Different Yet The Same

Chapter Fifteen

-Ember-

I practically run to my room and slam the door before collapsing on my bed, unable to stand for another second.

My arms, legs and torso feel like they are on fire. Every time I try and move, it causes me to gasp out in pain. I groan and just lay there waiting for the pain to subside.

"Berta! Look at her, she's practically in the dirt!" Greta gasps, scaring me, I jump up and swing my leg towards the noise, crying out at the the pain.

"Greta! Look at the poor girl! Come come quickly." Berta chanters, scurrying towards the bathroom and running a warm bath.

"Come sweetie let's get you out of those clothes." Greta hisses, walking slowly towards me and helping me slide out of the clothes I'm in.

I shuffle over to the bathroom, and slowly sink myself into the warm water, at first gasping at it's heat then relaxing as it becomes more and more comforting.

"Lavender? Peach? Honey? What is Lucifers problem!" Berta screeches.

"It's obvious she's more of a rose scented girl." Greta gurgles.

"Clearly." Berta agrees.

"Aha!!" Greta cries out. "I've found it!"

She happily hops over to me and places the bottle in my hand, letting me scrub away all the sweat and dirt that coats my body like a second skin.

I'm careful when washing the bruises, even the slightest pressure hurts.

"Oh honey." Berta sighs like a worried mother. "Don't worry about them they'll be gone by tomorrow."

"They sure will. Come Berta let's leave so Ember can get out and get dressed." She demands shooing Berta out of the room by waving her arms.

I slowly slip out of the bath and towel myself dry, sliding into the silk pyjamas that Berta or Greta left by the sink.

Once I'm dressed and I've wrapped my hair into a towel, I walk into my room and see Berta sitting on my bed with a hair dryer and hair brush in hand.

"Come. Sit. Stay." She commands, I do as I'm told and she gently brushes my hair.

Greta shuffles around my room, closing the drapes and making sure everything is neat and clean.

As soon as Berta is done with my hair she pushes me into bed and then both of them come and tuck me in.

"Thank you so much." I say to them my voice already getting quieter as I fall to sleep.

"It's our pleasure sweetie. You remind us of our daughter." Greta says.

"You have a daughter?" I ask quizzically.

"Well actually she's my daughter." Berta says.

"Oh whatever, she calls us both mom." Greta retorts.

Berta just shakes her head. "Would you like to hear about her?" She asks.

I nod and they both start telling me about their pride and joy.

"She's only five years old." Berta starts. I look at her shocked. She chuckles.

"Yes I know. We are rather old but it's all a demons fault. On Lucifers orders she cursed our little Bea to stay young forever."

"Why?" I ask dumbfounded.

"So that we would work for Lucifer, until he decides to change her back." Greta pipes in.

"Now now." Scolds Berta. "This is my story." Greta huffs and Berta continues.

"I was young when my parents married me off to my husband Rufus." She sighs. "I thought he loved me. I really did." Greta comes and sits beside her sister, taking her hand protectively. "When I told him I was expecting, he left, he didn't want any children."

"So she called me." Greta says. "I was with her all through the pregnancy, and before we knew it we had a beautiful baby girl."

"Yes we did." Berta agrees. "Once Bea was born, Greta was working two low pay jobs, we could barely keep enough food for the three of us."

"That's when we caught Lucifers attention. We are the best care takers in the city." Greta explains.

"He called us and demanded we worked for him." Berta continues. "At first we refused. Lucifers employees have a habit of going 'missing'."

"That's when he took Bea and had the demon curse her." Greta says, malice in her voice.

"After that we had no choice but to work for him. So here we are, and as soon as he deems us finished, Bea will go back to the age she is suppose to be." Berta finishes.

"I'm so sorry." I say apologetically.

"Don't be dear." Greta says.

"Here. Let me tell you about her." Berta says, pride in her voice.

"She is only about a foot and a half tall. She has a head of red hair, like flames." Berta describes.

"Her eyes are a fiery red, that have an inner flame that ignite whenever she's angry or happy." Greta adds in.

"Needless to say. If she were to grow up. She would be beautiful." They say in unison.

"Can I meet her sometime?" I ask.

"Of course." Greta says and smiles.

"Alright. That's enough stories." Berta says. "Goodnight Ember, we will see you tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight Ember." Greta says and they both kiss me on the forehead and walk out of the door closing it slowly.

Then finally I close my eyes and drift off into a blissful sleep. My last thought of Berta's daughter, Bea.