No trace: Part Two of The Accidental Trilogy

Chapter One

I was born in an orphanage in Northampton in 1764. Like so many born in the same way, I was not expected to live past my first week. But I endured and as I grew up I heard by the usual grapevine route that my mother had died in the process of my birth.

Eleven years passed in the workhouse, I was surrounded and yet I was on my own. I learnt to fend for myself and in doing so, learnt I was not like the others. I found I could do things that I shouldn't be able to.

Which was made rather obvious when two women came to the dormitory where I slept, woke me up and explained in precise detail, what I am, or more specifically, what the three of us are. It didn't take long as I already knew part of why they had come. The other part was that they wanted me to join their clan. They worded it as though it was a gentle invitation, but I knew otherwise. They said that I had a responsibility to the clan.

'Amy, it is not just you, there are others, like you. They are your family. They will help you.'

'Is that so?' I was not impressed with their stories; 'How many of the clan are currently living in an orphanage?'

They looked at each and sighed. It was clear they thought I was throwing their gift back in their faces.

'That is not how the clan operates. We operate in the shadows, away from prying, human eyes.'

'Well, that is great for them. I, however, have lived out of the shadows, with the humans for eleven years. Here,' I gestured around the dormitory, squalid and full as it was and had been and will be tomorrow. 'Apparently in full knowledge of your clan, considering you found me very quickly.'

'How would you know this?' One of them asked, a little dismissively.'

'This story you tell, you have not had much practice, that would have shown in your voices and body language. Too obvious, you forget where I am from. What is not obvious is why you are still here.'

'There is one more thing you must know, even if you have declined the clan's invitation. You must always and forever hide what you are to the world. Humans are not meant to know about people like us.'

'Very true.'

'Also, once you reach maturity, no other changes will occur.'

'Very well. I bid you good night.' I place my head on my filthy pillow.

They pick up on my hint and depart. I was quite doubtful of no other changes occurring but otherwise glad they had left. I had more important things to be doing in the night-time hours.

Planning. It was something that had always sustained me during my time here. I knew that children not taken by families or would be families by the age of twelve are sent out to be employed by the rich as maids.

I knew that this would happen to me, I was not very pretty looking, my almost white-blond hair and grey eyes were not at all attractive to others, this I had been told since I was at a comprehending age.

And even while in the employ of some Lord or other, I knew there was the possibility of marriage to a footman, though with my poor looks, this I doubted. And regardless, I did not want my life tied to one empty man, one life of drudgery to be followed by the life of producing children and then raising those children. This endless circle I would escape. First part of my plan, would be to educate myself. The orphanage barely took much care of that for the girls' in its care. It was an embarrassing fact that I was determined to hide from others until it was no longer necessary.

There was a life to be lived and there was a possibility that it would be infinite.

I was at the orphanage for barely a year, before I was taken to the house of Lord and Lady Dalrymple to be the scullery maid. The lowest of the low, but even so I did not mind. I knew what I could do; I had been practicing my gifts. One of which was that I could transform myself into a speck.

It was a while before I realised what I had become, but it did not take me long to realise the possibilities.

Something that now I was out of reach of the orphanage, I could try in earnest. In my tiny room, I transformed and after a quick fly around the room, flew around the house.

I could leave at any time. But I did not.

I had to plan more. Work out precisely where in England I was in and make my moves accordingly.

I could leave at any time. But I chose not to. A scullery maid's salary is pitiable, but as yet I had no dependents and nothing that I wanted to spend the money on. The following night I continued work on the cot's frame, hollowing out a small space and fixing an extra piece of wood to hide the hole. There I would hold my coins until it was time to spend or leave. Whichever would come first.

Now though, it is time to bed and to sleep. Something I had learnt early on, I only needed an hour's sleep to function. Something that I was most thankful for. Tomorrow night, I would find a book -

'Oi, you girl. Get to work.'

I complied quickly, no point in upsetting the boss this early in my employment. Mind-numbing work, but I did every task without complaint. My little pile of coins would grow each week.