged.
        “I guess it would make you easier to contact for study sessions,” she reasoned almost to herself. Caine smiled widely. He scribbled his number on the corner of her Calculus work. Then he grabbed his belongings and left. He didn’t know why he was acting as if he’d done a 180. He just felt like she deserved his respect for standing up to her friends. No one else he’d seen had ever done that for him. He smiled to himself. Sarah might just make the rest of the year interesting. He walked to Mr. Brown’s class and collected the class work for the next few classes. He decided that he would take a few days off school to try and solve his parents’ murder. During lunch, he went to his other teachers and asked for the same. They agreed willingly enough, but were a little suspicious. Caine sighed as he finished the work in his Health class with Ms. Mirandi. He pulled out the file with the pictures of the bodies and crime scene. The corpse’s didn’t seem to be cut, but there was blood everywhere. There were no marks of strangulation or stab wounds, but blood poured from their mouths. The crime scene was clean. There were no blood spatters or indication that anyone had stepped foot in the soft grass. The only indication that the blood was fresh when the bodies were dumped, was the overflowing blood that soaked the ground around the bodies as if it were still spreading and spilling when they were set down. Yet, there were no additional car or feet tracks other than those of the victims’. There were deep scorch marks on the tree that were unexplained. It was near the middle of the tree. If someone lit the tree, they wouldn’t have been able to put it out in time, it was too high unless someone threw it, how would it have stayed long enough to catch fire, there was no oil residue, and, according to lab findings, it wasn’t slowly burned. Running a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh, Caine sat back in his chair. Nothing seemed to fit! It was almost impossible to have killed them, got away, and leave no trace. The file clearly stated that they were found by police less than an hour after the murder. How did they get away so fast? How were they warned? A warm hand gently stroked his arm.
        “It’s been seven years since that day. About a week since you got a copy of the file. Maybe you should take a break. You’re working too hard,” his sister soothed. Caine smiled but knew it was visibly fake. He stood and walked over to back of the room for a textbook. He might as well fit that in, too, if he was going to skip. To his surprise the book was in his hand before he touched the counter. He paused and blinked at the hand that held the textbook. Trick of light, he concluded as he carried the book back to his seat and began his work. The class ticked on slowly. The bell finally rang and Caine headed to his art class. It passed uneventfully and finally it was time to go home.
        Caine and Rebecca were soon home and Caine sank heavily into his desk studying the file. Rebecca looked down at him worriedly. “I was serious. You look peaky and exhausted. I might have to take those files from you!” she said glancing at the manila folder on his desk. Caine glared at her before taking his seat and moving files out of snatching distance.
        “I might have to get a safe,” he mumbled. Rebecca sighed.
        “Honestly. I swear you think that thing is a baby! You need to relax. What difference would it make if you knew who’d done it?” she asked softly staring down at her feet.
        “ ‘What difference-’?! They’re murderers! They should be punished for their crimes! You know as well as I do that mom and dad never did anything bad or harmful to anyone! They were innocent people! Never mind the fact that the perpetrator orphaned us and killed the ones we hold near and dear! Their deaths should be justified!” Caine shouted.
        “It won’t bring them back!” Rebecca shouted at him practically glaring through her watery eyes. “I loved them as much as you did! I still love them, even in death! But you studying that damn file for days on end is doing you more harm than good. I love, respect, and appreciate all you’ve done for me. I only ask for one more thing. Take a break for just one week. Then I’ll be happy! I can’t just watch you sulk around studying that file with such a concentrated look on your face! I cherish their memory and want the people who did this found, but have you seen what it’s done to you?! I look at you and I don’t see my brother Caine anymore. I see Detective Caine! And what happens if you don’t find anything? The detectives and pigs were on it for two whole years and didn’t find a damn thing! Please, brother. One week,” Rebecca pleaded practically shouting at him as tears streamed rapidly down her face. Caine’s face softened. He pulled her by the wrist into his lap and held her.
        “One week,” he sighed. “If it’s worth making you cry over, then I’ll do it,” he said after Rebecca’s sobs stopped about thirty minutes later. Rebecca nodded as she clutched his shirt.
        Later that day, they found a note saying that they would recently encounter something new and unexpected and were to be cautioned of emotions and minds, and appearance and control. They both shrugged it off as a prank and went to bed.
