A girl's tale

Eloise stands beneath a swinging lamp post in the dark of night. A dark past stands at her side.

The air was cold that night. Eloise had never felt anything like it.  No matter where she looked,  darkness was there to greet her, constantly enveloping anything in its reach. A stale smell rose from the cold ground beneath her. The only light she had was a hanging lamp post beside her, swinging along in the chilled wind.  All was silent, not a living thing dared to break it. Eloise's breaths were slow, fog escaping her every exhale. “Keep calm”.  Even as the chills ran up her spine, she remained still. She had to, it was required of them. One last job, that's all it took. Then she would finally be free. The thought made her grip the cold steel in her hand harder. She pondered her freedom. She could almost taste in on the tip of her tongue. So close...so close. This time, it would matter, she had their word. Darkness continued to swirl around her. It almost felt as if it had turned its attention to the hanging light, fighting to extinguish it. Her heart pounded at a slow rhythm. It had been nearly half an hour. Where could he be? Just the thought of a no show caused her to quicken her breath. She fought the thought, she had to trust what they said. The thought continued to tease her in the back of her mind, until, suddenly, she heard something. It pierced the silence. Almost like a whoosh. In fact, that's how most described it from where she grew up, a “whoosh”. The whoosh ended, silence made its way back, but was quickly startled again to the sound of footsteps. Out of the shadows stood a tall man. A briefcase in his hand. Neither exchanged greetings, the man simply walked up to Eloise. Although he wore entirely black, he seemed out of place from the shadows behind him. One could almost see a faint glow around him. The stale smell avoided him and the chill took no interest in him. Keeping the silence between the two, the man held out his hand, expecting something. Cautiously, Eloise placed the steel in his hand. She examined the man, a clean cut shave with slick black hair. Where did he come from? She had heard so many stories about them. About what they did, where they came from. She never actually had the chance to see one face to face, it was always a messenger sent from them that she met. To see one up close meant her job was urgent. A nod followed, and before she could respond, the man turned to leave. Slowly, he walked back into the shadows. Briefcase still in hand, the steel in another. His echoed steps began to grow fainter.  Just as Eloise expected it to be over, the man turned one last time and did something very peculiar. A thing that very few have ever claimed to see. Eloise didn't know what to think of it. Indeed, it was a very peculiar thing for a man such as this one to do. A smile, a very faint one however. Eloise could not understand it. Harbingers never smile. With that, the man disappeared back into the shadows entirely, followed by another "whoosh". Leaving only Eloise to stand by the hanging lamp post beside her.

She was four when the took her. Anything before that time was like a dream. She barely remembered her parents, just as much as she remembered freedom.  She liked to picture her family smiling before her, blonde with rosy cheeks just as she. All of her youth she worked for them, staring out through the tiny windows they were given into the pale sky, dreaming. She was only known and referred to as the number given to her “226”. They all had a number, it helped organize the workers better. Just like them, she knew nothing of the outside world beside the fact that it existed. Day and night she did their biddings, never seeing what laid outside the city. She was just another worker to them. Until the trials came, then she became an adult. She passed with exceptional skill and was immediately noticed by the head judges. She stood before them the day of judgement and was offered the position of  “Lieutenant in retrieving”, a big step up in where she was before, but she turned it down. So instead she was given the job of “Courier” along with the new name of “Eloise”. As it was accustomed to be given a name when you were lucky enough to be promoted. The judges were confused by her decision in choosing a tougher, dirtier job instead of the ranking of being with the higher ups, but they did not question her about it. If one did ask however, she would simply say that she “enjoyed being alone.”. Which would be partially true, she trusted very few people and preferred her own thoughts to that of others. However, there was something else, something not even the ones who knew her most knew. The way she grew up, the way she had been treated, she could not bear the thought of becoming one of the people she dreaded the most. Additionally, deep insider her she knew she would have too much compassion for those below her, an attribute not commonly found with the higher ups. She longed to be rid of the system, to do something to stop them. However as time wore on she knew that could not happen. Common sense held back her passion for justice. So instead she settled for something less, to just be free. It was just a longing though, nothing more than a thought in the back of her head as she continued to work. And work she did. She worked very hard, not because she wanted too but rather simply because she was gifted in what she did. Slowly, her reputation began to grow, whispers of the name “Eloise” passed along the ancient corridors of both those up high and down below. The girl who passed the trials flawlessly was continuing her streak of fame. But she took no notice to it, she did not care for it. The work she was given, regardless of how hard it was, was just work. She hated it, but she did it. As her reputation grew so did the tasks she was given grow more tedious. Those above her had faith in her to get the job done right, soon she became well known by many as a Courier they could trust. Rumours even swirled of her being strong enough to become a Conjurer, but nothing of that sort ever grew beyond just a rumour and always was dismissed by her when asked. She hated the attention she received, to be noticed just because she could do something well. It only encouraged her to push harder to be free of the world she was in. Then, it happened. A phenomenon that shook both her world and theirs, and a prophecy not due for another millennia. In the problem they faced, the higher ups turned to her to do their dirty work. This time however it was not a command, but a request. She saw her opportunity and asked for something she longed for in return, freedom. The night before her run, she was confronted by her apprentice, a twelve-year old girl that she had picked up from the factory a few years back. Her strawberry hair was the usual mess that it was always in and her freckles dotted her always smiling face.

