Chapter 8
Vesper
"Can you tell me what is different when you enter the room, Vesper?” My mother’s soft words hit my ears. It was willowy, they moved as the wind when she spoke. Always the soft spoken one, I often thought of how my father spoke because I wasn’t gifted with her soft voice.
Mine was lower, not raspy but made me wonder how other people perceived me.
“I feel us in the room, but I also feel like there is something missing.”
I stepped into the sterile, cold room, the scent of disinfectant sharp in the air.
The door closed behind me with a soft thud, but I didn't flinch.
By now, I was familiar with the creaks, the subtle bumps, and the occasional scratches that echoed through the night in the old mansion.
The dim lighting cast long shadows that danced across the walls, adding an eerie layer to the already unsettling atmosphere.
My mother hummed. “That’s right and why do you think that is?”
I huffed out a breath. “Probably because of the dead body under the sheet.” I pointed.
She chuckled softly, her voice echoing in the quiet room, and gently pulled back the pristine white sheet. Underneath lay an elderly woman, her face serene and free from the lines of life's worries, having passed peacefully the previous week.
My mother had skillfully applied subtle makeup, giving her a lifelike appearance, and her silver hair was carefully arranged.
All preparations for the viewing were complete.
Now, it was simply a matter of transferring her into the polished oak casket that awaited nearby, lined with soft satin that glimmered in the dim light.
“That’s right, and why do you feel like there is something empty?”
I shrugged my shoulders. I was young. This memory was still embedded inside me though, it was when my mom first explained this all to me.
“The body is a vessel, Vesper. It is but a temporary hold of our spirit that resides within us. The vessel can be bruised, broken, beaten and die, but what is inside us, our spirit carries on through eternity. This vessel can become old, withered and no longer useful. Once the body has reached its limit, the soul will pass into the next world.”
I looked on as my mother combed the last piece of hair that was out of place. “What you need to know, Vesper, is that my soul, and your soul will always be alive. We will become one with the next world—”
“And what is there?” I interrupted, and held her hand. I didn't want to think of her leaving me, not at such a younger age, but as I had grown up here, I knew that was a very good possibility. Death came for the old and young.
“There are many theories. Depends on if you have lived a good or bad life, one rich, full of life or one where you hid and did not experience the gift you were given. It all depends.” She squeezed my hand.
“If the bodies are just vessels for the spirits,” I began, “why do we treat them with such reverence? Why do we decorate them for others to mourn if we aren’t truly dead?”
My mother stood taller and pushed a tray of instruments away from us.
“There are many cultures among humans. We all think differently, which makes us beautiful in our own way. Some see this as your only life, that once our vessel dies, we turn to dirt. Others think we have an afterlife, yet they mourn because we will miss them while we wait for our turn. So, we celebrate their life, like this one.” She smiled and sat next to me.
“I do this because it makes me feel closer to your father. Because, really, I feel like we are worlds apart.” She looked off into the distance. George, our cat flicked his tail as he sat on the shelf, watching.
I crossed my arms. “Sounds kind of morbid.”
She burst out into laughter. “Yes, I guess you are right. It also helps that we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and a playground just behind this place where you can run and be free.”
I nodded. We had it good. At least in my mind. I didn’t care for the other kids at school. I felt my mother and I cared more on a deeper level and cared far too much for the world outside. I was comfortable here with her. That was all I needed.
A damp cloth, chilled to the touch, pressed against my temple, sending a jolt through my body.
The icy water stung sharply, forcing my eyes wide open in alarm.
I bolted upright, my mind scrambling to make sense of the dimly lit room around me.
Fortunately, a scream didn't escape my lips.
Instead, I stared at Oryx, who stood directly in front of me.
He raised his hands defensively, and the massive skull swayed from side to side, as though he were as startled as I was.
Crap, none of this was a dream.
No amount of pinching was going to get me out of it.
I put my fingers to my forehead. A bump was there, and I hissed when I came in contact with it.
Oryx groaned, and I watched as he licked the cold cloth in his hand, wet from the dried blood that had been on my forehead.
“Where are we?” I sat up and got more comfortable. I realized I was in a large bed of blankets, a mattress had to be on the bottom because the ancient wood flooring would have made it too hard and cold for me to be comfortable.
