Bronze and Cobblestone

Bronze and Cobblestone

Metal ground against itself, silver cogs turned, and the sound of tinkering was the only thing you could hear. It echoed off the walls like sharp blades grating on pennies. Lucia couldn’t think of a time when the working stopped. It never did, and it never would. It had been like this every day. She couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t living inside the bunker. Even if she tried, a piercing headache shot through her head when she tried to make sense of the foggy memories of the past. Her father said that was normal, but it was best not to force thoughts to become clear. Memories were not made to be found, only to be lived. Dr Jason Seymour was her father. Lucia treated him with the utmost respect, he had enhanced her, after all. She still remembered waking up after the Process.

She remembered coming to her senses. Her arm felt heavy, like lead, when she lifted her hand to her temple. She tried to rub her eyes, but her arm limply fell back to her side. Everything came back into focus as she blinked away the debris formed in the corners of her eyes; she screamed. Bronze. Her skin had been replaced with bronze. It was like she had become some freakish machinery.

“Interesting. The experiment proved to be successful,” She heard her father’s voice. It was deep, crackling with mystery and power.

“Who am I? What’s happened to me?!”

“Hello, Lulu. You’re awake,”

“Answer me!”

“Don’t you remember? You’re Lucia, Lucia Seymour. My daughter,”

“I’m human?”

“Of course, dear. You have been enhanced,”

“What?”

“Enhanced. For nineteen years, I have tested and tried many theories. Today is the day those hypotheses proved to be true. Your skin became pure bronze. Never forget though, darling daughter, you cannot leave this bunker. They will judge you for what I have turned you into,”

“Who are they, F-Father?”

“The people. You must promise me, Lulu, you will never venture out into the city,”

“I don’t understand, Father. Why?”

“It is dangerous in that world. Do not dwell on it, Lulu. The outside world will not accept us, they will never accept you. Remember that.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lucia sighed, where was her father this time? The machines were still working, doing whatever they needed to do, and the tinkering continued. So where was her father? He wasn’t in his room, his study, the kitchen or the bathroom. That left Lucia’s room, but she was certain he wasn’t in there. You couldn’t hide in the bunker; Lucia had learnt that the hard way. You couldn’t place hide and seek here.

“Father! Where are you?” She called to the emptiness for the hundredth time, exasperated. She brushed her bangs out of her hair, her bronze fingertips pushing the strands back. She circled back, rechecking all the rooms. The bathroom, the kitchen, the study, and finally, his room. Lucia had always wondered why she’d never met her mother. Did her mother not want to see her? Or was it because her mother divorced her father? There were too many variables and not enough information. She pushed open her father’s bedroom door.

“Father, tell me you’re in here, I’ve been-” Lucia froze. Her father was leaning over the bed, a body covered by the sheets.

“Do you need something, Lulu?” Her father asked cooly, and her eyes widened.

“Um, could you help me?”

“I’m listening,” The body under the sheets, there was a female groan.

“Actually- You look, um, a bit preoccupied. I’ll come back later,” 

“If you say so. Run along now, Lulu.” She shut the door hastily, the scene burning the back of her mind. She ran away so quickly, she did not see the blood dripping from the bed onto the carpet.

Lucia panted heavily, her lungs nearly failing her. She had been given bronze skin, but not enhancements that boosted her stamina. Shame. What was her father doing? She had some questionable theories, but nothing added up. She closed her bedroom door softly and sat on her bed. She sighed, wondering about the world outside the bunker for the millionth time. She wanted to be free for once in her life. She was tired of being kept behind invisible bars. She couldn't see them, but she knew they were there. Her father had always said the city was dangerous, but Lucia thought a bit of danger wouldn't kill anyone. She tried to think of a way to escape. Asking her father would result in a no, but it wouldn't hurt trying. Otherwise, she could try and find a way to evacuate the bunker. 

“Lucia!” The door flung open, and she jumped back, startled. 

“Yes, Father?”

“What did you need me for when you interrupted me?”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter now,”

“Anything you need, Lulu. I will give it to you,”

“But… the thing I want is something you won’t give me, Father,”

“What is it you want, Lucia?” Her father’s voice was stern, determined to prove he could give her anything. 

“I want answers, Father. Answers and freedom. The two things you will not give me, no matter how hard I beg,” Her father chuckled slightly,

“I can give you one of those things, Lulu, but only one. You must decide,” Lucia exhaled sharply. Of course, she could only receive one option.

“Well?”

“Freedom, Father. I choose freedom,” Her father nodded, the despair evident in his eyes. She knew if she had chosen the other option, she would’ve gotten the same response.

