Soul CollectorA Story by Lost in Wonderland A cool, familiar breeze rustled Ivory's hair as she lounged across the black rocks she knew as home. The dark ocean waves lapped against her feet and her long, luxurious gown dipped into the waters edge. Her grey eyes wandered to the horizon- where the seemingly endless ocean reached out and touched the sky- looking for another lost soul. The sun didn't shine there on her lonely Isle, so Ivory eventually lost  track of days and nights; not that she slept. No slacking on the job her Master always chided. A small smile toyed at her lip as she dragged her fingertips along the ocean's cool surface, watching the ripples flow out like magic. Her gaze followed the ripples out until they met a small sail boat drifting toward her. Ivory's grin grew and she sat up, awaiting to greet the passenger. He was a young man with just a shadow of his first beard upon his jaw. His black hair was unkempt, his skin kissed by the sun's harsh rays and his attire suggested he was a sailor. The sailor's eyes (which had been searching for signs of life for the weeks he was lost at sea) widened as they fell on the ethereal beauty of the girl standing before him. His boat came to a smooth stop at the islands edge and he floated off, bewitched by this creature. Serene smile on her lips, Ivory glided over to him and curtsied deeply. "αγαθός κύριε, good sir," She said, her voice like that of an angel's song, "Welcome to the Isle κόλαση." She bent and kissed each of his worn boots. "κόλαση?" He mumbled, a puzzled crease on his brow. A knowing smile spread across Ivory's face. "Ah, you are not Greek?" The sailor shook his head, throat too dry to speak in the presence of this goddess. "Pray, tell your name?" "Mar-Marcelous." He stuttered. Ivory nodded, "Then welcome brave Marcelous. Aye me, you look as if you've been out at sea for years without food or drink! And you must be very weary. Come, take your rest here with me." She invited, taking his hand and gracefully pulling him further into her domain. Marcelous stayed back though, peering across the land, ill at ease. "What did you say κόλαση meant?' He asked distractedly, eyes fixed on what almost looked like a bone. Ivory followed his gaze and giggled. She stroked his neck fondly and kissed his cheek. "I shall tell you in time brave Marcelous." She assured, happy when his dazed eyes came back to her. Slightly mollified, Marcelous let himself be led to the interior of the Island. A small, curvy tree stuck out in the dead center. Ivory reached up and plucked a large, round fruit. With a smoldering glance at her visitor, Ivory sank to the ground, producing a silver dagger from her bosom to slice the fruit open. Popping a few juicy seeds into her mouth, Ivory gestured to the space next to her. "Sit." After a brief hesitation, Marcelous complied and sat stiffly next to her. Ivory brushed her fingers lazily across his legs. "Wont' you eat some with me, good sir?" Ignoring her question, Marcelous asked one of his own. "Are you all alone here?" Ivory laughed lightly, her hands moving to graze his strong arms. "Why of course sweet Marcelous. That is until you got here." Marcelous kept silent. He had a sickly feeling that the maiden was lying to him. Unaffected by his nerves, Ivory popped another seed in her mouth, moaning softly at the taste. "Mm, good Sir Marcelous, have you ever seen a pomegranate so red and juicy? Absolutely divine. You must have just one taste." She held a plump, ruby seed an inch from his watering mouth. Unease ate at the pit of his stomach. "Thank you my dear, but I'm not hungry." Ivory's eyes narrowed slightly but her sugary grin did not waver. "Are you certain?" She inquired, her eyes piercing into his own. Swallowing hard, the sailor nodded. Alas his growling stomach shined light on to his lie. Ivory's eyebrows raised, amused by her guest. Hurrying to draw the focus away from himself, Marcelous commented, "What a lovely ring you have." His eyes wandered across the island, then landed again on Ivory's large, meteor stone. "From where did you obtain such a treasure?" "It was a gift." She answered simply, drawing her hand back. The friendly expression left her face, replaced by a guarded glare. "I thought you said you lived alone." He reminded. Clenching her jaw, Ivory rose and started back to the waters edge. "Wait!" Marcelous called, running after her. He caught her by the wrist and spun her back around to face him. "Why can't you be easy like everyone else. Just eat one little pomegranate seed!" She hissed at him. Marcelous was taken aback by her change in character. The sweet, sultry maiden was gone, a flustered girl in her place. A pang of guilt for causing so her to get so upset hit his chest. "Why are you so desperate for me to eat?" "Because it's my job! You must stay on this island." She sighed and dropped her face into her delicate hands. "What, is