Watch Me

Purple and Silver

Warmth surrounds Edie as she lies in Ivan's arms, comforted by him, comforting him. His arms are strong and familiar, he holds on until every thought disappears. But as she shifts to look in his eyes something is wrong. Very wrong. His blonde hair turning dark, and his face shifting and contorting. The embrace no longer feels warm as she stares into Pimento's cold eyes. Forcing his hands around her neck, pulling her in until breath escapes her body and he twists his hands tighter. Squeezing the life out of her as the world goes dark.

Screaming Edie's eyes flutter open. It was just a dream. She could still feel Pimento's boney yet deceivingly strong hands around her neck, each thin finger slowly curling around as fire raged in her throat. Burning pain as her airway became smaller and smaller. Reaching up she could feel the tender bruised skin around her collarbones. Her single silver necklace out of place amongst the splotches of deep purple. Her eyes were still raw from the tears that felt endless. Life felt endless, and there was no one there to distract Edie from the images. The images of Ivan's body, of the blood that still stained her shirt. Sitting alone, the deep red stark against the white walls, Edie was well and truly alone. So she disappeared once again into interrupted sleep, for there was no escape from the dreams.

When Edie rolled over on the surprisingly soft mattress she could only assume it was morning. The room was dark, but the walls still seemed to glow a fluorescent white. Her mattress laid in the corner, she was shocked Pimento had given her one at all. In the morning her bruises were deeper and tender to the touch, Edie couldn't imagine the council would be pleased to see the marks. She may be a prisoner but she was still precious cargo and she knew they needed her. As if like clockwork Pimento appeared in the doorway, sliding the heavy door with a self appreciating ease. Tossing something at Edie's feet he smiled.

"Thought you might want something without your little boyfriend's blood all over it." Pulling the pile toward her Edie soon recognized it as a white turtleneck.

"Seems more likely you don't want the council to see what you left last night." Edie scoffed, letting the shirt drop to the floor. "I think I'd rather wear this, let them see how easy it is to push their errand boys buttons." Pimentos' face was sharp but flushed, she could see the anger seething from him and although it made her feel better, she was still scared of how quickly he could turn. She'd never thought of him as dangerous, but when his hand were wrapped around her throat she could feel just how close he was to going through with it. How easily he would kill her.

"You'll wear the shirt and you'll lose the attitude. Now." She stared at him unblinking as she picked up the grim uniform. But Pimento didn't seem to plan on moving.

"Can you please leave, or... at least turnaround?" Edie blinked, her breath catching in her throat. Pimento laughed, his cool demeanour suddenly more ominous.

"Hmm, I could but." taking his time he smiled, "No." He was eyeing her the same way he had the day of the ceremony and it scared her. So Edie turned around, her back toward him as she pulled her shirt off, shrinking into herself. It was stiff and uncomfortable but a stark loss of familiarity. Quickly she pulled the turtleneck over her head, the fabric lingering on her bruises, the pain dancing back and sucking the air out of her lungs. As she turned once again, Pimento was still staring. His eyes unblinking as she stood. "Good girl. Now, follow me." As Edie followed Pimento out of the room she couldn't seem to find a steady pace, her feet tripping on the cool linoleum.

"What do you get out of any of this?" Edie spat her eyes avoiding his gaze.

"Easy. Simple, pure satisfaction." as Pimento spoke his head still pinned forward he looked like a statue. He was stiff and his very presence challenged Edie's will to fight. Back in her prison cell lay the only bit of Ivan she had left. As the duo rounded the corner, shots rang out, matched by pulsing footsteps that were coming towards them and quickly. But more shocking was the hand slithering around her waist and the cool metal pressed against her temple. As fleets of rebels rounded the corner Edie scanned the crowd but there was no Ivan. The eyes of Dominic however were clear and steady and pinned on the gun being held to Edie's head. "It's simple. You try anything and I shoot her." If Edie thought her lungs were heavy before, now they're on fire. For every breath she takes is matched by the metal pressing into her skull, a feeling she never thought she'd experience. Pimento's grip dances along bruises, as he presses his fingers into them with purpose causing Edie's vision to blur, her teeth clenched as she tries not to scream.

"No one needs to get hurt Pimento." Dominic's voice rings out, the first to speak against Pimento's threat. But Pimento had proved before that he was not afraid of violence, he seemed to thrive off of it.

"Dominic Siamedes. Where's your partner in crime? Ivan, was it?" His response is calculated, but his laughter is cruel.

"Resting, and waiting until he can kill you himself. So I'd hate to take the pleasure away from him. All we want is Edie, then we'll stand down." A spark of hope wakes in Edie at the sound of Ivan's name, but it is quickly interrupted by the feeling of Pimento's grip. His very presence making her feel sick.

"Shame. We seem to have the same goals, wish we could've gotten along. But I'm afraid I'm late for a meeting." As Pimento begins to drag Edie along the hallway something wakes in her, she has one chance left. So she reaches for the gun, her hand wrapping around the barrel. Before Pimento can react, the gun is on the ground. With her free foot, she kicks it as hard as she can sending it across the hard ground. Running despite the pain she finds herself in Dominic's arms. Hoisting her up he holds her as they run, through the building and out of her prison. The cool breeze of the city seems to heal Edie's burning lungs. But serenity never lasts for long when you're running from the council. Like clockwork, the council doors burst open to gunfire and another fight.