The clockwork dormouse

The IT + Chapter 2

-The IT

The ticks. They never stop. They replace my … fathers? Yes. I think that is appropriate. My father’s words. He said we were going through the rift. For protection. I think. But the… I. I cannot remember. I have forgotten the name father gave to it. Did he give it a name? No I cannot. It hurts to try and remember. I was put into a… crevice. Then the clear wall fell back, with a snap and I also fell back, then the ticks started. I grew weary of watching. So I did, I did indeed stop.

-Chapter 2

The sun seemed to be struggling. Like it had put on weight overnight and now couldn’t pull its own body mass over the horizon. Abila wished it would hurry up, not only was it cold but the light was dim. Dark, but not that of pure night, just, well, shady. But just dark enough for her to have to squint at the cracked paving to make sure she didn’t slip on newly placed ice and break a bone or two, that would be ever so inconvenient. Alleyways were absolutely not a place you wished to be in light such as this, who knew what could be lurking there. Even though crime had been brought down over the years there were still petty thieves and last night had shaken her.

It was unbelievable, how something as disgusting happened right under their noses? It was not acceptable; precautions would have to be taken! Night patrols maybe or house checks every so often. Saying this was all well, but she would have trouble finding anyone to volunteer in her department. Lazy asses all of them, they’d sit on their coffee filled bodies and chatter about problems with the economy. If she wanted anything like night patrols she’d need a petition to present to the higher ups. Maybe Kalem could sort out one for her?

Finally as Abila turned the corner and headed straight for the Ackaman’s residence the sun seemed to have the strength to pull its self up now. As the sun hit the peaks of each house with a warm glow, the house of the Ackaman’s seemed to be in its own personal winter. It seemed darker and somewhat colder, but she was tired and her mind was somewhere else. It was most normal to experience dread after all she’d be telling them the worst news. Sometimes it’s better to say some ones missing, that way you can never be certain they’re dead or not; but a clear notification like this, destroyed even the slightest amounts of hope. As Abila knocked on the pine door and stepped over the threshold, the cold grew, scratching the back of her neck. She did not expect a good response to what she was about to say.

The plate that Isabella Ackaman had held in her hands was now broken fragments on her tiled floor. Abila herself was watching a grubby silver coin that had been knocked off the table in the plate drop.  Well she believed it to be silver, but I was coloured in a lot of grime. It had been rolling in a small circle but now gravity was calling and it rocked backwards and forwards reminding Abila of Kalem. He always rocked when he was thinking, she’d told him it was dreadfully annoying but he never listened.

“I am so sorry” Abila raised her head only to see Isabella biting her nails, although there was not much left of them.

“No, no it’s fine, news like this can put some people into grief for months” She smiled, tried to be reassuring. It wasn’t working. “Well that’s what I’ve heard, but you can never really trust what you hear, can you”.

Isabella nodded and turned away to get a dustpan and brush. “I’ll be back in a second”

Abila nodded and smiled, waited until Isabella had left the room and sighed. She hated this, the worst part of her job. It was just, people. In her opinion dead people were better company. She didn’t understand how young girls would scream and run from the dead; they couldn’t hurt you, but the living could. The livings were the scariest things of all.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes, she’d been up most of the night with Kalem in the office. Then waking up a little before dawn to get here, she hated getting up so early; but she did this to avoid most people in the city. At least it wasn’t summer, children got up early in summer. They’d play games in the centre laughing and singing be loud and point at her, asking her questions and wanting her to tell them about her job. She knew that they didn’t mean any harm but they scared her.

She sighed again, running her hand in her wisps of hair by her ears. She could hear the taps of Isabella’s shoes and quickly sat up, resuming the position shed had when Isabella had left the room.

No matter how tired she was, Isabella was in a worse state. Her face looked hollow, skin clinging to her bones and her eyes had sunk into her face .

I’ll get you another plate and a scone, shall I” she said between sweeping, which made Abila feel totally useless, unable to do anything to help.

Sorry this bit was a bit rushed and short. I've had abit of trouble with stuff but i hope to add a bit more tmorrow... mabey.