Dreams of the Masquerade

The Wonders

I had only one privilege in this world, the privilege of intelligence. Gazing at the people walking carelessly around me I began to follow certain individuals, watching how they moved that wondrous device always held to their ear as they spoke to whoever was on the other end. I placed my hand in my pocket and clung to the device I'd acquired from the girl, curious.

"Yeah, look Tina I'm not going to make it to the party tonight. Yeah I know the boss wants me to stay late tonight… Yeah, I'll see you tonight, bye." Her accent was rich, but she was from Plymouth that much was clear.

I quicken my pace and began walking in line with her, I watched as the woman's eyes gazed at me every now and again until finally she stopped. The attitude she had, had smothered her face and she looked annoyed, and when I looked closer, fearful.

"What do you want?" I smiled and looked deeply in her eyes.

"I just want you to stay with me today, because I'm your friend. You need to show me the ropes, so to speak." Before I closed my eyes I allowed a small smile to spread across my face, as she blinked and looked at me her eyes told a different story.

"Oh girl, come on we have so much to show you. First I think we should go and get you some decent clothes, because these are just awful." I followed the woman knowing she'd slowly show me a life worth living, as we entered the building named Drake's Circus I began to sense the amount of people walking in and out, almost endlessly, then the smell consumed me. A child so young, his tears were of pain. I could see his mother bent over him protectively cleaning the wound he'd caused whilst sliding across the floor, the blood still fresh on her cloth.

I slid my arm into the woman's hoping she'd distract my mind from the beauty that was this young child, with thanks she took me upstairs.

"I think you need something classy, a beautiful dress, smart wear of course." I followed her closely and she took me inside a store named 'Monsoon' the colours clouded my eyes quickly leaving me speechless, such beautiful materials were never so available when I was young.

"They're beautiful," I allowed my fingers to run over the material of each dress as I passed them, each fabric responded beautifully touching my fingers just as delicately as I touched them.

I didn't need to move from the changing room as the woman brought me dress after dress to try on, along with shoes and accessorises, before I knew it she'd bought me a whole new wardrobe that would be perfect for this day and age. I was one more step closer to completing my plan.

"Your too sweet, are you sure we can have it all?" I gazed into the sales assistant's eyes, watching as they glazed over. With a gentle smile the assistant nodded allowing us to walk away without paying a penny.

"What on earth did you just do?" the woman spoke beside me, I turned to her smiling.

"Just made your day, didn't I?" the beauty in my voice lured her in, and before I knew it she'd shown me almost every shop in the store. Our hands were full of a variety of different clothes shopping bags, and each one filled with clothes and a mix match of items. Thankfully she'd acquired another one of those devices; I held mine tightly in my hand, how strange a name it had, iPhone.

"You're coming back to mine aren't you, because girl you need a clean-up." The girl smiled at me and I nodded knowing she would provide my home for the next few years to come; I didn't pay attention as she spoke but gazed at the surrounding, with all the taller buildings and vehicles I found I was still lost for words about the developments this little town had made. The woman pointed at this shelter with a large crowd of people beneath, each one looking more annoyed than the last.

"Let's get the bus, I don't have enough for a taxi." I waited patiently with her and then a large red vehicle stopped outside the shelter, instantly people swarmed forwards, fumbling words under their breath.

"What exactly do I do?" she signalled for me to hold out my hand and as I did she dropped £3.00 into and said 'Ask for an adult single to Whitleigh' as I walked on after her I repeated what she'd just said and waited patiently for the person to do the job they had to do, and then they passed me the small piece of paper. I looked at it, unsure of what to do with it I placed it into my bag and joined the woman who'd seated herself half way up the vehicle.

After what felt like the longest time I removed myself from the vehicle and followed the woman closely making sure not to lose her.

"Do you want me to make you something to eat, you looked starved." I shook my head and smiled quietly to myself, as we walked inside I checked the place over quickly, she lived alone. She didn't even have a pet to keep her company.

"You don't mind if I put my bags upstairs, I'd like to settle in." for a moment she paused, confused by my question.

"Um, yeah sure, I'll just start cooking tea." As she was about to walk away I gracefully touched her shoulder and smiled.

"I don't think there is any need for that, you are tea." Before she could question my statement I slowly bit down on her neck, the blood flowing quickly into my mouth leaving me desperate for more.

Each gulp was sweeter than the last until finally she fell lifeless and gradually began thinning out, I held her until not one drop was left, disposing of her body was quick. The hole was far enough from her house to keep me safe, and quickly I removed all evidence of her living her. Photo's burned and clothes removed, I had everything I needed from her.

The sun touched my skin lightly as it fell slowly from the sky, I watched with the cup in my hand filled with a liquid too beautiful. This house was soon going to become my home, yet there was so much to learn of everything inside, perhaps keeping the woman alive a little longer would have benefited me slightly.

I could feel the giggle forming in my throat and for a moment I was in a blissful silence, until I could feel them near me.

Those eyes were searching my body, yet before me was nothing but silence and wildlife. Scarlett if that's you, I can promise you I'll find you.