✣ ηєνєямσяє

- What do you think he was doing there?
  I decided do not answer. After all, all I could say would be used against me. My father closed the door of the carriage tightly, repeating everything he had previously said, as if I had not heard everything the first time.- Dad, what's wrong? I just have danced. The owner of the company has not done anything against me.
  He stopped talking and stared at me with a grim and serious that I did not remember seeing before in my entire life. Anyway, I was old enough to know when to walk away or get close to a person, I was not a child.- Do you think he would not do anything to you? So why did he invite you to dance with the dancers it? In addition, you saw by yourself that they are strangers, did not you? - I nodded. Could not deny what was in my face. - This is exactly why want to protect you from this kind of people.- he continued .

 - But what did Luke do?
  My father gave me a reproachful look again.- What is the degree of intimacy you have with that boy?- None, but ...- Serena, I said I do not want you near that man and that will not change.
  I was silent not to say that none of it mattered to me. My father never told me one reason why I should fear or hate him, so I would look for my own conclusions. Luke seemed an ordinary person, like every other, how could he do something bad to someone?
                                                              ✣ ✣ ✣

- What do you intend to do now?- Just want her to know who I am and she knows all I can offer.
  The boy touched the dress gently, as if it could fall apart just by staring. He closed the door and went to the balcony, waiting patiently for the moment to do something.

✣ σηℓу σηє ηιgнт

  I heard harps being plucked and violins being played, which made me stop to think for a second. I remember that song from somewhere and somehow, it made me think of that boy whose smile was familiar.
  I stopped looking the window and looked at the center of the room, where there was a cluster of people who were watching some kind of show. I could not see anything, but some people returned to dance the waltz and so I could see three ballerinas.
  Ballerinas. Yes, I remember those dancers.
  It all started to make sense. That smile. Yes, it was the owner of the ballet company and the dancers were there it means that it also would be. So my father did not want to talk about it. If he saw them, he would take me out of there as soon as possible as always, but today I was determined to hide from my father as much as possible me to collect enough information about him. I turned away from the window, making sure that my father did not locate me, and I approached the dancers, as well as the last time I saw them.
  Nothing had changed. It was as if they were not seeing me as a ghost. However, I did not call them and did not even try to engage their attention for long, because their movements spoke more than anything.- Miss Blane.
  Those eyes. That smile. Yes, he was.- I thought I would never see them again.- I said they were special, but never said I would stop with the shows. There are times I do not talk to the lady and also thought I never would. However, we are here.- I'm surprised you still remember me, sir ...
  His smile widened.- Luke Ackermann, but not have to call me sir. Of course, I'd remember you, after all promised to let you dance with them when you grew up, right?- Yes, but ... You should not get older?- I know methods to preserve me, but that's not important now. - He put a crystal crown on her head - Join the show, was not this your wish? - He paused and shook his head in negative - But not with this outfit. Follow me, I think I have something for you.
  I followed him behind the curtains and saw him with a silver and blue dress and a pair of sneakers with the same model that the dancers. Take, he said, before ending up view.
  That was an offer I could never refuse. As a child I dreamed about it and even if I had let that go for over twelve years, it never disappeared from my mind. My dream was always to be a dancer and that hurt satisfy this desire for just one night?
  I was surprise by the dress exactly have my measurements. Both the dress as the shoes were exactly my size. When I returned to the room, he smiled.- You are wonderful, but we'll see how you comes out on stage.
  I felt my stomach churn a bit, but still climbed the steps and went through the curtains. Even at that time, it was as if they were not seeing me, but it was not time to worry about that. All the nobles who was looking began to whisper when they saw me go on stage, so I tried to follow the rhythm of them the as best I could.
  It was like I was part of it. Even with some clumsy movements, I could accompany them on a satisfactory pace. However, even feeling comfortable there, I knew my father would already be looking for me at this hour and began to beg for that song ended as soon as possible.
  Not even realized that it was all over before hearing the applause of the nobles who were there. Anyway, we had completed at the same time that they, with the same position. However, I could not escape the eyes of my father.
   The curtains closed and I came down as soon as possible, but Luke held me.- Better than any dancer I would have.- I'm sorry, but I have to go away quickly.- What happened?- Is that ...
  I felt a firm hand hold my arm and I did not look back to see who it was. Luke passed me regardless of the presence of my father; I will see you again, do not worry, he whispered before pulling away.

