My New Identity

The next thirty minutes was like a hurricane.

She felt it hurl at her so fast and she couldn't believe it was actually happening.

Well saying that she agreed didn't actually do anything.

Well it did though...

But not in the way she expected.

The strange duo bursted in hysterical laughter...

Well she was kind of exaggerating a bit.

More like Hamlin bending over, chuckling...a bit and Alaric lips slanted upwards...a bit.

Both probably humouring her until she realised why her words sounded strangely amusing.

As if words alone would solidify their trust or more realistic... Hold of her.

It sounded like a fairytale.

Amanise left wondering whether she was too childish or innocent for this new world.

"Take out the dagger in your dress and cut your thumb. Drip the blood on your side of paper."

Hamlin instructed after laughing. But his eyes twinkling in amusement.

Dagger?

She had a dagger in her pockets this whole time?!

If she were to replay the scene before now aware she had a dagger to slash their throats. Would she do it?

Definitely..

Not.

But unable to fully erase her bafflement.

"Why would you leave a dagger for a desperate prisoner? Are you.."

"Insane? Stupid? Reckless? We are all these things and perhaps more Miss Soren. Adding spices to our becoming mundane life has turned to a sick pleasure... We simply want to know how far you had go for freedom. "

Hamlin's stoic face was plastered with a pleasant smile.

Which Amanise was suspecting was a mask. A human woven mask hiding something she didn't dare to see.

I wonder who he will be if the mask ever falls.

The thought alone gave her goosebumps.

The gas lamp light casted a shadow to a side of his face as he moved forward.

"It's a test infact. A test to expose a character truly for what they are."

What did they see?

What was the result of the test?

Her stomach churned. She felt sick. Only remembering that the laughter they both shared was at her expense.

They weren't her friends and had no interest of hers at heart.

She was a tool.

If she was of use it guaranteed her life but once she lost her value...

Her eyes trailed to Alaric's standing shadow that seemed to crouch on the floor.

They had devour her.

She was alone. She had to remember that.

Her hand found her way to the black and white, chiffon material, bloodied maid dress' pocket feeling the dagger.

She lifted the dagger.

It was beautiful.

A black dagger that had a golden intricate lines beautifully woven into one another.

She slowly separated it from its hilt.

Light from the room reflected from its blade to her eyes, fluttering her eyes closed for a moment.

Before opening it back.

The blade was sharp easily sinking into a thumb almost as if it was cutting water.

She winced. Blood slowly forming into a crimson blob. The surface tension broke dripping into the sheet of paper she positioned on her thighs.

Steam evaporated from the paper.

The phenomenon was bizarre.

A tiny tint of her blood soaked in the paper morphed into a sign she couldn't read.

She stopped herself from asking what it meant afraid they would treat her as a bother.

Her chest felt unusually heavy.

Almost as if invisible chains wrapped around her soul.

Unknown to her, her vermilion eyes darkened into pools of darkness. The whites of her pupil gone.

Hamlin froze.

Alaric felt an all-consuming urge to eat her.

Then it was gone when she blinked.

"How do you feel Miss Soren?"

Alaric asked his voice low.

Almost mistaken to be a growl.

"Restricted."

She contemplated before answering.

"Good."

Amanise fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"Well would you look at the time... We should be arriving Black Port any moment from now."

Hamlin once again checked his pocket watch.

Black Port?

Are we at Sea?

"Hmm... Seems like your memory has a lot of missing holes in them. I wonder why? Almost as if you are being marionetted by someone else."

Chills ran down her spine.

Faking a laugh, Amanise saw Hamlin chuckle moving towards the small room's door.

"That's pretty much a hilarious assumption, Mr. Drew?"

Alaric strolled lazily behind him.

Feeling awkward and unsure of what to do.

Amanise tailed behind them. Only to bump Alaric's broad back.

What the hell?!

Alaric turned staring down at her. Their close bodies only highlighted an annoying height difference she was only beginning to notice.

Why is Soren so short?

Malnutrition?

"You stay back. There will be some maids that will attend to you. Changing you from a street rat to something... Presentable."

His eyes flickered in disdain after looking at her head to her toes.

His nose subtly crunching in disgust.

Oh no he didn't.

I am having second thoughts about using the dagger.

Hamlin sighed wearily his hand covering his face.

"Alaric what have we said about polite speech?"

"It's polite enough. I didn't mention how she reeks of..."

"See you at dawn, moving at night. Isn't quite advicable now. Am afraid you might freak out and well...we can't risk that..Miss Soren or we might try getting out your new name so we can get used to it. It would be hard navigating which name should be called."

Hamlin interjected rolling his eyes at Alaric before facing her.

My new identity.

"Can I pick out my name myself, Mr. Drew?"

"Well you can but Drew would be used as formality in work. Now we are friends it would be much easier on a first name basis."

Amanise smiled,

"Then my name is Amanise Grimshaw."

Silence reigned in the room.

She felt her body tense.

Was anything wrong with the name?

Alaric clucked his tongue stalking out of the room.

The door opened.

And she saw a crimson moon illuminating the dark sky.

The sea that stretched out the dark horizon, mirroring.

It was an enthralling and haunting scene.

She felt there were eyes staring at her at all angles.

Gulping her hand unconsciously gripped at the cross necklace on her neck.

"Such an intriguing name... But are you sure you want it?"

Hamlin's voice fell a lower octave deep and mysterious.

She paused.

A thousand and one questions running her mind.

Yes. It's..Perfect.

A sinster, warbled voice whispered.

She found her lips moving.

"Yes. It's.. Perfect."

Her eyes widened.

Did he hear it?

It's the same voice as before.

And why do I feel ridiculously good?

It was small but it was there.

She felt high on clouds and ready to destroy anything that stood her way.

It was a very strange feeling indeed.

"I feel like working with you would be very interesting.. Miss Amanise Grimshaw."

Shivers...

She felt it.

A genuine smile bloomed on her lips.

"Me too.. Hamlin."