The Mechanic

Chapter 6

"And you've heard nothing from him since?" Auden and I were sitting at the kitchen table. I had just told him everything involving my father. He had listened patiently through the entirety of it, reacting just as he should at all the right places. 

"No. All I've received is the note," I answered and looked down at my hands that were carefully folded in my lap. Auden gave me a reassuring smile and opened his mouth to say something. He was interrupted by the kitchen door as his mother walked in, her arms filled with a gigantic box brimming with all sorts of supplies. 

"I'm so sorry," I started, jumping to my feet. "I totally forgot that you guys had to prepare for tonight. I'll get out of your hair before I turn into a hindrance. It was good to talk to you, Auden." I gave them both a smile and turned to leave. 

"Evie, hold on!" Auden said and jumped up after me. "Can I talk to you?" He jerked his head toward the door and I followed as he pushed his way back into the store. 

"Are you sure you don't want me to do anything? I could try to help you find your father--"

"That's okay." I gave him a small smile and threw my cloak back over my shoulders. "Oh, there's one thing, though. Can I still take you up on your offer to take me to the dance tonight?" 

Auden's face cracked into the biggest smile I had seen him give me all week. "Of course! I'll...I'll come get you at...at.... When should I come get you?" 

"Seven?" 

"Sure. Seven sounds great." He gave me a big thumbs up before disappearing back into the kitchen with a happy sort of jog. I rolled my eyes but allowed myself a quiet giggle before heading out the door. 

It was snowing again and the amount of the people on the sidewalks had decreased considerably. I stood on the porch just for a split second and then made the cold trek home. 

*************

My hands were icicles by the time I got back to the workshop. I had forgotten to grab gloves before leaving the shop, and now I was paying for it dearly. I rushed over to the fire with my cloak still draped over my shoulders and rubbed my hands together in order to get some of the feeling back. 

Why had I agreed to go to the ball with Auden? I couldn't afford to spend a night doing frivolous activities when my father was somewhere out there in trouble. Maybe I should just write back to him telling Auden that I couldn't go after all, and that I hoped he managed to have fun anyway. 

But then I remembered that grin. He had just seemed so happy. I couldn't ruin that. Not after I had already rejected him. Sighing, I peeled off the snow-coated cloak from my shoulders and sank into an armchair. My feet ached and my hands were still numb. I was tired and just wanted to rest. I just wanted this to fade away, to go back to how it used to be. I closed my eyes. 

*************

I woke once again to the sound of urgent pounding on the front door. I groaned and rubbed my eyes groggily. Then, with a start, I glanced at the clock. 

Dang it. It was almost seven. I jumped up from the chair and raced toward the front door, praying that it wasn't Auden. 

It was Auden. He was standing there in some of the nicest clothes I had ever seen him wear, a single rose clutched in his hands. His face fell at the sight of me. 

"I'm so sorry!" I cried. "I snoozed off and only just woke up. It will only take me a few minutes to get ready. I swear!" My hands were shaking. 

He sighed and gave me a pitying look. "It's fine. Look, you're going through some pretty terrible stuff right now and I knew it was probably too rushed of you to decide to come to the dance tonight. I think that what you need right now is to get a grip on everything that's happening." 

I bit my lip and felt myself go limp. He was right. Dang it, he was right.

"You're right," I said and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "I shouldn't have agreed to go with you. I'm sorry I got your hopes up." I went to close the door but he stopped me. 

"Hey. I'm not mad. It's fine. And if you ever need anything you know you can come to me, right?" I nodded and looked down at the floor. 

"I know. Have fun." It closed with a click. 

My heart was heavy as I made my way back toward the fire. What must Auden think of me now? I had refused to marry him, come bursting into his family's shop like a crazy person, promised to attend the the ball with him, only to show up a few hours later looking no better than I had before I'd left. If I were him, I would just go dump me in the forest where I couldn't bother anyone else. 

With a small sigh I picked up one of my father's books from off the side table and cracked it open to where he had left off. I fell back into the chair and tried to let the words carry me off to somewhere that wasn't here. Somewhere where I was happy and had control of my life. Somewhere where my father was with me and just as jovial as ever. 

I twirled my hair around my thumb and fingered the thin paper of the novel in front of me. Outside it had grown dark. I could distinguish the outlines of the townspeople as they made their way past my window with lanterns swinging in their hands. There they went, off to Victoria's ball with their new gowns and freshly washed hair. So much hassle, I thought, ignoring the fact that I had been willing only moments ago to do just what they had done. 

I sighed and turned my attention toward the book resting in my lap. "'If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated,'" I whispered, reading the words on the pages. 

"'The universe would turn to a mighty stranger,'" a voice spoke from the dark behind me. I couldn't even let out a scream before something was clamped against my mouth and I was dragged to the floor.