Chapter II - The woes of youth

Evelyn's POV

Evelyn 11 years old

Alexander 12 years old

It has been over three years since I have started visiting Alexander, or Alex as he wished to be called. Each time I called his longer name he would let out a bummed out groan, which would bring out a smile on my lips. (At least he responded.)

In the following years that passed, I thought that it would be impossible for my life to become any harder. (Obviously, I was wrong.) Two weeks after I had completed eleven years old, my first bleeding came.

For an upper-class madam, this would be considered good news, it meant I was becoming a lady. Not for me, not for a young girl who lived in a brothel. This meant that I was more susceptible to be harassed, so I was kept at Nan's side at all times.

My sisters and her got me a room just beside Nan's, it had three thick iron chains in the door for when I went to sleep, or I needed to change. The room was just like hers. It had light green wallpaper, a smaller bed in the middle, a wooden night table with an oil lantern atop of it, and a grey changing screen in the left corner. In the right corner stood a small wooden wardrobe where I kept most of my clothes: some hand-me-downs from my sisters with some mild modifications.

Today since I was on my way to visit Alex with Nan, I had picked a pastel blue dress, that reached my knees with a white frilly collar and bow in the center. To finish the look, I had my white stockings and brown boots.

My auburn locks were in a crown braid as I kept them most of the time, to be easier to work with. Besides the usual basket with food, I brought a poetry book and a blanket which Nan taught me how to knit. Last time I felt so bad for his shivering self in that chilly room. So, I decided on knitting a huge blanket with the leftovers of fabric we had at home.

Skipping, hand in hand with Nan I hardly could wait to see him. Alex brought out something in me. (Was it because I missed having my twin brother to take care of? Perhaps, but I do not think that is the case.)

Despite everyone's hopelessness to see him healed I had total faith in him. He had gotten slightly better. Now, he sometimes got out of bed, but he barely spoke and when he did it seemed more like riddles or poetry than actual dialogue. Alex made drawings though as a way to communicate with the outside world.

Fantastic scenery, eerie animals and people were his main works of art. I loved them despite how creepy they might have been for other people. (What is creepy when you can see the dead and monsters since birth? Nothing, nothing is…)

I had told him this once when it was just the two of us in the room. The doctors trusted me alone with him because he was extremely docile and curious when I was in his presence. His reaction was one of the most unexpected I have seen in my life: his eyes sparkled with curiosity and he ushered me with his chin as if to tell me «Go on, I am listening».

I was certainly not expecting that at all. I was expecting him to flinch, laugh at me, or attack me as he did to the Orderlies who tried to dirty his stuffed rabbit. Yet, Alex as always surprised me and soon enough it became a secret only we shared. Every day I would tell him about the new sight in town and eventually, my "imaginary friends" became one of the topics he liked to draw as well.

In the meantime, we reached the entrance and I brought the huge blanket roll atop of my head. If it were a usual place, I'd run up the hospital with the blanket in my possession but «a lady does not run». (Bullocks. I am not a lady, I am a simple girl, but Nan tried to give me the education my mother was not able to give.)

Mother always seemed like a fine lady to me,despite her faults. She had manners and spoke with eloquence, which the poor women did not have. The fact that she also never had spoken about her life before she had become a prostitute was a mystery to me. If she spoke of anything at all. Rare was the time she actually stared us in the eyes and had a chat with us.

Nan never told me anything about it either. She just would shake it off with an «a lady never reveals her secrets. It removes our mystique. »

Unfortunately, my mother took her secret to the grave. (What would I give to have Rhett back… I miss him so much and every night I am plagued with nightmares of them being slaughtered by that beast. I just wished I did not have this ability! I never asked for this…)

"Evie…? Evie? Dear, are you all right?"-Nan's voice brought me out of my tourbillon of self-destructive thoughts. I looked up and offered her a small smile: "Yes, auntie. I was just thinking of how Alex will react to the gift." She squinted her eyes like she did not believe me but shrugged her shoulders: "We know that you always bring the best reactions out of him. Today will be no different. Alas, he is waiting."

