Mistaken Identity

"Mom?" Sophia's voice echoed through the house as she trudged up the stairs, swinging her backpack off her shoulder with each step.

"Have you seen Olivia?"

Unheard above the mechanical purr of the vacuum cleaner, their mother continued tidying up their room upstairs. Irritated, Sophia pushed the door open and marched in.

"Mom, have you seen Olivia?"

Her mother's head snapped up, her hands pausing on the vacuum. "No. Didn't she go to school today?"

Sophia's response was swift. "Nope. I thought you said she had already left for school before I got up from bed. I didn't spot her in class either."

A frown creased her mother's forehead. "Are you sure? She left for school at 7 a.m. Did you ask your friends?"

Mama's worry was contagious, and Sophia's stomach churned. "Yeah."

Without waiting for more, their mother rushed out of the room, her steps quickening. Downstairs, Sophia could hear her frantic voice on the phone. Guilt settled in her chest like a weight.

Olivia and Sophia were identical twins, but with a twist: Sophia had been born just a minute earlier, yet Olivia had always been the trailblazer. Crawling, walking, leading the way. They had spent their early years in a rented flat, sharing secrets and dreams. But two years ago, they moved into this new house - a mile away from Bayside High School. Now, they walked together to the bus stop each morning unless joined by their friends a few blocks away.

The heated argument from last night still smouldered in Sophia's mind. Olivia had sworn off speaking to her twin, and Sophia had mirrored the sentiment. Yet, it was Olivia who usually woke Sophia. Not today. Today, she had left without a word, and Sophia's resentment grew. Until hours later, it was fear that consumed her.

The ringing phone, the sound of her mother's tear

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s – they blended into a symphony of worry. Sophia blamed herself for not checking on Olivia and not inquiring about her absence. Dread clawed at her thoughts.

When her father finally returned, their house felt heavy with unease. Mom had questioned teachers and friends, but no one knew where Olivia was. The air was thick with fear, and Sophia was paralyzed by it.

The sun dipped below the horizon, shadows lengthening. The police arrived, and Sophia was interrogated. She answered, her mind racing with possibilities. The shared room, once a place of whispered confidences, was scrutinized. A kidnapping, they said. Sophia's heart raced.

The detective's departure left a void. Night settled in, and a strained silence filled the house. Plates sat untouched on the table as anxiety eclipsed hunger. And then, the doorbell chimed, a jarring intrusion into the stillness of night.

Nearly eleven. Who could it be? Panic clutched Sophia's chest. Mom rushed to answer, the click of the lock sounding like a gunshot. The door swung open and her mother's cry split the air. 

Fear surged as Sophia ran toward the commotion. Her parents huddled over a figure, prone on the porch. Olivia! Her own body went cold, heart pounding. They carried her inside, her body limp yet strangely untouched.

Dad's voice broke the spell. "She's been drugged. Let her rest. I'll call the detective in the morning."

Tears pricked Sophia's eyes, relief and worry warring within her. She brushed a hand against Olivia's cheek, offering a silent promise. A folded note slipped from Olivia's grasp, and Sophia unfolded it.

"Sorry, picked up the wrong twin."

The words sent shockwaves through her. Questions multiplied, a puzzle piece shifting into place. The night held secrets, and as Olivia slept, Sophia vowed to uncover them.