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CHAPTER 5

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The subject of marriage to Dr. Finklestein haunted Sally, plauging her thoughts and her dreams over the next two weeks. It seemed so strange to her, so foreign. Here she was still adapting to life in itself, and now this suddenly popped up.

The doctor hadn't mentioned marriage since their original conversation, and she hoped it would stay that way. She knew, however, that things could change at any moment. Who knew when he'd decide to finally hold the wedding? It was something she dreaded. She wanted to leave this lab she called home one day, find the love of her life, have his children and live happily ever after. Not rot in this hell for the rest of her days!

It was 6:00 on a Wednesday when a knock came at her closed bedroom door. She lept up from her bed where she'd been doing some pondering, hurrying to see who it was. Igor stood before her.

"Excuse me, Sally," he said, "but my master wishes to see you downstairs." A pause. "He says it is important."

A lump of dread formed in her throat. "Did he say...what it was about?"

"He would not say, miss. He awaits you."

"Yes, thank you." She stepped past him, heading down the stairs slowly towards the living room.

There she found him, her maker, sitting in his wheelchair beside the sofa. A nod. "Ah, my dear. Sit down, please." She took a place in a chair on the opposite side of the room. This annoyed him, but he said nothing as he cleared his throat. "Well, I've made a decision at last..."

"Yes," she replied, knowing what would come next.

"I think it's time we held the wedding, Sally."

Nothing for a moment. She simply sat there, staring at the floor as she bit her lip. She knew that had been coming, but that it had actually been said aloud...she didn't know how to take it. Tears formed in her eyes as she shook her head now. "No...no, it can't happen like this...this is not how it's supposed to be..."

"Sally, you have very little choice. I created you, remember..."

"That doesn't matter," she sobbed as she stood up. "I'm still a person, I still have my own rights. I don't want this, it's not fair."

"Life rarely is. But you were created for a reason, and that is what you shall do."

She held her hands to her chest as a tear rolled down her face. "Please, doctor, please change your mind. Think about this for a moment..."

A growl. "I have though, long and hard. and this is what it's come down to. There's no reversing it now, so don't try and influence my decision."

"Doctor, I'm begging you..."

He frowned at her, holding up a finger in a gesture for silence. "No, my mind is made up. You will do as I tell you, or else I will take from you the life I so kindly gave. Now go back upstairs, I don't want anymore complaining from you."

Crying openly she turned now and ran away, her sobs echoing off the bare walls as she ran. He just closed his ears to it all, staring out the window quietly.



*****



A short while later she lay on her bed, weeping softly as the wind from the open window dried her tears. This wasn't the way it was suppose to be, this wasn't how she wanted to live her life. It was cruel and unfair, he shouldn't be allowed to force her into doing this.

Sitting up she wiped her eyes using the back of her hand, staring outside. How great it would be to go out there, to get away from this place. It would be even better to get away for good, to leave forever. Live in a nice home with a wonderful husband and children....all the things she wanted but would never get. Unless....

Standing up now she walked over to the window, laying her hands on the ledge as she glanced down at the ground. It wasn't that far to the pavement, and if she brought along a needle and thread...it could just be possible. She could free herself of this hell hole! It would be dangerous, but she was willing to risk it. Death at this point didn't seem too horrible.

Pushing the window open as far as it could go she climbed upon the sill, standing up carefully. It was a long jump, the impact would be quite hard. But that didn't faze her. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes, extending her arms as she stepped away.

It all happened in an instant; the wind whipping past her, stealing her breath as she plummetted towards the ground. The feeling of exhileration, the amazing tranquility of the fall. The impact, what felt like a million vehicles slamming into her body all at once. Pain coursed thriough her body, rendering her senseless, unable to speak or move. But she had to get up, she had to be free. That was what she had down this for, and now that she had it, she was going to enjoy it.

After a few minutes she willed her eyes to open, allowing them to focus on her surroundings. The lab loomed in the corner of her left eye, it's dark shape appearing menacing in the dark. Before her lay a path heading down the hill and towards town; exactly where she wanted to be.

Letting out a sigh she sat up, to find that her leg had come loose. Pulling out her needle and thread she quickly repaired it, rising up at last. Finally, here she was. In the outdoor world, free to do as she pleased. No-one to stop her or hinder or, nobody to force her into doing what she didn't want to. Just freedom, and the chance to rightfully do as she pleased.



*****



She had barely gotten to Town Center when the realization struck her; what the heck was she going to do out here? She had no money, no place to go, nothing at all. Where would she sleep, how would she earn money and pay for the neccessities of life? Perhaps leaving had been the wrong idea.... it mightn't be too late to go back yet. No, crawling back now would only prove her weakness; she couldn't do it. But still, what was she going to do out here? Oh, stop complaining, her conscience spit at her. Quit worrying and just go enjoy yourself. See things you haven't seen before. The graveyard, perhaps, or the forest. "Hey, that's a good idea," she muttered to herself at that thought. The graveyard...I've been wating to go there, Dr. Finklestein has said many things about it..." Nodding to herself she decided automatically where she was going, and set off.



*****



Meanwhile at home, the doctor was up late working in his lab. Whenever he was upset or pondering, he usually did this. Tonight he was thinking about the wedding with Sally; obviously she didn't want to go through with it. But he hadn't created her for her opinions; he created her to be his partner. That was all he'd ever intended her to be, and no more.

A sigh escaped his throat. Still though, he'd been awful mean to her. He should at least apologize for his cruel words.

"Igor," he called out. "Igor, go fetch me Sally."

"Master, she is highly angry...I would suggest that you let her be still for a little longer."

"I told you to go fetch her," he snapped. "I don't care whether you think it's a good idea, just do it!"

A quick nod from the frightened assistant. "Yes, I shall go right away..." He disapeared down the hall, leaving Dr. F to sit there and think by himself. "Listen Sally," he rehearsed. "You shouldn't just...no no no, that isn't right..." A sound of him clearing his throat. "Sally, I thought I should say I'm sorry for being so harsh earlier on..." A shake of his head. "No that won't do." A deep breath. "Sally, I know that you're not happy with me, but I wanted to let you know I apologize for my cruel words earlier. That doesn't mean my mind has changed any, but I do wish for you to know that I'm sorry for my actions and also the way you feel right now." A smile crossed his face. "Yes, that's quite suitable. Now all I have to do is wait for her to arrive..."

Igor arrived a moment later, his face pale. "Doctor, there seems to be a problem..."

"Where is she? Where's Sally, didn't she come?"

"No, master...she's gone."



*****