I nod and we go down the long pristine hall, which nauseated me every time with the cries and screams of its inmates. (I wish I could help them.) As soon as we reached Alex's door, I peeked inside and there was Alex in a corner of the room scribbling as usual. He was shivering and his grey scrubs were way too large on him.

Deciding against my better judgment, I skipped towards him and warned him of my presence: "Good afternoon Alex! What is it, today?"-he turned towards me and I saw the corners of his lips turn slightly upwards. Standing up, he showed me the drawing while he took in my reactions: "Oh, Alex is this a new friend of yours?"

He pointed at me and I analyzed the drawing once more. Alex had drawn a red-haired girl with the cutest purple dress I had seen. She had a matching ribbon on her head and behind her stood Alex's friends and a boy dressed in blue, who seemed exactly like Alex.

Realizing that the girl was me, I gasped, and a tear ran down my cheek which scared him. He started muttering with hands in his head: "Into the hole again, we hurried along our way / Into a once-glorious garden now seeped in dark decay!"

Not knowing what to do I hugged him even when he started trashing and then I patted his hair softly and whispered: "Thank you. No one had ever given me such gift. It's beautiful."

He stopped trashing and just stood there with his head laid on my shoulder. I cleared my tears and gave him the drawing back, yet he shook his head and pointed at me: "Oh Alex, thank you! It is most delightful!"

A light flush appeared on his cheeks, he nodded and went to sit in his bed again. Nan who had taken longer since she had stayed talking with the doctor, entered the room. I ran to her and showed her my gift: "Auntie, auntie! Look at the drawing Alex gave me! Isn't it wonderful?"

She looked at me and then at the slightly flushed boy who had hidden among his sheets and chuckled: "It sure is, dear. It sure is…" I recalled what I had brought as well and run to his bed: "Alex, I brought you something too! Want to see?"

His raven haired head peeked out of the ripped sheets and he sat up. I smiled and then threw the blanket atop his legs. Since it was made out of fabric, it was heavier than wool blankets. His little feet shook around, and he quickly nuzzled inside the covers with a relaxed look on his face: "Do you like it? It is the first time I have done something like that, so it's okay if you don't. It just means I need more practice."

Turning his emerald green orbs towards me, he nodded and showed a small smile. I jumped up and down in happiness: "YAY! I am so happy you like it! What would you like next? I accept requests."

Behind us, the doctor entered the room and watched as I had a one-sided conversation with Alex. I could understand him just fine with his body language. The secret was to pay attention to every detail, be it breathing or eye contact.

The doctor kept writing and approached us: "Good afternoon, Miss Whitlock. I see that you have come once more." I looked at him and gave him a nod: "Why, of course. Alex is my friend."

A chuckle erupted from the doctor. My eyes squinted at his absurd reaction: "Is that so hard to believe?"-I asked. Dr. Wilson cleared his throat and approached Alex who flinched at his closeness: "Miss Whitlock, he has dementia. He barely talks and only acts accordingly when you are here. I am afraid that the poor lad might be unsavable."

Tears ran down my tears and I grabbed the bottom of his white scrubs: "No, do not say that! He just needs time, please!" Nan tried to pull me out of the man, but I held on tightly: "Evie, let go. You are scaring the doctor."

"Miss Whitlock, no matter how nice imagination and innocence are, there is a time that we have to just forget them. It is the way of life. We have been using every single treatment known to modern medicine and he is not improving. Soon enough, there will not be people who hope that he will heal."

Pulling the man down to my level, I looked at my friend that stared at us with an absent gaze, and then I looked back at the doctor: "I will! As long as I am alive, I will not give up on him! So, please do not stop trying. You are a professional, sir. Act like it."

He nodded scared of my reaction and I ran back to Alex. I held his hand and offered him my best smile: "Do not worry, Alex. I believe in you. I know you will heal, and I will be here to see it through."

