The Soul Tracer

The Puzzle Piece

Sometimes you can't find a answer for the simplest of questions. Every answer seems wrong, none seem to fit in place. However, when you start to look further into the question, answers out of the ordinary appear. Answers that seem to fit, to finish the equation.

The urge to leave my large warm bed has deserted me. I've never felt so alone. My heart aches for William, my eyes sting for his magnificent beauty, and yet my mind screams to run. Footsteps pass my door carrying concerned voices with them. Beams of light escape through the thick curtains as the sun rises once more. The light shines on the small picture frame containing the only portrait of Papa I have, the rest of the room is hidden in the depth of shadows.

I constant pain of hunger lives in my stomach. I just don't feel like eating. I don't want to face the real world once more. To see the face of Ivy, or Mama. To be punished for sins that were not mine. I'm much happier to lie here, in the dark and starve. If only I could see him once more, his radiant smile, his childish features. But I've ruined my chances. He would never want to see me not after what I did.

My door creaks open, I don't bother to look to see who it is, the roof of my bed is much more interesting. The person pauses at the door then walks in closing it quietly. Their footsteps are not anyone's I've heard before. I can identify most footsteps in this household, even the servants. This one, however, I can not pick. It sounds as if to be a mans, but the way they walk, it's as though they are on the tip of there toes. Slowly they take a seat on my bed next to me. I try hard to resist the temptation to look up.

"Adaline?" A voice as sweet and beautiful as the morning birds, lights up the room.

My head swings to look at the person, his face is unclear, but his silhouette is unforgettable. Before I know it my arms are wrapped tightly around his neck, my head wedged into the crock of his neck and tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I'm so so s-sorry," I choke out the words. "p-please forgive me!"

His arms cautiously wrap themselves around my back.

"Oh Adaline, what is there to forgive?"

I feel his tender lips press against the unbrushed mess that is my hair. We sit in the darkness, for what feels like hours. I've never been so content, the crack in my heart seems to have mended and my soul has finally met its partner.

"I should be apologising, not you." His gentle voice sounds cautious and stern as it breaks through the silence.

I look up at him, my face creasing with confusion.

"You see I haven't been completely honest with you." He continues, "The other night, when you asked who I was, I gave you an answer full of truth. However, I didn't give you all the truth."

I find it difficult to comprehend what he's saying.

"You see, I'm not what you think I am," he emphasises the what. "I'm not... human, Ada."

Not human? Of course he's human, he's definitely not a horse.

"I'm what's called a Scindendae, it's Latin for split." He trails off, trying to figure out the best words to explain what he is, I imagine. "When we turn 18, we are placed with a baby from our tribes selected town or village. My tribes village is Cheston. I was placed with you, as I am of the same class."

I can't seem to move a muscle, nothing he says seem fathomable. However, I believe it entirely.

"Our soul is then split from our body to embark on a journey. Journey unlike anything you could imagine. Our soul starts at the beginning of the child's life, and our body at the end. We then travel through your life with you, through every major event. Feeling every emotion, every pain. You however, don't have the slightest idea that we are present. Once our soul and body meet once more, we must make the decision on when to make ourselves apparent to you. Some decided to act like a brother or sister, and place themselves at your birth. Others choose to only burden you when you have but a few days to live. I however chose to introduce myself on your eighteenth birthday."

I nod, instinctively, although I really don't understand. How can one be separated for its soul and still live to tell their story? How can a soul live with out a body and a body live without a soul?

"Do you understand my dearest one?" He whispers in my ear, kisses it then starts kissing down my neck.

"I think so." I stare at the window as William kisses further down my chest.

His hands move up my thighs, making my leg tingle. I can't think straight as his lips move down my stomach. He lifts up my night gown and kisses my bare skin. I have no urge to move, however, I'm know Mama would not agree to a man being in my bedchamber.

"Does that mean you know when I'll expire?" I look down at him. His lips freeze.

"Yes."

He traces his finger around my stomach. He pushes me gentle, forcing me to lie down. He runs his fingers up and down my thighs and starts to kiss further up my bare stomach.

I close my eyes, my bedchamber has been a world full of pain and sickness. I don't want to be in that world today.

He takes his shirt off, then kisses around the top of my thighs. I know what he wants, I want it to, but not now.

"William." I say in a gentle voice. He doesn't listen and continues kissing.

"William." I say a little louder. "Stop" I try to push him away but he resists.

A knock comes from the door.
"My lady?" Clara's voice enters through the crack in the door. Suddenly, William throws himself off of me and grabs his shirt.

She pushes pass the door carrying a pile of clothes for the day. Just as she does William pulls his shirt over his head and sits rather uncomfortably on the bed.

"Oh sorry My lady, I didn't realise you had company. I'll come back later."

"No, no, it's fine, William was just about to leave." I look at him, his eyes a liquid of blue and green. He stands, kisses my cheek then exits, paying no attention to Clara.

She places the clothes on my dressing table then opens the curtains for the first time in days. Dust flies off, lighting up like stars as the sun hits the particles.

"I'm glad to see you are well, my lady." She smiles as she sorts the clothes into three piles, morning, day, and evening.

I smile slightly and walk over to the window. Resting hands on the smooth wooden window frame. The sun beams down on the garden, making the trees look as if they glow green.

"It's a lovely day, I think I will go for a stroll with William."

"That sounds nice, my Lady."

A smile creeps over my face, unable to disappear. A smile I feel shall stay for eternity.

"How are up Clara?" I turn to look at her, something however, seems out of place. There's something wrong. Her face has gone as pale as a ghost and she seems to have frozen in place. I hastily walk over to her and take her hands. "Is everything alright?"

She takes a deep breath. "I can't say milady," she pauses for a second, "it could cause burden on ones I love."

"Please Clara, if there is anything I can d...."

"There's nothing you can do!" She snaps. I've never heard her speak to me this way before.

She pulls her hands away. Looking down at the floor she mumbles, "I'm sorry, I've outspoken."

I lift her chin up so I can see her face. A small tear rolls delicately down her flawless skin, leaving a trail behind it. She looks up at me, her eyelashes as dark as coal. I notice a few faint red scratch marks avocet her eye and lips. Gently I run my finger across them.

"Did someone do this to you?"