Pleasurable Venom

Apologies in advance for the confusing past and present tense switches, I am trying to make everything past tense even though previous chapters have present tense. I will rewrite it to make it all past tense once i have completed the story.

Chapter 06: "I'm fine."

Undertaker let Helain read and left her to her thoughts as he busied himself with a few clients. They were not due to be done for a couple more days but he figured why not get them done when he had the time.

When he finished with a second client, a young man with back hair, he cleaned his hands and the tools he used before placing everything where they should be and cleaning the lockets around his waist. He wouldn't risk damaging them. They would probably be fine considering he hadn't used any harsh chemicals this time but still.

The mortician walked back into the main area of is shop, he hadn't meant to spend as much time as he did away from his guest. Opening his mouth to apologize Undertaker looked to the chair where the woman was and stopped. She had fallen asleep reading and her face was relaxed in slumber. The book was still resting in her lap, and her head was tilted a bit. He looked at the image and smile softly. 'The poor dear must have been awfully tired.' He mused to himself.

Gently he scooped her up in his arms, carefully not to swift her about too much. He tucked the book under his arm and proceeded to walk down the hall. He pushed the door open with his foot and had no issue freeing up an arm with how much she weighed. He used his free hand to pull back the sheets on his bed and layed her down. He pulled the sheets up to her chin, watching as her small hands griped the edge to her chest. "Sleep well, my dear." Undertaker took one last glance at the woman's sleeping form and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

****/^^\****

Warm…

My brows twisted in confusion. Why was I warm? I was never warm. I blinked awake and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. A blurry muddle came into focus as a wall and dresser. My lips pulled into a tight line and I tried to figure out what was going on. Slowly the gears in my head settled in place and I gasped while bolting straight up in the bed.

That's right! I am free and I came to a strange shop and met a strange man named Undertaker. I brushed hair out of my face and tucked a few strands behind my ear. The cold metal of my earing met my fingertips and I smiled fondly. Quickly my mind scanned the room I was in and I tried to remember walking into it but I simply couldn't. The last thing I remembered was reading and falling asleep in a rather comfortable chair. Frowning once again I put my thumb to my lips in thought and shrugged.

Pulling back the sheets tangled over my limbs and body, I stood and stretched, much like a cat would after a nice long nap. I turned around and made up the bed in a manner I found simple but nice looking and left the room, wondering where I was?

A familiar hallway greeted me and I calmed from my semi-tense state. Good, I was still at the shop. Then, my feet froze in place, a light blush dusted my cheeks. I must have fallen asleep and stayed overnight here. The fact that I hadn't been thrown out was a blessing in itself and it brought a smile back to my features.

I happily picked up my pace and walked into the main area of the shop. My eyes scanned the large room. Empty. I tilted my head in thought. Perhaps Undertaker was working on clients again. A wisp of something delicious tickled my nose. I licked my lips and cautiously followed the smell back down the hall and into another part of the shop. A small kitchen and pantry were settled behind an open door and standing in the middle of it all was Undertaker. I blinked and took a step into the space. I took a deep breath and let it out.

"Good Morning, Undertaker." I greeted blushing harder. "Hm? Oh, yes good morning to you to, Miss Belford." He stopped and turned to face me with a bowl in one hand and a egg in the other. I took a few more steps and choose a chair to sit in. "I hope you don't mind eggs and sausage with toast for breakfast." He said while turning away from me and continuing whatever he was doing before I interrupted. I shook y head, even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Not at all, thank you very much." The both of us fell into a comfortable silence and I watched him cook. It made me feel odd, feel liked I needed to help. "Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked. He paused and tapped a long black nail to his chin. "It normally isn't right to let a guest cook but since I have decided to let you stay for as long as you want, I suppose you can set the table." With the mention of being allowed to stay I blushed even harder and bit the inside of my cheek. I nodded and stood up. It only made sense to start with plates, then silverware, and glasses. So I looked over the counter tops for said items.