His eyes opened widely, and I felt him grip my hand back, making me tear up slightly: "You will see…" Little did I know how difficult it would be. Nevertheless, I regret nothing…

Evelyn 17 years old

Alexander 18 years old

Weeks passed… Months followed and soon enough we were not children anymore. With the passing of age and of getting to know my, often bed-ridden, friend, I realized something while I was reading him a fantasy novel, one of these days.

Alex had grown up and was way taller than me now. He still was rather skinny, something that I have been trying to remedy with some stolen pastries from the brothel.

His hair had grown longer as well, reaching his shoulder in long black locks. His eyes were getting shinier by the day, something which made me really happy. Yet, with age, his puzzling mutters increased as well, and it was almost like he was telling us a story.

I thought that his imagination was fascinating was incredible, that and his ability to draw. The other day he offered me a realistic drawing of myself and Nan sat over a steaming teacup. I hugged him in appreciation and as always he flushed deeply.

Was he not just the cutest? (Wait… Alexander, adorable? Well, he is handsome in a roguish kind of way, and besides his eternal curiosity and his ability to listen to me wholeheartedly, he believes me and appreciates my company regardless of how weird I might be from other do I mean by different? Well, I do not interest myself much with idle gossip about boys and I would rather go hunting with Long Tim than to have Nan teaching me how to walk with books atop my head.)

Still, this is wrong. I cannot possibly like him, right? He is sick and needs to get himself better. Besides, when he gets better he will probably want someone else, someone who does not see ghosts, for a start. He deserves more and I am not it. Everything I ever loved perished. I do not want him to die too…

I woke up with the usual loud moans from next door, which broke me from my dark thoughts. Sitting up, I removed the covers on top of me and get up. I walk to my wooden cabinet where I have a china deep plate with water. There I wash my face and stare at the mirror.

My fingers feel around as if analyzing if I was awake. If I seemed an exact copy of my mother before, now I looked like her twin sister. My auburn straight hair has grown past my waist and I had bangs which I liked to curl around my ears.

Stormy grey eyes, darkened by the lack of a good night of sleep as usual and full lips in a tired smile. My white long-sleeved nightgown did not show what I disliked the most about myself, thankfully.

Yet, I needed to change so that I could have breakfast and go visit Alex. I walked to behind my changing screen and undressed all my clothes. Clenching my fists, I took the clothes I had on top of my bed.

Such as my mother I had earned her looks. What a joy… A slim body shape, a medium-sized bosom, and full rounded hips. Just perfect to be harassed by men. Shaking my insecurities off, I got dressed. I adored this dress, especially because I had made it.

Nan noticed that I enjoyed knitting and needlework, so she decided to teach me how to do my clothes. At first, I was a disaster and kept pricking my hand with the needles but soon enough I started sewing clothes for me and my sisters.

As soon as I finished getting dressed I wore my brown boots and went to the mirror once more. This outfit was composed of a high waist pastel blue skirt with ribbons on the waist and ruffles at the end. I wore a long-sleeved frilly white blouse underneath it. I gave the skirt a spin and realized my hair was a mess.

Getting hold of my brush, I got ready to brush the knots. Good lord, do I recall how much I cried every time Nan brushed my hair before bed. It's not like I had anyone else to compare. My mother hardly was home, now imagine her actually having time to brush my hair.

After brushing it and cursing a ton with the pain, I got hold of a piece of fabric the same color as the skirt and I tied my hair half up with a big ribbon on my head. Before I left, I saw the outfit I had on top of a chair and sighed. Something told me that I was going to need it today.

(You see, I had sewed Alex an outfit in the hope he gets released. Every year I sewed one, but he never got out. Good gracious was it awkward to take his measurements without blushing like a tomato. He did not seem to mind it but still…)

Yet, I feel like today will be the day! I took it in the basket I usually bring. Going down the stairs I say hello to my sisters as they go off to their "daily chores" and I see Nan arguing with Juliet, one of the oldest here.

She was what we called a cold-hearted bitch. Brown hair in an updo and blue eyes in a glare, as usual, she was becoming an age where a woman of her "career" does not get as many clients as she wished for. Therefore, she argued with everyone here, especially me because I reminded her too much of my mother, one of her rivals.

