A Clockwork Affair | Chapter Two

I awoke the next morning and got dressed as I normally did. A part of me wondered if the previous night had all been a dream; a hallucination brought on by my lack of sleep and my jumbled mind. But the realistic part of me knew I was grasping for straws. I remembered it all too well; the feeling of unnatural wrongness still clung to my skin like perfume.

I knew I had to face it eventually. On my way out of the bedroom, I stopped and stared at the door that lead to that room. I remembered the day I installed the door with my very own hands, because the room it lead to held such promise and happiness for me. For us.

I shook my head to clear it. I had bigger things to think about now.

I found her in the kitchen, celebrating the fact that she had cooked pancakes. She was odd, this one. Nothing like my wife at all, save for the physical features; but even those were fading. The more I looked at her, the more I realised I could only see the resemblance in passing glances. My heart ached, and I wasn’t sure why. Because I had failed?

“Good morning!” Ashelia’s voice was chipper, and I managed a smile at her.

“Good morning, Ashelia.” I told her, my voice sounding groggy. I hadn’t slept well, plagued by nightmares and restlessness.

“I made breakfast. I hope you don’t mind, but I was starving.”

I assured her it was fine as we fixed our plates and went to sit down. I didn’t feel very hungry, but I knew I should make myself eat a few bites, at least.

As we sat, I realised that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten at the table with another living soul. Even when Alessa was alive, our schedules were so busy that we were barely ever home at the same time. I looked across the table at Ashelia, who was enjoying her pancakes greedily. I hadn’t been aware she would feel things like hunger, but I had to remind myself that alchemy wasn’t science; I knew what I was getting into when I decided to use it, meaning that I really had no idea at all.

“I’m sorry if they’re horrible, I can’t remember the last time I cooked anything.” Ashelia told me, breaking the silence between us that had only been filled with the sound of our forks hitting the plates. I choked; I hadn’t even thought about what kind of memories she may or may not have. Which begged the question, how did she even know how to make pancakes?

“They’re delicious.” I told her, clearing my throat. She gave me an incredulous look. I ignored it. “Anyway, I wanted to ask you … do you remember anything about your life before I … before I found you?”

A dark look crossed her face and she laid her fork to the side. I hadn’t seen her look so distraught. Then again, I had only known her for a few hours.

“No. Nothing.” She said finally, her voice soft as she looked at me across the table. “I told you last night that I couldn’t even remember my own name but I hoped that resting would help me remember something. All I can remember is waking up and seeing you.” She shrugged her slim shoulders and shook her head. “It’s all so confusing.”

My chest tightened as I looked at her. Beneath her aloof composure, she was as confused and frightened as anyone could expect. I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Ashelia. I…I wish I could help you, I do. But I’ve been looking into you since I found you and I’ve come up with nothing.” I made up the lie as I went along. It sounded good to me, and she believed it.

She smiled, but it was sad. “It’s alright. Honestly, you saved my life and that’s more than enough. I just wish I knew where to go from here, literally and figuratively.”

I took the final bite of my breakfast – I was surprised I managed to eat it all – and swallowed before speaking again. “Ashelia, I hope you know I don’t intend to shove you out my door with nothing more than a ‘goodbye.’ Even if I wasn’t a doctor, I would insist you stay here for as long as you’d like. Is that alright?”

A relieved smile crossed her face and I said a silent prayer of thanks. “Are you sure, Hyde? I feel like I’d be a bother.”

“Nonsense.” I told her. I found myself smiling and was surprised that I didn’t have to fake it. “You already have your own room, after all. And besides, I’m used to having you around by now – although I have to say, I’m pleased that you’re finally conscious.”

“Thank you, Hyde. Really.” She exclaimed, nearly in tears. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate this.”

She finished her breakfast with a smile on her lips.

Throughout the next week, I began to learn things about Ashelia as she learnt them. She seemed quite artistic and curious. She found me one night in my laboratory where I was working at my scrap table – after I quit practicing medicine, I relied on inventing and repairing to make my living – and instead of asking me the question she had originally come to ask, she instead asked if she could use my sculpting area. I gladly allowed her; I had only bought the thing in order to construct parts of her. I kept this to myself, of course.

I would also find her outside at night, looking through my telescope. One night she stayed out there for hours, simply gazing up at the stars with a smile on her lips and a look of wonder on her face. I found myself wondering if she would be interested in reading any of my numerous books on astronomy.

