Clair de Lune

11. Nursery

When I finally woke up, Necro was gone and my door was shut. I sat up from my spot on the cot and wiped my eyes, taking a look around me and remembering I wasn't home, and I wouldn't be going back home ever again. I could only sigh and tell myself this place was better for me than that hell house anyway.

A knock on my door distracted me, and only a few moments later did Sergei walk through carrying a tray with him and a smile. I was able to rouse one from the depths of my fuzzy haze, gratefully taking the tray from his hands and taking a look at what was available. Mashed potatoes for breakfast never sounded better.

"Thank you," I smiled at him, "I didn't realize how hungry I was until now."

"Of course, just let me know if you get hungry before lunch and I can grab you something." He told me as he took a seat on the metal chair in the opposite corner. "Do you mind if I ask what Necro was doing in here earlier?"

"Oh, I couldn't sleep last night and he was out listening to the TV's." I said around a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "I asked him to come keep me company and we both ended up falling asleep. I hope that wasn't against the rules or anything...?"

"No, no you're not in trouble I was just curious as to what you'd be doing hanging out with him." Sergei waved a hand in front of him supportively.

"Well he's smart and very well spoken, I guess I just enjoy his company." I chuckled. "I always liked talking to smart people, growing up being homeschooled really narrowed my field of view on a lot of things."

"I feel incredibly sorry for what happened with your upbringing, we thought we'd placed you in what looked to be a normal home." He sighed, and I just shook my head.

"For that area it was normal." I explained. "Anyway, it's gone now and I can't really do anything about it. I'm here now and I'm okay with that." A smile tugged on the corners of my lips. "Maybe I can do what Necro does, take a look at all of those books and just learn."

"That's one thing that scares me a little about him," Sergei chuckled quietly, "he's too damn smart for his own good. He's only a D Class, but I think he should be moved up to C just for his intelligence."

"What even is his ability? Is it just his skin?" I asked curiously.

"No, from what we know after he changed, he's technically a non-living entity. Something happened to him that caused the memory and vision loss, and it changed the way he looked. His skin is essentially decomposing at such a slow rate that it's keeping him alive."

"Whoa," I blinked, "that's why you guys call him Necro, isn't it? He's technically a zombie?"

"In a way." He chuckled. "He's just like you and I, besides that."

"He's certainly a character, I'll say that much."

"I have to agree." Sergei nodded before checking his watch, pulling himself up from his chair and giving me another smile. "I have to get going or I'll be late for a meeting, I'll probably check in with you again tonight to see how you're doing. Don't get into too much trouble, okay?"

"No promises." I flashed a grin, and he seemed to ease slightly before waving to me and walking out the door.

I finished my mashed potatoes in record time after that, glad for the sheer amount they'd given me. My stomach felt like it had shriveled up to the size of a raisin from a lack of real food. I got up from my spot on the bed and left the tray on a small shelf by the door, walking back over to dig my clothes from my bag and change. I felt like it was a hundred degrees in here, even though I'm sure it was just me. In a small matter of time I'd stripped down to my underwear and pulled on shorts and a crop top, the freedom to wear whatever the hell I pleased becoming a much valued aspect of not having to live in that house anymore. I strapped on my shoes and walked out the door, finding that everyone was already up and bustling. I quite liked the noise.

Now that I wasn't being led around on a tour I decided to make my way down the hall to the music room, stopping only when I passed by the nursery. Inside there was only one figure today who looked a little lonely, her shoulders low and her hair tied back into a braid. I hated seeing someone else with the same look I always had when I was a kid. In an instant I reached out and opened the door, finding that Lily didn't even look up until I was right next to her. Deep black orbs stared at me, full of wonder and intrigue.

"Your name is Lily, right?" I asked gently as I crouched down at the table she sat at.

"Yeah, Lily Gillespie." She smiled a little. "Who are you? I saw you walking with Sergei yesterday."

"My name's Agnes Byrnes, I'm new here." I smiled at her. "I saw you yesterday and thought "wouldn't she be nice to know", so here I am."

She seemed to perk up the moment I said I wanted to know her. Her smile seemed more genuine, and she looked like she wanted to pay more attention to me than the drawing she was working on. For a little girl, she was oddly attentive and even intelligent for her age. It seemed like she was much older, like she'd lived a lot longer than it looked.

"So do you like drawing?" I asked her, keen on finding out more about Lily.

"I love it, I'd like to become an artist someday but I know that won't happen." She laughed to herself. "Finger painting and crayons are fun and all, but I'd like to use real paint and brushes."

"Why don't you think you'll be an artist?" I asked. "I'm sure you could be amazing one day."

"Well dreams like that sort of die when you do." Lily grinned, revealing sharp, shark-like teeth. I felt the color drain from my face and I realized exactly what she meant.

"You're not going to get any older then, huh?" I asked when the shock wore off.

"Nope." She shook her head. "I'll be eight forever. I don't mind it really, I get to help out kids like me when I'm not stuck in buildings like these."

"Kids like you?"

"My mommy killed me," she began, quiet but with a dark undertone, "and a man sent me back and told me to do whatever I'd like to her. They couldn't even tell which body parts went where by the time I was done. Ever since then I've been helping out kids like me to be parent-free."

A chill went down my spine. I realized now why she was in B Class and not C. Lily seemed to realize she spooked me, but it only made her smile more widely, her teeth shining more vividly. I tried to shake the images away she'd planted in my head, and I realized I didn't have room to judge seeing as how I'd done something similar.

"I killed my family, too." I told her quietly, gathering her attention again. Her smile faded to a look of intrigue.

"Really?"

"Mhm," I nodded, "I burned my house to the ground and they all were trapped inside." Something felt like it was settling in my bones, the same dark undertone she'd gained when she spoke of her mother. "They all deserved it, everyone but Nolan. They acted like they were so much better than me and that I'd never be anything special. Look at me now."

"You and I have a lot in common." Lily grinned, much brighter this time. "I like you Agnes, you're a friend to me."

"That means a lot to me." I told her, a big smile on my face. "If you ever need anything, I'll only be a few doors down."

Something changed in her after that. Lily seemed happier, her shoulders no longer slumped and her face turned up in a smile for the rest of the time I spent in the nursery with her. Seeing that I was able to make someone's life a little easier made mine a bit more tolerable in turn. I was looking forward to seeing her again.