Absolution Black Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Absolution Black: Interlude 2 1899 The headache had been causing Lydia problems for several days now and it showed no signs of improving. Her father had called the doctor to her but all he could do was advise. As Lydia lay on her bed, she could hear the two men discussing her from over by the door. From the snatches she heard, it didn’t sound good and she turned over in her bed, tears forming in her eyes with frustration and with pain. Her father left to show the doctor out, their voices growing ever fainter until she heard the front door shut with a bang. As she lay there, her eyes closed, she heard her father’s footsteps returning up the wooden stairs. She turned over to watch him as he entered the room. His face was grim and she knew he wasn’t looking after himself well enough, concentrating too much on her. He came over and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his hand over her shoulders through the bedclothes. They sat in silence for several long minutes, neither one wanting to raise the possibility that she was never going to recover, that she was failing fast. He reached down to get the damp cloth and mopped the sweat forming on her forehead, the material cool against her skin. He stayed with her until she fell asleep, the only respite from the pain. Unfortunately the dreams plagued every sleeping moment. She was standing at the edge of a bridge looking down into the churning water. She knew she was in Malifaux. The breach had opened two years ago, as she knew it would. People had been flooding to the opening, desperate to start new lives in this new frontier where the promise of new riches tempted. She had begged her father to go, to sign with the Guild, but he had refused. Ever since the headaches had been getting steadily worse. She knew they were linked to the breach opening, but her father wouldn’t listen. She looked around her, seeing debris strewn across the bridge, wood, cloth and twisted metal. Four horses stood whinnying further down the cobbled road, the yokes and harnesses that had attached them to the coach hanging loose from their sweating bodies. She returned her gaze to the waters below, the coach now long disappeared below the surface, the man in black nowhere to be seen. Everytime she had this dream she had been too late to change it. However this time, something was different. She caught a flash of movement far away on the riverbank, someone disappearing into a drain? Then there was nothing but the roar of the river as it splashed around the supports of the stone bridge. She awoke with a start. Her father had gone and it was now evening, the dusky light fading fast. She pulled herself up in the bed, her mouth was dry and she needed water. The glass appeared in her hand. She couldn’t remember reaching out to grab it and this troubled her as she took a deep draft of the cool liquid. She placed the glass back onto the bedside table and instantly the headache was back. She looked for the damp cloth, but couldn’t see it. She needed that cloth. Then it was in her hand, cool, damp and soothing. She held it to her head, intrigued by the turn of events. Was she blacking out temporarily, not remembering fragments of time? Or was it something more? She smiled. Listen to herself she thought, the tales of magic and adventure through the breach had turned her head. Now she thought she could be magical! She laughed and out of sheer curiosity and to ease her mind, she wished she had the book that lay on her dresser across the room. Nothing happened. She smiled again, magic indeed! She replaced the cloth and rolled over in the bed. The book lay on the pillow next to her. For the next few hours Lydia sat in her bed experimenting, moving objects around the room with her mind. She could hardly believe it. And whilst she used this ‘power’ she felt no pain, no headaches. She stood up, feeling much more full of life than she had in months, her reflection in the mirror rosy and youthful again. She opened the door, running down the hallway to her father’s room, to tell him of this wondrous discovery! How proud he would be, how happy to have a talented daughter who could use her abilities to provide for them. She pushed open his door and almost retched. The smell was terrible, as if something had died a long time ago. She pulled a lantern off the wall, lighting it and gingerly stepping forwards, calling to her father, but no answer came. She could see the shape of her father under the bedclothes and pulled them back. She screamed and dropped the lantern, causing the oil to ignite the floor and the curtains. As she backed out of the room sobbing, her hand over her mouth to protect from the smoke, she never looked back. She fled down the stairs in her nightdress, out into the dark street, running as fast and as far away from her burning house as she could, until her feet ached and blood welled from scratches and blisters. She slumped to the floor, her head in her hands, crying so hard now she could hardly breathe. The only image imbedded in her head was the final vision of her father. Or what was left of her father. His entire body had dried and crumbled like a cadaver, the bare bones showing through patches of leathery flesh, the skull locked in a maniacal grin. How it had happened, she didn’t know, but as she sat there sobbing, a man approached. “Well, what have we here? A sweet maiden all alone in the street. This isn’t the place for a pretty thing like you. Come, take my hand, let’s get you inside and cleaned up. I’m sure you’ll feel better”. Without thinking, her mind all a blur, she accepted his hand as he hauled her onto her feet. He helped her walk as he guided her across the street to a large bar. A soft warm glow emanated from the windows and there was the sound of laughter and music. The last thing she saw as she entered the building was the sign. The Ox and Cart. Proprietor: Lorenzo Dometelli Hope you enjoyed it, as more is revealed about Lydia's past. Possibly one more Interlude before Book 3 begins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxXhayzelXxx Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Again, another excellent piece. Does your creativity and awesomeness ever end?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 You will make me blush!! And yes it ends quite often lol, hence the longer gaps between instalments! Glad you like them though, I have big plans for both Black and Lydia...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxXhayzelXxx Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Just answer me this... Do they get married and have baby Blacks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I think I will safely say that isn't on the cards with the futures I have planned, but it could all change! Anyway, technically Lydia is still married to Lorenzo Dometelli. Although being shot and falling into a river trapped in a coach might be enough to get her out of that! I don't think we really want baby Blacks do we? think of the carnage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxXhayzelXxx Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Hey! i love carnage! being neverborn n all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 lol! Should have realised that! And where is the next part of your story you promised us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.