✣ тнє ∂αякєѕт ѕι∂є σƒ му нєαят

  - It's getting almost everything perfect, it's just missing one piece key to everything I want to happen.
  He looked at the room, which was empty, but waiting for the arrival of someone. The boy closed the door and locked it, to ensure that no one could enter. Even if there were only two servants beyond it, it was better to take care that everything remains as it plans until the arrival of that person.- How are they?- Just a few more repairs and they will be ready. I admit that perhaps the lack of use made the dust would harm.- I can see. However, I can not wear them too much, especially this. - He gently touched a female face - Anyway, be quick, I received an invitation to a dance tonight.- Yes, sir.- Are not you ashamed to do this?- Of course not.  Everything is allowed in love and war.
- This is insanity!- Why should I listen to you? After all,  your daughter was enchanted by this insanity that was not for her.
  The woman stopped and withdrew from his presence, crestfallen. The boy looked at the clock that was in the hallway.- Only two more hours and I'll be waiting for you.

✣✣✣

- Serena! Serena!
  I was so distracted that not even realized my father calling me out of the carriage. Actually I did not want to realize that we had come here. This dress bother me and the shoes are uncomfortable, since I do not have skills to walk with high heels. However, he did not seem to mind. I sighed and smoothed her dress before following him to the interior of the Lord Stephen Causton's mansion, known old my father whose daughter completed eighteen years tonight and I was not at all excited about it.- Duke Blane, Lady Blane.
  The butler gave a forced smile I've ever seen, as if deep down he only could see more people to mess up the mansion.
  The father of Brythannia, Lord Stephen, came to greet us, with his daughter behind him. I did not need words to know that I did not like it and neither she likes me. Her blond hair was pulled back in a loose bun and her face was completely full of makeup, like mortar to cover up any imperfections. Anyway, the dress was what really drew attention: it was dark pink with gold trim with a neckline of those. It looked like a doll with exaggerated details.
  Near I left them and decided to walk around the room when I came across a mirror. Maybe I is who was too simple, however I was happy as well. Since childhood I was allergic to all those things that Brythannia was using and so I have to go to every event with minimal makeup possible. My mother said it was better the natural beauty of the artificial and feel a person's lucky to have inherited the gray blue eyes of my mother and the smooth dark brown hair of my father with a pallor within the normal.
  I looked at the clock, looking forward to the end of it all. I did not want to stay in this place for more than five seconds, but my father seemed to want to stay all night. Without my mother here, the night would be long and painful.

✣ тнє ѕαƒєѕт ρℓα¢є

  The bag is filled with seventeen years of nostalgia. So many memories, so many times and now I have to finally say goodbye to that. I see my clothes that I used when I was a child, my old shoes and my dolls. I did not think this day would come so soon, but now that it arrived, I would do everything possible to postpone it. My father tells me that old stuff "pull" us always back and so we must always get rid of what is old. Anyway, I was not fully prepared. Those dolls were important to me, they were my only friends throughout my life and not it's not fair to discard them and move on.
  I searched all of them, hoping to find something that would keep me and I finally found a silver chain with a picture of a kind of key. Surely my father would not mind if I save it.
  A knock at the door distracts me from my thoughts.- Are you ready to finally get rid of all this?- Yes. - I felt the weight of the chain in my hands, but I decided to keep this secret.
  I saw my father take the bag, without another word. I closed the door behind him and watched the scenery out the window until I saw a man, apparently young, indicating an empty space where my father could put my bag. I hear a little dialogue between them and finally the boy looks towards my window.
  I have never seen eyes like that: they were blue like the wings of a butterfly on the left and at the same time, black as night without stars nor moonlight on the right. Anyway, his gaze did not last more than two seconds, but I could see a possible smile forming. Something stirred inside me, but I did not know why. Yes, I remember that smile, but where did I see it?
  I was so involved in my thoughts that not even realized he was gone. I can not remember his face, but no doubt that smile going through my head. My father did not seem so happy to have seen him, however it was all over. What that boy would do with my old belongings?
  I walked down the stairs quickly and I saw my father went into the house, with an upset expression. So, I stopped where I was and went back to my room, maybe his mood improved at dinner time.                                                                                ✣✣✣- Father?
  He was too focused on food and took a few seconds to realize that I was there. Apparently, he was not much better than this afternoon, still decided to ask him about the guy who came to visit. He looked at me, waiting for me to start talking.- Well ... - I started, unsure of what I should ask or even what exactly I wanted to know, however it was better to know at least something than to be imagining things - Who was that guy who came here?
  The his jaw muscles twitched.- Why do you want to know that? He is no one that deserves attention.- Still, I think I know him from somewhere.- You're imagining things, how could you meet a man like that?
   The harsh tone of his voice told me he did not want to talk about it, however, that evil would he tell me?- Why are you so angry?- Why should not you want to know things about people like him.- Okay. - Decided not to insist more.- Great - he said, leaving the table - That this subject is not discussed more, do not want that man is mentioned. Never.
  What he had against that boy I did not know. Maybe I would never know if I continued depending on his answers, so I will investigate it without his knowledge. I also did not understand the reason for all this obsession, but something inside of me longed to see him and know about something he was guarding. Maybe I could find him again, after all, eyes like those do not see every day.

