After studying for my study session, I'm forced to go outside the manor and walk around the corrupted streets of Pale City. Mother says it's to enforce my appreciation for "the almighty's ruling" and also my fathers sacrifice to make this a better world. I do not like my strolls since I am alone when doing them and I'm rarely accompanied by someone which is odd, but it is a necessity according to both my parents. I decide to wear my comfort clothes when I go outside, it is the only time I can do so. I put on my red hoodie, black shorts, and red shoes before going outside.
The streets smell of death and it is something I will never get used to.
No one pays attention to me as I walk around the dirty streets, everyone is either watching the static or minding their own business.
It is always like this, but I ignore the fact and continue to walk until I feel some droplets fall on top of my skin. Before I know it, rain is pouring down and I pull my hoodie over my head for some protection until I can go to my safe hiding spot. It is an abandoned building that used to be an apartment complex, but no one lives there anymore so I usually go there to ignore the chaos outside. The building comes into my view and I head inside letting my hoodie down along with my hair. It's a little wet but I ignore it before going to the fridge and grabbing a soda. It's a delicacy which I try to salvage but, in this occasion, I take one instantly before opening it and chugging it down.
I felt somewhat at ease while the rain fell down and hit the windows. This was the only place I could occasionally be myself. This was my hideout where I hid some of the books, I had personally scavenged that did not belong in the library back at home. I had romance novels and more fairy tales which neither of my parents approved but I read them nonetheless. Some embarked me on adventures while others took me down a path of drama between a love triangle. I looked at Romeo and Juliet and picked it up where I had left off. The tragic story of two lovers separated by their hateful families but they end up dying anyways. Not the same as Snow White but I mean its alright if you ask me. I look at my clock again, it was time for me to head back so I pull my hoodie over my head again while some of my black hair gets in the way of my vision.
The rain has slowed down a bit so it is not pouring anymore as it had been moments ago so I walk a little slower. The streets are still static, and I find nothing amusing about this place while I continue to make my way to the manor. I ignore everything around me until a sharp figure dashes across an alleyway, it is very quick, but I can make the image of a person. I find myself suddenly chasing it with so many curiosities popping in my head.
Another person!
I had never seen another person aside from my parents, so I feel excitement and curiosity well up in my chest while I run behind it. Whoever this is they are quick, and it starts becoming quite difficult for me to follow.
"Wait! Stop!" I yell at the figure, but this only makes it go faster through the streets.
"I just...want to...talk," I say in between breaths but it doesn't stop. I can finally get a closer view when it makes an abrupt stop. Whoever it was, their face was covered with a cape and was tall (not quite as my father though).
"Wait," I said again but before I could approach this person any further, it ducked under a fence and was gone. I tried to get across, but it was no use unless I had rope of some sorts, I wondered how this person could have gone through, but I made a mental note I'd come back and see for myself. I just needed to get a rope and come back but before I could do anything else, I felt a presence behind me, an all too familiar one.
I sighed.
"May I know why you are not at home daughter?" a voice spoke behind me. I turned around to face my father who had a stale look even though I couldn't see much under that hat he always wears. I didn't expect to see him now, how did he even know I'd be here? I tried to hold my nerves while I faced him.
"Forgive me father I got distracted while I was on my stroll," I answered politely.
"Don't fret June, your mother is waiting for the two of us," he said with a small smile, I smiled back, father may be frightening but between him and mother he takes the trophy. Despite his weird antics and freighting aura, he listens to me at times and is comforting even though it is rare when he does so. I just hoped he had not caught me chasing that person.
We both arrived home through father's method which is traveling through the television static. It is not comfortable, but it takes us home in a matter of seconds.
Mother is waiting by the lobby while her arms are crossed. She's upset and I feel myself clench onto my father's arm which he only strokes my head lightly.
"We are home now my love," father says while pulling my mother in for a small kiss which she surprisingly returns until her gaze shifts to me again
Crud.
But instead of giving me a deadly glare, she does something I'd never seen her do before throughout my existence.
Before me, my mother is smiling at me.
It is a warm smile that makes me fearful and shocked, but she doesn't seem to care much about my reaction until she speaks.
"Daughter we have a very important guest joining us for dinner, wear your loveliest dress and meet down at the dining room when the time arrives," she said in a sweeter tone in contrast to her common cold one.
I look at her with some shock, since when did we have guests?
Since when does she even smile?!
"Yes mother," I manage to say before I scurry to my room leaving both of my parents to their inquiries while I try to manage my own emotions, a lot has happened today already.
I do as my mother instructs me.
I put on my loveliest dress which is a red floral Victorian dress with a dark red embodiment. I let my long hair loose and tie a part of it with a red bow my father gave me as a present recently. I look at my face in the mirror again, it's not warped like the residents of Pale City. My skin is smooth yet pale and there are light dark circles under my brown eyes. I don't know if I should call myself beautiful as my mother persuades me to be. I start by putting blush onto my cheeks and red lipstick on my lips, I smile a bit after I see myself. I then put on some eyeliner and mascara to complete my makeup before putting on some ruby earrings. I know mother wants me to look the best for tonight, so I abide by her comment by making sure I look a little more presentable for dinner.
I can't help but wonder though who this guest is, as far as I know, we never have guests come over.
Why would mother want me to look exceptional for tonight as well? It was all too confusing.
