Beautifully damaged: Short story

Beautifully Damaged

She was running.
The sound of footsteps racing behind her made her even more anxious than she already was. She was beginning to get out of breath. But she had to keep going. The Fashion Guards were only a few feet behind her now, their flashlights shining around, forcing Bela to stay within the shadows. She was slowing down, and she needed a place to hide. Spotting a corner she could hide in, she darted to the right, enveloping herself in the midst of the dark.
The Fashion Guards sped past her hiding place. They hadn't seen her suddenly disappear, so they were still looking for the red-haired beauty. When they had passed, Bela hissed, letting out the breath she had been holding. She cautiously looked out, making sure the coast was clear. She took out her hand mirror. Every girl in Virina Menso was obligated to have one on hand at all times, for fear that they would go out looking "unpresentable". And if they didn't carry one, the Fashion Guards would be on their tail, like they were with Bela a few minutes ago.
But they were after her for a different reason. She had been caught conversing with a "Monstrosity", the ugly women in this society. Even looking at one was seen an offense, especially if you were a Perfecta, like Bela was. She was named the most beautiful girl in Mistburn High, which was the highest honour any girl was given. Beauty was what all these girls lived for. They competed with and worshipped the ones who were attractive, and shunned those who weren't. It was harsh, the way the Monstrosities were treated. But this was the world they lived in. Bela closed her mirror and slipped it back in her pocket, stepping back out onto the street and heading to her destination: Mallory's house.

He was tired of waiting for her. He'd been waiting for at least half an hour, and Bela still hadn't showed. He never should have believed she was reliable. After all, she was a Perfecta. The Perfectas were the most valuable women in society. And the men and boys, like him, lived to serve them. They waited on them hand and foot. They were their makeup artists, which every household had. They were their waiters, their nurses, their helpers. And even they were ranked in degrees attractiveness.
The better looking ones were called "Lookers", and Mallory was part of this group, being extremely attractive with his dark brown hair, and ice blue eyes that shimmered like glitter when he smiled. The Lookers were usually obsessed with the Perfectas and Strikers. They hovered around them like moths to a flame, lingering on their every word. To their kind, the Perfectas were goddesses, worshipped for their beauty.
After the Lookers, there were the Unfortunates- the men who just so happened to be, euphemistically put, "unfortunate" with their looks. These men were known to be a little more accepting and not as harsh on looks as the Lookers, as their beauty standards were slightly lower than the Lookers. However, they were still required to look their best at every turn. The men in the society were not allowed to come anywhere an attractive woman if they were not socially presentable.

