Hey there fansies of the world. I got a lot of requested to go deeper into Eliza's character. How she came to be, what her family was like, etc. So, I just descided to do a whole chapter in her POV. This is also the longest IGM chapter I've ever written, mostly because it contains her entiire backstory. And for those who don't know, the italics are her flashbacks. On with the story!
Eliza watched Stars fiddled with the star necklace she was wearing. The gold was a little tarnished, but beautiful all the same. The dimly lit room cast shadows over Stars's face, causing her appearance to be darker and it threw a blanket of silence that muffled even their quiet breaths. Eliza's hands shook slightly, barely daring to take a breath before a tumble of words issued from her mouth.
"I-want-to-tell-you-my-story," She gasped, and waited for a response.
"Come again?" Came her answer.
"I said, I want to tell you my story. Before this hellhole, I lived in a really nice home in the Bronx."
Sitting up a little straighter, Stars tilted her head to the side, "The Bronx, eh?"
Eliza smiled sadly, "Yep. Real nice place, big blue doors, grey shutters… I guess I should start from the beginning though. This," She gestured around, "Wouldn't have happened if a boy named Asa hadn't come into my life."
"Tell me about him."
Eight year old Eliza was perched on a wooden step stool, attempting to play the flute.
"Elizabeth, darling?" Her mother floated into the sitting room, "The new servant family is here. I would very much like for you to come and meet them."
"Yes, Mama," Eliza sighed, relieved to no longer have to torture her ears with the flute. She put it down, hopping down from the stool with a happy grin on her little face.
When they reached the kitchen, after going down two flights of stairs, a small family stood in the middle, looking uncomfortable. The group consisted of a mother and father, a teenage girl, and a little boy her age.
Pointing to their new staff, Mrs. Wallace spoke, "Now, that's Mrs. Fianns, our housekeeper, Mr. Nathan, our chef, Miss Keelan, the maid, and Mr. Asa, the errand boy. He will do personal task runs for you as well, Elizabeth."
"Hello," Eliza shyly waved to the family. Asa raised a hand, but was ushered to put it down by his mother.
"Now, dear, go back to the flute. You need more practice if you're going to play for your husband." Mrs. Wallace motioned for her to leave.
Making a groan of disgust, Eliza trudged back up the staircases, only to find herself with a strange shadow. Asa had followed her.
"Hello, Asa," She whispered. Asa stared at her with wide eyes. She blinked quickly. "Um… do you not talk or something like that?"
Asa stepped toward her nervously before grinning widely, "You're pretty!"
Before Eliza could register what was happening, little Asa had kissed her on the cheek and ran back down the stairs before she could even stop to react.
Seeing a dumbstruck Eliza standing all alone in the hall, Mrs. Wallace looked around curiously. "Where was Mr. Asa running off to in a hurry like that?"
"I dunno!" Eliza brightly replied. "And I don't think you have to call him 'Mr.', Mama. He's the same age as me."
"Don't know, dear," Her mother corrected fondly, "Remember, your grammar. And we must address him as Mr. Asa. It's just what is done. Now, the flute is waiting."
Mrs. Wallace handed her the flute. Eliza groaned, taking it, and going into her room.
A few years had past; Eliza was now eleven and growing into a lovely young girl.
A knock came at her door, "Who is it?" She called haughtily,
"It's Mr. Asa, Miss Elizabeth," Was the reply. Eliza leaped off of her bed, opening the door.
"Hello, Asa," Despite what her mother had told her, Eliza never felt comfortable calling the boy her age 'Mr.'. "How can I help you?"
"I have your learning materials, Miss," Asa grinned, winking at her. Eliza shut the bedroom door as fast as possible.
Asa put a basket of handkerchiefs on Eliza's bed. She tore through it, pulling out two thick books. "Lizzie,"
"Thank you!" Eliza hugged Asa quickly, opening the first book.
"Lizzie," Asa tried again. "Your father is starting to know that I've been sneaking in books for you to read. He doesn't seem bothered by it in the meantime, but you should be careful."
Eliza bounced up and down, "I know, but I don't care! Reading is so amazing. Come here," She beckoned him over, "This is a book on human anatomy. I can hardly put it down. Did you know that we have 208 bones in the human body? And babies have even more when they are born!"
