Keep Running (Killjoy)

25

Felicity's POV:
Upon opening the door to my room, I took notice of all the small details that added to its strange beauty. Yet again, the colors of each furniture piece bad been drained; only white, gray, black, and the slightest tints of creamy beige remained. I found my way over to the bed draped in lace-lined covers where I discovered the new attire Mother War had told me about. It was a precisely-sewn, classic gauze and tulle tutu. The stiff skirt began black as the attached bodice and then fanned out slightly in a few layers of ruffled, light rose-color fabrics. Beside it laid a rough-looking gas mask and raven-colored satin pointe shoes. Once again, I found myself standing around in a noiseless environment.

"Well, I guess I should put the clothes on." I mumbled to myself to break the defeaning silence.

As soon as I had struggled into the critically close-fitting bodice and adjusted the way the garment sat on my body, my eyes wandered aimlessly about the room. I ventured towards the fantastically towering windows, partially concealed in a veil of sheer curtains and framed by dark, heavy drapes. The view outside showed me a gorgeous garden that mainly consisted of white roses, perfectly-trimmed hedges, and black tulips. I would definitely check it out if I was given the chance to; I was still unfamiliar with the rules around here if there were any to be followed.

For the time being, I stepped out onto the balcony and observed it from above. A light fall of snow flurries had begun to mist down from the clouded sky which, I was surprised to find, didn't make me feel any chills in my body. After all, my legs were completely bare, as were my hands and back. This lead me to believe that souls get numbed of such feelings on entering this place. Probably a good thing since the garbs I had seen souls wearing would either cause them to overheat or die (again) of cold.

A knock came at the door, bringing me away from the balcony doors. Opening the door, a newly familiar figure stood outside with hands connected together in front of her torso. I felt beckoned out of my room and shut the door behind myself, standing along the side of Mother War. She moved one of her arms to envelope my back as we walked down the hallway.

"Do you like everything so far?" She questioned.

"Yeah, it's so different but I love the style." I replied with a smile.

"Wonderful."

"I just wish I could see how my friends are doing. Even for a few seconds."

"I'm sorry, but you aren't allowed to view them for now. I promise, you will have that opportunity soon. In the meantime, I shall take you down to where most of the souls are collected so you can meet some of them."

"Thanks. Are we allowed to walk around wherever around here?"

"Just about anywhere; not my room. And there's one time when you have to take part in the march once per day."

"Alright, thank you."

We entered a vast ballroom swirled with countless items of ivory, onyx, and silver placed all around. The souls in their role-determined outfits gathered together in what appeared to look like a massive flock of ravens. Their clothing was elaborate: bits of feathers and pins and jewels and lace and ruffles sprung up interestingly. My guide lead me onwards and floated off to the side a moment later, engaged in a discussion with one of the twins from before. My eyes shifted around the partially masked faces of the others until they met with ones of a crippled-looking man with eyes surrounded by coal circles.

"You're new," He spoke.

"I just arrived earlier today." I explained.

He glanced at my dress and shoes, "What role were you given?"

"Felicity- the face of technical and fine things that resulted in the harm of someone. At least that's what Mother War told me."

"Oh, lovely." His comment sounded sarcastic, "I'm the Patient. I represent the souls that belong here that died of pestilence."

"I won't lie: that's not the most pleasant thing to hear."

"I know."

"How long have you been here for?"

"Oh, it's been ages. Sometime around the year of 1916 I died in a German hospital. A great war around the world was brewing and I was forced to become a soldier for my country. It drove me mad when I shot someone
and, eventually, cancer caused me to have my last days of life in a miserable hospital."

"Wow, that was forever ago. My death was from an infected shot wound from a laser gun while I was trying to save one of the people on my side. He didn't get as badly injured as me and I ended up dying after two weeks or so."

"How did he seem? Capable of moving on?"

"Absolutely, he's such a strong person and I have no doubt that he misses me, but is continuing to make it through his days."

"That's good. What is he like, other than the impeccable strength?"

"Clever, undoubtedly stubborn, artistic, brave, caring, and saw so much hidden beauty in the world..."

"Ah, so this is a lover to you?"

"I guess you could say so." I blushed, if that was even possible

"Why are you embarassed by this? I understand the feeling of fondness in your heart for an individual."

"I don't know. We never really got to do many things together since there were always missions and zone checks and fights going on with the other side. Now I wish our time wasn't so battle-filled because I miss him terribly along with the rest of our combined group."

The Patient's gaze drifted upwards towards a figure a bit farther off from us, causing me to turn and try to see what he saw. Souls packed tightly together covered my view of whatever this point of interest was so I couldn't make out much. I turned back to face him with a questioning look on my face.

"We've got another newcomer today." He pointed to a face that I, unfortunately, recognized with ease.