Her true passion, however, seemed to be painting. She had found the easel and paints tucked away in a trunk under her bed and got to work right away. I would pick up new canvasses for her whenever I went to sell my inventions or return repaired items; she went through them nearly faster than I could replace them. This pleased me and tugged at my heart both at the same time; I was determined that Ashelia had come out as her own person, but Alessa had loved to paint, as well. I was slowly starting to realise that I had no idea who I was dealing with anymore.

I also found that I was quickly beginning to accept – and appreciate – the company of my strange new companion. While I still carried the burden of guilt at how and why she was created, I was beginning to see the beauty in it – in her. It was no surprise that she loved to read, and once I allowed her access to my astronomy books, she grew to crave any and all knowledge. She took to reading quietly in my study while I worked, or while I also read.

One evening, that was exactly what we were doing. Winter was slowly creeping into Midnight Hollow and I had built a fire in the fireplace to warm us as we each studied; Ashelia with a book on logic and science, myself typing up a new formula I had been working on.

Our quiet night in was quickly shattered, however, when the doorbell chimed and a woman in a crude uniform forced her way into my home.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I yelled as I followed the woman through my house. Ashelia stayed in my study, shaking in fear. The intruder made herself at home in my bedroom.

“Yer behind on yer bills, buddy,” The woman said gruffly as she repossessed several of my items, including my personal laptop. “Sorry, but ya gotta pay us one way or another.”

I seethed in anger, both at this cruel woman and at myself. All my time and most of my money had gone into Ashelia and although I could have sworn I paid all my bills on time, the truth was that I couldn’t remember the last time I wrote a check. It didn’t help that my inventions weren’t selling for very much. I growled.

“Fine! Take what you want and get the hell out of my house!” I screamed at the woman before stomping away. I was angry and humiliated. I went down to my laboratory to throw myself into building something; something that would hopefully keep a bloody roof over my head.

It was hours later when I heard the door upstairs open and close. Ashelia descended the stairs and approached me slowly, waving at me as she did so.

“It’s late.” I remarked, though to be honest, I couldn’t be sure what time it was.

“Hyde,” She began, stopping beside my workbench. I could feel her gaze boring into me. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having money problems?”

I put down my torch and looked at her. My anger from earlier was beginning to resurface and I tried to keep it at bay. “Because it was none of your concern.” I snapped. I meant that it wasn’t anything for her to worry about, but my tone made it seem meaner. I felt bad, but Ashelia didn’t let it bother her. She continued on.

“It is my concern, Hyde. I’m not stupid. I’m sure my being here has cost you money and I want to help.” She crossed her arms over her chest and took a deep breath. “I want to sell my paintings.”

I straightened and looked at her. It wasn’t a horrible idea; her paintings were exquisite and I knew they would sell quickly at the consignment store where I took my inventions. However, I knew how much she loved them. “Ashelia, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking me, I’m telling you!” She said with a smile. “Please. Take me with you next time you go to sell your inventions. I really want to help.”

This brought about a whole new problem; Ashelia being in the public eye. In Midnight Hollow, everyone knew everyone and no one would know her. Worse, I worried about people seeing her resemblance to Alessa. I had enough rumours circulating about me; I didn’t need it proven that I really was a mad scientist. However, I knew Ashelia was determined to sell her paintings herself so I agreed, though hesitant.

The next evening, I waited until as late as possible before we set out to the consignment shop. The later it was, the fewer people would be out, or so I hoped.

We entered the consignment shop and Ashelia was immediately enthralled with some sort of item they had for sale. I had forgotten this would be her first time out of the house since her awakening. She looked at nearly everything with wide-eyed wonder. I couldn’t help but smile at her before I approached the clerk to give him our items to sell. I tried to ignore the fact that he was looking at Ashelia with confusion and curiosity written clear across his face.

Once our items were put up for sale, the clerk gave me a receipt and promised to call with information whenever anything sold. Money would be automatically go into my checking account upon selling. I thanked him and returned to where Ashelia stood.

“Ashelia, I need to stop by the junkyard to pick up some scrap,” I told her. I was running low and needed to stock up so I wouldn’t have to come out again for a while. I tried to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. “Would you like to accompany me, or would you prefer I take you home?”

“A junkyard? Are you kidding me? That sounds great!” She exclaimed – loudly. I was glad we were the only ones there at the time. Still, her reaction elicited a chuckle from me. She was so brilliant, yet so childish at the same time. It was oddly endearing.

 

The junkyard wasn’t far from the consignment shop and thankfully, no one was there. I immediately went to work digging through the piles of trash and junk while Ashelia watched in awe. She made little comments here and there on ordinary things I acquired that she thought were completely new and wonderful. I managed to convince her to help me look and to both our surprises, she found an uncut emerald hidden within the pile of junk.

