T/W eating disorder
A world on fire, destruction, carnage. Half human, half beast creatures. Red sky, explosions, gunfire. Screams, cries of agony, pleas for help.
Awake.
You pull yourself up in bed, last night a blur of drinks, drugs, dancing...and death. You look down at your hands, slight streaks of red still laced over your skin, blood crusted into the beds of your nails. You look over to where the dress of which you'd worn last night and discarded on the floor had once been, was now gone. Panic sets in, where was George? Normally he would be bringing you breakfast at this point. Had he perhaps gone to the station, already turning you in to the police?
You slide out of bed and slip on a night robe. "George?" You call out into the hallway to no reply. You search around the house, a feeling of nausea rising from the pit of your stomach. Not from a hangover, this was on a whole different level as dread sets in. You almost tiptoe around the house, your feet making soft padding noises on the wooden floors. "George?" You call out once more as you reach the downstairs. You hear movement from the laundry room before George appears. His shirt was slightly stained pink in places. "Good morning Ma'am, my deepest apologies for the delay of breakfast." He replies in his usual cordial tone. "What are you doing?" You inquire although having your suspicions. "I noticed your garment from last night had been stained. I however felt this was something that should not be sent to the dry cleaners. Although I will admit the beading on your dress has given me some difficulties." You feel your stomach twist into knots. "So you've seen my dress?"
"Yes, Ma'am." He states, offering nothing more. "And...you're not going to the police." You ask, your voice shaking. "No Ma'am. I shall handle this little incident discretely. It would not be the first time I've dealt with such delicate matters. Your mother suffered with the same affliction." George divulged to you. You thought back to your mother, you'd never seen her to be a violent woman but as her mental state deteriorated, your father had insisted that you kept your distance. "My mother?" George makes his way over to you and guides you through to the lounge. "Yes Ma'am, she had her struggles and confided in me for a long time. Unfortunately, your father found out from one of the maids. I will not allow that same fate to befall you." He reassured you. "Whilst I do not condone such actions, my job is to ensure your needs are looked after and that you are kept safe. As you are aware I take great pride in my job." His words brought a comfort to you, an ease to the situation.
After finishing laundering your dress, there wasn't a single stain on it. George then proceeded to bring you your breakfast, half a grapefruit, and a slice of toast which you followed up with a couple of laxatives. Breakfast was interrupted by a knock at the door. You heard George's voice followed by two men's voices. Soon you were greeted by Edward and John, two men officers who worked with your father. "We apologize for the inconvenience Miss but we have a few questions for you." You rose from your seat and greeted them. "Of course, my apology for my state of undress. Would you mind waiting in the lounge whilst I get myself properly dressed?" They agreed and George led them to the lounge.
You had hurried upstairs, feeling on the verge of a panic attack. They knew, they knew what you had done and this was just pleasantries. Some level of respect because of your father's job but they were here to take you away. No, no, no. You had to get your head together. Your hands were shaking as you fumbled to get dressed. You took a small dose of morphine, just enough to calm your nerves. Your supply running low. You would need to take a trip to the pharmacy soon, that is if you weren't locked up today.
By the time you came downstairs, you were feeling much more relaxed but not out of it. "So how can I assist you today ?" You started. "We've had reports of a missing person in the area. We believe you were once well acquainted with them." The main thing you took from the statement is he was only considered missing. They hadn't found a body. "Who is the person in question? I am on good terms with quite a few people and I was not aware any of my friends were missing." You had nearly slipped his name, something that would surely give away some knowledge of the incident. "The man in question is Charles Wagner." You feign some shock at their statement. "Charles, certainly not. He was always such a careful man. I mean we haven't spoken in such a long time, however. Although I can't imagine him traveling far." You remarked. "Well yes, that is why he has been reported missing. Normally we would say to give it a few days before thinking someone is missing. But we've been made aware that he is usually a creature of habit and not one to venture far or out late." They replied. "Well I wish I could give you some more indication of his whereabouts but I am sorry I can not offer you much. I was with friends last night, I was walked home by a gentleman and then I was home all last night. Wasn't I George?" George nods in agreement.