Asa smiled quickly, picking up the basket. "You know that just looks like chicken scratch to me, right?"
"Yes, I know," Eliza sighed. "But you won't let me teach you!"
"I've still got my pride!" He protested.
She grabbed his arm, "Well, not for long. Please, Asa, let me teach you?" Eliza's eyes went all sad and puppy-doggish, "For me?"
He gave her a long look, then sat down, "Fine. For you."
Eliza let out a quiet squee of delight, "Yes! Now, this is A." She took out a small chalkboard and drew a simple 'A' on the center.
She was thirteen when he kissed her again. It was late at night and Eliza was reading A Tale of Two Cities by the light of her oil lamp. A light tap came at her door. Knowing who was behind it, she crept over, and in slid Asa.
"Hello, Miss," Asa rocked back and forth nervously.
"Are you okay, Asa?" Eliza asked, pulling him into her room. She held up her light. A dark bruise was forming above his right eye. "Oh my god! What happened?"
"It's nothing, Miss Elizabeth," Asa was quiet.
Eliza knew something was wrong. He didn't call her Miss Elizabeth when it was just the two of them.
"That isn't, 'nothing,' Asa," She quietly exclaimed, sitting him down on the bed. "Who did that to you?"
He avoided her gaze uncomfortably, moving a little farther away from Eliza, "No one, Miss Elizabeth. I-I hit my head on a table."
Suspiciously holding a wet washcloth, Eliza stood in front of Asa, stopping him from scooting further away, "Asa, please talk to me. I can't let this just happen."
"There's nothing you can do, Miss," He protested, "So please, just stop."
She stomped a foot, "No! I won't stand by and let you get hit!" She fiercely whispered.
Asa stood up, eyes dark and angry, "Miss Elizabeth, I must insist you stay out of this."
"But why?" Hot tears formed at the corners of her eyes, "Why, Asa?"
"Because I won't allow you to get hurt." Spinning away, Asa pushed Eliza aside, and quickly raced from the room, leaving the door ajar.
She shut off the light, too upset to read any longer. Just like that, Asa was gone, and she was all alone. Eliza hadn't spent a night by herself since a year ago. Asa always sat at the foot of her bed until she fell asleep. The dark frightened her, and Eliza wished he was here right now, breath soft and even.
Seeing shadows race across the ceiling, her grey eyes slowly shut and Eliza fell into a restless sleep.
He avoided her for three more days after that. Every time Eliza tried to approach Asa, he stiffened up, pushing her away. He always said he was busy, but she knew better. He was trying to hide something from her, and Eliza wouldn't stand for it.
One particular afternoon, Eliza cornered Asa in an empty hall, trapping him against a wall.
"Asa, tell me what is going on," Eliza demanded, watching his facial expression.
Trying to push her aside, Asa's face remained set in a stoic expression, "Nothing, Miss."
She stepped in front of him, blocking his way out, "Tell me, Asa. Now. That's an order."
"No, Miss. I must be going,"
"No Asa! I won't let you walk away,"
He groaned, "Miss, please. I cannot…"
But Eliza stood her ground, "Asa, tell me now."
"No!"
"Yes!"
Finding no other way, Asa roughly pushed Eliza to the side, hitting her arm against the corner of a door frame.
"Ow!" Eliza held her arm, angrily staring at her friend, "What was that for?"
"So you'd move, Miss," Asa walked away, shaking from the effort not to run back and apologize.
He hadn't been delivering her books when he dropped off the handkerchiefs for her to embroider. Finding it strange that he didn't give her books, so Eliza decided to pluck up the courage and get some for herself. Quietly pushing open the door to her father's library, she beelined to the doctor's section. There were only a few books she hadn't read yet, and most of them were on very advanced topics, like surgery.
"What in the world- oh Elizabeth, it's you," Her father walked in voice booming.
"Well, who did you think I was, Father?" Eliza questioned demurely.
"Why are you taking my books, Elizabeth? They are a bit too graphic for a young lady like yourself."
Thinking fast, Eliza let out an airy laugh, "Father, I was just looking to see what my future husband might do. After all, a doctor would be a good match, don't you think?"