I walk slower so that I could hear what they are saying: "You protect her too much! She should be outside sellin' her arse so that she can support herself in the future! What do ya think she's goin' to do? Sell daisies?"

Nan got up in her face and pointed the finger at her: "Listen here, you back-washed whore! Evie is not going to sell herself, understood? She has more skills in one finger than you do in that greasy hair of yours. Now, get your arse out of here and get to work!"

Juliet sneered and looked up, noticing me in the stairs: "Soon enough, you'll know what the London slums do to lassies like yourself." And off she went out of the pub. Nan noticed my frown and wrap my arms around myself.

"Evie did not see you there. How much have you listened?" I climbed down the stairs and walked to her: "All of it. Nan, do you really think that? That I can do it out there?" She sighed and wrapped an arm around me: "I do. If not for your skills, for your stubbornness. Good lord, child! You are one of the most hard-headed people I know."

This brought a chuckle out of me and hugged the taller lady: "Thanks, Nan. I hope you are right." She caressed my head lightly and pushed me off: "You will. You are too bloody determined for your own damned good."

A tear ran down my face and I turned my head away, trying to keep it together. "We both know that is not the truth. By the way, is breakfast ready?"-I shook off the topic. She pulled my chin up and analyzed me: "Have you been sleeping? Your eyes are puffy."- I shook her hand off and walked to the kitchen: "I did, I just read a little too much."

She followed me to the kitchen as I poured a teacup of Earl Grey and took a bite of a bagel. "You sure? You have been rather restless lately. You know you can talk to me." I offered her a smile and ate quite fast. "Thanks, auntie. I am okay. I promise."-I hid one hand behind my back with crossed fingers.

Squinting her eyes, she shrugged off her shoulders and walked off: "Very well, be careful on the way to the looney bin. Say hi to Alexander for me." I blushed slightly at the mention of his name and I huff to place more things in the basket. She leaves to meet her clients upfront with a deep chuckle. (Damn it, Nan. You enjoy getting a rinse out of me.)

I left after her and said goodbye to Long Tim, one of the guards of this place. He made sure the gentlemen would not hurt anyone of us and he was quite nice actually, despite his gruff exterior.

Walking as fast as I could off I went to Ruthledge. What I have not told Nan is that my nightmares have worsened, and the usual sightings seemed more like stalkers. They talked to me and kept trying to reach out to me as if I could help them. For the first time in a while, I can say that I am scared of my ability.

I tried to think more positively, Alex had enough on his plate already. Soon enough, I was at the door of the asylum, and off I went. Despite many years have passed, nothing changed in this place. I can hardly wait to see Alex out of here. After all they made him go through, he desperately needs it.

The moment I saw the door, I took a deep breath and peeked inside. He was laid in bed with his eyes closed, probably tired from the "treatments". I walked slowly to the chair next to his bed and sit: "Hello, Alex. How do you feel?"

He did not answer and so I brought a couple of bagels for him to eat when he wakes up. Then he starts muttering, as usual, so I did not turn towards him: "My Wonderland is restored. I need to go back. People wait for me."

I took a bite on one of the bagels, seeing as I brought a lot of them, and then I heard something move beside me: "Why, I would kill for one of those." Being so absent in thought I passed the plate to my right: "Go ahead, there are enough for us both." Being so used to hearing voices out of nowhere made me an airhead sometimes as a way to drift away to what I saw.

Moans of satisfaction and ravenous bites were all I heard. Probably, Mr. Gregory munching on his good old Yorkshire pudding, the one who choked him to death. The plate was given back to me and I placed it inside the basket. Standing up to get a book to read to him, I hear the same deep voice: "Much obliged… Why is that a new dress, Evelyn? You look amazing!"

I flush lightly, then I turned and did a curtsy with my eyes closed: "Why thank you, I made it mys-!" Looking up abruptly, my eyes widened, and I saw something which I was not expecting: "Finally, you look at me. I thought I would have to shake you."-said Alex, sat on his bed with his legs crossed and an amused smile on his lips.

