10
Greta gently pushed the front door open with her foot as she tried to balance a generous pile of books in her arms. Making her way over to the desk, she set them down with a loud thud and exhaled in relief.
It hadn't been easy to carry all of this up the hill with her, but it was worth it.
This was the last of her research. The very last books she could find. But these were not the journals of her great uncle, nor did they contain his research.
It was the history of the area, the mountain and the castle which sat upon it. All of it was here. Or at least, everything that she could find.
She would dig into these books later. For now, it was time to say hello to her unfinished friend, who she had not seen for a few days now.
Edward was sitting in the attic, as he often did. Stock still in the worn leather chair beneath the fireplace, contemplating the past and the future.
He heard footsteps approach the attic and stood to attention, his spine snapping straight in an instant like some wind-up toy.
To his relief, it was only Greta. Edward smiled softly at her.
"Hello, Edward." Greta chirped while briefly surveying the attic around him. She had visited this place only once while searching for more of her ancestor's books.
Her eyes landed on the messy collage of newspaper clippings attached to the chair. Greta quirked a brow in curiosity.
"What's this?" She asked, amused as she approached the chair for a better look.
Edward shuffled back a few steps, dark eyes lowering slightly, as though embarrassed.
"…things I've found…" He replied, gesturing vaguely to the torn-up newspapers that were scattered in a circle at the base of the chair.
Greta tucked some hair behind her ear and scanned the pictures in front of her carefully. Soon, a pattern began to appear before her eyes. All of these images seemed to represent objects and things that Edward wanted. A cluttered tapestry of all of the desires of his heart.
A normal home. A normal family. A normal life.
Normal hands.
From Edward's timid reaction, clearly, this was all quite personal to him. And Greta allowed herself a moment of shame for having looked so closely at these guarded wishes. But she was also struck with emotion and a deep longing to help her incomplete companion, who stood just as still as the dead.
Edward had no chance of a normal life. Not so long as those blades were attached to him.
Could she give him that chance? Was it within her ability to fix him? To give him real hands, just as his creator had always meant to?
She did not know. But she could try.
"Edward…" Greta began as she approached him in as gentle and sensitive a manner as she was capable; all while choosing her next words very wisely.
"….I….have an idea…" Greta began. Edward watched her with cautious, yet inquisitive eyes.
"….but I don't know if it'll work." She continued, avoiding Edward's gaze. She was not at all sure how to tell Edward this.
The unfinished creature stared back at Greta, giving her silent permission to continue.
"I….I'd like to try and….fix you," Greta said, her eyes finally making their way to his, albeit nervously.
Regret immediately plagued her mind and she screwed her eyes shut in frustration.
"Erm…no! I mean…you're not broken…. that's not what I meant! I…I…." Greta stammered before pausing with a sigh, forcing herself to make eye contact with Edward once again, while he stared back at her in confusion.
"What I'm trying to say is…" Greta began, before pausing reluctantly.
"…. I want to finish you."
The words sounded far more bizarre and oddly intimate than Greta could have ever intended. However, from the look in Edward's eyes, it was clear he understood her.
"Really?" He asked innocently. Dark eyes widening with hope and relief.
"Yes," Greta replied with a sincere nod of her head.
"I….I've looked over his notes…and….I think if I follow them….I might be able to make your hands." She said, briefly recalling the formulas and equations in her mind.
"It….it shouldn't be too hard. I….I think I can do it." Greta said though the trembling of her voice betrayed whatever confidence she may have had.
Edward looked upon her, radiating with the belief and strength that Greta so desperately needed now.
"You can." Edward simply said, a small smile tugging on his violet lips.
They were only two little words, but they were enough to banish every feeling of doubt Greta had. She smiled widely at Edward and without thinking, ran to embrace him.
"Oh, Edward! Thank you! I….I won't let you down! I promise!" She exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around him.
Edward gasped slightly in surprise at such a jovial display of affection. But it had been so long since he had been held by anyone, he soon welcomed it. Of course, he did not dare attempt to return the embrace, out of fear of cutting the woman who was promising to make him complete.
"Oh…I'm sorry," Greta said, upon feeling Edward tensing at her touch and soon let go of him.
"I…" She smiled and put a hand over her mouth to hide it. She could hardly believe it herself, but she was actually blushing with pride.
"…. thank you for believing in me, Edward. It means so much." She said.
"You're welcome," Edward replied with a small smile.