What Shadows Say

Nightmare

I feel like my voice has been stolen. Why is Elizabeth awake? Has the bidding failed? How are we going to get the informations? What do I do now?How do I deal with this human girl? Before I have time to do anything I'm suddenly squeezed by a hug.

-Oh! Thank you so much! I was so scared!- Her voice is so lively compared to the previous occupant. With higher pitches and a more obvious English accent. She releases me with a huge mile plastered in her features and adoring eyes in a face that moments ago seemed to only be able to express irritation, anger and mockery. -Uh.. Hello. I'm James.. I mean, I'm James Thompson.- I extend a hand to her nervously, not sure how to act towards the same body that I had hated until now. Ignoring my awkwardness she just takes my hand between hers and continues to blabber incessantly about bravery and honor.. Sincerely my head is too foggy and worried too care about her ego-massage. Catherine's voice taunts me "she is a gorgeous woman who will fall into her saviour's arms like a damsel in distress".

-..And I mean. I was so scared! I couldn't do anything until I felt it getting weaker. And I didn't know what to do then either! But I mean, something worked right?- she laughs nervously and I try to smile. This is a good time to understand Elizabeth and why Catherine chose her as host.

-Umm. You say you didn't know how to get her out? Is she.. is she still?- I didn't meant to say the last few lines, but before I know they have escaped my lips. How did she become so important? I suddenly realize how much I want to know about her past, about why she does not act in a way to make me sympathise and thus spare her life. I feel ashamed when her sad nod makes my shoulders relax.
-I can feel her.. I don't think I have too much time..- she pounds in a way that makes me confused whether she is truly sad or if she is joking around the fact that she will soon be repossessed. I try to calm her but she is quick into interrupting me with a curious tone. And I notice that instead of wrinkling her nose she instead raises her eyebrows in a way that seems a mixture between curious and sad.-Who is Catherine?- Her face lights up. -You figured her name! That is splendid!-

-No! I mean. I just gave her that name because it felt wrong calling her Elizabeth.- Her happiness deflates and she stares at her shoe, absently quicking a rock. Before I have time to console her she chirps up. Her mood swings are surely tiring aren't they?

-Why did you name her that though? You should have given her a wicked name! Sorry, that was unladylike.- She drops her gaze shy at her outburst. She seems so naive it is endearing. I feel an unpleasant tug in my chest when I'm forced to respond.

-Eh. It because I feel like she is like a caged animal you know? She acts all proud and uninterested but if you allow her to escape her cage or if you put your hand in there she will maul you to death. So.. Cat. Catherine- Okay. That totally didn't sound completely retarded. I can almost feel her voice mocking me. Elizabeth pounds at me coldly, angry that I gave so much thought into something she hates. Trying to compensate I offer my arm in order to escort her to the train station. She happily takes it and trots cheerfully next to me. How can she be so carefree after being taken from her body? I look at her and see that her eyes show a different story. She seems worried about something, and I get the impression that it has nothing to do with Catherine. I gently caress her hand, glad that she doesn't send shivers through me every time my skin touches hers.

-What is wrong Elizabeth?- She looks at me like she has just woken up from a dream.

-Nothing darling! I was just thinking about how much catching up I will have to do after this. So many plays and concerts I am missing right now.. I mean, that was unladylike- She blushes and drops her eyes. I chuckle a little to ease the tension and she smiles gratefully. This is a full turn from Catherine, I can' wrap my head around how different they are. Catherine always felt like she was going against all textbook rules of demons. Of course she can't really have feelings, she must be tricking me. Trying another technique apart from the vicious/docile usuals. Yet with Elizabeth I feel like she is the incarnation of what complicated women are like. Her actions seem odd and exaggerated even for a high class aristocrat. Why can't things just be easy and simple like they used to. Why can't demons just be mindless plagues and not my own mother and Catherine? Why can't Elizabeth just be a scared woman? I try to disperse my thoughts. We finally arrive in the empty station and stay in a thick silence before Elizabeth interrupts it. -I was weak.. That is why she took me. I was being forced to marry this old man and that weakened me.- I can't help but to pick up the slightest traces of tenseness in her voice. She seems anxious and I can't help but wonder why.