"We're not accusing you of anything Miss, we're just trying to trace his last steps. However, we will have to request the names of the friends you were with last night as well as the gentleman who walked you home. Just for our records." Edward said as he pulled out a notepad. "Well there was Ruth, Maria, and Alice, you remember Alice don't you John?" The two of them had been friendly for some time and whilst you had your suspicions that John had feelings for her, he had not acted upon them. It was a subtle diversion from the topic at hand, trying to turn their attention towards more casual conversation. "Oh yes, wonderful gal. How has she been doing? I really should catch up with her." John piped up. The three of you now conversed for some time, George brought coffee and you eased into a more friendly discussion. You had asked how your father was doing but tried to keep away from details of the murders whenever they would arise. Acting as though you couldn't bear to hear such grizzly details.
After an hour or so, Edward and John took their leave and you breathed a sigh of relief. "I think it may be best if you stay home for a couple of nights Ma'am. With a serial killer on the streets, it won't be long until there is another body for them to fixate on later, and not being seen out and about would give you an alibi. They will link Charles's death with the other string of murders." George suggested. "That would probably be in my best interests. You know what, know I take back what I said yesterday morning. Maybe I should pay you to think." Your comment was met with a scowl from George. You still needed to head out today with a few stops in mind. The first was to the pharmacy. The next to a local bakery to acquire a selection of pastries. Finally, going to the radio station with your freshly collected goods.
You caught a carriage to the station. Whilst you did not plan on repeating your little indiscretion, having more people to account for your time today, the better. You step into the reception with around 5 minutes to noon, hoping to catch Alastor on his lunch break. Sat behind the desk was a woman in her mid-40s, a few grey hairs beginning to show, small circular glasses which she peered at you, over them. "I'm here to see Alastor." You started to be met with a weary sigh as she pushed her glasses up. "Are you here as a guest for the show?" She said, now flicking through some paperwork on her desk. "No, I am a friend." You corrected her. "Being a fan does not make you a friend." Her gaze dropped to the bakery bag. "If you have something for Mr Alastor, you can leave them at the desk and I'll make sure he gets them."
"I am not a fan." You started but were cut off by a voice behind you. "And here I was, thinking you enjoyed my work," Alastor said, slipping into his jacket ready to head out. "Well had you not cut me off so rudely I was going to say that I'm not a friend, I'm a fan and a friend." You disputed. "Very nicely caught my dear." His tone was sarcastic but he quickly turned his attention to the lady at the desk. "Mrs Davis, I will be visiting my mother for lunch this afternoon. I have been informed that I am not needed for this afternoon so I will delight in seeing you in the morning." Now turning his attention back to you. "Do you care to join me, Lilian?" His request caught you off guard. "To meet your mother, is that not a bit...formal." You stutter out. "Nonsense! As you just said, you are a friend. It would only be formal if you were something more."
"Well, then lead the way." You stated and you took his arm. You felt some trepidation meeting his mother. It did dissipate when you came face to face with his family home. A quaint building that seemed run down. Parts of it had been patched up but not well, just enough to stop the building from falling down. Alastor opens the door and you are hit with the aromas of something rich and spicy. "Momma, I'm home!" Alastor calls out into the house. A woman with dark skin and deep curly hair steps into view. "And you brought a girl! It's about time but you should have told me." Her voice booms out. Alastor approaches her and wraps his arms around her. "Are you not going to introduce us first." She scolds him as she steps past him and into the doorway and practically pulls you into the house. "And you left her outside, did I not teach you any better?"
