Temp

Summery

 

With the mechanical ticking of the heart, she was brought to life. Her surroundings confusing, nothing but greys with color slowly bleeding into the landscape with her perspective slowly becoming clearer, able to make out her surroundings and the horror behind them. With the clicking of gears she raises her arms to inspect them, finding smooth flesh where metal rods were just moments before, her vision blurs and she stumbles to her feet, she hears and feels each gear whirling when she takes a step, yet unable to see where they come from. Finally she finds a mirror. With her fingers softly touching her face, able to feel the cold lifeless metal beneath her flawless pale skin, tears spring to her eyes. For what once was her body, her own flesh and blood, was now a skeletal frame, replaced in an experiment to prolong human life. While she was a success, she felt like she was defying god, and that she would not go unpunished for it.

 

 

Opening

            Life was never easy in our district; the half-breeds were all forced here when the new laws were enacted. Those that resisted ended up enslaved along with their families. My father was one of those that resisted. The only reason I wasn’t taken along with them was because I was already sold to a wealthy merchant family to pay off debt years ago. I watched them get dragged off in chains, my Brother barely recognizable from his wounds, having also tried to resist when they came at Mother and Sister I guess, for they were unharmed and were going quietly. I don’t recall shedding a tear that day, but I must have for I was allowed to retire early.

            Life went by quietly after, my skin got paler and paler as I receded into doing stocks and accounting with their permission, until the day that people started to praise me for how flawless and pure my skin was. Offering to buy me from the Merchants I was owned by, some of them had an evil glimmer in their eye, while others thought the world should be allowed to see the work of art I had become. While one in particular took heed of me in a way, that as a half-breed, I never would have seen coming.

            He was young and kind, often coming along with his father who was a researcher who stopped off to supply at our store. I ran into him on occasion as they came into the warehouse directly to procure their supplies, never staying around long enough for more than a quick smile, or a shy hello. His hair was wild and dyed a new color every time he came by. From bright greens to dark reds to bright blues, all of this was either to stand out or maybe he was just bored during their time in the field. Either way I looked at it though, him and his father treated me like an actual person, never once bringing up that I was a half-breed, his father often did my monthly health checkups to make sure that I was maturing properly and not affected by the demon half of my bloodline. Their kindness was what eventually reawakened my heart, when the son bought my freedom I burst into tears, not for being freed, but for his loss.

            The ride to his house was an awkward silence at first, both of us unable to look at each other in the eyes. Every time he went to speak I could hear the tears he was choking back and his voice would just not make any sounds. So I started to talk for the both of us, talking about the weather, joking about how maybe my skin would regain some form of color. All the while avoiding talking about what happened.

We eventually stopped in front of a very large mansion, one bigger than all of the others on the block. He got out, and was greeted by a man in a very well-tailored suit, one which probably cost more than all my worldly possessions I have. “Ah welcome Master Elijah, and is this the wonderful Miss Ellie we have heard oh so much about?” Turning to face me as I descend from the carriage, he bows slightly “My, your skin is as beautiful as they say!” Coughing his cheeks turn a slight tinge of red. “Oh pardon me madam; I am Master Elijah’s personal butler Samuel.”

I curtsy as best as I could in my shabby work clothes, color flooding my cheeks at his compliment. “You can just call me Ellie” I say in a small voice, unable to look him in his eyes, instead letting them wander the greenery around us. “What a wonderful place, so much foliage right here in the city…How do you guys keep it so alive?”

“Ah that, we have gardeners around every day just to take care of it!” And off he went, explaining everything to me as Elijah went about his new business as lord of the estate. “Please do pardon him; it is rough since his Father’s death. He’s had to manage all the researchers asking for grants and such”

I nod and continue to walk as he rambles, no longer really paying attention until I hear a soft voice coming from a room we passed. Stopping and leaning in close I can faintly make out the words that were being repeated over and over again.  “I live in a world where I can get a second chance…I live in a world where I can get a second chance…” On and on they went until I felt Sam’s hand on my shoulder pulling me away.

“That would be his sister, she…said some cruel things to her father before he left, and has been grieving ever since.” The sadness in his voice was unmistakable, he wanted to go comfort her, but as he was not her father, he was unable to. “Let’s go show you your room, this way please Miss. Ellie”

Following behind slowly and now in utter silence, I can’t help but think what she said that caused her to regret so much that she locked herself away and was practically begging for a second chance, a chance to apologize and seek forgiveness. I will have to look into this I guess, my curiosity is killing me. But first, I wonder what hovel of a room I’m getting. My cynical way of looking at life taking over once more…With a sigh I follow Samuel to my destination.

As we stop in front of an extraordinary looking door, my heart flutters and my breath hitches in my throat, the faint aroma of flowers and down, and something that I couldn’t quiet place coming from behind it. As Samuel opens the door, my senses are overloaded with what is before me, flowers sprawled on the bed, which was covered in a huge down blanket with a plethora of pillows, followed by Samuel yelling loudly as I collapse, recognizing the foreign scent. “bl…blood Samuel…there…someone…” I collapse against the door my head smashing into the archway.

“Will she be alright Sam?”

“Yes sir, few of the night staff heard you were taking in a half breed and snuck in a carcass, looks like it was another half breed…Shame her first day went like this, I have already prepared a guest room for her and I myself will stand guard.”

“Now Sam…” I feel a hand move through my hair, causing my heart to beat faster and my eyes to shoot open. “Why don’t you ask her before you do something so rash? It is her life you are playing with, but if she feels safe having you guard her door, then so be it.”