"Well, Elizabeth, I am quite glad that you are thinking about marriage. It's very important," Mr. Wallace chuckled.
"Father," Eliza asked, tucking one of the books under her arm. "Was Asa in here a few days ago, looking at your books?"
"Yes, I think he was. Almost stole a few of them before I caught him. He had been hiding them under your embroidery. Very sneaky of the boy," Mr. Wallace shook his head.
"And what did you do?"
"What anyone does to a serving boy who disregards the rules."
Eliza's blood ran cold. Putting on a very forced smile, she nodded to her father, and slipped out of the room as fast as she could.
Pacing back and forth, Eliza was waiting for Asa to come. She knew that today was the day he would deliver her handkerchiefs. Hearing the knock, Eliza took a deep breath.
"Come in," She called, sitting on her bed, already in her dressing gown.
Seeing the door open, she positioned herself towards him.
"Hello, Miss. I have your handkerchiefs," He gestured to the large basket in his right arm.
Standing, Eliza blinked, "Yes, thank you. Leave them over there. Now, may I ask for your advice?"
He nodded, "Whatever you need, Miss."
Running behind her folding screen, Eliza changed into a pretty pink gown. It was quite modern, what with short sleeves, and a slightly low cut top. Smoothing the ruffles, she stepped out in the room once more.
"What do you think of this dress, Asa?" She asked, twirling in a circle.
Trying not to stare, Asa moved his mouth, but no words came out.
Batting her eyes, Eliza smiled, "You like it?"
"Ye-yes, Miss," He tried, and sighed in relief.
"Why aren't you looking at me?" Eliza pressed.
"It wouldn't be proper, Miss."
"Proper? Well, Asa, I asked you a question. It's 'proper' that you answer me truthfully."
Struggling internally, Asa looked at Eliza. She was gorgeous… Her hair was curled, lips dotted with a shiny pink gloss, and dress showing off her beautiful pale skin. Asa could keep staring at her forever. But tearing his eyes from her face, he blushed lightly.
"You look lovely, Miss."
Moving a bit closer, she kept smiling, "I think pink's my color, is it not?"
Asa wasn't even thinking when he replied, "Definitely is, Miss."
"So, Asa, should I wear this to the Karlin family party this evening?"
"Which family is that?"
"You know. The family from Midtown who's little boy died earlier this year. Do you think this would be too flashy?"
"I think that you look lovely, Miss," he bowed.
Taking a final step, Eliza was right next to Asa's ear, "I know what my father did to you. He was wrong. I swear, if he ever does that again, come to me. Please. If he catches you again, he'll dismiss you, and your family. So let me go get my own books. I don't know what I'd do without you."
He stood still for a split second, before grabbing Eliza's waist.
"Asa-!" Eliza stopped talking, and sank into his kiss. This was the first time in four years he had kissed her, and it wasn't out of sheer childlike curiosity.
Breaking off, Asa smiled, then his face went slack, "oh my god. I just… I'm dead… I just kissed…"
"It's okay… I won't tell anyone," Eliza murmured, and kissed him again, "Asa, I don't want to get married."
"I don't want you to either. But you have to… It's tradition," he responded, sitting on the stool she still practiced flute on, "and if there's something your family is adamant about, it's tradition."
Eliza let out a big sigh of disbelief, "Well, that's just peachy… I hate this stupid tradition! Why can't I marry who I want, not some stuck up bastard?"
Asa ran a hand through his dark hair, "I don't know. Honestly, Lizzie, I have no idea…"
"I'm meeting one of my suitors tonight at the Karlin's house… Mr. William Patterson is his name."
"Well, let us hope you don't find yourself smitten with Mr. Patterson." Asa grinned, tracing Eliza's hand with the tips of his fingers.
She smiled happily, "No fear of that… There's only one young man who I find myself 'smitten' with. His name is Asa…"
"I think I've heard of the lad," Asa joked, "Seems to me he's head over heels for the daughter of his master."
Feigning surprise, Eliza opened her mouth, before Asa hugged her tightly, and kissed her cheek.
"I have to go," He apologetically said, "Your father is expecting me to deliver his ties."