        The next day Caine sat in his English class as his teacher droned on about Julius Caesar. He’d gathered his work for the class and finished it the previous night, so he sat there bored longing to study the file again. He closed his eyes and remembered the pictures and most of the words. He said he’d lay off the file, he couldn’t help it if he remembered it on accident, he thought smiling slyly.
        “No thinking about it, either,” his sister hissed from behind him. How did she know?! “I don’t know how I knew. I’ve been hearing thoughts since yesterday afternoon. If you’re bored, read a book.” Caine turned back to the board defeated. He didn’t want to know how his sister could read minds. Maybe she just knows me well enough, and this is a trick so I won’t think about the file! He snuck a glance at her. “I guess I know you well. This isn’t a trick. And don’t you dare think about that file,” his sister said not looking up from the book she was reading. “And no, ‘Twilight’ is not too childish a book. It may not be the completed works of William Shakespeare, but it entertains well enough,” she glanced at him raising one eyebrow as if to tell him ‘I told you so’. “The teacher is about to ask why you needed that work in advance when you’re attending class. I’d like to know the same.” Mr. Brown walked up just as she finished.
        “You’re through with your work, Mr. Malvey. I wonder why you needed it in advance, when you’re here. I thought your parents were taking you away for a few days,” Mr. Brown whispered. Caine shook his head slowly.
        “Change of plans. Dad was just promoted and so he has a ton of work to do including an important presentation in a few days. Mom didn’t want to go without him, so it was all for nothing. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience,” he explained shaking his head sadly. It’s all your fault! he blamed his sister as the teacher patted him sympathetically on the shoulder and walked away.
        “I don’t regret it. You look healthier and I think the wrinkles in your forehead are beginning to go away,” Rebecca said cheerfully not taking her eyes off her book. Caine growled at her. You need to find a new hobby. Last time I checked harassment was illegal. Rebecca rolled her eyes. Do me a favor and stop reading my thoughts, okay? Rebecca looked up and glared. “Fat chance! You’ll review the file again!” she whispered. Caine rolled his eyes. And break the rules? Wish I’d thought of that, Caine thought wryly. Caine opened his other class work and began to do that. The bell rang and Caine grabbed his papers from the desk and his book bag in one movement. He and his sister walked down the hall without talking before they stopped in front of his chemistry class. “Ooh! You’ve got an admirers! But I’d say Ms. Willow has the biggest crush on you! Bye,” Rebecca said then with a coy look walked away to her History class. I wonder if she can hear thoughts far away, Caine wondered. “Yes, I can!” Rebecca called without turning to look. Caine cursed then walked into his class and slid into his seat next to one of his blonde ‘admirers’. He resisted the impulse to roll his eyes as she slid him a note. Caine pretended not to see it and then on ‘accident’, he pushed it off the desk. The blonde picked it up and tried to entice him with her breasts as she handed it to him.
        “You dropped this,” she said sweetly holding it toward him as she pushed out her breasts. Caine smiled politely.
        “I hadn’t noticed. Thank you,” he said taking it from her and discreetly throwing it in the trash can behind him when he pretended to put it in his pocket. Mrs. Calendar continued teaching, not noticing what had transpired. He heard a scoff off to the right of him. He looked and saw Sarah looking at him. She immediately turned away when he looked. Caine couldn’t help but smile.
Sarah Willow
        She hadn’t meant to scoff out loud. The minute the air rushed from her mouth at the disgusting display from the blonde bimbo, she wished it back. Too late. Caine looked over at her and she turned away quickly and she blushed like a school girl! Sarah was disgusted with herself. Behaving like that over a boy. She of all people knew men were shallow and conniving. They’d do anything to get what they want. Sarah repressed a shiver. A hand tapped her shoulder making her jump. Marina (a.k.a. Mimi) winked at her as she passed up a note. Sarah smiled kindly and opened the note.
How are you doing? You look a little cold. Sorry I had to resort to this kind of second grade stuff… -Caine
Sarah stared at the neat handwriting before turning to glance at a worried looking Caine. She passed the note back the way it came.
I’m surprised you noticed. I thought you were…preoccupied with your lab partner.
Just as she was about to finish copying the notes on the board, the note was back.
