Chapter Two: New Life

Gabriel takes me to a room and says, "Wear what you want meet me in the sitting room."

I look around the room 'My mother thinks I'm dead, Georg is in mourning, James might be crying even. I don't want to be here I want to be home,' I think 'I want to be home.' I think sadly. I find a black shirt and lime green jeans and put them on. I meet Gabriel in the sitting room.

"Your new name is Elizabeth Hemming or Libby for your nick name, if you want," says my 'Father' " we're changing your looks first you are getting a haircut , then getting it died to black, then shopping, and then you'll eat lunch, right now it's time for breakfast."

"I like my hair this shade of blonde." I say irritated.

"It doesn't matter you have to." Gabe retorts. He leads me to a dining room breakfast was: Eggs, sausage, bacon, orange juice, tea, and pancakes. Gabriel surprisingly eats all of it. I only eat half. Afterwards, Gabriel takes me to a barber shop and asks for a haircut and asks if they can dye it first. They answered yes abut it will take an hour or so.

"Young lady," asks the barber lady "what's your name, it's easier to talk to you if I know your name?"

"To-," I say "I mean Libby Hemming."

I look over at Gabriel. He nods assent. I wish my mother was here. I wish James was here even. I think. Gabriel takes me to a store and says, "Pick whatever you want." I choose a striped shirt with a skull on it, a red plaid skirt, a white hat that is a little big on me, black shoes, a couple of hair ribbons, bracelets in an array of colors, a cross bone and skull ring, and a whole assortment of things . When we get back to the house Gabriel gives a white shirt with a plaid tie and matching skirt and says it's my school uniform.

The Next Day:

"What are you guys in your service or whatever going to do to me?" I ask, demanding almost. Gabe had woken me up at five-thirty and told me me to put on my uniform. I ran downstairs, ate cereal, and found myself in the car at seven.

"We're going to train you to be a spy, and I chose you as my little agent, Libby. I am your father call me father in public and where ever you want or Gabe in the house or at HQ." says Gabe.

" 'Father'," I say in a British accent that must activate in public "is this a private school?" I look out the window as we begin to slow.

"Yes, Libby enjoy school, darling look for William Harris he has had the same thing happen to you except he started at seventh grade." Then he leaves.

"Are you are new student?" someone asks.

"Yes, my name is Elizabeth or just Libby." I answer

"Good to meet you," she says "I am Isabelle or just Belle, I am in your class I was told to escort you."

I follow Isabelle to Ms. Watson's ninth grade homeroom. Ms. Watson is a very kind, young lady.

"What is your name, love?" she asks.

"Elizabeth Hemming, I just transferred from West Yorkshire, England, and I like it very much here in London." I say.

"Beautiful child," says "Your text books on your new desk please take your seat and I hope you like your new school."

"Thank you, ma'am." I say I go to take my seat. I realize they must have downloaded stuff into my brain, besides the West Yorkshire part Gabe taught me that last night and made me repeat it this morning in our car on the way over.

Later I sat at a lunch table where Belle invited me. She and some other girls started talking about some British magazine article. I look over my shoulder and realize almost all the eyes are on this table or more likely on me.

At recess a boy walks up to me and out stretches his hand and says "Hallo I'm William Harris."

I shake his hand "Hello I'm Libby, my 'Father' said to try and find you."

"Mr. Hemming?" asks William

"Yes, Mr. Hemming" I assure him.

"The new dentist," says William "what fun."

"I know." I say jokingly

"As you know we were all dead at one point an-" he says

"Wait, we?" I cut him off.

"Yes, we there are hundreds like you and me, for example I was once Leo Zimmerman from Chicago, Illinois. I died in a car accident with bad injuries and they did the same thing to me this is my fourth year in England. I was thirteen then I'm sixteen now." He says. I felt bad for him.

"I died on my birthday; you don't need to feel bad." I say.

"Well that is worse, way worse." He says.

I stay silent and think of home and feel sad. Think of my mother in mourning along with James and Georg. William stays quiet allowing me a moment.

"Well I will see you tonight." Says William.

"Tonight?" I ask but realize that he has already left.

When I get home I call "Dad where are you?"

"In the study, dear child." I hear Gabe call.

"Get ready William will be here in an hour." Instructs Gabe.

"I am seeing William tonight?" I question.

"Correct he is your date." He answers

"My date," I exclaim "why is he my date?!"

"You are to protect the queen 9197-8825." He orders

Suddenly I black out. When I open my eyes I am dressed up but when I try to speak, I can't. I can't I look for a piece of paper. I see a pen and paper I try to move but I can't.

"You are a doll, technically," says Gabe "A human with a microchip in your brain that activates when I say your ID code. Your purpose is to protect our queen that is now your queen. William is also activated and waiting for you"

He puts something in my ear and I try to say "I don't like this." I can say it.

"Well, is it better than being dead isn't it?" he says sarcastically

"It is," I say "does William have one of these?"

"Yes." He answers.

"You know, I wasn't the only one who chose you." Says Gabe.

"Who else chose me?" I ask.

"William, he chose you for his partner and I chose to adopt you as my little agent."

I start to cry. Gabe hugs me and says "It's ok to cry."

Then I truly start to sob. Gabe holds me tighter he says gently "You'll be okay."

"I miss my mother," I say through the sobs "I want to see them again."

"In a matter of time, child." He says

I calm myself down. In a matter of time? I'll see my family again, and Georg. I think

"Are you ready, Libby?" Gabe asks.

"Yes, sir." I answer.

William is waiting outside of the door and escorts me to a car. Gabe follows us. We get in I realize that the windows are blacked out.

'If William has done this for four years this must be normal for him, I wonder how hard this is. Why did he pick me? How could he know me? I lived in Washington. I think.

When we arrive at the party someone opens the door and William gets out puts his hand back in the car to help me out. I grab his hand. He holds it tightly in his. I blush a little.

"Activate accent." Says Gabe

"What are you saying over there?" I say realize he activated my accent.

"Are you ready Elizabeth?" asks William.

"Yes." I answer

"Then the mission begins," Says William "there's the royal highness and her bodyguard we check in with him." He points to the queen and the buff man next to him.

We go over to him and William shows him two plastic cards and hands me one. When I look at it I realize it has my picture, new name, and some numbers that must be my ID number. I look at it and feel sad again. This is me a doll with a microchip in her brain, a girl who fell out of a third floor window, a girl who was turning fifteen and a girl who wants to go home. I think

"Are you all right Elizabeth," asks William "I can find Gabriel if you feel sick." I shake my head.

"I'm fine." I murmur barely audible.

"Okay." He says sadly.

"Don't worry it's not your fault," I say "it's just – I miss my family." I look up at him with tears in my eyes. I'm in danger of crying. He has a look of pain in his eyes. He looks down his face is expressionless.

"Libby how is everything down there?" asks Gabe through the earpiece.

"You press on it to talk." Says William.

"Fine." I say into the earpiece.

I see his hand out stretch. I look at him. "Elizabeth will you dance with me?" he asks.

"I have never danced before." I answer. William leans down above my shoulder.

"Is that so well Gabe's told me differently." He says. My eyes widen and I blush a bit. 'Dancing, home.'

"All- Alright then." I studder.

End of Chapter 2. What's building up here? What will happen next, only I will know until I publish the next chapter, shall all of you know.
Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?

The Hatter, Until Next Time.