"Alright…" Eliza conceded, brushing a stray curl from her face, "And I have to finish dressing for the party. Going without shoes would be frowned upon."
Asa waved and ran off once again. Eliza smiled, setting her shoes onto her stocking covered feet.
When she was fifteen, Eliza's life ended.
Coming into her room, an older Asa grinned. The sleeping form of Eliza stirred, and yawned.
"Hey hey, Lizzie," He murmured, sitting beside her.
"Asa?" Eliza mumbled, and her eyes lit up, "What are you doing here so early?"
He wrapped an arm around her waist, "I wanted to kiss you… And I thought early was better than late."
Giggling, she kissed Asa, then curled up in his arms. "You're such a hopeless case, Asa."
"Have you asked your parents yet?"
Eliza shook her head. "They've been so busy with William. Seriously, it's like I'm already engaged to him."
"Do you really want to marry him, Lizzie?"
"If I did, would I still be with you?" Eliza smiled.
"Good," Asa got off the bed, getting down on one knee and pulling a silver band out of his pocket. Eliza stood up quickly.
"Asa-"
"Relax, Lizzie," Asa smiled. "I don't wanna marry you, not yet anyway. But I want you to promise me. One day, when this is all over, you come back and find me. And then we get married. Promise."
Eliza nodded quickly, happy tears brimming her eyes. "Yeah. I promise."
Asa slipped the ring onto Eliza's hand before hugging her quickly and tightly, "I love you, Lizzie. More than anything…"
"I love you too, Asa. Never leave me," she sighed.
"Where am I supposed to go?" He replied, winking. "Now, I gotta go take care of some stuff before Patterson gets over. Talk to your parents, okay?"
Fiddling with the ring, Eliza's brows furrowed, "I'll try. But they won't listen-"
Asa interrupted, "-then make them. I believe that you can help them see how much we matter to each other." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, sliding out of the room.
"Mother?" Eliza stuttered, smoothing her skirt at the breakfast table. "Where is Father?"
"He is out right now. He had a meeting in Brooklyn, but he will be back for our dinner with Mr. Patterson tonight. Isn't he such a lovely young man, darling? Any day now, he will just pop the question!"
"Yes, Mother, that is actually what I wanted to talk to you about," Eliza cleared her throat. "I-don't-want-to-marry-Mr-Patterson."
"What was that, Eliza?" Mrs. Wallace asked, eyeing Eliza.
"I don't want to marry Mr. Patterson, Mother. I don't…" She took a deep breath, "I don't love him. I love someone else…"
Aghast, her mother gasped, "Elizabeth Wallace! That is unacceptable!"
Eliza felt tears welling up in her eyes, "Mother, please, just listen to me! I-"
"It's the boy, isn't it?" Eliza stared at the floor, "Isn't it!"
"Yes! Fine!" Eliza screamed, beginning to cry. "It's Asa! I don't love William, I hate him! And I love Asa!"
Her mother was silent, before sighing, "Elizabeth. You may love Mr. Asa, but he's just an errand boy. If you cannot get over your feelings for him, we must dismiss him and his entire family from the household."
Eliza gasped. "Mother, you can't do that!"
"I will have to, Elizabeth! I do not want your chances at marrying a rich suitor ruined by a serving boy. I must dismiss them, if you cannot find a way to rid yourself of these feelings."
"Why can't you just let me be? I want to marry Asa! I want to become a doctor and do something with my life! I don't want to be like you!"
"Be quiet!" Mrs. Wallace screamed. "Elizabeth Angeline Wallace, I swear to God, if you don't pull your head out of the clouds and get down to earth, I will send away the family faster than you can say New York!"
Eliza stood statue still. Then, with tears rushing down her face, she stood up, her gray eyes flashing. "I hate you."
And she ran out.
"Asa?" Eliza called, hoping he was around. And to her surprise, he was waiting right inside the doorway.
"Lizzie! What did she say?" He asked, twirling her around, "Why, Lizzie… She made you cry?"
Sobbing into his shoulder, Eliza sniffled, "Y-yes. She said i-if I d-didn't get over-r my feelings for y-you, she'd have to dismiss y-your whole family."
Stopping cold, Asa somehow said, "What?"
"Yes. She said that… And- and that I must marry Patterson or else."