“Lulu- Lucia. You must understand, I have protected you all your life, doing this act will change everything,” Her father hesitated for a second, “Come with me, there’s something I need to give you,” Lucia followed her father to his lab. He opened a cabinet at the back of the lab and pulled out a black mesh bag. 

“Open it,” Her father said softly, wincing when he handed it over to her. 

“Yes, Father.” 

Lucia screamed, dropping the bag hastily. She hadn't even taken it out, but she had seen what was in the bag, and that was enough. 

“That's disgusting!” She gagged, trying not to throw up. Her father picked up the bag silently. 

“You have to put it on,”

“Never!” She nearly covered her eyes when her father pulled the thing out of the bag. It was like a full-body suit, made of… Human skin. She stepped back when he tried to give it to her again. 

“If you don't wear it, they will judge you,”

“Father! You're the one who enhanced me with the bronze skin, why would you even-” Her father hushed her, exhaustion written over his face. 

“You asked for answers, Lucia. I will give some to you, but only if you wear this,” She pondered about it for a moment, then nodded weakly. 

“When you were born, a part of your face was infected from a disease, and the doctors had to remove it. They removed your skin and the first layer of tissue. You were so frail, the doctors were certain your skin wouldn't mend itself correctly. So, I developed a theory, moulding bronze over your skin, to provide a small amount of protection,” Lucia let out a breath of anticipation. “Your mother was divided, she didn't want you to face the mockery of people, but she didn't like the idea of bronze skin. How could she love her daughter when she looked like a machine?” Lucia bit her lip, trying not to reveal her hurt expression. “In the end, she gave in,”

“But what happened to her?!”

“She died after giving birth to you,”

“Oh.”

“I'm sorry you never knew her, Lulu,” Her father said softly. “Please, wear the skin, if you truly wish to explore the world, you will do it,” She hesitantly took the bag from her father’s outstretched hand. 

“I’ll do it, Father. It's sick and twisted but… I don't have a choice if I want freedom,”

“You could always stay,”

“You know I can't do that, Father. I love the bunker, but I cannot handle another day trapped in here,” Her father hung his head low. 

“I apologise, Lulu. Your life should’ve never been like this,”

“It's okay, Father,” She turned in the direction of her room. 

“Lucia?” Her father called out,

“Yes?”

“Your mother would admire your bravery to venture out there. I’m afraid I'm a coward, I wouldn't be surprised if you thought less of me,”

“I would never. If you were a coward, you wouldn't have tested all your theories for me.” She gave him a tight hug, whispering a grateful thank you as she raced back to her room for the last time. 

~

Lucia’s bag was packed, and she was wearing the bodysuit. It was horrifying and mildly terrifying, but she had put it on anyway. 

“Thank you for letting me go, Father,”

“Come home soon. I would not live if you didn't come home,”

“I understand, Father. I love you.” Her father nodded, arms crossed, but his face was bright. 

“And I love you. Go have that adventure of a lifetime, darling. Be careful.” She nodded, then stepped out of the bunker for the first time in her life. Lucia heard the door shut, and she gasped. The sky was so blue, and the bunker was surrounded by leafy green trees. Wildflowers grew in small patches, scattered around the woods. Lucia firmly adjusted her hat, and strode in a northerly direction, hoping it was the right way. 

The outside world was breathtaking. There were cars on the road, birds perched in branches, and Lucia could hear the distinct chatter coming from the town. It was so confusing but intriguing. Lucia walked into the town, seeing children putting sailboats on the lake. There were people hurriedly walking around, more children racing on the cobblestone footpath, and men yelling at the top of their lungs, trying to sell products in the market. 

“Miss! Would you like to buy a pendant? It protects you from unlucky hexes!” ‘Well, this would’ve been useful before I was born.’ Lucia thought to herself but shook her head. 

“Thank you, but no.” She replied and continued to stroll down the streets of this funny little place. 

“Hi! Are you new around here? I don't think I've ever seen you before!” A cheery voice called, and a petite girl with mousy brown tapped her shoulder. 

“Hello there. Uh, yes, I'm not from around here. I'm just visiting,” She explained and the girl nodded. 

“I see. It's the holidays right now, so no one has to go to school. Would you like me to show you around?”

“That would be wonderful,”

“My name’s Charlotte, but you can call me Charli,”

“I'm Lulu,”

“That's a nice name! Alright, follow me, Lulu, I'll show you around the humble little town Dalewood.” Lucia trailed behind Charli around the little town. Charli had told her there was lots of history in Dalewood, and everyone who lived here was very nice. 

“Except Julius Kantor. He's a snob and a bully, a big one,”

“What does he do?”

“Oh, you know. Generic things. He teases people if they look different, even though it's not their fault. He gives the other boys wedgies, and he flirts with all the girls. He's your typical guy, you know?” Lucia didn't know, so she didn't say anything. 

