Authors Note: For SilverArrow112's contest, Velvet. Yay. Not everything's included yet, so be patient, and enjoy… Bwahaha.
Disclaimer: Don't own V or any of the related characters, et cetera. Almost wish I did, though.
In This Sweet Madness, This Glorious Sadness
by xDante
Chapter One
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Darkness had long ago settled across the rain washed streets of Evey's home town. She had lived there all her life, and she knew the streets well. She had walked these streets day after day, night after night, moving at the same pace, skipping the same curbs, greeting the same people, every day for the past year. Every day, she walked to work, and home again. Every day, she made dinner for one, alone in her new apartment. Every day, her heart mistakenly skipped a beat as something tall, dark, and hidden caught her eye. And every day, she faced those same painful memories.
They were in the eye of the storm, Evey thought. A little more then year had past since she had taken part in destroying what remained of the British government, and the revolt had settled down. People had started to come back into their lives, and changes had been made for the better. The curfew had been lifted, and the new government was only just beginning to reform the country. Everyone was happier now. Almost.
She no longer called herself Evey. Every time she said it, it made her heart ache. She recalled the way he put so much emphasis on the second syllable. In the year since the revolution had begun, her hair had slowly began to grow. It was nearly to her shoulders now, and it still held its wave perfectly, but it was no longer the shade of deep chestnut it had once been. Unsure of her safety, she had become a blonde to protect her identity. She did not see herself the same way anymore. Now, when she looked in the mirror, she hated herself. She told herself that by changing her name and appearance, she was scorning his memory.
It was beginning to get cold. Her pace quickened, and she hugged her arms close about her to warm herself. She could feel the soft tap of rain on her coat; it was starting again. As she rounded a corner, finally drawing close to her home, she felt an icy splash around her right ankle.
"Shit," she muttered quietly, "I just bought these shoes."
The rain had pooled in the rain gutters, and she had unexpectedly stepped in a small puddle. With a sigh, a shake of her head, and a wet foot, she continued on her way.
She was almost home. Hesitantly, she took a dark shortcut to keep dry. Shadows began to crawl around her, though she knew it was just the wind, and the reflections of light on the raindrops. But no. There was someone on the fire escape there. She stopped, a little frightened now.
"Who's there?" She called to the dark shadow crouched behind the thick metal bars. "Who are you?"
There was no answer.
"Why are you out here?" She cried again, taking a few steps closer. "You'll get soaked."
Still no answer.
She paused a moment, still gazing at what she was sure was someone. She could feel the persons gaze on her, the way she had always known when he was looking at her.
She had only taken a few steps in the direction of her building when she heard it.
"Evey."
She stood stalk still, back towards the crouched figure on the platform. Her eyes were wide. She must have misheard the word; must have imagined the deep voice she recalled. Slowly, sue turned to face the shadow.
"…Who are you?" She repeated, though this time the words were whispered, quietly and quickly.
The figure was silent in response.
"How do you know my name?" Said Evey, more aggressively. This was impossible. There was no way. No way. She had been so careful; the only person who could know her was… But that was ridiculous.
"Don't you remember, Evey?" Came the deep, familiar voice from the shadow.
"No… No." She muttered, feeling a bit light headed. She was talking more to herself then the figure. "No. Impossible. No, no, no. I've gone mad. This is insanity." Her focus then returned to the person on the fire escape. "Who are you?"
Slowly, the man stood. He was tall, but still cast in shadow. His silhouette was solid—a cape, perhaps?—and he wore a hat. But still, Evey thought, it was preposterous. Nonsensical to even think such things.
"No—no! Leave me alone," She called, turning away from the man again. She began to walk swiftly, though wobbly in her tall heels.
As she fled, she heard the swish and thud of the man leaping over the balcony.
"Wait, Evey."
There it was again. The name that was no longer hers. The name she cast away with the body of the man she loved. The man she knew was dead. The man who was now standing behind her, regardless of—or in spite of—his apparent death.
Evey stopped. "No." Slowly, she turned again. "I am not Evey any—"
She could not finish her sentence, however. What she saw had her shocked.Her jaw dropped. Her head whirled. There was no doubt in her mind anymore. It had to be… Her breath was shallow, her deep chocolate eyes terrified. Darkness closed over her vision. She felt the hard pavement on her back. She heard slow, steady footsteps coming her way. And she faded.