Blood Red Tears: A Steampunk Short Story

Part one

I slowly awoke from a daze, the house was full of glittering light, Christmas nick-nacks and the sound of joy full laughter. I follow the noise through the house to the largest room. The tree stood tall covered in ribbons and bells and at the bottom sat a small child still dressed in her nightgown.

"Good morning" a deep voice bellowed from behind me. 

"Good morning Dr, what are today's orders?" I replied unwillingly. 

"Don't be a silly girl, it is Christmas day. No chores, no orders, just spend the day with Elizabeth".

"Yes, sir." The young girl was rattling shimmering boxes topped with bows, she glowed with excitement. I could feel a thumping in my chest, I look down to investigate, my hands where small and elegant peeking through cuffed sleeves, I moved every metal finger and watched as the smallest of gears turned.

"Come now my dear, the maids have breakfast waiting for us." Elizabeth runs to her father and took his hand.

I waited in the living room for them to return. Taking in every detail I could, this all felt so new to me, yet I've been here time and time before, something wasn't right. 

A short while later, the girl came skipping into the room followed by her father, she put herself back under the tree to shake the boxes again. "can I open them now?" 

"Yes darling" Dr Clark sat on the other side of the room and beckoned me over, as I sat by his side, he grasped my hand. It was cold. 

"My love" he spoke looking towards my chest, where the heart of his dear wife lay. "I'm sorry" he whispered to himself, his blue eyes met mine. "you know what you were made for"

"To look after the girl," I said cutting him off as he tried to speak

"To look after her, after my death. We both know I don't have long left"

"Y-Y-Yes Dr" I could feel my circuits jam "but I'm not finished" 

"but you are reedy" he let out a sigh and held my hand between both of his. "I need you to..." he was interrupted

"Daddy...Daddy look!" Elizabeth came running over with a fabric doll in her hands "it's me, daddy, it's me!" she proceeded to show us both the doll was wearing her favorite red dress and her wool hair was in two curled pigtails. "I'm going to dress like her today. Thank you, daddy I love her."

I watched as the doctor smiled at his daughter but behind the smile, I could see pain. 

"it's wonderful Liza" I smile at her "However, your father and I are talking about something very important, could you have one of the maids help you dress like your new doll" 

and like that, off she skipped to the maid waiting in the doorway. 

"What was it you wanted to say Dr?"

"please called me Victor." 

"okay...Victor"

"You hold the heart of my dear Rosa. You have to be a mother to our child. You have to promise me no harm will come to her in your care."

I began to twitch; my gears were locking up. 

"Please Esme. you must promise me!"

That name... Esme, it runs throw my circuits like a blade. 

"I promise Victor."