“Why would he judge someone for being different?”

“I'm not sure. Maybe it's because this town is small, we know everyone. You learn everything about everyone, that's an easy way for him to pick on people,”

“Oh, I see,”

“There’s a myth that every year, on one random day, a child goes missing. Don’t you think that’s eerie?” Lucia nodded, as Charli continued. “A child hasn’t gone missing yet, but I heard a rumour from the little kids that Julius will be the next one to go,” Charli must’ve seen Lucia’s horrified expression and quickly changed the subject. “Where do you come from anyway?”

“I, um, move around a lot, with my father,”

“Oh! That sounds amazing!”

“It’s a little lonely sometimes,” The lies were coming now.

“Ah, naturally. Is your dad interested in moving here?”

“I don’t think so,”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a scientist,” ‘She asks an awful lot of questions.’ Lucia thought to herself. 

“That’s cool! Oh, that’s the bell tower. I’m so sorry, I have to go now, it’s three o’clock. It was nice to meet you, I hope you enjoy your visit here,”

“Thank you so much for the tour,”

“My pleasure, bye now!” Lucia waved goodbye and turned around to walk back up the street; when a hand grabbed her arm.

“Let go!” She peeped, and there was a masculine laugh.

“So, little Charlotte thinks I’m next to go?” Lucia froze, was this Julius?

“Answer me, brat!” She looked up at the boy who towered over her, who was still tightly gripping her arm. 

“Why? Are you scared you’ll be taken? I’m just a visitor, get your hands off me!”

“Feisty, I like you,” Lucia tried to wrestle out of his grip, and she was scared the outer skin would tear.

“What do you want me for? I’m trying to enjoy my vacation,”

“Vacation, here? Hah! That’s real funny, Princess. You’re coming with me because I think you’re hot. Now come on, before Cara finds me,”

“Who’s Cara?” Julius pulled a face, 

“My mother. That’s enough questions now, let’s go,”

“No!” 

“Sorry, Princess. You don’t get a say. Now link your arm with mine, we’re going through the square. You wouldn’t want to look suspicious,” As Julius linked his arm with hers, Lucia tried to think of a way to escape. 

“Julius! Who’s the hottie?” Lucia’s head snapped up at the boyish voice in front of them.

“Girl outta town, I’m going to show her around the place,” The other boy linked his arm with Lucia’s other arm.

“Hey, I’m Andy,”

“Nice to meet you,” Lucia said through gritted teeth.

“I’ve got this, Andy,” Julius growled, and Andy slipped his arm out of Lucia’s.

“Welcome to Dalewood.” He winked before slipping away, leaving Lucia alone with her captor again. Julius dragged her along roughly, and she tripped over a jagged piece of the cobblestone. Julius’ grip was still on her arm as she fell, and she heard the bodysuit tear. He suddenly let go of her arm, and Julius screamed.

“What the hell?! What happened to your skin?!” He dropped the skin that had come off and wiped his hands on his shorts. He backed away from her, as her left arm was uncovered. The bronze shimmered in the sunlight and Lucia bit her lip, before deciding to run.

“Get back here, monstrosity! Show me your skin!” Julius chased after her, and as she looked behind her, Lucia saw him rounding up other people in the town to go after her. 

Lucia was trapped. People were staring at her now, as they all got glimpses of bronze as she ran, but now she was at a dead end.

“Nowhere to run, Princess. Show me!” Julius demanded, and he ripped more of the outer skin off. “Is that pure bronze?” He murmured, and Lucia felt the tears building up, making her eyesight blurry. There was no one here to save her.

“How hard will we have to hit her to make a dent?” A boy asked, and another raised his baseball bat threateningly.

“What are you?” Andy asked, and Lucia glared at him.

“Human!”

“Yeah right,” Julius scoffed and the boys laughed.

“Please, you have to believe me! I am, I was born with a skin disease, and my father found a way to-” Julius cackled loudly, and one of the boys handed him his baseball bat. Her father’s words ran through her head, as she panicked to find a way out. But there was no way out. From every corner one of the boys from Julius’ gang surrounded her.

“Please, I beg of you. I’m not here to harm you!”

“Machines like you shouldn’t exist,” One of the boys spat as Julius’ baseball bat swung into her left arm. She screamed. Excruciating pain she’d never felt before rushed through her arm.

“You felt that?” Julius asked, laughing to himself. She tried to dodge the second attack, but the bat connected with her face, causing her to momentarily blackout. Stars danced in front of her eyes, as tears spilled onto the floor, her cheek pressed onto the cobblestone. ‘I’m so sorry, Father. I wish I had made the right choice, I’m sorry I chose freedom. I’m sorry I won’t come home as I promised.’ 

“Sleep tight, Princess.”