HELP ME! Please! You owe me for the Calculus tutoring!
Sarah looked back to see the bimbo stroking Caine’s arm affectionately. Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled when she saw the look of unease when he turned away from her. Sarah walked over and grabbed Caine’s hand. This is to repay him, she thought. Ah, hell! Who am I kidding?! This is great!
        “Caine, I’d rather you sat with me. Why you would desert your girlfriend even for class…It seems so cruel,” she said stroking his chin with her forefinger. The blonde let go then. Sarah led him to her seat. The boy sitting next to her willingly switched with Caine.
        “Thanks. I was in deep back there,” he whispered and flashed her a relieved smile.
        “Your welcome. Um…you can let go of my hand now,” she said. She didn’t want him to let go, but…
Caine Malvey
        “No. I don’t want her to have an excuse to come over here. She’s still looking suspicious,” Caine lied. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want to let her go. Sarah agreed willingly enough and wrote the final notes from the board down.
        “Are you sure? Can you write with your left hand?” Sarah asked raising an eyebrow at him. Caine smiled and tapped his head with his left forefinger.
        “I’m a genius, remember?” he drawled. Sarah rolled her eyes smiling.
        “Speaking of. There is a Calculus test tomorrow. Do you think I could come over your house or-”
        “Okay,” he said coolly interrupting her. Sarah looked at him.
        “Your parents won’t mind?”
        “They work late and as long as I’m home by eleven, they don’t care what I do,” Caine lied with a half smile. Sarah stared at him. “What?” he asked finally. Sarah shook her head blushing. “I bet you were staring at the unnerving perfection of my facial features,” Caine said wryly. To his amazement her ears started turning red and she didn’t deny it. Caine turned back to the teacher and waited for something to happen. Sarah surprised him with her voice.
        “What if rumors start spreading about this?” Sarah whispered urgently. Caine flashed her a devilish smile and shrugged.
        “Less fan girls to follow me around,” he said whimsically. Then, something occurred to him sobering his smile. “But if those rabid fans come near you, tell me. I didn’t thoroughly think this through. If it comes to that, then I’m sorry.” Sarah’s eyes widened and the beet red blush flushed her face again. “Do you have a fever? Your face suddenly got red,” he said concerned as he put his hand to her forehead. Sarah shook her head and moved away from his hand.
        “I’m fine. It’s just hot in here,” Sarah said. Caine shrugged and turned back to the teacher.
Sarah Willow
        Sarah was practically hyperventilating. Caine Malvey was freaking touching her. Not only touching, holding her hand. Sarah berated herself mentally for behaving so childishly. It was all an act to save him from a rabid fan girl. “Talk about Lois Lane and Clark Kent,” Sarah muttered to herself.
        “What did you say?” Caine asked. Sarah shook her head. She had to stop thinking out loud!
        “So we’re going out-I mean, pretending to go out?” Sarah asked Caine quietly.
        “If you don’t mind,” he said smiling crookedly at her. Her stomach leapt into her throat then did a flip before settling in it’s respective spot. Sarah, unable to speak, nodded. Caine chuckled and faced the board. Sarah suddenly felt very comfortable being at his side. Never a good sign, but nice to feel. Sarah basked in it until the bell rang and they walked to the next class. Study hall was never so torturous until then. Caine and Sarah were dragged by their fans to opposite sides of the room. If Sarah thought she could beat off and overpower the boys she would’ve stopped those girls from putting their hands all over him! It was disgusting. One of her fans tentatively stroked her arm up and down. Sarah tried to move away but was trapped at all sides and then one of the guys felt up her leg! To Sarah’s relief Caine appeared and was getting the lecherous hand off her. He pulled her away from the crowd and the sat together in their own little corner. Caine took her hand possessively to ward off any approaching rival or fan. Sarah sighed in relief.
