Chapter 3: Stitch
“You are a stitch in the fabric of the Slayer line.” Geoffrey was explaining striving to help Elizabeth understand her place in the new world she had been thrust into.
“Am I unimportant?” Elizabeth had asked a simple question, with a very complex answer.
“It is not that you are not important.” Geoffrey explained slowly. “Just that Slayers come into this world one at a time, like the stitches in a quilt.”
“Into each generation a Slayer is born…” Elizabeth recites.
“Yes. And you are this generations Slayer. You are what holds your part of the quilt together.” Geoffrey looks away from her for a moment, afraid that if he sees her he will tell her everything.
Elizabeth picks up on his uncomfortable feelings. “What are you not telling me?”
“Elizabeth-” Geoffrey begins, but is interrupted.
“Geoffrey, if you expect me to trust you and believe everything you have told me, you must be truthful with me.” Elizabeth reprimands him with words as well as eyes.
“Very well.” Geoffrey takes in a deep breath, and starts the story. “Slayers do not live very long. The first Slayer, sometimes referred to as the ‘primitive’ was chained to the earth by the Shadow Men and imbued with demonic power. Ever since, the Slayer line has been sworn to protect the earth from the demons, and the Watchers have the duty to assist the Slayer under their watch. Slayers are known for their short lives. After a Slayer is called, it is only a matter of time before some demon or vampire discovers who the new Slayer is, and then all the demons and vampires who care to, will hunt her, until one of them succeeds in killing her.” he pauses for a moment, uncertain of how to continue.
“So you are telling me that I may not live very long.” Elizabeth asks absentmindedly.
“I said most Slayers do not live long.” Geoffrey corrects her.
“It seems like an unfair trade-one’s life for the world-a world I am destined to protect, and not by my own choice. And what kind of men would violate a girl in the way the Shadow Men did. What does that say about me?” Elizabeth rants a little, not understanding how the trade of life for duty can be fair.
“It is absurd. A group of men decided at the beginning of time that they would force a considerable amount of stress onto one girl. One girl out of millions of people, and an equal number of demons.” Geoffrey tries to consol her, knowing that his words are not getting completely through to her.
Elizabeth shakes her head. “A group of men that I have never met decided my fate before I was ever born, and the fates of countless other girls before me, and to follow. When I die, another girls life will be forever changed, forfeit by something she can not begin to understand, or explain. You have been very kind Geoffrey, but I do not understand the purpose of the Council. How can they stand behind such an inhumane and uncouth ritual, as the destruction of young girls futures?”
“Elizabeth, the Council stands behind it, because it has been so for millions of years. We are not for or against such crude ideals as ‘destroying lives’ we are merely pawns in a bigger game of good and evil. It is out of necessity that we work to reach such immoral goals.” he attempted to explain. “I, personally, am not in favor of such things, but this is bigger than me. This is about the protection of the human race, surely you must see that?”
“Oh I do see that. That is what bothers me the most about this entire affair. That I could understand, accept, and even take part in such vulgar ceremonies pains me more than anything else you have told me. To be able to understand such disillusioned morals, and unholy sacraments is unnerving.” Elizabeth was near tears by this point, unsure of the course her life was taking.
“Elizabeth-” Geoffrey stepped towards her, wanting more than anything in his short life to take her into his arms and still her fears and sobs. But there was nothing he could do for her now. She would have to come to term with her destiny on her own, and he would be waiting when she did.
***
“Where have you been Elizabeth?” her mother met her at the door to their cottage, looking flustered.
“Mother.” Elizabeth responded, caught off guard at her mothers appearance.
“Where have you been?” her mother repeated again.
“I went to the Market, but then remembered I had left the coin bag here.” Elizabeth points to the cottage, attempting to explain her lie.
Her mother grabs up the coin bag and hands it to Elizabeth. “While you are at Market could you find some spice. We are nearly out.” her mother asks, accepting Elizabeth’s excuse without question.
“Yes mother.” Elizabeth promises, walking into her bedroom to gather her thoughts before leaving.
She had never lied to her mother before-had never lied to anyone for that matter. The fact that the lie slipped so easily from her tongue made her feel venomous and toxic to all those around her. All the people she had held dear.
She did not have nearly enough time to compose herself before her brother is at her bedroom door.
“Come in.” she calls quietly from her bed.
“Did you open your gift?” Charles asks composedly, looking around the room.
“Yes. Thank you very much, it was lovely.” Elizabeth stands to hug him. He pats her on the back, acting as manly as ever.
“I love you Elizabeth.” he says in a rush before exiting the room and the house.
A tear slides silently down Elizabeth’s face. “I love you too.” she whispers, grabbing up her pack and quickly rushing from the house. She needed to clear things up. Her future was waiting…
***
Continued in: Chapter 4: In a Corner
I just want to quickly thank everyone who has been reading this, and I hope you continue to enjoy it! -Marissa
|
|
|
|
Rave
Barbie Girl (Becca)
biscuit07
Filmtheory (Jim)
Malice (Jess)
MebbtheScribe (MichaelB)
Reset (Allie)
Shay (Marrisa)
somnambulist29 (Shea)
Stephanie Loss
Wendyness (Wendy)
Questions?Contact Us
|
|
All stories on this site have been archived with the authors' consent. Do not copy these stories for your own uses without the express consent of the author themselves. Buffy the Vampire Slayer TM and Angel TM are © UPN, WB, Fox and its related entities. All photos on the site are © UPN, Fox, Warner Bros, and/or their respective owners. No profits are being made by use of these images.
Powered with the assitance of eFiction.
|
|
|