"Oh Lizzie," Asa held his crying companion close, "We'll get out of this, love."
"Love?" Eliza looked up at him through her tears.
A half-smile graced his face, "I like it. Lizzie my love."
"Oh," She blushed, "I like it too, Asa my love."
Kissing her forehead softly, Asa whispered, "And don't you forget it."
Making up her mind, Eliza went over to her chest of drawers and pulled out a bronze ring. Holding out to Asa, she sat down. "Asa, keep this ring. And promise me the promise I made to you. That when we get out of this mess, you'll marry me."
"I promise a million times over," Asa hugged her as close as he could, "Forever and ever, I promise."
"I have an idea." Eliza handed him three dollars, "Go to the market and buy yourself a typewriter. So, when you're away, you can send me letters."
His eyes lit up, "Lizzie, you're brilliant. I'll be back before you know it."
But when he got back, the house was ripped apart. On the front steps, shattered glass was haphazardly thrown around. Feeling his heart rise into his throat, Asa moved into the front parlor.
Asa gripped the typewriter tightly under his arm, carefully stepping over pieces of wood and jagged glass shards that littered the floor.
"Hello?" He set the typewriter on the chipped table in the front entryway. "Mama? Papa? Keelan?"
The living room was even more of a disaster. The sofa was tipped over, and chairs were destroyed. Two bodies lay in a limp heap in the middle of the room, one in a red burgundy dress, the other in a soiled, bloodstained suit.
"Mr. Wallace, sir?" Asa ran to the bodies, turning them onto their backs, breathing hard. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace stared emptily at the ceiling, blood falling from their foreheads, and holes in each of their chests. "Oh my god!"
Keelan was in the drawing room. Her white apron was tinted red. Her forehead was marked by a hole right in the middle. Her eyes were closed.
"Mama! Papa!" Asa screamed. There was no answer.
He found them in the kitchen. His mother was holding a feather duster, and his father was lying in a pile of carrots and celery. The stove was still on. Asa rushed to turn it off.
"No," He sobbed, shaking his parents, trying in vain to get them to move. "Wake up, please! Please, you have to wake up!"
He ran back to the main room, sobs racking his body. Where was Eliza? He rushed to the bottom of the staircase leading up to her room.
"Eliza?" He called, his voice breaking. "Eliza where are you?" He heard a thumping sound upstairs, but it was quickly silenced. "NO!"
Asa fell to the floor, covering his head with blood-stained hands. The world seemed to be burning before his very eyes. "No," He whispered one last time, grabbing the typewriter, and running out of the house, not bothering to even close the door.
Eliza watched him go from the cracked door in her bedroom, silent tears falling down her cheeks. The cold metal of a pistol pressed up against the back of her head.
"Come with me if you want to stay alive," A cruel voice whispered in her ear, yanking her out the door and onto the fire escape. "I wouldn't want to kill a pretty thing like you." His hands grasped her wrists, clicking on handcuffs, "Don't try to escape, darling. It won't end well." Shoving her down the steps, she looked back at her demolished home.
"I love you," Eliza whispered, so quietly he hadn't heard her. "Forever and ever. I'll always love you, Asa."
Eliza was crying. When she heard a sniffle, she realized Stars was too.
"I'm so sorry, Eliza," Stars whispered, hugging her with one arm. Eliza tensed up at first, still feeling guarded, but let down her defenses and hugged Stars back.
"It isn't your fault," Eliza shrugged. "I just wished I knew where he was now, you know?"
"What was his name?" Stars asked. "His full name, I mean."
"Oh, it was Asa Cain," She wiped away her tears. "He was Irish. Didn't look the way people say the Irish do. Didn't have the red hair."
"Asa Cain what?" Stars kindly gestured for her to continue, "He must've had a last name."
"Asa Cain Conlon," She smiled at the mention of him.
Well... that happened. Thanks to my fabulous beta, Miss CassieKeys for helping me write this chapter, it means a lot to me, love! Oh, and Asa's name Cain is pronounced "key-in" And let me know if you would like to hear more about Eliza and Asa's relationship in the future, because that was really fun to write! Anyways, please review and things! Until the next time, my dears! :)
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