The Golden Gift

1850s, London.

The chilling silence of the house is haunting. Being the only one left, facing the grand stone walls and cold marble floors is rather daunting. But I have been here to see many generations of a family live in this house. And I will be here far longer; past the day that the final generations of humanity dies. Not that you can really call me human. I haven't been human for at least a century.

As I look out the Victorian style window of my bedroom, I look out into the street, the brewing dark grey storm clouds enclosing the city, watching the pale people in their array of monotone coats, rush off, with the occasional speckled parasol pass by our house. They know nothing of the future; I wonder how they can live with themselves, knowing that their days are numbered, but not know how long. My little golden pocket watch that the last of them gave to me keeps ticking on.

Forever is a long time to be alone.

Not that time really applies to me anymore.

I leave the comfort of my windowsill, where I can observe the world from a distance. I pick up my little golden pocket watch and slip it back into my blue dress pocket. It will never abandon me. Unlike everything else.

I walk through the empty corridor, past all of the bedrooms with engraved mahogany doors. My hand traces over the smooth letters of each of their names carved on each of their doors. Each of their distinct scents seeps out from their chambers. I feel their deep green eyes follow me from above as I pass each door. Thomas; Anton; and Henry. He was the final one. He was the one who left me the burden of choice.

He always told me:

"Clara Alexandria Edevane, unlike my brothers and father, my final gift to you will not be gifts of material possession. I, Henry Bennett, will give you the power of choice! For forever is a long time to be alone."

My simple reply to him was always:

"Your father and brothers gave me all the power in the world. I need nothing, but for you to stay alive, with me. Here."

He never realised that finding a new soul mate was not entirely simple.

I know this very well. I have worked at many points in my life, mainly as a nurse and midwife. I know the sorrow and sadness that is a part of every single mortal's life when they encounter loss and heartache. Fortunately for them, they won't be alone forever.

I feel his presence. I hurry past the door labelled Bennett Alchemy.

That's where I became who I am.

Nobody has been in there except for Theodore, their apprentice, since the last Bennett left this world.

I continue down the hall.

Normally, I don't leave the sanctuary of the second floor; but, today is a special day. Theodore is taking up residence, and, taking over the laboratory.

Henry's will left everything to me, but stated clearly that Theodore must take up residence and continue the important work of the past generations of Bennetts. Much to my chagrin, I wasn't to be left alone to rot for eternity in this hollow mansion of riches. No, Henry insisted that the full staff of the house was to be maintained for me and eventually, Theodore.

I approach the top of the stairs and am very tempted to slide down the banister, just like I did when I was a little girl, when Thomas had taken me in. I decide against it; it is not dignified. My dirty blonde curly hair bounces as I rush down the stairs and wait for Theodore to arrive.

Before I know it, I hear the brass knocker hit the large carved oak doors.

I open the door, expecting a scruffy, lanky boy to come through the doors; Instead, I find standing before me a tall young man, full of manners and grace.

"Miss Edevane?" He asks, apprehensively, a small and gentle smile lifting from the corners of his lips.

"Yes, you must be Theodore." I reply with an applied smile.

"Theodore Lancaster, pleased to meet you. Please, call me Theo." He says politely, taking my hand.

"Clara Alexandria Edevane. Pleasure to meet you." I say, trying my best to be curteous, allowing him to kiss my hand in greeting.

I invite him in, and instruct the butlers to take his belongings to his room. We sit in the drawing room, making small talk. The high ceilinged room echoes of our two solitary voices. Looking more closely at him, his hair is the same shade of blonde as mine; his eyes, ice blue, by far the most striking I have seen in my entire life; in severe contrast to my soft grey ones.

I slip my golden pocket watch into my palm. I fiddle and fidget with it in my hands, occasionally pulling on the pin, opening the cover, running my fingers along the inscription, feeling the ticking pulse of the time, minutes passing. Henry's final gift to me, my choice; to choose someone else to be an Immortallis, just like me.

Theodore notices my incessant fiddling and fidgeting, and I allow him look at my golden pocket watch. I stutter, nervously beginning explain all the power and reasons behind the pin and who I am. His eyes, rather than darting around and exploring the grandeur of this room, are paying full attention to mine. His sincerity is strangely warming.

"Well, I think Henry was very smart in doing this. Forever is a long time to be alone, Clara." He says to me with a charming smile.

For the first time since Henry was here, I genuinely smile.

∞ ∞ ∞

Theo's company is surprisingly pleasant. He isn't just a good scientist; He is gentle, kind, well spoken; But most of all, he understands the strangeness and peculiarity of my life.

Since Theo moved in, life has been far more bearable; Even enjoyable at times. I find myself genuinely smiling with more frequency and a higher level of joy.

I sit again at the windowsill, holding the smooth golden pocket watch in my hand, feeling far less melancholy than the time I was here before Theo. The clouds are lighter and are spread over the deep blue sky, letting the sunlight into the world. The people no longer wear monotone coats, instead the ladies wear pastel hats with bright flowers and the gentlemen wear hats with colourful hat bands. I open up my watch and inspect the inscription, running my fingers along the engraving.

Forever is a long time to be alone.

I pull the pin. The one thing that can change a life.

"Theo," I call out.

He comes to my side and sees the pocket watch in my hand.

"Clara, are you sure you want to do this?" He asks, hesitantly.

I reply with a simple nod.

I remind myself;

"Forever is a long time to be alone."

I see his clock disintegrate before my eyes.

It soon reforms, smooth and golden.