Indigo Wilde, the Subterra Chronicles

Chapter 1

   It's not strange, Indigo thought. To feel like you don't belong- sometimes she feels like a shell of a person, a husk.

   She rotates a small wooden sculpture in one hand, crafted by her talented and larger-than-life father figure, Hugo. Indigo admires the piece, the way light dances on the smooth shiny wood, accentuating its intricate details. "I will never understand how you do this." She murmurs, though she's thoroughly unsurprised by the recent success of his wood-carving business. He spends hours holed up in his workroom, day in and out just carving away. His hands are large enough to cover her entire face and yet, the detail he painstakingly carves is ineffable.
   Hugo's long brown hair falls loosely over his eyes, his broad shoulders hunched slightly as he sits at his work desk. Concentration furrows his thick eyebrows as he tinkers with a half-carved block of wood. Hugo looks up from his project, just a hint of a smile as his lips turn up at the corners, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening as his eyebrows raise.
"It's for the new guy," He says gruffly, "the guy with the hair? You know..."
Indigo offers a faint smile, well aware of who he is talking about. Mr. Forelli, an eccentric man with wild black hair like a mane atop his head. He'd moved to Arrington maybe two weeks ago lugging a cart so large it needed to be pulled by four horses- four. He proceeded to open a shop which he'd filled with trinkets and strange objects. According to him he'd been to every country on Earth, known and unknown. She couldn't fathom how somebody with that wealth of knowledge or money, could decide Arrington is the place to settle down. Yet he did.
   She closes her hand around the figurine, tucking it into the pocket of her dress, "He's expecting it today?"
   "As soon as possible, in his letter he stated if he likes the quality he'll commission me for something much larger, worth more coin."
She sighs, knowing she might as well make the trip now, Hugo will likely be engrossed in his next project for the rest of the day and she doesn't quite feel like sitting around. She stands, running her hands down the skirt of her dress, attempting to smooth the muddy fabric. The dress had long been her favorite, a beautiful deep maroon, but stained with age and dirt its beautiful color was smothered, not to mention the frequent repairs and stitches that mark the fabric.
   "I suppose I'll be on my way then..." She said, making her way around his desk before draping herself over his back, enveloping him in a hug. He'd already trained his focus back on his project. She knew any more conversation would fall on deaf ears.
   She rests her cheek atop his head, "I'll be back before dark."
   He raises his hand from the wood and sets it on her head, ruffling her hair, "Be safe out there indigo, please refrain from spending time in any alleyways or mingling with the unfavorable."
   She can't help but smirk a bit at his worry, "No promises..." she tells him, not giving him time for a response, she slips out of the house shutting the door behind her. What Hugo doesn't need to know, is that she has absolutely no intention of mingling with the unfavorable in question. Her mind drifts back to that night. She'd stepped into a small alleyway for a moment of reprieve, the bustling crowds leave her feeling more than overwhelmed- a group of boys had casually broken off from the crowds as well, she'd assumed they'd chosen this alleyway for a smoke, or perhaps to cause ruckus as boys do. Before she had a moment to think, two of the boys had grabbed her by the arms, the third had dug his grimy fingers into her pockets looking for anything of value.
   Fortunately, Hugo had taught her self-defense from the moment she could walk. He taught her the basics, how to hold herself so she would not be easily overpowered. He made sure to keep her strength up throughout the years, even if it meant he went without food, he made sure she'd never skipped a meal. Despite what Hugo had taught her, she didn't want to fight. She much preferred to mind her own business and slip her way out of uncomfortable situations but the boys had torn her favorite dress in the struggle and that, was simply unacceptable.  That night, indigo had returned home bruised and battered, but the boys had fared much worse.
   She continues towards the center of town, easing the memory from her mind, loose dirt and rocks of the gravelly road crunch beneath her feet. She frowns at the sight in front of her- she's not fond of this part of town. The houses and shops are painted painfully white, from the support beams to the roofs. It's blinding enough she needs to avert her eyes, let them adjust. Sunlight reflects off the bright buildings, dowsing Arrington in golden light, but she knows that it was purposeful, a deliberate display of wealth and authority. The white paint being unusually expensive compared to any other color, whether it be the way it's made, or the people selling it, she does not know.
   The town is bustling today, filled with carts and crowds gathered around different shops. Doors are propped open, revealing enthusiastic salesman, preaching about their latest product. Indigo skillfully maneuvers her way through the crowds, avoiding eye contact with any of the enticing dresses, jewelry or food on display, lest they draw her attention and she does something she might regret. She's grateful that this delivery is relatively easy, compared to the previous one. She had to transport a dog-sized rabbit, with the antlers of a buck set on a pedestal of solid gold. Pulling the little wagon across town had left her sweating and panting the entire way. Hugo had insisted it was good exercise.