“It’s beautiful!” She exclaimed, staring at it with wonder shining in her violet eye. I found myself unable to keep from smiling once more. She held it out to me and I shook my head.

“You found it, it’s yours.” I told her. “I’ll show you how to use my cutting machine when we get home and you can turn it into any cut you like.”

She smiled wondrously, clutching the treasure to her chest as I finished gathering scrap. I packed it all into the trunk of my car – with Ashelia’s gem nestled safely on top so she wouldn’t lose it – and we headed home.

We passed by a local cafe that stayed open well into the night. It was called The Coffee Bane and was owned by an alchemist I had come to know quite well. I remembered when it first opened in Midnight Hollow and Alessa had insisted that we attend the opening night celebration. I pushed those thoughts aside. I refused to think of Alessa anymore. I had to accept that she was dead and gone; that my attempt to bring her back to me had failed and given me someone new, some stranger whom I must care for now.

“I want to go there,” Ashelia mused quietly, looking over at The Coffee Bane with her lips pursed. “Not right now, of course, but someday. It looks nice.”

“It is nice.” I commented, slowing the car down. The parking lot of the cafe was deserted, except for the car I recognised as belonging to the owner, Magnus. He lived in an apartment upstairs from the cafe. “Why not now?”

She looked at me, her eyebrow raised. “Are you sure? I got the feeling you were in a hurry to get home.”

I answered her question by pulling into the lot and parking close to the door.

 

I allowed Ashelia to pick where we would sit while I went and mixed us up some coffees. I wasn’t entirely sure what kind she would like, so I made three different kinds, along with a simple black coffee for myself. I would need the caffeine boost as I intended to stay up late inventing some more.

 

“Thank you, Hyde.” Ashelia said gratefully as she picked a random mug from the tray and took a sip. Whichever one it was delighted her and she ended up burning her tongue trying to drink it quicker than it would cool. I laughed softly.

“I didn’t know you could do that!” Ashelia exclaimed, and I looked at her quizzically.

“Do what?” I asked, sipping my coffee.

“Laugh.” She said teasingly, setting her cup down. “I guess I could stand to be funnier, but still. It’s nice to know you have the ability.”

“Ha-ha.” I told her, shaking my head. “And you’re plenty funny, whether you realise it or not.”

She frowned thoughtfully, then shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure how I should take that, so I’ll pretend it’s a good thing.”

I laughed again, which brought a pleased look to Ashelia’s face. “It is a good thing, Ashelia. I promise.”

 

We finished our drinks and I was surprisingly in no hurry to leave. The cafe remained empty except for us, and provided us a nice (and different) environment. I felt safe there. Ashelia asked me various questions about subjects she’d been studying – astronomy, science, even astrophysics – and I answered them as best I could. I asked her questions about her painting and sculpting and he answered them with a fervent passion shining in her eye. She truly loved the arts.

As we sat there for hours talking about subject after subject, I felt my heart begin to swell. Something was filling a void inside me. For the first time in a very long time I didn’t feel completely alone, and I knew it was all because of Ashelia. My creation – my mistake – was bringing light into my formerly bleak and dark life. It was an amazing feeling.

Yet it felt wrong, as well. I wasn’t sure if it was because of how she came to be, or because I felt like I was desecrating Alessa’s memory. I tried to tell myself that Alessa wouldn’t want me to be a miserable, lonely crazy man … she would want me to have a friend like Ashelia. Still, I felt strange. But I tried not to focus on that. Instead, I made myself pay attention to the fact that I didn’t feel like drinking myself to sleep that night.

 

After a bit longer, we got ready to leave. As I stood, I felt like I was being watched and I turned to see a familiar face.

Lounds Hollister was a wannabe journalist who ran an independent blog about the going-on in Midnight Hollow, targeted specifically to the underground and conspiracy theory scenes. I couldn’t be sure how long he’d been sitting there – Ashelia had been telling me her thoughts on thermonuclear dynamics and I was enthralled simply by how smart she was – but he was staring at the two of us as if he had stumbled onto a gold mine. I could see his laptop nestled against his leg and a feeling of dread washed over me. I didn’t know what he was up to, but I knew it wasn’t good.

I started to say something to him, but I didn’t want to give him anything else to write about. Instead I simply glared at him before escorting Ashelia out into the night to return home.

My feelings of safety and wholeness that I had cherished so much were slowly beginning to fade.