Chapter 1: The bill comes due
Taylor rubbed their temples in frustration as they kept glancing at the war going on in their messages. Both parents fighting over details about Taylor's birthday dinner: Time, place, location, attire expectations, not even caring that those things didn't matter to Taylor in the least. They would prefer if the whole ordeal was skipped, it was more performative than genuine anyway. But to interject would just cause the object of their parent's hostility to shift to them, which would be far worse than enduring an hour or two of the cold glances, snippy remarks, and passive aggressiveness between their parents. So, Taylor would slap on an air of cheer, meekness, and gratitude to get through the dinner with minimal attention put on them. Taylor's parents had been separated for over 15 years and lived in separate homes, but they pretended to stay together to keep up appearances. Behind closed doors, neither could stand each other's presence. They only came together to celebrate Taylor's milestones, but the heavy atmosphere that always lingered over the occasion left Taylor wanting to skip all celebrations.
Taylor put the phone aside and let their parents duke it out while they perused their closet for their outfit. Ultimately deciding on a white button up shirt beneath a blue blazer, dark slacks and a pair of dressy ankle boots, it was business casual enough to satisfy both parents. Taylor went to the mirror and tried to smooth out their short brown cropped hair into a more presentable look, but ultimately it had a mind of its own and Taylor settled on parting it one side and letting it fall as it may into a somewhat messy, but on purpose, style. Doing one last check, Taylor flicked away a stray eye lash and stop to gaze at their hazel eyes. With an emerald outside and a red-brown inner portion that was reminiscent of a flame. There were times where they could get lost in the pattern and they wished drawings or pictures could do it justice. With one final satisfied glance, Taylor grabbed their wallet, keys, and checked the dreaded phone for a final verdict. Their parents had finally decided on a restaurant, and Taylor confirmed that they would be there and headed out.
Thirty minutes later, Taylor and both of their parents were sitting around a table in the corner of a busy dining room, but the table was silent as all three diners focused on anything but each other, making for a tense atmosphere. Taylor decided to cut the silence by trying to engage in small talk.
"So… thank you for coming out to celebrate, I know you're both busy." Taylor awkwardly started, trying to put on a mask of cheerfulness.
Taylor's father piped in, "Sport, but of course! It's not every day our child turns 22. Times like these are important for projecting unity and strength!"
Taylor's smile slightly wavered, of course they should have expected that this was all for optics.
"I had hoped that by now we would have had a special someone for you with us, but so be it" Taylor's mother sighed, disappointment and disapproval heavy in her tone.
Taylor feigned that the comments didn't affect them and quietly remarked in a deadpan tone, "there's always next year."
At that comment, both parents looked solemn and glanced at one another with a look that seemed concerned. Taylor picked up on the shift in atmosphere and stared squarely at them, sensing something sinister was afoot. With a brief nod to one another, Taylor's dad began.
"Taylor, we had hoped to talk about this after our meals, but this seems like as good time as any." He paused as he lowered his voice. "Before we had come into the good fortunes that allowed us to live the way we do, your mother and I scraped tooth and nail to barely make ends meet. But it was then we met a benefactor who provided us with money and connections, but for a price of course." Taylor's dad looked away, as if eye contact was painful.
Taylor maintained an attentive, if not passive air to their expression, but their apprehension grew with every word, the hairs on their neck slowly raising in unexplained alarm. 'What was this price? And why didn't they mention anything until now?' Taylor thought.
"You see, in return for these things, this patron asked for the only thing of value we had at the time." He looked up at Taylor, "you. Our only child would be turned over to our patron's possession upon reaching 21. We've tried to stall for time, but it seems that the bill has finally come due."
Taylor's mind seemed to freeze at the implications of what was just said. 'Possession? As in marriage? Or worse?' Taylor thought. They stayed rooted in their seat for a few minutes, trying to compose the words that wouldn't come. Inside they were a tempest of emotions ranging from disbelief, anger, betrayal. But despite the maelstrom within, Taylor maintained the stoic mask they had to keep in public. At last, taking a deep breath, Taylor shifted their attention to their mother.
