Just in case some of my original readers didn't read the first chapter that I've updated the other chapters, I've updated the other chapters. All of them. I've rewritten them and improved them and changed the plot slightly. I am so, so sorry for leaving this story for so long! I promise that I'm working on it again. My friend and I have figured out an awesome plot and now I just have to write it! Please forgive me for abandoning you! I'm sorry!
Chapter 9 - Whispers of Shadows
Willow bursts out of the manor, stumbling onto the grass as she gasps for air. He can see the emotions swirling inside her. He'd given them to her on her first day at the manor and already they've made a drastic change to her. The stitched up soul inside of her is already starting to look more human, throbbing now and again with light. She sucks in deep lungfuls of air, closing her eyes as she dims the throb. The glow turns dark and the shadow hums in curiosity. She's resisting them…
He watches her stand. Watches as her feet carry her absentmindedly through the garden. The look of confusion on her face makes the shadow want to go and comfort her, but his experiment has not yet advanced enough for him to make an entrance. She stops in front of a willow tree and he feeds her the curiosity of her soul.
"Why did you make her dance?" The handler asks, a frown on his face.
"Because she functions so well while her humanity is locked away, I want to see what happens when it is released."
"You could be undoing everything. All my-" the Handler stops himself, "your work."
The shadow gives him a sideways glance. "Then I'd just have to find another subject." The Handler shrinks back at the threat. "Fear has been a good fuel so far, but I don't want them to just be dolls. I want to bring them back. I want to keep playing the tape."
"You think letting her feel will do that?"
"It's an experiment, I don't know anything. But she's already showed us the first few steps to bringing someone back. Bring them back, take their humanity and viola, you have a functioning soul. But it isn't a human soul, and that's what I want. Humans need emotions."
"If that's the case, then why start with fear?"
"Because it's what built him."
The handler frowns. "Built who?" The Shadow says nothing, only continues to watch Willow stare up at the tree. "What about the archives? You let her access them."
"No, I gave them to her. I thought it'd make things entertaining." The handler presses his lips together, not agreeing with the Shadows doings but unable to protest. "Are we going to collect her soon?" He asks.
"No, she's only just started advancing."
"She'll be able to start rebelling against me soon. She's already started smiling and laughing. Who knows how long it will take for her to start over coming fear."
"That's the point. I want her to overcome her fear. I want her to feel, to live."
"But why? I thought we wanted soldiers. Puppets." The Shadow looks to the Handler.
"It's an experiment." He repeats. The Handler bites his tongue. "Are you worried you will lose control?" He glances at the Shadow's eyes but quickly adverts them.
"N-No, I just-"
"Because of course you know that she isn't yours. I let you bend her, I let you test her, but you know she isn't yours, right?" The Handler nods too quickly.
"Yes, of course." The Shadow watches him a moment, head inclined.
"I knew you did." He looks back to Willow. Her memories are slowly slipping in, here and there. Her mother and her father, her brother. He hadn't meant for her brother to come back to her yet, but was pleasantly surprised when she reacted to the song. "We can still control her through her other emotions." The shadow declares. "Poke and prod her, push her in certain directions. You'll be surprised at the weaknesses having emotions bring." They both watch her, but a scream turns their heads. "This'll be interesting."