“Excuse me Eloise ma’am”, the girl called to her master, “da others in da factory say you ain’t coming back. Is dat true?”

Eloise smiled, rumors would run wild in this city. She kneeled down to her and looked her in the eyes. Her name was Elizabeth. At least, that was the name she had given her when she first picked her up. It was not exactly legal to give a name to a worker, but she had done it anyway. As long as they kept it a secret then there would be no problem

“No, don’t worry bout that lizzy, things’ll be different when I get back.”

The girl smiled at her in the same way that made Eloise choose her as an apprentice in the first place, she then threw her arms around her, before running off to continue her work. Eloise stood back up, a smile only seen around her apprentice covered her face. She turned to prepare for her long journey ahead of her. As she walked she whispered to herself, “Yes, things will be different soon.”

Exactly one month later and Eloise was standing before the judges with her task completed. Thirteen of them, all sitting around her and above her. Eloise was nervous, even scared, but she did everything in her strength to hide it. Showing any sign of weakness there would not encourage the judges to give favor to you. She glanced at her surrounding.  The room was a large dome. The ceiling was dotted with stars and constellations of unknown origin. When Eloise was younger she would always wonder what it was like inside the judgement room. She always passed by the large doors, running to and fro for errands for her masters. It was not until after the trials that she actually got to see what it was like. She felt exactly what those she knew described it to be. Anyone who stood before them said they felt small and insignificant. Which they had a right to feel, the judge's words were permanent, they decided who to bless and who to punish. On that day, Eloise was blessed, even complimented for her skills in the trials. She was congratulated and offered her promotion. Anyone else who had experienced the trials would have felt proud in her position, but Eloise felt no such thing that day. Instead, she felt ashamed. To be considered as someone special from people she despised made her only feel worse. On that day a hatred deep insider her began to grow. She had to be free of them. That was eleven years ago, now she saw the room and their faces all the time. It had grown dull to her. But that did not matter, now she would finally be free.

“Eloise” the leader of the judges boomed. A much older man compared to the others around him. He had dark grey frizzed hair. His face showed his age along with the wisdom he carried. It was said that he was a conjuror in his youth, but he never commented about it.  A head judge’s past was always kept a secret. All that was known of them was that they one day they simply became the head judge.

“The council has heard your request of freedom, and has recognized your acts of service towards us.” He paused, looked at the other judges, then continued.

“Therefore, your request of resignation has been accepted.”

Eloise let out a long exhale, she wanted to smile, to jump for joy, even laugh, but she managed to hold her composure. Finally, she was free, finally she could leave. Thoughts of what she would do when she left rushed through her head. She did not care much for these thoughts however, all she wanted to focus on was the fact she was finally free. Then another thought nudged at her. They did not mention her yet.. what about...

“However, regarding your request of the girl and her release…”

Eloise froze.

“...the council does not accept.”

Eloise felt as if she was punched in the gut, she tried to catch her breath, but could not find it.

“Wha-” she stammered, “What?”

The head judge continued, “The council deems it to be an unfair exchange for you to attempt to control the live of which you do not own.”

“That’s not fair” she managed to breath out with the little air inside her. Then she caught her breath

“That’s not fair!” Her voice echoing within the dorm.

“She’s my apprentice! I can do with her what I want!”

“We do not agree with that,” said a judge to her left.

“She is only a worker, one of which you decided to pick up on terms we gave you.”

“But I-”

“And furthering” interrupted another judge. Her voice much louder than the other.

“It has come to our attention that this apprentice of yours had received a name. As you hopefully know it is forbidden to name those who do not meet the given requirements.”

Eloise could not find anything to say.

A sly smile formed on the judge’s face.

“The council certainly hopes you have not developed feelings for this girl.”

Eloise’s head hung low, she remained silent.

The head judge took back over, “Either way, we have decided that it is unfit for you to own an apprentice given your actions towards this girl. Therefore she will be returning to her normal work routines, without permission to become an apprentice of any sort again.”

“You can’t do that!” Eloise yelled.

“As a matter of fact, we can.” The judge said as he stared down at her.

Even when she finally was about to be free, Eloise felt trapped. Again these people had taken something from her, again she felt helpless to do anything about it. Her heart burned with rage, but she remained silent.

“Is that all?” She managed to get out through her clenched teeth.