"Well? What do you have to say about this?" Taylor said, a little incredulous at how the normally chatty woman was mum throughout all this.
"Honey, we had little choice back then," she ashamedly muttered as she starting wringing the napkin out of uncomfortableness. "But from what we could gather, our patron seems genuine and well connected. This could be a great opportunity for you." She looked back at Taylor with an air of unease, like she was trying to convince herself of what she'd said.
Taylor suddenly stood up from the table, with too much information and emotion swirling in their mind. They needed a moment, lest they lose it in the restaurant. "I need to go to the bathroom. Excuse me." Taylor left before their parents could get a word in protest, and was thankful the restroom was empty. They stood over the sink and splashed some water over their face to try to focus their thoughts. 'What in the world is going on? Patrons, prices, giving children away as collateral? I thought these things were only in fairy tales! No way this is will fly, I'm an adult and I never agreed to this!' They screamed in her mind.Taylor looked up in the mirror and stared into their hazel eyes, focusing on the hazel pattern to center their thoughts and composure. After taking a few ragged breaths, drying their face, and fixing themselves up a bit, they made their way back into the dining room.
Taylor opened the door and was met with absolute silence. Not only that, what was once a full dining room before now stood completely empty, and the stark difference was unnerving. Taylor looked to the area their parents were supposed to be seated at, but they were gone as well. Taylor started to panic, trying to find an explanation for the sudden disappearance.
"Over here darling!" spoke a high voice, almost child-like, from the center of the dining room. Taylor tried to hide their start as best they could, not seeing anyone at first, but after following the sound, saw at the center table a flame that at first seemed like a restaurant table votive candle, but upon closer inspection was much larger than normal. "Now don't be rude, standing over there gawking. Come over here and show some manners, silly!" Called out the voice in a sing-song manner.
Taylor warily stepped closer to the voice, and saw that the ball of orange flames was no bigger than Taylor's fist, but even at the approach it never flickered. As Taylor got closer, they noticed a pair of blue sclera with white irises and a crooked smile. The flame's eyes followed Taylor's approach and seemed to be observing them in a clinical manner, looking from top to bottom, focusing on certain areas more than others, leaving Taylor even more uncertain at this strange being's motives.
"Yes, yes. Quite the handsome specimen you are! Such boyish good looks and a strong stoic visage, but a feminine aura to you as well. I can't quite decide what is more interesting! Ha ha!" The flame's laughter sounded like tinkling bells, and the expressive vocabulary was hard to mesh with the childish voice come from the ball of flames.
"Who are you? What happened to everyone else?" Taylor asked, trying to hide the unease in their voice.
The flame had a look of mock shock and objection.
"Who am I? Little thing, I'm your patron!" Their expression turned contemplative, "but I suppose you were a wee little thing back then, happily doing whatever you were told and all that rigmarole." The flame's smile returned as they continued, "as for the others, I simply moved us to a more private venue for our conversation. They are just fine, I assure you."
For a second time that evening, Taylor's mind froze as they stared at this ball of flames, claiming to be their patron. 'What in the world? Patron? When have I ever met, let alone spoke to a living flame?' They thought, mind and emotions racing. Taylor took a slow breath to calm themselves enough to put on the stoic mask again. No point in having this flame see their fear.
"So you're my patron. What does that mean exactly? I was briefly told you helped my parents out for a price, but I'm not the one you should be looking for to repay their debt, I never signed or agreed to anything." Taylor spoke calmly but sternly.
The flame laughed that tinkling laugh again before speaking.
"Oh, but you did, little thing! See this?" With a poof a yellow glowing piece of parchment appeared and hovered between the two. "You signed right there, along with your parents!"
Taylor suspiciously glanced at the parchment and saw her parent's signatures and at the bottom a scribbling emulating fancy writing. Taylor then recognized their cursive T, a little sloppy but there it was. Aghast, Taylor suddenly took the parchment and quickly scanned through sections. The more they read, the more dread started to rise.
"Well, things seem to track, but you can't be serious. What day and age do we live in that people sign away their children in return for goods and services?" Taylor said, horrified.
