Albino Child

Twenty Two

Clenching my fist around the flaccid body of Socio, I ambled weakly out of the dusty cleaning room and slammed the cedar door shut while bolting the simple latch in a pathetic attempt to reduce any excess grime from entering to ancient basement; accelerating up the under-sized stairs, I refrained from tripping upon the same point as last time by paying extra care into not bruising myself, however, I was still drowsy and lethargic - the mentally distressing rolls of film had drained much of my initial energy and with my condition already causing much inability to endure feats that required stamina, I grumbled up the swirling path upwards with torpid limbs. Opening the door at the top of the staircase, I sighed in relief until I regretfully was presented with the disgusting sight of her through the front one-way-window, my bottom lip frowned and curled in resentment as my free hand cut crescents into the palm from restraining anger, there was much knocking that echoed loudly, the consistent noise was amplified by the lack of people outside my home - the people who lived where I was, were conservative people with generic polite lives that mainly involved Radio 4 and habitual happenings, they left between the times of 7:30 to 9:00 in the morning and mothers and children returned at 4:00 in the afternoon while fathers and teenagers arrived home within the times of 6:00 to 7:30 in the evening; they did the same thing every working day, without hesitation and without change - I did not really care but why was she here? It was 2:00 in the afternoon, she ought to have been in school manipulating another student to remain by her side till she discarded them like disposable toys, she held a look of blankness however, I did notice that there was a lurking sense of duty and reason as to why she had decided to visit my humble abode.

"Open up And, I know you are there. I can see you," She called in through the post box, pushing the brass flap open, she began to insert her hand into the slit as I scampered to the entrance; grabbing the weighted nectarine-coloured candle that burned dimly on the table next to the door, I smashed and hit the fingers of her hand attempting to get her to stop violating my privacy, "What are you doing, at least I know you are actually home, let me in."

Mustering up the deepest, coldest most dominant voice I could create, I demanded for her to leave in a single commanding word, "Go."

"That is rude, I had to go to Manic to find your address, it was not an easy process; you could at least make the hefty price I paid somewhat worth it." She began, her lulling but high-pitched voice was seemingly harmless and intoxicating but I knew better than to succumb to her gentle tone, "Fine, I am sorry about N and I know how much you close to her but that one event cannot make you hate me, you know you need me. You need me."

Her persuasive, hurt tone was enough to make most people open their door with wholehearted conviction however, I was unsure as to what her motivation to find me was and continued talking, leaving her outside in the uncomfortable position of looking strange in my neighbourhood, "What do you want to say?"

"Let me in, please, I look foolish being outside in your front garden conversing with this door," she pleaded with blunt, desperate stressing, "I promise I am clean."

"Fine, give me a minute, I need to drop off these books in another room, I'll be back soon." I lied, obviously there were no items involving paper within my arms but that would decoy her and allow for time as I prepared a plan.

Walking up to my bedroom upstairs, I nudged door open with my right toe and entered, opening up the duvet, I hid Socio under my sheets and re-made the sheets so that Doll would not notice and likely throw 'it' into the grimy canary-yellow skip across the road; I then called her out and asked for her to assist me with my interaction with P, as I mentioned her I saw a reaction from Doll that resembled mine, laughing at the simple similarities, I clasped her supple hands and led her down stairs. Breathing out heavily, I shut my eyes and rolled shoulders back, flinging my posture upright, I grasped the brass knob of the door and with my free hand opened the multiple locks with many keys that loosely hung upon a metal loop that sat within my left trouser pocket; finally pulling the door to allow myself to see her, I was greeted with her appearance: she had deep cool-toned brown hair that held a somewhat olive tone that fell in ruffled sheets that rusted in the slight breeze, her skin was clear - without enlarged pores, no inflamed red blemishes but she did have dustings of sun-kissed freckles - the only other extra pigmentation that lay upon the dermis were two subtle veins that slithered through her face connecting her jawline to her mouth and one that snaked across her forehead; in honestly, she was rather pretty in a natural way, there was no mascara or lipstick to give her a promiscuous or flirty tone which was surprising since N was one to be experimental when it came to overall aesthetic. She smiled lightly at me but glared at Doll, I stared harshly at her until she finally returned my gaze with an feigned apologetic glance, I led her into the house by pivoting half a clock-turn and walking to the living room, to ensure my safety, Doll remained behind P as we entered.

I saw the clown in the room setting up three pale porcelain cups shakily, they were one of my favourite sets with scalloped edges and gold-plated rims, they were elegant and classy with the an alabaster exterior and a shell-pink interior, taking a moment to flash an appreciative nod to the clown, I saw his ruddy face contorting into an exuberant grin as he realised that I had complimented him. Once he had left the room, I finally took notice of the gingersnap biscuits that were placed in a circular design upon the magnolia-white lace cake setter, placing one into mouth, I gestured for her to sit down and start talking.

"I owe you, for N, so I will take you to S."