        “Thanks. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fight them off on my own,” Sarah said with a smile. Caine smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
        “It worked both ways. I got rid of my fans and yours in one move!” Caine said smiling. Sarah leaned on his shoulder telling herself it was for show. To Sarah’s surprise, Caine leaned his head on hers. This feels good, Sarah thought to herself. They spent the entire class sitting like that and the teacher never bothered them. After all, this was Study Hall and they had nothing to do. Ms. Nash had no problems as long as they were quiet. Then they walked hand in hand to their acting class. In about a month they were going to be performing a school play. Sarah nearly sighed. As usual, they were doing a typical prince-princess reenactment then at the end of the year they would do something that everyone had written together. This year they were doing Swan Lake. Of course, Caine was the Prince. Sarah was a bush. She wanted to laugh. Her boyfriend gets one of the main roles and she plays as the shrub in the setting. ‘You should feel lucky! Other people can’t be in it,’ her teacher explained one day. Sarah rolled her eyes. She didn’t how she felt about that now. Caine was, after all, her boyfriend, now. How would she react to another a girl kissing Caine? She already knew the answer. Sarah would be freaking pissed. Which was totally irrational and annoying her with it’s unexplained appearance. Rehearsal seemed to drag on. The teacher was disenchanted with the kiss scene, so they had to keep restarting, much to Sarah’s dismay. Actually there were other scenes that the teacher didn’t like, but the kiss scene was torture; thus the main thing she remembered. Sarah walked quickly away after rehearsal.
        “Wait up! Why are you walking so fast?” Caine asked as he had to stride to keep her pace. Sarah could’ve slapped herself for being so jealous. Sarah pasted on a fake smile and looked at Caine.
        “Sorry. I’m in a hurry to get home. I have to pick up my siblings then help mom cook dinner,” Sarah said not slowing her pace.
        “Really? Should I help?” Caine asked surprising her.
        “What?”
        “Should I help? With your sibs I mean,” he asked. Sarah blinked up at him.
        “Um…I don’t know. Do you want to help?” Sarah asked blankly. Caine smiled at her causing a strange squeeze in her chest.
        “Love to,” he said as he took her hand. Sarah couldn’t stop smiling happily.
        “Yeah, okay. Stay for dinner, too. I don’t think my mom will mind if you’re contributing free baby sitting,” Sarah joked. Caine leaned down and kissed her forehead. Sarah blushed. “What was that for?”
        “I don’t know. You just looked so cute…” Caine trailed off with a shrug. Sarah quickly looked away from him. “I’m sorry. I made you uncomfortable, didn’t I?” he asked condemningly. Sarah considered Caine for a moment before nodding.
        “Yes, you did. You do it quite frequently. Even when you’re not trying,” Sarah said simply. Caine sighed heavily and let go of her hand. Sarah quickly reclaimed it. “I didn’t say I hated it and I didn’t say it was your fault. And if you ever repeat that to anyone else, I will hate you forever and deny it vigorously,” Sarah said and cautioned him with her eyes. Caine chuckled then kissed her forehead.
        “You really are cute,” he said with a smile. Sarah blushed then walked faster practically dragging Caine along.
        “H-hurry. First we have to pick up my little sister from daycare. Then we have to go to the middle school for my younger brother, then the elementary school for my other little brother. After that, we have to get them bathed, care for baby, then help cook dinner,” Sarah listed them off and calmed down without slowing her pace.
        “You do all of this everyday?” Caine asked. Sarah shrugged.
        “It needs to be done. Dad left us, mom works late,” Sarah explained indifferently.
        “Don’t you get tired of it? You don’t get to do what you want to do,” Caine observed sympathetically.
        “Hmm. I guess you’re right. I never thought of it that way. Or rather, didn’t want to think of it that way. After all, that’s a moot point if nothing can be done about it. What’s the use in pushing when the sign says to pull?” Sarah concluded still looking straight ahead. Caine smiled with a sigh.
        “If only I had that kind of work ethic. I used to care for my sister for the whole day. I guess I can empathize with your reasoning, but my situation was a little different because I became the fulltime mother hen when we were about seven. We’d already skipped diaper-changing, but I think the basics are the same. I think that one day you should get a babysitter and have the day for yourself. It’ll be like a treat for all you’ve done,” Caine said with a smile.
        “Did you do that?” Sarah asked curiously. Caine tapped her nose with the forefinger on his free hand.
        “Don’t try to distract me. We’re talking about you. You do it all the time, yet you don’t look exhausted. That’s a sign of stress, believe it or not. You keep it all tucked in until one day you just going to explode and take it out on anyone around you. That’s why you need at least one day to yourself,” Caine said.
        “Did it happen to you?” Sarah persisted. Caine’s smile disappeared.
