::Summary::
Ecterina is a simple girl with a rare illness... She prepares for the worst until a faceless man gives her an offer- but does the catch leave her better off than her precvious fate? (Rated T for Language)
::Pre-story info::
Ecterina: means "innocent" Greek.
Dendritic cells (DCs): are immune cells that form part of the mammalian immune system. Their main function is to process antigen material and present it on the surface to other cells of the immune system, thus functioning as antigen-presenting cells. Named after the long slender appendages that sprout off the cell. They can be used as treatment towards Cancer and other diseases.
-Dendritic-
My eyes drifted unsurely over to the drawing taped to my wall. I could feel my heartbeat in my forehead and my fingers stung in remembrance of the pain that the drawing brought on.
She gulped nervously- debating on whether or not she wanted to know what this paper was.
When I never came with a reply- so she figured that she would much rather not know why such drawing hung on wall. With a small sigh, my mother changed the subject only slightly.
"So... Is everything okay, Rina?" She faked a motherly smile.
"Yea... now it is." I replied flatly and stared without emotion at her.
This made her uncomfortable and caused her to make her way back to the door.
"Well I am leaving soon- promise you will call if you need anything?" She looked ready to cry.
"I promise Mama."
"Ok... good... I love you."
"I love you too."
The door slid shut and the latch clicked.
I spent much too long staring down the white door. A thin, full height mirror hung on the back.
My reflection was filled with poison. My dulled eyes sucked out any hope I could latch onto.
Without another thought my fist hit the damned thing and the pieces shattered to the floor.
The blood that dripped from my knuckles stained the carpet at my feet.
I let out my breath I had kept locked away in my throat and went over to the area next to my window.
I lay down on floor and brought my alarm clock with me. I set the time for my normal arise then stared at the wall for hours on end.
My trance broke when my sister's soft knock on the door echoed into the room.
"Ecterina are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon."
"No." Again, my voice flat.
A pause.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
"Ok- call me if you need anything."
"I will."
Then she left with hesitation, her weight sounding the creeks on the stairs.
Goosebumps riddled my skin, bumping up the white blotchy tissue upon my arms to look like a book for the blind. The blood from earlier had drawn on curvy lines over my knuckles and top of my hand. I stopped caring if it hurt at all.
I didn't want to care anymore.
My family wanted to care for me- I wished I could let them.
I wish I could accept the happiness they will have if I choose to help this entity of the forest.
If I choose to be a... Proxy.
As if on cue, two white hands with long, thin fingers tapped on my windowsill. The Tall man leaned in to see if I was conscious.
Tick tock, Ecterina. I am not one of patience. His low voice grumbled through the air with a hollowed echo.
"I know." My voice exhibited how irritated I was.
His blank canvas tilted down to my wounded hand, and then his head cocked slightly to the side in interest.
A long black appendage slithered into the window and wrapped around my bloodied hand.
I fought back the urge to flinch away.
My hand grew numb and the grip of the tentacle tightened.
Once you are my Proxy you will not bring such harm to yourself, Child.
"I never said I would be your Proxy." I snapped, sitting up and facing him with a scowl.
He released my hand with a small fling and craned down to me, his brow lowering.
Do not think that I do not already know your decision. You do not want to die therefor; you will belong to me.
I shivered from the idea of being this thing's property "I am not some object to be owned!"
A dark chuckle worked its' way through the air and hit the back of my skull.
Foolish human… If I want something- he leaned closer for emphasis and intimidation
I take it.
I opened my mouth to speak but the air erupted with static and I shut my jaw. The pain and weight returned to my mind causing my eyes to clamp shut and I held my head from the pitch. The noise dissipated and I looked up to see my window open.
I shot to the window and searched for the entity. "FUCK YOU!" I howled after him, and then quickly recoiled back into my room after gaining a weird look from a passerby, slamming shut the panes of glass.
I pinched the bridge of my nose then realized that my hand had been healed. I flexed and twirled it around to test mobility.
He can heal things, huh? Sure does give me reassurance that he can hold up his end of the deal if I agree.
But I didn't want to uphold my half.
I decided to go and wash off the blood and walked right into Caffara.
"Who where you yelling at?" her eyes where filled with concern.
"No one." I attempted to shove by but was stopped short as a strong grip pulled on my arm.
"You need to eat." She said sternly, her whole hand almost all the way around my bicep.
"Don't tell me what to do with my last days." I ripped away from her and stormed downstairs. I traveled through the kitchen and out the back door. I knew she wouldn't follow me into the forest. She was terrified of the woods, always has been- I could be alone there.
Well, almost alone.
"Rina! Rina, come back here now!" Her voice was shrill and I could tell she worried for my safety. But she had pissed me off and I stopped caring. I honestly stopped caring all together.
I ignored her completely and dashed away from the house. The deeper into the trees the thicker the atmosphere became; I felt myself starting to mentally suffocate and panic kicked in; the entity was nearby but this feeling was different somehow...
A high pitch scream came from my right and a little boy the about the age of eight clutched onto my leg. I jumped out of surprise, the boy's face was tear stricken and his eyes red. He huffed from obviously running for a long time "Help me! Help me please! Don't let him get me!" He sobbed and tugged on my t-shirt.
I stuttered and was overwhelmed "Who is trying to-" I stopped myself short when I saw the Tall man in the same form that had chased me.
Ecterina- give him to me! His voice boomed through the trees like thunder.
In a panic I scooped up the boy and began into a sprint.
There was no way in hell I would let this being have this child…
Hey everyone!
So the reason why Ecterina's mother just sort of left the drawing alone is because she figures that Ecterina is just venting.
what did everyone think of this chapter? good? i hope so! i know everything is a bit slow at the moment but it will obviously pick up ;)
tata for now and i will try to add a new update soon!
~FurrReal