Bound, Fated and Forbidden

Red Velvet

Red Velvet

I cherished the warm water soaking my skin, I relaxed as it travelled over the curves of my body and ran down the drain. My red hair had grown and now cascaded down my back, near my waist, and my skin was glowing and smooth. In this house I felt as if I had travelled back in time. Back to the days when women were ladies, covered up and respectable and men were gentlemen, in suits and trousers, with top hats. I longed to get back to my own world, back to reality, but I enjoyed living with people that actually acknowledged my presence.

Helena swept into the bathroom and I hurried to cover myself as she laughed and shook her head.

"Sweetheart we have the same parts." She brought in a short 50s style dress, with a floral print and white petticoat. They were draped over the changing screen and she brought me a soft towel.

"On the stool please," she motioned to a white stool that looked delicate and elegant with its swirling designs. It looked as if it belonged in an Art Nouveau exhibition. I sat with the towel wrapped tightly around my chest as she slowly dragged a brush through my hair and hummed a beautiful song. I recognised it as a lullabye. As she continued to brush she began to sing.

"Hush now, my baby. Be still now, don't cry. Sleep like you're rocked by the stream. Sleep and remember, my last lullaby and i'll be with you when you dream."

As she sang I smiled and watched the light dance on the walls.I drifted in a dream-like state and began to picture a beautiful river surrounded by green.

******

Childrens laughter and women singing while doing chores outside. The women were gathered around a small rock pool by the river, washing the laundry and hanging it up on the lines strung between the two trees. The little girls was being chased by a boy, they ran through the river, splashing the women....

*****

I was snapped out of my haze when I heard a high-pitched scream and turned to look at the young girl in the doorway staring behind me. I spun around to see Helena slightly lifted off the ground with brush in hand and lifeless eyes. I screamed and fell to the floor, knocking over the stool in the process and Helena dropped to the ground, limp at my feet as I stared in horror, unable to make a sound.

I heard sobbing mixed with mine and saw the young girl slowly creeping forward to feel Helena's cold, dead skin. Her unbreathing body lying on the cold tile. Still, I couldn't move.

'Are you okay?'  A deep voice sounded in my head. I whirled around trying to find the source but no one else was nearby except the young girl on the floor next to the dead body.

"Who's there?" I said aloud. The young girl didn't look up.

'Are you okay Tahleya?' Lucas' voice sounded again. I'm fine. I said in my head. I need you. I added. I heard a rush of wind and Lucas' hand was on my shoulder. I flinched, surprised by his touch and a pained look passed across his face before he moved over to Helena.

"Tahleya!" I heard his voice before he knelt beside me, cradling me in his arms and whispering soft comforts in my ear. Lucas' body was stiff as he gently lifted Helena, looked down to me and walked out of the room. The young girl stood after him, smoothed her skirts and followed whilst wiping her eyes. I could hear her heart rushing and the blood flowing through her, it took everything in me to stay put, so I focused on Jonah's eyes and the movement of his lips as he whispered.

And so I sat there, cradled against Jonah's chest with tears running down my face, wrapped in the last thing Helena gave me, a red velvet towel.