it poisoned?" Ivory rolled her eyes and sat down, her feet handing over the edge of a small cliff. "No, Marcelous. You saw me eat it and I am obviously not harmed." "Well perhaps you're a ghost, sent to haunt my weary eyes." He mused, appraising the maiden. Ivory laughed and rubbed her bare arms for warmth against the breeze. Tenderly, Marcelous removed his weathered coat and draped it across her pale shoulder. Ivory smiled up at him, a new light in her eyes. "What is your name dear girl?" He asked, perching next to her. "Ivory." "Who gave you this ring?" He prompted, hoping to learn more about this mysterious creature. "My master." She whispered, voice blending in seamlessly with the air. The corner of Marcelous' mouth tugged into a frown. "Your master? Is he keeping you trapped here Ivory?" He asked, gently interlacing his warm fingers through her. Ivory bit her lip, unnerved by his show of affection. A blush tinted her cheek, a foreign, human reaction to his warmth that she's long since experienced. She slipped her lithe hand from his grasp and stared at the vast ocean. "If I left this place, I'd have nowhere else to go." Ivory murmured, a single tear spilling from her eye. Warming to the hauntingly lovely girl, Marcelous gently wiped away the teardrop with his calloused thumb. An idea whirled in his head. "Come with me." He said. Ivory's sparkling grey eyes widened. "What?" "I said come with me, Ivory, please." Chuckling darkly, Ivory shook her head. "Please don't toy with me sir." "I'm serious Ivory, we could do it. I'll take you away from this dismal place. My boat is still floating at the shore, we'll get in and sail far away." He wrapped his arm around Ivory's shoulder and pointed out into eternity. She followed his gaze dreamily. "I passed a small Island village a few days ago, we can go there and make a new life. You need not be alone anymore. I swear, you will be happier off this island, with me." Ivory took a slow breath and mouthed, "Really?" Marcelous nodded and pulled Ivory into a warm embrace. She ran her fingers through his thick, windswept hair and shuddered with anticipation. "Alright Marcelous, we shall go." Ivory placed a hand on her empty stomach. "But if we are to go on we must eat something." Hunger had pained Marcelous for weeks, but he pursed his lips. "Do you swear it is safe to eat Ivory?" He asked, rolling a pomegranate seed between his thumb and forefinger suspiciously. To answer, Ivory dropped 6 seeds into her mouth, licking her lips clean after. Taking a deep breath, Marcelous looked at his sail boat (hovering by the water's edge) and bit into a seed. Ivory smiled sadly at Marcelous as he satisfied his hunger and hugged her waist tightly. She breathed in his pleasantly human aroma and sighed. At the sound, Marcelous looked up to her. "What's the matter sweet Ivory?" He inquired, cupping her cheek. Ivory gazed serenely into his eyes. "Shall I tell you what κόλαση means good sir?" Marcelous nodded. As she spoke, a black ferry with two shadowy figures in cloaks gravitated toward them. Marcelous' throat grew dry and his knees shook when Ivory whispered the word in his ear. "Hell." Swift as the breeze, one of the cloaked men seized Marcelous. "Ivory help me!" He yelled, struggling fiercely against his captor's grip . But she did not move. Instead she watched as the ferryman forced him into the small, black boat and sailed down the river Styx. His screams echoed in the distance until he finally faded away as everyone eventually does. The remaining figure sauntered over to Ivory and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead fatherly. "You did well my pet, as always." He murmured. Ivory nodded, but couldn't quite meet his dark gaze. He tilted her chin up and examined her expression. "Are you alright, pet?" He asked. "Yes master," she spoke softly, her eyes still in the direction Marcelous sailed off to. "I suppose I'm just a bit homesick for my old life," she confessed. Master patted her in understanding. "I know dear, everyone is at some point. But I pray I have come to be enough for you." Ivory smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, "Of course, my lord. I'm very content here." The two embraced, willing away the girls sorrows, until the ferryman returned to take the master back to his palace. After they had left, Ivory glided easily back to her black rocks by the shore. She laid down, tracing patterns in the shallow water, and waited for the next lost soul to float her way. © 2013 Lost in WonderlandAuthor's Note
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Lost in WonderlandWherever my books take meAboutHi I'm mickey:) Welcome to my page I've been on this sight for a couple of years now and enjoy getting my writing out there for the world to read:) I appreciate comments and will read anything you .. more..Writing
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