Prologue
Hooks and Corsets
She felt disgusting.
Every inch of her body felt so filthy, so vile, so tainted. Whatever traces left of humanity she felt were slipping away, a dimly lit memory fading in the waking shadows of reality.
Valerie looked in the mirror. Her body, tall and slender, was well-built yet sill womanly. Her eyes were once a rich brown, the same as her mother's, but the after effects of UNA had stained both irises a deep blue. UNA—sciences miraculous cure for all diseases and the damnation that had stolen her humanity. Valerie couldn't remember how or when she became infected with UNA. Her memories were fading, too, rotting somewhere in the back of her brain.
Sighing, she ran a hand through her thick chestnut hair, taking care to pin the loose strands back with the rest of her long mane. Valerie groaned; she hated getting dolled up for town, but it made her feel more human. Or at least, like her old self.
Valerie quickly resumed getting ready by putting on a short burgundy dress. She skillfully laced the corset behind her and tied the strings neatly together into a bow. A pair of black pumps was set beside her bed, which she reluctantly slipped into. After fastening the straps Valerie turned her attention to her nightstand.
A weapon rested upon it, gleaming.
It resembled a large hook used in fisheries, though this one had a few extra features. Valerie had designed it herself. She had even hand crafted a metal extension that custom fit her right arm. She pushed the switch that opened the device and slid her arm in, fingers grasping the cold metal handle. Before locking it secure, Valerie looked once more into the mirror. No matter how hard she searched, she would never find her old reflection.
A loud snap echoed and Valerie headed for town.