"Sorry Ma' This is Lilian, a friend. Lilian this is my mother, Emilie." You extend a hand to the woman, which she takes, and as she does you drop into a curtsey. "She's pretty and acts like a proper lady and you're telling me you're not putting a ring on her finger?" She then turns her focus back to you. "Has my boy asked you, is he not good enough?" You find yourself flustered and struggling for words. Like with Alastor, you were not used people to being so direct with you. "It's not like that Ma, leave her be before you scare her off. Please?" His tone was light and you got the impression this was a common occurrence between the pair.
"I have some baked goods." You offer, holding out the bag. "Nonsense, we have food in. I have a pot of gumbo on the stove, some rice cooking, and fresh beignets proofing." Her voice so lively and upbeat although with a thick accent. You all head into the kitchen, Alastor holds out a chair for you at what you assume to be the dining table. Emilie is over by the stove and pulls out a spoon to taste the gumbo. Alastor approaches her and takes a taste. "It needs more paprika." He says handing her the jar. You notice his trans-Atlantic accent dropping as he converses with her. Something he puts on for the radio.
"What do you think?" Emilie asks you as she holds up the spoon once more. "Umm, I'm not much of a cook. I doubt I would be able to give much input on it. But it smells great!" You offer and she gives Alastor a look. "I now know why you haven't put a ring on her. What woman doesn't know how to cook." Her tone, although critical, isn't harsh. "Ma, She's a Greenwalt, I doubt she's had to cook a day in her life," Alastor says, jumping to your defense. "I don't care what her family name is. How is she supposed to look after my boy if she doesn't know how to cook?" You were almost delighted in seeing Alastor squirm, trying to convince his mother that the two of you really were nothing but friends.
Emilie dished up 3 large bowls of gumbo and rice and placed them on the table. Saying a little prayer with Alastor before tucking into their food. You looked at the bowl, it smelt delicious but you could only see it as a heaping serving of calories. Not wanting to be rude you took small spoonfuls, something that caught Emilie's attention. "Do you not like it?" She asked now having stopped eating her own. "No, it's not that. I don't have much of an appetite. I'm trying to lose weight at the moment." You offer. "Trying to lose weight? There's nothing to you already." Emilie was not a large woman but she did have curves to her. Something that had been more common in the Edwardian era but since had fallen out of style.
"Common ma, have you considered it might be a bit too spicy for her?" Alastor came to your defense once more, giving you an out. "I am so sorry, it does taste lovely but Alastor is right. I'm just not used to so much spice." You follow up. "Well if you had said we had company coming around, I could have better prepared." Emilie gave no further comment on you not eating and you relaxed a little bit. She was blunt and to the point but nothing she said had even a hint of malice to it. She asked you about your job and you had to explain to her that you didn't have one. She joked you'd be expecting Alastor to provide for you then. He had stopped protesting to her comments at this point. Now choosing to distract her with politics and news.
When it came time to leave, she offered to send you home with some of the beignets, and not wishing to seem rude, you accepted them graciously. Alastor had given his mother a long hug and a kiss on the cheek as he left, promising to visit more often. "I think that's the quietest I've ever seen you." He laughed as you were walking back into the city. "Well, I certainly see where you get it from now." You chuckled. "You mean my dazzling personality, my infectious charm, my good looks?" He jests although only half-heartedly as his ego is showing once again. "Your bluntness and you're ability to keep me on my toes is what I was going to say." You said, poking fun at him. "Well, she is quite the woman."
"She certainly seems to want you to find one." You remarked. Marriage was never something you had put much thought into. You were more interested in seeing what life had to offer. Enjoying it to its fullest. "Well, how am I to find a lady who will compare when she has set the bar so high?" You could hear how fond he was when he spoke of her. A true momma's boy deep down.
He walked you back into town and thanked you for your company at lunch, but now he had a few errands to run. "Well, I intend on staying home for a few days until things with Charles calm down a bit. But maybe you could join me for dinner one night? Something to repay the favor." You offered him. "That would be wonderful my dear. Although I am sure there will be a new name in the headlines soon enough." He said confidently, then took your hand and placed a kiss on the back of it before heading off to deal with whatever business he had.