“Yes, you are dismissed and free to leave these establishments whenever you want. However it is recommended that you do not return to this city afterwards.”

Eloise did not remember the next few moments besides that she was back outside of the judgement hall.  An officer nearby handed her a slip of paper, on it was the document that proved her resignation as well as signatures from all thirteen judges.. She managed to keep her composure as she walked back to her quarters. It was a small room with a single bed and dresser. She had lived there ever since her trials and promotion. It had one large window that overlooked the factories below her. Her room smelled of wet wood and must. When she was younger, she would always stare out her window during her free time. Even just a glance filled her with determination to leave. The view was not that pretty, but just a glimpse of the sky was enough for her.  Eloise packed what little she had and walked out the room, she did not care for leaving it. Her head swirled, she was free. But the judge's words echoed in her head….”Feelings for the girl”. She never thought about it, but she really did come to care for that little girl. She saw the same spirit that was in herself. She tried to block out the feelings, to think of something. She could not help but wonder. What would become of her? Eloise hated to think it, but she knew it was her fault for what was to become of her. A worker for the rest of her life, Eloise had sealed her fate unintentionally. The sooner she got to the station the better she thought to herself.  Those that walked by glanced at her. Word had spread fast of her departure. Some gave her a pitiful smile, others scoffed and turned their heads the other way. They could not understand why she would leave. They did not understand how she felt. All their life, whether through heritage or skill, they grew up luxurious, paying no attention to the ones below them working tirelessly. One of which she used to be herself.  Eloise hated it. Halfway to the station Eloise saw her. Her red hair tied in a bun. She was walking with an officer. When Eloise first arrived back at the city, she was immediately summoned by the judges for her evaluation. Which meant she had no time to visit Elizabeth. At that moment she did not care for that, her plan was to take her with her afterwards anyway. But things were different now. Eloise glanced at the two walking towards her, she knew they were escorting her back to her original working quarters, never to leave there again. As soon as Elizabeth saw Eloise, her face lite up.

“Ma’am, you’re back!” She said gleefully.

“How was your trip?” She said as she and the officer continued walking, closer and closer. Eloise did not say a word.

“Where are dey taking me Ma’am?” Eloise stopped walking, she looked at the ground as they neared closer. She continued to stay silent.

“Ma’am?” Elizabeth said.

Eloise could barely hold it. She wanted to cry, she wanted to run to her, to hold her in her arms and run away with her.

“So I really do care” she whispered to herself.

“Eloise” she called, louder than before.. Hearing Elizabeth call her by her by name made Eloise wince.

“Eloise? Please tell me…” her voice faded, as if she could tell something was wrong. A quality Eloise carried as well. Although Elizabeth always seemed to be more keen at it. Almost a year ago Elizabeth said she felt off during a normal day of work at the factory. No one took notice to it except for Eloise, who after a bit of searching found that a radiator was short circuiting and highly unstable. If it went unnoticed that day, many would have been injured and the factory would have had to shut down for the day.

Eloise stood dead in her tracks as the officer and Elizabeth maneuvered around her, she felt her old apprentice’s arm brush against her leg.

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth said. Eloise felt her staring up into her eyes.

She still could not move, she did not say a word or look even look back at her as the two around her.

“Ma’am...please.” her tone louder than before.

Eloise felt helpless. She could not do anything about it. Every muscle in her body ached to run towards Elizabeth, but she held back. With her head still hung low, she forced her body to take a step forward. Then another, then another. She picked up her pace.

“Eloise, why?”

Eloise began to round a corner, fighting the urge to look back. Her lips quivered.

“I’m sorry.” she whispered.

Just as she was far enough away, she heard one last phrase that would haunt her for a long time.

“Please don’t go!”

She arrived at the train station minutes later. With her suitcase and slip of pink paper in hand, she boarded a small train. It was empty, not many left for the outside world unless you had business there or were a conjurer. But even then, business on the outside world was rare and conjurers usually had a different mode of getting there besides a public train. She sat in complete silence for what felt like an eternity. Then, the train gave a jolt and slowly started to pull out of the station. Her head continued to hang low as the train began to pick up speed. Soon she was outside the city. Many told her that seeing the city from the outside was a beautiful thing to behold. The grand skyscrapers along with the many factories would glow proudly to those who looked at it. It was, as they described it, a “truly marvelous feat that we have accomplished”. Although they usually leave out the fact that conjurers and workers did most of the dirty work. But Eloise did not care to look. She could not bring herself to do it. She had been holding everything in as well as she could. The pain, the fear, the hatred.The words of an innocent little girl begging her not to go.  Suddenly, she was unable to hold it in any longer. She slumped off of her chair and burst into tears. The city behind her grew smaller as the comfortless train moved toward the other world.

Author's Note

Been playing around with this story for about of month. Have not done much editing and would love to hear feedback about it. Thanks!