I looked at myself in the mirror again, for a moment I sway my dress skirt around and feel like Snow White. I pretend to be that princess who has her own dwarf friends and a prince charming waiting for her in the castle. I do not feel silly at all while I dance around my room, imagining ballroom music and my prince who is dancing with me. No one is watching me, so I do as I please and continue to dance around until I am interrupted.
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
But the door opens right after to reveal my mother who is wearing a yellow geisha dress and her hair is styled in a bun and loose hair. She looks lovely and for a moment she does not look that intimidating either until she flashes me another smile.
"Be down in five minutes our guest will arrive shortly," she says briefly before leaving me alone again.
I shake my head slightly trying to comprehend her sudden change in attitude but walk out and make my way to the dining room.
I walk slightly across the library on my way there and catch my father fidgeting through the same shelf I'd grabbed the journal from. His suit is the same one he always wears but it's cleaner and his hat is gone allowing me to look at him more clearly, he looks that of an older man, but no wrinkles are present in his facial features. I hide in one of the corners while peeking slightly at him. He sighs after not finding what he is looking for but takes out a key and looks at it before hiding it on the shelf in between one of the empty books. He leaves shortly after and I scurry to the same shelf taking out the key.
Without thinking I go to the locked-up shelf with books about the tower and "it" while pressing the key against the lock which clicks open. I look at the books in front of me with curiosity until I hear sudden footsteps approaching the corridor. I feel my nerves get to me before locking up the bookcase again frantically and shoving the key in my dress pocket, begging no one had seen me. I see my father entering the room and I grab the nearest book from another shelf hoping that would confuse him.
"There you are, come down already our guest will be here soon," he tells me ignoring my awkward position.
"Yes father," I say putting the book back on its shelf until he gives me a questioning look.
"I never knew you liked physics," he tells me questionably. I feel my sweat drip, out of all the books I had to grab as an excuse.
"I thought I'd read something new," I say quickly but his expression does not change.
"It is an interesting subject, I'm sure you'll enjoy it now come along," he tells me and I internally sigh in relief.
Mother is already seated when I arrive with father at the dining room. She looks calm almost happy for once as the two of us sit in our places. Before any of us can say anything our doorbell rings across the entire manor and both my parents rise from their seats and I find myself doing the same after. That is when the strangest man/creature walks in. I feel frightened but both my parents are smiling at it as if they had known this thing for the longest time. He is wearing a black suit and top hat though there is nothing human about it, even for Pale City whoever this is, exceeds it all. His flesh is clammy and instead of two eyes he only has one, no nose and a thin line for a mouth. I try to hold in my fear until my mother speaks and I feel my eyes divert to her.
"Welcome sire," she says bowing at it which makes me tremble a little.
"Welcome to our home," my father says bowing too.
"This is our daughter June," my mother says looking at me and I give a small curtsy until it reaches to me and kisses my hand.
"Charmed," it says in a groggy and creepy voice.
I want to gag so badly while its wet hand holds mine. But I only try to smile while all eyes are on the two of us.
"Please make yourself at home," father tells it and it sits next to my seat and I proceed to sit down as well.
My parents look privileged as this thing sits with us in our dining table until our plates are served and I am surprised to find that there isn't only meat and sausages. There is also carrot and broccoli salad and we are brought with mineral water. My parents went full on to please this thing while I only try my best to be polite and eat quietly while we all dine.
"You should be proud of having a husband so hardworking," it spoke suddenly towards my mother which she smiled to.
"Thank you, sire," she said with a smile, this was so uncomfortable.
"You have such a lovely daughter as well...what was it? June am I correct?" he says facing me and I drop my fork.
"Thank you," I say trying not to stutter.
"Would either of you mind if I take her for a stroll tomorrow?" he asks my parents like I am some sort of property and I flinch at his sudden touch over my shoulder.
"Not all sire," father tells him and he flashes me a wicked smile.
I gulp some saliva at this.
"Very well then," he says as we all finish up our meal while exchanging some conversations between him and my parents.
After that thing leaves, I am left with both of my parents who look very contempt to say the least. Mother keeps smiling at me and father looks almost proud. I on the other hand feel a mixture of fear and disgust, that thing felt like the monster or dragon in most of my books, but I fear he is much worse. Father approaches me before I can go to my room.
"Daughter, do you know how privileged you are?" he asks me suddenly.
"To be a quite honest father I've never met this man," I answer but he gives me a smile.
"He is the one who has made this possible, he is the one who rules all of this and I see he has taken some interest in you," he says and I feel my color drain.
What did this thing exactly want from me? Was it actually interested in me in such a way?
I looked at my father and gave him a fake smile.
"I am honored father," I lied but he smiled and did something I'd never seen him do, he gave me a hug for the first time in sixteen years.
"I am so proud of you," he said and I felt myself hug him back, it felt odd but nice getting some affection from him even if it was a little. He finally let go while he smiled at me still.
"Now go along to bed you have a big day tomorrow," and with that, I go up to my room.
I quickly change into my sleeping gown and pull the covers on top of myself.
I am unable to sleep and this time it isn't because of the nightmares but something worse. I shift my position constantly unable to close my eyes until I sit upright and look at my desk where I hid father's key before standing up and opening that drawer.
I debate whether I should sneak into the library at this hour, perhaps both of my parents were asleep but at the same time they could be awake so I fiddle with the key. I look at the journal again and then I make a decision before grabbing it and the key altogether.