   Finally, she arrives at Mr. Forelli's shop. A beacon of color in this godforsaken block of white buildings. Soon after arriving Mr. Forelli had taken it upon himself to paint the building until it was entirely colorful. The trims painted a burnt red, the rest of the building painted in stripes of baby blue, and salmon pink. It was decorated with assorted items he must've collected on his travels, including the helm of a ship mounted above the door, and chains hanging from the roof adorned with fancy oil lamps. One lamp is caged in gold, the flame peeking through the swirls which travel up, joining together on top. Another features rusted iron bars encircling the glass, extending upwards like a crown of spikes.
   She gently pushes open the door to a dimly lit room, revealing an intricate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Its glass beads dangle like drips of water on a web. Paintings adorn every portion of the walls, in every shape and color. The floor a maze of shelves and tables, littered with various objects including maps, perfume bottles, shells, silverware and books. Not an inch of it is organized, but Indigo finds herself liking the space nonetheless. She takes a deep breath, the smell of jasmine and something floral she can't place invade her senses.
   "Hello dear, is there something I can help you with?" She turns an assessing gaze to the voice, Mr. Forelli decorated with an unusual outfit, which she has to admit, matches the aesthetic of his shop. A silky maroon waistcoat overtop a loose blue tunic which billows at the arm and cinches in at his wrist, a stopwatch hangs from his pocket, and his ears are adorned several pieces of dangling jewelry and a colorful handkerchief pokes from his breast pocket.
   She clears her throat, realizing she is expected to respond at some point, "Hello Mr. Forelli, my father has sent me with the carving you requested, he apologizes for not making the trip himself. He does not get out much these days."
   Forelli chuckles softly, his eyes fixed on her over his hooked nose. "I wish I could relate, no apologies needed though."
   She hands him the carving. He examines it for a moment, his eyes glaze over as he holds it up the light. "Your father is a very talented man indeed. I heard from a few folk he had a talent but I did not quite realize..." He trails off, the end of his sentence seemingly lost.
   Seizing the opportunity to drive up potential prices she pastes on a wide, charming smile and chimes in with, "Yes he is, every high-ranking family in town desires his work, he has a busy schedule- you can imagine."
   He is silent for a moment, his thin lips press tightly together before he reaches into his pocket and a flash of gold catches her attention. He hands her a shiny gold coin, she takes it, her hands shaking with disbelief.
   "This... why?" Her voice wavers, giving away her shock, Hugo said they'd agreed fifteen coppers for the figure.
   "You're a good business woman," he said with a kind smile, "please tell your father I will be reaching out to him again, and I will pay well. Let this be proof of my sincerity." He gives her a wink before turning to return to whatever his duties may be.
   She clutches the coin, so hard her knuckles go white. "Thank you..." she says, almost a whisper. Still reeling from the momentary shock she turns around and makes her way out.
He'd said she was a good business woman, though she knows it not to be true, a gold coin. She felt as if she should be concerned, people liked Hugo's work, of course, but they'd never- even his biggest sculpture only sold for eighty coppers. This bit of gold, It's more than they'd made in months combined. She slows to a leisurely stroll and for a long while she walks around town, she can't help but to indulge in a bit of window shopping, something she'd never had the opportunity to do before. Perhaps they'd have some extra money after stockpiling supplies for winter- and she'd be able to get a new dress, might as well have at least a fabric picked ahead of time, she's only being practical. She stops at the dressmakers, a vibrant red grabs her attention and her gaze catches on a dress in the window, the fabric smooth and unmarred. It might be impractical but she desperately needs to try it on. Its color is so rich, the stitching gold, and so delicate it lines every edge of the dress, the neckline plunging down with red frills and sleeves that taper into points on the mannequins hand.
   Just as she is about to push open the door to the shop, a wave of unease washes over her causing her to freeze in place. A chill sets in her bones, working its way up her body leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Her hair feels as if it's sticking straight up and her head feels so heavy, rubbing her hands over her arms she tries to calm the goosebumps and shivers running up her spine. Afraid to take a step and quite possibly just fall straight over, she closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths until she begins to feel normal again. The sound of a bell causes her to jolt, quickly opening her eyes just as the door she'd been standing right in front of nearly smacks her in the face. She moves to the side of the building apologizing quickly, she slides down until she is sat on the rocky ground. She shivers, and her stomach begins to churn, the unease went away but now she just feels nauseous.
