“Ei-ath si motaian alfatin ehit ehit ehit bjolchaind halishpolkis…”
The earth started to shake, causing a couple of the glass monitors to fall and break. Harrison, Ford, Salvita, and the old woman were all chanting in unison. Rochelle was franticly tugging on the braces that held her down with no luck in budging them. A large shadow began to rise from a circular formation in the floor just beyond Rochelle’s feet. This shadow was different from what she remembered from the ritual in that weird, abandoned church. She closed her eyes and imagined she was hugging her mother. She just wanted to go home.
Ω
She called herself Roche’ Dupont because her parents were originally from New Orleans, and she wanted to keep something to remind her of her roots. She wore skinny rectangular glasses because even though she had 20/20 vision, she needed to be Clark Kent at all times. She also wore her hair in a short bob to cover her ears and make her face appear slimmer. Although she lived a happy life, there was always a part of her missing. She had lost contact with her twin sister right after their parents died. People in suits tried to force them both into a black SUV, but Roche’ managed to get away by biting the man’s hand and was able to run in the woods adjacent to the Child Protection Services office. She wandered around aimlessly for days before making it to a modest house with perfectly manicured grass and a nice large bay window in front. The lovely people there took her in and eventually became her parents. These were the only people she ever told her story to, and after months of research, her foster mother found that Roche’s story was true. They continue to hide this even after Rochelle started appearing on television. They couldn’t risk people taking their child, so they made sure she kept a low profile. It was strange the first time Roche’ met Rochelle being that they hadn’t seen each other in nearly 14 years. Against her father’s wishes Roche’ bought front row seats for her sister’s concert. She could have sworn Rochelle almost fainted on stage when she pulled her glasses off and hair back to reveal who she was. That night she waited at the back doors knowing that Rochelle would be just as excited to see her. She wasn’t. When Rochelle burst through the doors, she immediately ran for her bus, leaving Roche’ out in the cold. Roche’ thought either she didn’t realize who she was or didn’t want to see her. As she watched the bus pull off and the paparazzi started to dissipate, she noticed a white-gloved hand emerge from the window, dropping a small piece of paper. She looked around, seeing if anyone else noticed. When the coast was clear, she walked over and picked it up. Surely enough, it was from Rochelle.
“I am so happy to see you. I couldn’t talk there but meet me at The St. Regis Atlanta room 1306, 6 pm tomorrow evening.”
Roche’ was honored that, even though it was her sister, a superstar wanted to see her.
Roche’ Dupont showed up at the hotel and went directly to room 1306. She knocked on the door, and sure enough, her sister opened it. The two embraced each other and cried.
“They told me you were dead,” Rochelle said, weeping.
“I’m not. I’m here,” Roche’ responded.
The two sat on the bed and looked into each other’s eyes.
“Where have you been all these years?” Rochelle asked.
“In the country.” Roche’ laughed. “Rochelle, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I watched them take you, and I didn’t do anything. I just ran.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Now, I see that you turned out just fine.”
“Roche’ listen. These are bad people and I’m not fine.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the biggest star in the world.”
“Yes, but I would trade it all not to be. These people are evil. They are working on something, I don’t know what, but I’m trapped.”
“How is that possible? You can walk out anytime you please.” Roche’ explained.
“I wish that was true. This is my luxurious prison. The only reason you are here is because I paid this guy over the hotel security to loop the cameras every Saturday evening from 6 to 7. “During that time,” she holds up air quotes, “I take showers.” “So we need to make this fast.”
“That sounds crazy.”
“I know how it sounds, but why would I lie?”
Rochelle’s face was super serious, and Roche’ knew her sister. Rochelle got up and slowly walked to the window, almost in a trance-like state. “Do you believe in god?” She asked, looking at the ground below.
“What?” Roche’ asked, caught off guard.
“I prayed. Though my soul is already gone, I prayed anyway. Then I saw your face in the crowd. Was God laughing or smiling?”
“Rochelle, you’re not making any sense.”
Rochelle then whispered to herself. “Nothing without me.” She turned around and rushed to Roche’ and took her hands. “I’ve never stopped loving you. In my heart, I knew you were still alive. Out there somewhere. I dreamed that you was with people that loved you and you had a family.”
“I do. They’re great. I’m happy. Come with me. Disappear.”
Rochelle looks down in thought. “Prison is the opposite of what people think. It’s not being isolated in a small cell only seeing the sun one hour a day. It’s being recognized everywhere you go. Being followed at every turn. I can never disappear.” She slowly looks up at the small camera positioned in the corner of the ceiling. “When eyes watch you every move, you can only move freely in your mind.” She states, staring into blank space. She shakes herself out of it. “You have to go.”
“But I just got here.” Roche’ pleaded.
“I love you, and I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that right?”
“Yes.”
“Leave this place. Leave this city and never