"A-alex? A-are you t-talking?" -I asked as I approached him very slowly. He stood up and approached: "Of course I am. You would not stop feeding me sweets so I had to wake up or soon enough I would be rolling down the looney bin."-he chuckled, and I flushed beet red.

I stomped towards him and punched him lightly on the stomach. "Ouch! What was that for?"-he asked as he held his stomach. Laughing weakly as tears ran down my cheeks, I answer: "It is really you. I knew that you would wake up. I knew it."

Alex scratched his head and approached me: "Please, do not cry. Here, have a tissue."-he brought a piece of fabric out of his sleeve and I took it: "Thank you. I apologize for being such a crybaby. I bet that is not the first thing you wanted to see when you woke up."

He pulled me by the hands and smiled: "I would not have it any other way." And I cleared my tears and smiled back. "Wait! I will go get the doctor. He needs to give you the dismissal."-I release his hands and off I go.

After I called Dr. Wilson who did not believe me when I told Alex had woken, he almost passed out when he saw him walking around and then talk to him. After many exams and tests, Alex was free from the looney bin.

(The real question was where he was going to stay. If I could bring him to Mangled Mermaid I would but it had too many hosts as it did.) Then Nurse Pris whom I hated with a deep passion of mine appeared. That drunk old hag. I still remember how she tried to threaten Alex when she heard him say he was the one behind his family's fire.

Regardless, she offered him a job at an orphanage as caretaker of the children and its principal, a shrink named Angus Bumby would oversee his rehabilitation. Alex was quite excited to get out of this place, yet I had a really bad feeling about this.

As we were packing, I realized that he needed new clothes to change to: "Oh, by the way, Alex. I have brought you something you might need."-he turned towards me with one of his drawings atop of his head: "Evie, when will you stop getting me things? I will become spoiled if you keep up with that."-I blushed and threw him the clothes: "Oh, shush. Just try it. I will leave while you change."

I opened the door and I heard: "Thank you, Evie." Smiling I waited outside and held a hand to my heart. (Yes, this is really what I thought. Let me enjoy it while his company lasts. Soon enough, he will want to meet other people and I will be left behind. It is best this way.)

Some moments later, he came outside with a white shirt underneath a sleeveless black vest and grey pants that went underneath his black boots. "Wow, it looks good! Do you like it?"-I asked.

He smiled and nodded: "I do, it is quite light and comfortable. So, this is why you measure me every year." I puffed my cheeks and crossed my arms: "Well, I did not know when you were going to wake up, so I had to have an outfit ready each year."

Alex started laughing out loud, which surprised me since I never saw him do that: "Oh Evie, never change. I apologize for my lateness, but I needed…" "Time, right?"-I offered him a sympathetic smile to which he nodded: "Exactly. Thank you for not giving up on me, Evelyn. I mean it."

Patting his shoulder, I smiled: "I knew you could do it. I was sure of it. You are stubborn like that." And I walked off with some of his drawings in hand, with a coy smile on my lips: "Hey, that is not fair! Evie, Evelyn! Wait up!"

Then when he reached me, Alex helped me with some of his drawings. Not having many possessions, he carried only a brown suitcase in hand. All of a sudden a black cat approached us and jumped on top of his suitcase: "Oh, Cheshire! There you are."-Alex said as he patted the feline.

He turned towards me and introduced me: "This is Evelyn, my friend." Loving animals as I did, I scratched his ear and received a purr in appreciation: "Very nice to meet you, Chessie." Weirdly, I saw his snout switch into a toothy smirk, but as soon as I looked again it was not there. (Great. One leaves the looney bin, and another enters it. I really am going mad.)

Before I took him to the orphanage, we passed by the Mangled Mermaid and for our luck, Nan was outside. As soon as she saw her old student, she ran to hug him and nearly choked him with her large bosom, while I laughed at the scene. I could get used to this. If only my life could always be like this…

Chapter II - End