Don't Touch
The morning after her sight was stolen, Eliza awoke to the a musty, damp stench that seemed to permeate throughout her entire body. She woke just a few moments before the steel bolt was drawn bac, the rusty metal scraping against the steel of the cell door. She listened as hinges squealed in protest, then as a tin plate was dropped onto the floor before her. The soft scraping of the leather sandals the acolyte wore faded.
Her searching fingers knocked against the plate, then dipped into the cold, thin stew. She plucked the few thin strips of meat and hurriedly shoved them into her mouth, chewing once, then twice before the meat fell to pieces and she swallowed. Knowing that water wouldn't be forthcoming until she left the cell, she forced herself to her feet. With her hands reaching out till her knuckles scraped against cold, rough stone, she followed the wall until it met the cold frame of the door. She stumbled slightly over the step and half fell. Thin hands caught her arms and stopped her from sprawling. A hoarse whisper slipped into her ear.
"You should be more careful, if Master finds out you haven't adjusted yet, he will punish you further"
She nodded in response, then stood erect, forcing her mind to relax. Fifteen steps to the next doorway, then a half turn to the right brought her into the courtyard. She listened to the people around, gasping softly in the bright light of morning. She alone was left with the memory.
Feeling with her feet, she walked straight on, occasionally stumbling over a rock, sliding slightly in the loose gravel.
Suddenly, a hand grasped her elbow, squeezing gently. The signal. She allowed the hand to guide her, into what must be darkness. A soft hand caressed her cheek
"Are you ok" the voice was as gentle as the touch, as sweet as summer rain. She nodded in dumb response.
"The, the scars are almost gone Eliza"
Eliza shrugged, she had never seen them, and never will. The Master had taken more than her steel blue eyes that morning. He had taken all the sights she had yet to see. He had taken the sight of of her love's emerald eyes.
Gently, fingers brushed her cheek once more, and then a palm pressed tenderly against it
"You're still beautiful Eliza"
Eliza reached out now, fingers searching for the face that she knew to be inches from her own. Her slender nails touched skin and she heard her companion offer a quiet sigh. the breathing grew louder next to her, then soft, pliant lips pressed against her own, but were gone in the next second. Her companion drew in a harsh, sudden breath. A choked sob followed.
Eliza felt the warmth of the sun that had stroked her skin fade.
A harsh voice reached her ears "Child, do you never learn? I would have thought that your last punishment would have been a constant reminder. I see that I shall have to reinforce the education"
Strong hands grasped her thin arms and she was dragged from her companion.
The voice seemed to fill the yard.
"Assemble! Once again, I have to remind you all of the price is disobedience. Once again, The Rules have to be drummed into you"
Eliza was pushed to the ground, and she sprawled in the dust.
"There is to be no talking amongst yourselves, Repeat!"
"There is to be no talking amongst ourselves" The voices weren't as loud as the Master's, but were numerous.
"There is to be no contact amongst yourselves" Once again, the voices dutifully repeated.
The list of rules were read out, each one ringing in Eliza's ears. Each one seeming to shred her of dignity, of identity and of hope.
"Good, it seems that almost all of you understand, except this unholy pair. Eliza, Claudia, despite my guidance, you have constantly broken the rules. Last time, I took your eyes Eliza, this time, I'm afraid I shall have to be even harsher"
Claudia began to sob, then she began to choke, noisily.
"Claudia?? what's wrong? what's happening"
A loud, brutal crack was followed by a crunching thud.
"CLAUDIA??" Eliza flung her arms out, reaching, searching. She sprawled across the gravel, hoping to find her. She did. Her fingers met flesh that didn't move. "Claudia?" Eliza's voice broke.
"I hope you're happy, I hate waste. Do you realise how much potential was wasted here? You, her. All wasted."
Eliza's head began to ache, she shook with grief, and the boiling pain of anger. Flashes of memory began to assault her mind. She stood, shaking with anger now, instead of the mindnumbing pain. She turned, facing the Master, knowing where he was instinctively.
"Yes Slave? have you something to add? Be wary, I have no tolerance of a repeat of your whining performance last time. You should be thankful I broke her scrawny neck, rather than take those dull eyes and disobedient tongue"
Eliza's mind flashed hot, and the rage inside her seemed to break something, and her emaciated hands balled into fists.
"Burn" Her voice was quiet, yet filled with power. In her mind, she could see The Master recoiling, his arm engulfed in flame. His eyes widened, and he staggered back a few steps "Extinguish" his harsh voice was tinged with fear. He reached into his white robes, then, throwing a silvery powder at Eliza, he bellowed "Silence"
The spell flickered against the force of her anger, and faded into nothing.
"Surely, you mean SILENCE my master?" The Master, his gnarled & charred arm reaching to his throat, opened his mouth several times, but nothing emerged.
"You taught us well Master, you taught us fear, you taught us to cower, you also taught us anger" Eliza stepped forward. "I listened, I observed, just as you commanded. Now, it is time you listened & obeyed" Eliza's hand swept up, clawing the air in a raking movement. At the same time, bloody slashes appeared on the Master's face, and his eyes seemed to vanish in the blood.
"NO, this is impossible, you don't have the skill, the power"
Eliza leaned forward, her once empty sockets appeared to blaze with golden light, and she spoke.
"I have the power now, her love gave me the power" Claudia's voice seemed to emerge, as the tears fell from Eliza's once empty sockets. Now as the light faded, brilliant green eyes focused on her tormentor. His own beetle black eyes widened as the terror he had tried to instill came back a thousand fold against him, All aruond, his students took up the cue, linking hands until they formed a perfect circle. With a final scream, he crumpled, the life completely gone from him.
At that moment, Eliza collapsed to the floor, exhausted. closing her new eyes, she whispered a fervent thank you, and was rewarded by the softest kiss on her cheek. When she looked, she was alone in the circle.
Lyndon Barry - February 2010