✣ Still Doll

- How are savvy!- Yes, they are magnificent!
  The dancers danced on stage with grace, making all kinds of postures and steps they could. It was a rare spectacle and that only lasted two nights before disappearing again. Many have tried to hire them for other types of dances for entertainment, however, was useless. No one had ever seen the owner of that company to try to talk to him because few people knew and who knew something of him was only the highest aristocracy.
  Anyway, while some admired the spectacle of dancers, others despised and hated the owner, without even knowing him. Some people thought that those dancers were like puppets, which were under his command and so they only returned when the owner had managed to make a new one. Others thought they were abducted girls from other countries who worked as slaves to enrich him.- Mom! Daddy! Why can not we watch?- The owner of this show is a terrible man, he uses those girls to deceive others.
  The girl did not quite understand the meaning of, so she wanted more than all to see the show of those rare dancers who only appeared from time to time.                                                                       ✣ ✣ ✣
- Is he here?- Who did invite him?- I do not know, but we have to be friendly and avoid contact with him in all possible ways.
  The dancers were there again. They danced with all possible grace the center of the room for all to marvel. The girl, lively, crossed the mass of bodies that lay between her and the dancers while her parents were not seeing.
  It was as if the dancers not noticed her. Even being there, they did not see the little girl and continued dancing. As much as the girl insisted, nothing happened and it ended up drawing the attention of the man who was well dressed and sitting on a red velvet chair. He got up and went to her.- They are very focused on what they do, do not feel ignored.
  The girl, at first, was startled by the man, but then began to understand what he said. Indeed they seemed very concentrated.- How do you know?
  The boy smiled at her.- I am the owner of this company.
  She seemed to be delighted to know that.- Why do you only appears once in a while ?! They are fantastic! I really wanted to see them more often!- Be calm - the boy smiled at her gently - They need rest, so they can not do this forever, they are special.- Special?- Yes, very special. I chose them by myself traveling the world. - He pointed to one of them - see: that red dress I chose from Switzerland, the blue and white dress is from Scotland.- And that? - The little girl pointed to the dancer from the center, who was dressed in black.- That came from Wales. She is the most special of all.
  The little girl looked at it all, completely fascinated.- I could dance with them someday?- Of course you do. - He smiled - Do you have something special too. Who knows when you get older?
  The father of the little girl holds her in his lap, taking it away from him as possible. The girl did not understand the reason for everything, so reluctant in his father's lap while they were leaving the mansion.
  The man put his daughter sitting in the carriage and sat down beside her.- What did you think you were doing?- I was just talking, Dad. He was the owner of the dancers.- Yes I know. So I do not want you to get close to him.- Why?
  That is the question that no adult likes to hear, especially when there was an answer that could make the child understand. He took a deep breath and shook his head, not believing that would have to say that to her daughter, because she knew that answer could still incite more curiosity, but it was necessary. There were no other words to describe it.- He is not human, you should not believe on him.

✣ ℰуєѕ σƒ Ꮹℓαѕѕ ✣

 

