Ascend
Evangeline was quiet the next day.
Most likely out of shame.
In truth, she wasn’t very sure. But whenever she wanted to ask a question, she felt like her tongue was weighted down. Her eyes dropped down to the ground as if there were something remarkably interesting written there.
Of course, her mind still wondered and wandered. She wanted to ask about Gabriel’s wings, and about how all the supplies got there, but she simply... didn’t.
Gabriel wasn’t much of a talker, so most of the morning was silent. It wasn’t until he had pulled the torn curtain onto his lap that he spoke.
“Are you alright?” His fingers tugged the strands of grass and vine together, not really any kind of reformed weave, but there was still something entrancing about the random knots and twirls.
“I...Yes.” Evangeline wasn’t sure about that, either. But she figured that ‘yes’ would be the best answer to give.
Live to please. Do as told.
The words were getting old to her. They used to be some treasure, glimmering with promise of what magical things would happen if she followed them. Now, they were a cracked relic shoved to the back of a shelf, gathering dust.
Though Evangeline had never really owned anything.
The sun slid lazily over the sky. Sometimes Patrollers would come by, but never too close.
Evangeline had never felt this was before, but.... dare she say....
Evangeline was bored.
It didn’t really dawn upon her until she caught herself drawing circles in the dust with her fingertips. Her cheek pressed to her knee, and her eyes half- lidded, her body was full of energy but yet without anything to do.
It was a frustrating feeling, especially since Evangeline knew that it was a feeling that she couldn’t fix. There was nothing to do. And Gabriel wasn’t helping at all- he kept his eyes down, hardly having spoken a word.
So Evangeline broke the silence.
“Gabriel, can I ask you a question?”
He hardly glanced up. “Can I stop you from asking a question?”
Evangeline bit her lip. “I don’t think so.”
Gabriel looked at her flatly. “It was a rhetorical question. Sarcasm. You know.”
No, Evangeline didn’t know. “Who made that curtain?”
“Who else could make it but me?” Gabriel replied breezily, his fingers stilling.
“People who were taken,” Evangeline ventured cautiously. “Gabriel, how long have you been here?”
Gabriel stopped all movement. “Three years.”
“Alone?”
Gabriel made a fist, his knuckles white. “No.”
“Do you... want to tell me how long you’ve been alone?”
“No.”
Evangeline bit her lip again. “But will you? Now?”
Gabriel looked in her direction, but then looked away quickly. His eyes strayed to the entrance.
“Please,” Evangeline whispered. She didn’t understand why she wanted to know so badly. She didn’t understand why she was always so curious about things. But she just did.
YOU ARE READING
placebo's machine
Science FictionEvangeline has never had any doubt to who she is. Her home is the Facility- she's heard about the sun and sky, but never seen them, though she doesn't want to. She has no family. Evangeline doesn't even know her age. But these are explainable to her...