   Nightfall was approaching quickly, casting vibrant hues of orange and red across the sky. She knows she should get home quickly, before Hugo starts to worry, he'd likely assume she'd gotten into another fight. She pushes herself up and off the building taking several deep breaths in the process, for a moment she just stands there, collecting herself, before slowly- carefully trudging back to the house.
   Upon arriving home, Indigo feels much better, not a trace of the unease she had felt earlier. She pushes open the door, excited to share the news of the golden coin with Hugo, she makes her way towards Hugos workroom. However, to her surprise, he's not there. Frowning, she backtracks and walks to the door of his bedroom, knocking lightly.
  "Hugo?" She calls out.
   "Come in." He replies, his voice muffled from behind the door. She enters, but the moment she makes eye contact with him she knows something is off.
   Something is wrong.
   His nervousness is palpable, he's pale and shaky sat in a cushioned chair in the corner of his room.
She stumbles in her attempt to get to him,"What's going on?"
He opens his mouth, but hesitates before saying, "Do you remember, when you were little... you told me you the other kids didn't like you, you felt as if you were out of place."
   Confused, she looks at him wondering why that would make him so nervous. "Yes, I remember...?"
   He clears his throat, his hands lay in his lap utterly still. "I told you that we came from a different land, where magic runs free in the air, in the plants, and animals. You were so little, but you looked up at me with the sassiest look I'd ever seen, you told me magic wasn't real and I was just trying to make you feel better."
   Indigo sits down on the edge of the bed, wrapping her arms around herself in preparation for the seemingly serious conversation.
"I never tried to talk to you about it again, I didn't think you would believe me. Then as you got older and made friends, I felt like if I did tell you, you would again feel like you didn't belong. I didn't want to ruin your comfort by flipping through world as you knew it, upside down." His words came quicker now, as if he was trying to get everything out before he could stop himself. "The place we come from is called Subterra, when I lived there I worked for a man who possessed extraordinary power, but his magic was... twisted, if that makes sense. Being near him was unbearable, I could taste the taint of his magic in the air around him. He was not a good man... I did a lot of bad things for him. I was just powerful enough to do his dirty work, not powerful enough to threaten him. Except... one day he asked me to do something... vile. I couldn't do it, I knew it would haunt me forever. So I ran." He sighed wearily, "You have to understand, Indy, there was no escaping him. His power reached far and wide, he pursued me for months, tracked me. But, one day he just stopped. Stopped chasing me. The problem is I felt his magic today, I think he's here. It felt distant but, I don't think he's in Subterra anymore. Indigo you are the only thing I care about. When I got you I was so scared, you were so small and vulnerable, you've become everything to me. I've lost everyone, I have no friends... no family. But I have you, and I will protect you with everything I have. If he's here... I need you to trust me. The magic I felt today... It could not have been a good thing."
She tried to hide her shock as he finished talking, the memory they'd spoken off was buried so deep, she hadn't thought about it in years, never even considered the possibility that it was truth. They were from a place of magic, but not only that- Hugo, her Hugo was being hunted by some wizard? She knew right then that would not let anything happen to him, she steadied her expression pushing her emotions to the back of her mind, deciding they ought to have a plan before anything else, "I trust you, more than anyone..." she says, "So what do we do?"
   Hugo leaned back in his chair, running a big hand through his hair, the way he always does when he's stressed. "I don't know. I think we should remain alert. I think it's possible he could be tracking me again. I just can't fathom how he'd be able to do that in this part of the earth. There hasn't been magic here for centuries. There's no logical reason for him to be able to find me but I think we need to be prepared." He said while pushing himself up off the chair, he appeared a bit defeated, exhausted even. "I know you must have more questions but, we will talk more further in the morning. We should get some rest, I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a very long day."
  She frowns, she does have questions. Most of them along the lines of- what can we possibly do? "Okay... I will see you in the morning." She murmurs, giving him a quick hug before turning and walking out towards her room. She thinks it might be good for her to have some time to think this all through anyways, come up with a plan, and decide what questions she'd like to ask first. Collapsing onto her bed she wonders, Hugo said that creatures from Subterra have magic, he said he he himself has magic, does that mean she has magic too? Or if she is from Subterra- does that mean she has parents out there somewhere? In a whole different world? Hugo is her father- in as many ways as he can be. But he hadn't sired her, she could have relatives, grandparents, maybe siblings? She rolls onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She had a sneaking suspicion that sleep would not come easy for her tonight.