Autumn walked through the buzzling street of Sodalite. She had made sure she disguised herself as usual before leaving home so as to avoid problems with any Noble. 'Nobles Sweets' where she worked was a place where most Nobles came to hang out in order to avoid their wives or responsibilities while some came along with their mistresses or wives. Most times, they came to check out fresh meats- those were the beautiful and newly employed, and anyone that caught their attention would be bedded. Some lives got ruined in the process, scars that could never be erased. Those who defied, death was likely their punishment; part of the rules and regulations that had been set up in the establishment was that no one could displease, defy or turn down a Nobles request; if your heart or life was requested, you must oblige. Those were the dark secrets of 'Nobles Sweets'. While other people- Commoners to be precise, saw it as a blessing and rare chance to work there, the insiders saw it as a curse but they signed up for it and they could never get out. Even if they managed to get out, they would never remain the same; the secrets of what they faced in the establishment would remain buried in their hearts until they were six feet under the earth.
What a cruel world...
Wary of her surroundings, Autumn was careful not to bump into anyone so as to avoid trouble and unnecessary attention. The fresh morning breeze swayed her waist length dyed black hair. Girls walked hand in hand and gossiped about random stuffs, Men argued about politics, kids chased each other and people made way for moving carriages.
All of a sudden, Autumn was pulled roughly by the hand into a dark alley and slammed forcefully against the wall. The impact made her eyes shut involuntarily and when she opened her eyes, her world seemed to stop as she stared at the last person she ever expected to see. Day or night, alleys received little light but even with that, she could see his face clearly no mistake made; her body quivered uncontrollably as his fingers played with the ends of a loose strand that he had brought over her shoulder.
"Even if you're disguised as an old hag, I will always recognize you". He said in his usual gruff voice that hadn't changed over the years. His fingers let go of the loose strand of hair he was playing with to trace the artificial skin she had used to mar her face. Autumns body seemed to convulse as images of what he had done to her played in her head; he had left a deep scar she was sure wouldn't fade off anytime soon.
"Logan". That was the only word she could mutter as her vision blurred.
"Autumn". Someone yelled and it seemed to bring her out of the deadly haze she fell into. When she came back to her senses, she found herself straddled on top Logan who lay motionless on the ground. A bleeding claw mark marred his face in line with his disfigured nose; her hands shook when she saw how bloody they were- it wasn't hers, it was Logans.
What had she done??
Page came into her line of sight and she sobbed; falling to the side, far away from Logans motionless body.
"He's alive right?". She heaved.
"Thankfully".
"Are you alright?". Page asked and crouched in front of her, blocking the bloody scene. Autumn shook her head and sobbed; she couldn't bottle it in anymore. She needed to tell someone because it was eating her up mentally and emotionally.
"I'm not alright". She sobbed out loud, wanting to find comfort in someone's arms and as if on cue, Page pulled her in for a hug; her body was dead cold that it made Autumn shiver.
Wait!
Autumn pulled back and stared at Page in shock and surprise. Her hand reached up to pinch Pages cheek.
"Ow!! that hurts". Page winced.
"You're real, you're alive?". Both hands cupped Pages cheeks. "How come?".
But she was dead right??
"For now only you can see and touch me". A sigh escaped pages mouth.
"What do you mean?".
"You know what I mean Autumn". Maybe she did know but she refused to accept it.
"There are a lot of things you do not know Autumn and I'm not sure I'm in the right place or the right person to fill you in".
Yes. She didn't know anything. She didn't know how she could see and converse with a ghost and how a ghost could turn living.
"I'm tired of being in the dark Page". She looked at her bloody hands which turned clean when Page touched her palm. Autumns head was spinning because too much had happened in one day.
Page really wanted to fill her in but it wasn't the right time. She could only hope the right time would come sooner because she wanted to be free from the bondage she had been put in.
Her gaze moved from her clean hands to Pages face. Page knew what she meant but she couldn't disclose somethings for now.
"I'm sorry". Page apologized and caressed Autumns wet cheek, cleaning her tears in the process. "I really want to tell you but I can't".
"Why?". Autumn didn't have the strength to argue so she could only whisper.
"We're in two different worlds and in some way a force separates the both of us".
Although Autumn could touch Page, she was still stuck in the land of the dead.
"Then why are you with me. Why am I the only one that can see you". Autumn was frustrated; she didn't and couldn't understand anything. In the space of how many weeks, her world was turning upside down.
"You should know the answer to that Autumn, a living proof is lying motionless behind me". Page skipped Autumns first question and indirectly answered the second.
"What am I?". She asked Page, hoping she could disclose this one thing to her.
"You're a creature more powerful than a human. You are a Necromancer". Autumn stared at Page, she was beyond speechless.
She was a freaking WHAT????