all rights to the owner of the picture

ａｓｈｅｓ ｒｅｔｕｎ ｔｏ ａｓｈｅｓ, ｄｕｓｔ ｒｅｔｕｒｎｓ ｔｏ ｄｕｓｔ 

ｗｈｉｌｅ ｔｈｅ ｌｉｆｅ ｂｅｃｏｍｅｓ ｔｈｅ ｄｅａｔｈ 

☣ ＥＲＲＯＲ ＦＯＵＲＴＥＥＮ

  Leigh did not answer. There was nothing to say and so he should just try to balance and go away from there. The young man leaned against the wall again and tried to get up, but his legs were still shaking, the player may not be stable on their own.- For me that's enough. - David wiped the his son's sweat with a scarf - Let's get out of here right now.
  The boy did not answer. His forces had reached the ceiling.
- David, you need to understand that the situation is this.- I can not understand it, I'll never understand it.
  David remained firm in his decision while typing endlessly, searching for something that could reverse the effect of the virus on the boy. Edward looked at the boy lying in hospital bed. Leigh was pale and there was more color on his lips, giving the impression of morbidity. The only thing that showed that he was still alive was his weak and irregular breathing.- We do not have more to do. - Edward glanced at his watch - I hate to admit it, but it is the end. Checkmate, my friend.- We can still do something.- What? We can only disable him or submit him to an eternal quarantine. There is no vaccine for this. That virus has its own intelligence and we can not compete with that.- We can not transfer that virus?- No. It is as if he were part of Leigh now. To remove we would do a surgery on his brain, but any small mistake can convict him even more.- There must be some antivirus that may weaken it ...
  Edward hit a slap on David's face.- David! Wake Up! Look at the clock! We have no time for anything but making a decision! We can not think of anything else right now, only in a way to contain the virus in it, whether disabling or using the quarantine.
  David left the computer on its side and looked at the clock. They - more precisely him - had to decide what to do to save Leigh's absolute control of the virus.- I think I'll leave you alone to think.
 Edward closed the lab door and David stood beside the bed where Leigh rested. He was cold and pale, but he still remained alive.- If I had known that before I would not have enabled this virus. It is my fault.
  David remained unanswered, as was to be expected. Leigh was in a state of inertia too deep to interact with the environment. The devices that showed the frequency of his heart beats were indicating that, soon, his heart could stop because of the virus.- I hope you can forgive me for any decision I can take.
  The clock did David feel guilty for his decision. Anyway, there was nothing to do. It was all or nothing. Now or never.- David, we do not have more time.- I took my decision.
  His gaze made Edward understand the situation.- Are you sure?- I would be a monster if I choose something else.
  David did not move, just stood next to Leigh while Edward typing some codes.

  Leigh's heart rate definitively stopped and his breathing too. The David's tears dripping on the boy's face, whose body was completely lifeless.- I'm really sorry.- Do not worry about it. He was like a son to me.- You could have chosen to quarantine.- It was the best thing to do. - David's voice was drunk by crying - If I had chosen the quarantine, he would suffer more. At least so he will not get hurt more.

☣ ＥＲＲＯＲ ＴＨＩＲＴＥＥＮ

 Leigh was not allowed to cry anymore. The more he saw David trying to comfort him, the more he tried to contain the tears. Not even he knew why he was crying at that moment, however, the best would be to stop. It was exactly what the virus wanted them.
- David, we will not find a solution, so you should not be here anymore. You risked Dylan's life to follow me in vain.
- How do you know?
- I was able to detect the sign of him behind me all the time, I could have disabled him as I wanted. However, the virus did not know that.
- We still have time, let's go quickly
.- I have already given my answer. I prefer to find a solution alone.
- Leigh Michaelis!- Do you think we should interfere?
- Maybe. David and Leigh also seems changed.
  The moment they stepped in the room, the other two were silent.
- Get out of my sight. Now.
- Leigh, you'll come with us even if by force. Dylan, hold him, please.
  As Dylan approached, Leigh figured something in your processor to an absurdly fast speed. Even before the other guy take another step, Leigh temporarily disabled a part of Dylan's processor, preventing his movements.
- Leigh!
  The windows of the room shattered and the boy landed on his feet in the dusty sidewalk, feeling the virus act in it with intensity. He composed himself and prepared to leave, since all hear what David was saying was exhausting. Yes, Leigh was grateful to see that they wanted to fix him, but it was too late. If so it should be, what was the problem? It was just a virus, after all, he could handle what alone.
  His legs did not obey him more, causing him to fall to his knees before he even take a single step. His breathing was weak and the feeling of vertigo returned with full force. The taste of bile rose to his throat, accompanied by ferric like something he could not identify, making him vomit blood. So that was it. The virus was not only determined to take control, but also wanted to remove all sorts of "human stuff" of him, starting with the blood. His vision was blurred and ears have not airbrushed so many more sounds as before. Leigh vomited blood again and tried to lean against the wall, but fell to his knees, feeling the cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

  David ran to the window while Edward finished activate Dylan processor once again.- Hurry, we have to stop him while he's here.
  Edward froze.
- Did not he run?
- No, he's very ill and could not stand more than two seconds. It seems that the virus is wearing it until he has no more strength to resist.
- What are we waiting? - Dylan was back in business, balancing on the edge of the window where the glasses were broken.
  David and Edward ran down stairs while Dylan jumped and landed on the sidewalk, not far from Leigh.
- I .... I told you ...get out of here ...
- Do you see your own situation? You can not even talk!
- It does not matter ... This is ... my problem.
- This is a problem for all of us. Even without looking, it is as if we were a family, Leigh. We have to take care of each other, that's why we are here for you.