Oryx continued to suck on the rag that my blood had been on.
I should be more concerned about this, but if he hasn't killed me yet…
“You are at my Lord’s estate. The Copecus Estate, to be exact. We don’t call it that anymore, he does not like that name.” He tapped the side of his head.
My lips parted and I nodded in agreement. “Okay, well, thanks. And why did you bring me here?”
Oryx tilted his head in that cute puppy dog way that made me want to smack him. He was a damn monster that murdered a bunch of bad people. Which, they were. They all deserved it, but still.
“You were hurt, I did not want my pet to be out in the open. Blood would draw predators near.”
Oh hun, you are a predator.
“And here you will be safe, in my den. I have cleaned, see, your bedding is nice and I have clothing for you to wear so I can clean your clothes you wear now. Here.”
Oryx turned to a dresser on the opposite side of the room. While he did, I saw there was a small fire, which made me realize just how comfortable I was. He even had water and food on a tray next to the bed that was edible.
I thought maybe it was a raw piece of meat from an animal he caught, but this was fresh food. Like, New York steak, mashed potatoes and gravy. The vegetables were questionable; they were similar to green beans but a color I didn’t even recognize in my own color wheel.
Maybe I’m dead.
If there is some sort of heaven, they have different colors, right?
Then again, heaven wouldn't have this guy would he?
Hell, I’m in hell.
With a very nice monster who brings me food and water and is sucking my wound rag dry.
I don’t even know what deity to swear to anymore.
“Sure,” I nodded and held out my hand. “I’d love to change.
” I was covered in dirt, crazy moss, and I think some rocks that lit up the path were scuffed on my leggings.
I’d like to get back into my clothes as quickly as possible and then go from there because what he just handed me was not great escaping clothes.
It was a Victorian looking male shirt, including the ruffled wrist sleeves and everything. Big enough that it would come down to my knees easily.
Why the heck not?
I grabbed it from him, held it to my chest. He just stood there and stared.
“You are going to have to turn around.” I twirled my finger. “I’m not showing you my naked body.”
Again, he tilts his head.
Dang it, why is it so cute when a skulled creature does it. He had no clue.
“It’s rude.” I gritted my teeth at him. “Just like touching certain body parts.”
He shook his head. “But I’m not touching, just looking. I promise not to touch. I want to see what a female looks like. Especially your chest.” He pointed to my breasts like they were another person in the room.
I pulled my lips into my mouth to hold back my smile. “Not today, Casanova. Turn around.”
He huffed and turned away. I quickly took off my shirt and pulled the tunic over my head. As I tried to pull down my leggings, I noticed the big metal cuff link at my ankle.
The fudge is this?
“Hey Casanova, want to explain this?” I jingled the cufflink and saw it was connected to the wall. “Take it off. Now.”
Oryx brought his hands together and clinked his claws. “I cannot. You might run from me. I cannot lose my pet. Not on the estate. Bad things would happen.”
“Bad things are gonna happen if you don’t. I can’t get my pants off right now if you don’t anyway.”
Oryx whined. He looked so defeated as he trotted back and forth across the stone floor.
“Why do you want to keep me, anyway? I am a human, not a pet, Oryx. Pets don’t talk. I am not an animal you can feed, walk and cuddle with on a whim.”
“I cannot cuddle you?” he cried and wiped his hands down his skull.
I’m now officially confused. It didn’t sound like he wanted a pet, but a companion, a friend.
I stood up, my pants down at my ankles. It was a sight I’m sure.
“Oryx, what you want is a friend, not a pet. Someone to talk to and bring you comfort. That is a friend. I guess friends cuddle. I haven’t had that many.
If I had a friend, I would want to cuddle.
” I put my hand on my hip and cocked it to the side.
Oryx lifted his head and came closer. “A friend? That is what I need? Will you be my friend then? I want you to be.”
I tisked. “You want me to be a friend but you kidnapped me here. You don’t kidnap friends. I’m going to forgive you because you did not know, okay?”
Oryx nodded his head. “Yes, forgiveness. I know this. I am sorry. I won’t do it again. Now will you be my friend?”
I bit my cheek to try and keep myself from smiling. “Aren’t there others that might want to be your friend Oryx? Because, I’m sure you could do better than just me?”