"Uh...where are the dishes?" I asked not finding them on the counters. He giggled and pointed a nail towards a cabinet. "The plates are in there. And the silverware are in the drawer right under it. Beakers are in that cabinet there. Unless you want a cup, I rarely use them because I think it is easier to wash all the beakers together but cups are in that drawer there." He directed me to each of the items and I pulled out two of each. Instead of a cup I decided to use a beaker as well, they really were good cups. I set each of them in place and just as I placed down a fork, Undertaker hurried over with a hot pan filled with eggs and dished us both out an equal amount. He did the same with the sausage and toast before we sat down across from each other. I waited until he had poured us each a beaker of tea and took a bite of his own meal before gently cutting and eating some egg. The yolk spilled over the white of the eggs, like wine on a white carpet and I chewed my bite. The egg slid down my throat and it was...delicious. I stabbed a sausage and bite off the end to taste it as well, finding the same result. "This is delicious." I commented looking up from my plate to look at the curtain of silver bangs over Undertaker's face. He smiled and noded. "Why thank you." And we both looked back to our food. The rest of the meal went on in a light silence.

After I had finished my meal, feeling bad about leaving some of the food there, but I simply could not eat that much, Undertaker cleaned up and looked around for a list he had misplaced. I dusted off my dress and smiled, simply happy to have proper clothes for once.

The Undertaker rummaged around and finally found a the small slip of paper. I followed him into the main area of the shop and watched as he opened the door and just held it there. I waited a moment, thinking he was wondering if he had forgotten anything but he stayed in place looking at me with a small smile. I looked back at him and tilted my head in confusion. He gestured out the door. "Well are you coming or not?" (And here is where my perverted brain told me to write Helain saying "I wish I was." lol) I jumped and hurried out the door with a dusting of pink across my cheeks, a small nod and a whispered "Thank you."

The brightness of the sun so suddenly, blinded me momentarily and my hand went up to block out the light for a moment. The smell of ocean water wafted up to take over my sense of smell and I instinctively sneezed. I heard the click of the door falling shut and turned to see what to do next. Undertaker started down the fairly empty street and I hurried to follow, the sound of my footstep were silent and I kept my hands clasped in front of me and my head down.

After a long walk Undertaker took a turn onto a busy street lined with several stores. I looked up and looked at everything. The scene was just liked it had been the day before. People rushing about, carriages here and there, and bells above doors ringing. My throat went dry when I realized, yes, it was like the day before. The stares and looks were the same. The feeling of wanting to flee and hide ran through my blood like fire runs through paper. Fast and fatal. Somehow the feeling was new. When I had been there before I had not cared but in that moment I did care. Every stare pinned me down to my spot. Undertaker should not have to be seen with someone as freakish as I am. I could I have ever thought I could be normal. Undertaker, he was I different story, entirely. He was kind and didn't care about my differences, but I had forgotten that not everyone was like that. Not everyone would gift me things as nice as a book or clothing, no, most people would leave me to rot, if not that, they would avoid me or beat me with a cruel grin.

"Helain…"

That is just how people are. They don't like different and that is exactly what I am. I shouldn't have existed. Suddenly, my life seemed pointless, only causing issue for others.

"Helain?"

That's right. I am nothing but an issue.

"Helain!"

'I am so stupid to have thought, for even a moment, I was worth something.'

"HELAIN!"

My nerves rushed to catch up with reality. They stung where a hand, Undertaker's hand, was gripping my shoulder tightly. They registered the pain of my own nails digging into my palms. My knuckles were white, clenched into tight fists and shaking. I blinked and looked at the concerned face of the man who was too kind. Swallowing once then twice, I noded.

"I am fine." because of you...because you brought me back. I silently added unable to form the words on my tongue. His hand stayed where it was for a moment longer and then he released it.

"You had me worried, my dear." He chuckled and grabbed my hand in his, rushing through the sea of people and over to fresh produce stands. I stayed silent, too nervous to speak and deep in thought. I watched him select foods and small items like soap and candles. At a point he asked me whether I needed anything and I shook my head.

The shopping trip went by quickly and I barely registered our return to the shop. Undertaker started a pot of tea and vanished, probably to put everything away. I sat down with my book in hand and a beaker of water but the words blurred and I found myself looking at the same word for a while. My head spun and my breathing came out in small gasps. My skin fet hot and cold at the same time. A cough caused my whole body to jerk and when I tried to reach for my beaker of water my hand fell, my visioned blanked and my eyes fell shut.