The flame turned itself upside down while giggling, "Well, seems like these days I guess, silly! I even was so nice as to give a grace period for your parent's end of the bargain." The flame turned right side up and its expression turned serious as the flame flickered from orange to blue momentarily before returning to its normal hue. "But my kindness can only extend so far. The next thing is to come along and we shall see how useful you are."
"Useful?" Taylor stammered, unnerved by the change in demeanor of the flame.
"Oh yes! Should you prove handy, I'll grant you many boons, if not, I suppose you'd make a nice snack or bargaining chip in future deals." The flame contemplated the possibilities, but then returned their attention to Taylor. "So… shall we be off?"
Taylor started to panic; things were happening too fast. Taylor stepped back and as forcefully as they could muster, stood up to this being.
"I'm sorry, but as I've stated before, your business is with my parents, not me. Bring everyone else back and settle your scores with them! I'm not going anywhere with you."
The flame watched the display with an air of indifference and half lidded eyes, then sighed loudly. The flame's cheerful voice turned flat and condescending, like an adult chastising a child.
"Oh dear, you don't seem to realize the position you're in."
Suddenly, something closed around Taylor's neck and yanked them forward, causing their upper body to land on the table. Taylor looked over and saw a red glowing chain connecting them to the flame, and Taylor's panic rose once more. Even though the collar wasn't constricting their breathing, they felt like there wasn't enough air in the room. Shaking, they dared to make eye contact with the now towering blue flame, eyes now crimson, looming over Taylor while sporting a murderous look. They could feel the oppressive heat radiating off the flame, threatening to burn them away to nothing. Taylor tried to pull back on the chain to get away from the terror before them, but the chain held fast. Staring back, the flame spoke in an eerily calm voice.
"In case you hadn't noticed." The flame yanked the chain to prove a point. All of a sudden, the flame's voice had a reverb that sounded like multiple voices overlapping all at once, so loud that Taylor thought their ears would bleed. "I own you!" The room shook as the ball of flames stretched out to extend far across the room, yet nothing caught on fire.
Taylor just laid there, frozen in terror and understanding, not daring to move in case their patron decided to burn them on the spot. For who knows how long, the two beings stood still, staring each other down. Then as if nothing had happened, the chain disappeared, the flame returned to its normal size and color, and began smiled sweetly once more. Taylor cautiously stood up, hand rubbing their neck where the collar once was.
"Perfect! Now that we've got that established, let's be on our way!" The flame hovered over to an open area meant for performances and a portal opened to what looked like a red expanse. Taylor slowly stepped toward the flame, not wanting to anger it further. The flame turned around, causing Taylor to pause. "Tsk tsk, you can't come along looking like that! Tell you what, after you're all changed, I'll give you a task to prove your usefulness! If all goes well, I'll find you again and we'll chat again. If not… I'll still find you and we'll discuss your punishment!"
Taylor was horrified at the nonchalant tone their patron had, but tried to remain strong and not show fear. 'A task to prove my usefulness? And do they mean they want me to wear a uniform?' They thought.Taylor swallowed, throat dry, but extended out their hand, waiting for a new ensemble.
"Ok, what outfit should I change into? I'll wear whatever you want."
The flame laughed its tinkling laugh again.
"Oh no silly, you misunderstand! I meant you're alive and where we're going, that just won't do!"
Taylor started to back away fearfully, not sure if they could even outrun such a being even if they tried. The flame looked back and seemed to find the retreat amusing. With a gleeful smile, the flame said:
"See you on the other side!"
Suddenly Taylor felt searing pain all over, and realized that they were on fire, the flames lapping at their skin, peeling it away. Taylor started screaming in pain and tried to pat down their arms and legs to snuff out the fire, but their body wouldn't move the way they wanted. Taylor shakily looked at their patron as their vision started to get dim, and the look of utter ecstasy plastered on the flames face, as if they were watching a performance, made Taylor sick. As their vision blurred and the world started to get dark, Taylor fell to the ground screaming as the world dissolved around them in sharp pain. Then it was peacefully silent.