PART 1
Vidya had lived in this house for twenty two years , all of her life, and she had never been afraid here before
She was afraid now.
She used to sleep through the night, secure in knowing her twin sister, Divya , was behind her in the big bed , and more often than not feeling the weight of Herry, her dog , against her feet and smelling his familiar doggie aroma.
Tonight Vidya awoke in darkness, alone in the bed, for even Herry had deserted her.For a moment she didn't remember that Divya was gone, that she would not be coming back, and then the pain his her like a physical blow.It knocked the wind out of her, and she made a protesting sound.
A moment later she heard the clicking of big toenails the wooden floor before they were soften by the rag rug , and the bear-sized nose nudged coldly at her out flung hand
The dog whined, echoing her own misery.
"Where have you been?" Vidya demanded, and he whined again as he leaped onto the bed, nearly crushing her when his 120 pounds collapsed against her legs.
She answered her own question."you're looking for her , aren't you?" Her hand crept down to fondle the shaggy fur, the ear that pricked up at the of her voice. "I kept looking for her too , Herry"
She swallowed hard , knowing it didn't matter if she spoke aloud to the dog.There was no one to hear her in the empty house.
"She's gone, you know.She's not coming