Mallory was still waiting for Bela to show. He checked the time on his holographic watch, and made sure that there were no whisper keepers near the outside of his house. Suddenly, he heard a throat being cleared. He looked up, and saw Bela, staring at him, an annoyed look on her face.
"So what is this about?" Bela asked, pulling down her purple hoodie, letting her hair show.
"Well, I'm not sure how you're going to take this but..." Mallory tailed off, staring down at his feet.
"What is it?" Bela prompted, lifting up Mallory's head to look at her.
"I have to leave. Later tonight."
"What?! Why?" Bela cried.
"Esperanza has been doing a search for the most attractive men in Virina Menso. We got a posting from Esperanza saying she wants me and my brother to come and live with her in Libero."
"Really! Wow. You're so lucky! Do you know what I would give to go to Libero and live with Esperanza?" Bela gushed. To the girls and women in Virina Menso, Libero was the high point of their society. Everyone who was anyone lived there. It was so exclusive that only the most beautiful people went to live there and to be granted that opportunity, you had to be invited by Esperanza herself.
"Lucky? Lucky?! Really, Bela? Do you know what you're saying? Do you know what Esperanza does to people who live with her?" Mallory interrogated her, in a hushed voice so the whisper keepers nearby wouldn't pick up his voice.
"No, I thought she just used the guys as helpers in her home. I mean, that is technically what you men are here for, right? To serve the female nation," Bela replied, with a sense of naivety in her voice.
"Bela. You're really naïve. Have you got a brain in your pretty little head?" Mallory sneered at Bela.
"Of course I have. I'm not just beautiful, although everyone seems to see only that. I just thought that you were only here to serve us."
"Bela, how can you be so stupid? You've never noticed the problems us males experience? I live in a rundown house compared to yours. We go through different doorways into buildings and are in separate classes in school. Women are given higher wages and get better jobs. And you've really never noticed all this?"
"Well... No, I haven't," Bela murmured, contemplating everything Mallory had said. She'd only just realised how much of a bubble she'd been living in.
"Esperanza is ruthless, Bela. She breaks down the spirits and the bodies of her helpers. There have been rumours among the men that she abuses the men she lives with, that she uses them as sex slaves, stripping boys of as young as 14 of their innocence, forcing them to do her every bidding. They sleep in the basements of her 10 story mansion, and she works them till they pass out from exhaustion. I don't want to live with Esperanza, Bela. She has no mercy. She uses us as pawns. And you don't have to live this life because you're a woman, and a beautiful one," Mallory said, in a hushed but agitated voice, afraid that the Fashion Guards or the Whisper Keepers would hear their conversation. They were everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.
"Are you serious? All this happens to the men? I had no idea..."
"Yes, Bela, I'm serious. This is why I have to leave. If I go with Esperanza, you will never see me again. So this is me saying goodbye. Maybe, when my family and I get out of this wretched place, we can meet again," Mallory lowered his voice, as he turned and walked away.
"No. You can't leave. If this is true, Esperanza needs to be stopped. We need to find a way to take her down," Bela cried softly, following him. She didn't want Mallory to leave yet. She was just getting to know him.
Mallory turned around and grabbed Bela's arm, pulling her closer to him.
"No, Bela. Esperanza is way too powerful. You can't take her down, she'll just find another way to get to you. It's too risky. She could come and ruin your entire life, find a way to make you a Monstrosity. I know you don't want that. So I have to run."
"No, you don't, Mallory. We can overcome this. If we work hard enough, gather both the males and the Monstrosities together we can be a force to be reckoned with. Esperanza must have a weakness. And once we find that, we can take her-" Bela paused, Mallory still holding her arm.
A rustling came from the bushes. They both froze. Their heartbeats could almost be heard by the human ear. Mallory pulled Bela towards him, shaking. Then, dressed in camouflage, two Fashion Guards stepped out of the bushes beside them. One stepped forward, a hideous smirk on her face, shining her flashlight into their faces.

"Mallory Wiseman and Bela Sago. How convenient. We were coming to find you anyway, Mallory, as it's time for you to go. But judging by the conversation we just heard, you'll be getting a lot more than what you think Esperanza is capable of," the guard said, taking another step toward them. Bela shrunk back in fear.
"Mallory, did you know they were coming for you tonight?" Bela asked, whispering into her friend's ear.
"No, I didn't. But now there's something we need to do," Mallory replied.
"What?"
"Run."
The two turned around and sped off into the night. Bela tripped as she ran, but she didn't care. She had to save her friend. She glanced behind her and saw the two guards racing after them on HoverSpeeds, like bloodhounds. She felt Mallory pull her hand as they turned a corner. Then another. They leaned up against a wall, panting heavily, reaching a dead end.
"Bela, they're going to catch me. I can't run anymore, there's nowhere else to run. So I want to say this now," Mallory said in a low voice, pulling Bela close to him.
"What is it?" Bela asked with wide eyes.
"I just wanted to say I-"
"You can't run from us, boy," one of the two Fashion Guards jeered. She hopped off of her HoverSpeed and walked forward slowly towards Mallory, a spiked bat in her hand. She grabbed him forward.
"No, don't!" Bela screamed with pure fright.
There was a bang. And then darkness overtook Mallory.

She stood facing the enormous shatterproof glass window overlooking Libero. A long red dress clung to her figure, emphasising every curve. Her long honey blond hair flowed to her waist in an abundance of curls, and she stood with a confidence only someone high in power could master.
"Your Great Beauty, the Wiseman boy is here," Said a small voice over her Whisper Keeper.
Esperanza turned towards the voice, her emerald eyes shining with lust and a yearning hunger.
"Send him in."