[Previously FEATURED] Retail workers have the least chance of being haunted, hurt, or killed. At least, that's what three cashiers assume. When Temple, Marilyn, and Martine meet little Sienna, they find out how wrong they are about job security.
S...
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After he finished, she stumbled from the session room, not caring about the weaponized bots who followed. Her misaligned shift dress didn't mean much, either. What bothered her most was the roaring ocean in one ear, and the whisper of her name in the other.
Sick and clammy, she reached her room. Martine was ready to heave herself at Bastion's feet and proclaim acceptance, but her betrayal of self would have to wait until tomorrow's meeting.
For now, she trembled on the bed pallet, an empty lot filling her heart. All the air left the room, and a pinpoint of blackness materialized on the ceiling. Slowly, the abyss traipsed along the wall, to the floor, snaking its way to the side of her bed pallet. There, The Shadow hovered, waiting.
"I'm ready to accept my role," she whispered.
Her words were the equivalent of an invitation. In one second, the Shadow filled the room, and in the next, the room was empty save for her. Except, she wasn't really herself anymore.
Nothing of the old Martine remained, or would ever re-surface.
The next day began as any other: wash, stretch, and walk to the meeting hall. She deviated from the norm during the day's meeting, when she declared herself ready. Bastion went to her, scanned her eyes with a pen-like device, read over the instrument's measurements, and seemed pleased at the results. He grinned all the way to his blond eyebrows, and then patted Martine on the head.
"You are ready. What a wonderful day," he said.
Two bots led her from the room. She walked past unfamiliar faces, scared faces, anxious faces, jealous faces.
I hope they find their way to acceptance.
A hand brushed hers, but it did little to dispel her trance. She didn't even look back to see who had touched her, nor would her mind have registered Sam in any way. Memories of her old life were fading fast, replaced by a desire to be a part of the world, to be accepted.
Martine knew now what actions to avoid, and what actions best served her need to belong. She would live a long life, but not necessarily a full or meaningful life. In her old age, the Shadow would seep from her heart until it reached every organ, until finally, it overtook her completely.
But that would not happen for decades, and when it did, Martine would welcome the end.
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A/N: Unfortunately, the Shadow wins every time. Fortunately for me, you can comment and vote to tell me about how I can improve on the story! Or maybe you wanna see someone else meet their Shadow. I can make this happen.I've actually got someone in mind, but I've yet to flesh out the details.
This last chapter is dedicated to some of my favorite WP writers:
