Galaxy Unleashed: Truth Be Told

     "Oh, don't worry, babe. This might just be the best summer you've ever had."
     "It could very well be the last. Is that an out house?" I asked. A second later the roof collapsed and birds came flying out in a panic. I looked at grandpa. "Really?! This is awful!" 
     "Help me out with the boxes." I reluctantly slid out of the truck and to the back of the moving van. Ruth following too close behind. Only fraction of the boxes were mine, I would have to practically dig a tunnel to get to my things. 
     One by one, we cleared away the first wave of packages, crates, and cardboard boxes. In the corner of the van were my things. I picked up the last of the boxes that weren't mine and walked into the cabin. When I opened the screen door, Ruth came tumbling inside. Tripping over her over sized ears. I could hear her thumping behind me as I walked up the steps onto the second floor.
     The house itself wasn't that bad. The walls were built with giant golden timber, so polished and spotless that you could see yourself in the wood. In every room were Artisan woven rugs, with colors that made you feel like your feet were stepping on fire. Chandlers, crafted from dear antler, hung high above the ground.
     Upstairs was very roomy. The hallways were wide enough for a tank and the rooms could fit at least twenty people. The floors were made of the softest carpet I'd ever set foot on. Ruth must've thought the same, considering she had plopped down a few paces ahead of me for a nap. I set the box down, on top of the others. 
     I sat down in front of the boxes for a little break from moving in. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. I might just survive this. This could be good for me. I smiled, thinking of the garden that Grandpa talked about. Flowers that would touch the sky. Red roses, yellow daisies, violets. My smile widened.
     I looked up at that very last box upon the others. Happy to be home. But my smile faded a bit when I read what it said on the front, 'Karee's Things.' I had no clue who Karee was, or why Grandpa had her stuff. Before I could stop myself, I ripped the tape off the box and opened it. Inside were pictures, many pictures. Most of them of one or two infants. I pulled out another photo with a father holding one of the infants, and a mother holding the other infants. The father looked like he had spent most of his life in the gym, his rusty-red hair sticking up in a ridged point in the front. The mother was very beautiful. Her ink black hair was like mine was, draped over the shoulders. I turned the photo over and instantly a lump grew in my throat. 'September 17th, 1998-Mordechi, Swan, Karee, and Arica-One big, happy family.' My mind couldn't process what I was looking at. All I felt inside of me was anger and betrayal, he hid all this from me. Grandpa hid this from me for years! I ran down the stairs and out the door. Grandpa was in the garage cleaning his Harley. When he saw me, he obviously didn't see the anger or the tears in my eyes. "Hey, babe. Whatchya got there?" He asked in a casual voice.
     "Grandpa, we need to talk" I gave him the photo "about this. About them." He stared at the picture for what felt like hours before he spoke again. "Arica...I swear to God I was gonna tell you. Tonight, I was. I just...I-"
     "You lied to me. You lied, you hid this from me. Why?" I couldn't help but shout. The tears came hard and my lip trembled, I felt like the infant in the picture.
     "Sixteen years ago, I had gotten into some financial issues. I lost my job, I lost my car, TV. I needed some cash to keep me from the streets." I sat down on Grandpa's tool box. This was gonna take a while. "One night, all I could think about was your mother. When she was a child, after Grandma died, I was pretty rotten to her. She hated me. Married herself a handsome Russian man and moved all the way to New York. I called her up, and got her husband. I told what was going on and he said he would have to talk it over with Karee. Next morning, I get a phone call saying she's got a gift for me. I was so happy that she wasn't upset with me anymore. Two days later, she shows up at my front door. A child asleep in her arms." He paused for it to soak in. "All she did was tell me the baby's name, said that it was one of my granddaughters. I didn't know you or Swan existed. I didn't get a letter, a phone call, email, all I got was you." His voice started to lower more and more as he spoke. Finally, I got the courage to speak again. Though, it sounded more like the voice of a kitten than an adolescent. "Where is she?" Grandpa looked up at me with glass eyes. "Mental institute. That's why I told you she had died. She practically is now."
     "And my dad, and sister?" I muttered.
     "They left. Where, God only knows." My heart sank. Now that I knew the truth, I realized the family in that photo was all I wanted. My family, torn apart so easily. It was unbearable. "I'm sorry, Arica. I'm sorry that you're hurt and angry. We have to move on. The past is the past. I don't like it, but I've lived with it for all these years. And you know how?" He lifted my head, whipping away my tears. "Because of you. You bring hope. Everyday, you smile, and it's more effective than that medication." Grandpa held me in his arms as I sobbed. He was right, the past is the past. I would have to look to the future to keep myself out of a mental institute. 
     Minutes, I went back to my room with the photo in my hand. Every few seconds I would look at the photo again. Knowing that at one point in my life I had a family. I wondered whether I would be able to see my twin again. If it would ever be the same as it was before. Could we ever be the family that was in that picture?
     It took me twice as long to unpack knowing the truth than it did a lie. When I was finished, all that was left for Grandpa to put together my new book shelf. This one was much bigger compared to my old one. The room was full of my favorite colors and posters. You would easily be able to find my room in this house. Every other room was decorated with country decor and then there was my room, struggling to hold in all my pink and purple decorations.
     All I wanted to do was sleep now. I had been exhausted from the trip and unpacking. My covers felt brittle though. As I lie there, all I could do was think of them. My family. A family I once had, and could never have again. Longing was all l felt. More and more minutes passed the more my eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
     I dreamed of falling. Falling fast. Objects whipping past my ears. I tried flailing, screaming, anything to wake up. Anything to keep from falling anymore. Until a flash of purple blinded me. And I woke up in what looked like a prison cell.

P. S. If you haven't yet read the prologue or the summary I in courage in doing so otherwise the story might not make much sense.