        “No,” he said putting the smile back in place. “My sister matured quickly and tried not to burden me. I’m actually quite lucky,” he said with finality. Sarah wisely let the subject drop.
        “Hey, guys!” a girl said throwing her arms around their shoulders. Sarah looked over surprised then a little jealous. Why was she putting her arm around Caine? Caine sighed heavily.
Caine Malvey
        You were reading my thoughts, weren’t you? “What is it, Becca?” he asked.
        “I just happened to see you two, and wanted to drop in and say hello. You two suddenly looked gloomy. I only thought of spreading cheer.”
        “No, thanks,” Sarah said then walked faster dropping Caine’s hand. She’s the jealous type. Why did you do that? Caine asked her.
        “Sorry. I didn’t need you thinking of the past. Mom and dad-”
        “Are gone. I know. I also know that you’re only thinking of what’s best for me,” he said. but could you not? he added as a literal after thought. Rebecca huffed.
        “You always did it for me. If I worry even a little you get angry as if I’m not giving you privacy,” Rebecca complained. Well I don’t get privacy now. You’ll always be in my head reading my thoughts! “I didn’t ask for this to happen. You know that, Caine Earl Malvey. Don’t look at me so condescendingly when you can do things, too!” she said. Caine stared at her stunned.
        “You know something,” he accused.
        “That note. I don’t think it was coincidence. I think someone was genuinely warning us. How else would you explain the fact that…this kind of stuff is happening to us? I know it’s not just me. You’ve been pondering it all morning.” Caine glared at her. “I have my rights to worry about my brother,” she said haughtily.
        “Brother?” a voice asked in front of them. Caine looked up and saw Sarah standing there looking surprised.
        “Yeah. This is my sister Rebecca,” Caine introduced simply then pinned Rebecca with a hard stare. We will discuss this later. Rebecca smiled up at him to know she acknowledged the hidden threat. “I assume you know who this is,” he told Rebecca.
        “Yep. Rumors spread quick. You two are lovers!” she said with a big smiled. Sarah waved her arms.
        “No, no. That’s not it-”
        “Psych! I’m just messing. I heard you’re going out. Caine likes you more than any of his previous girlfriends, so don’t be worried about him leaving you,” Rebecca said. Caine blushed a little, sighed, and combed his fingers through his hair. I wasn’t even thinking about that at all today, so I know you didn’t read my mind!
        “How do you know?” Sarah asked her suspiciously. Caine and Rebecca looked at each other and laughed.
        “We’re twins!” they said in unison laughing. “It’s like we’re Siamese,” Rebecca said with a giggle. “We process each others thoughts and emotions,” she said subtly giving Caine a hint. Caine groaned.
        “But sometimes I wish we didn’t have that bond. It doesn’t let us have much privacy,” he said hinting back. Rebecca shrugged.
        “At other times, though, it’s good to know so we can help each other,” Rebecca said simply. Caine sighed heavily tired of the hidden messages.
        “In any case, Becca, you can head home. Sarah is letting me help her out. Which, we’re probably late for, so see ya,” he said ruffling her hair before taking Sarah’s hand and walking her towards the door. “What’s the name?”
        “Huh?” Sarah asked confused. Caine chuckled and smiled down at her.
        “The daycare. What’s the name of it?”
        “Oh. Uh…Teddy Care. I know it sounds weird, but they’re cheap and good with kids. It’s on-”
        “I know where it is,” Caine interrupted then steered her to the left.
        “Wait. It’s the other way,” Sarah said.
        “We’re late. I’m taking a short cut,” Caine said then winked at her.
        “How do you know where it is?” Sarah asked. Caine rolled his eyes and tapped his temple emphatically.
        “If I see something once, it gets stuck,” Caine said. “Especially a map,” he said cocking his head to one side. Sarah shook her head and sighed.
        “I can’t keep up with you,” she mumbled.
        “Well, we’re in a hurry. It can’t be helped,” he said simply turning a corner.
        “No. Not the pace. The way your mind works,” she said as if it were obvious. Caine shook his head.
        “My mind works the same as any other homosapien. If people actually took the time to take mental notes of everything, then they’d have the exact same abilities. It’s not who’s smart, it’s who remembers the most,” Caine said simply.

To Be Continued…