I sit on my grimy couch while Mother starts the stove in the kitchen. Our only small tv sits in front of me and my twin, Marie. It’s been 2 years since we’ve been locked in our homes, the only people allowed outside are the workers for the government. No one really knows why we’ve been trapped. Perhaps it’s a sickness. Or maybe a war going on with another nation.

I glance over to my left to see our water stain walls and dirt streaked windows. It’s all we really have left of what was once a beautiful house. The tv in front of us is being held up by a small bedside table, playing the News.

It’s the only channel that really works, all the connection is down, we would be lucky just to see a cooking show that use to air all the time years ago.

I glance at Marie, a mirror image of myself. Her dark curly hair is piled on top of her head, curly stands spilling out in the back. Her green eyes looking dark as she watches the man on the tv.

“Marie, Amber! Do you girls want grits or potatoes for dinner?” I hear Mother ask.

Marie turns to look at me with her tongue sticking out. Her nose scrunches up and she whispers, “What do you want? They’re both disgusting.”

I snicker before telling Mother we would rather have potatoes. I walk over to the kitchen to prepare the few cups and plates we have at the table before I hear Marie saying something.

“What?” I shout.

“Come! Guys come now!” She yells.

Mother and I drop what we’re doing, quickly walking to where Marie is.

“Marie are you all right?” Mother ask.

Marie shakes her head, “Look at the tv.”

We turn our heads to wear Marie’s eyes are glued to the screen. The reporter on the news is saying something in the mic. But he’s talking quietly. His eyes urgent as if he’s scared of something.

“I can’t take this anymore.” He says quickly. “Everything is a lie. Everyone in their houses you need to listen.”

The reporters eyes stray off camera and suddenly he’s talking louder, “There’s nothing out there. It’s a lie!”

A person in all black is behind him now, fighting the man to get him off of his seat.

“Please! She’s not who she says she is! Everyone please-“

And then the tv goes dark.