Me and the Devil

Getting Ready.

I looked around and found myself in a field of bluebonnets. I sat and looked at the flower, a melancholy smile appearing on my face. “You’d be disappointed where I ended up huh?” I whispered to myself.

“I don’t think so dove,” my brother's voice rang out. I looked up and found him standing perfectly intact. He opened his arms and I jumped into them sobs wracking my chest as my favorite person was alive standing before me. Even if this were just a dream, I hadn’t had one be so kind to me in such a long time I would savor this moment.

“Oliver…I ended up in Hell,” I admitted as he set me down. He guided me to a blanket that was set up for a picnic of sorts. We sat down and he patted my head. His hair was still the sun kissed blonde I remember and his eyes were the softest green. It was the only thing he and I had in common. “I’ve missed you.”

“Is this real?” I asked softly.

“Are you worried it’s all in your head?” He chuckled and gave a half smile. “No, my very good friend created this for us to speak.”

“What for?” I looked out to see all the flowers blowing.

“I missed you,” he pushed my shoulder playfully.

“How can you miss me?... I killed you and mom and dad,” I pulled my knees up to my chest.

“Little dove… Have you been blaming yourself this whole time?” He pulled me into his lap holding me tightly. “It wasn’t your fault. It was never your fault.”

I whimpered softly. I was never able to grieve them properly thinking it was my fault.

“Looks like I have to go, I’ll see you again soon,” Oliver kissed my head softly.

“Oli you can’t leave me,” I begged.

“Trust those who take care of you here. He cannot lie,” Oliver smiled before he faded into nothingness.

I shot up looking around confused. The room was dark, I squinted trying to get my eyes to adjust. Was that really my brother? Tears had poured down my face as I thought of his perfect golden curls still intact, no scars or burns to be seen. It was almost a relief to know that he looked like himself in his afterlife. Leo was snoozing on the edge of the bed happily.

Peering around the room to try and find the man who helped me yesterday but found no one. There was however a dress bag hanging on a closet and a note on it. I got out of the bed and the room illuminated automatically, making my way over to the closet. My reflection in the vanity made me pause, I was dressed in a white silk negligee. It fit me perfectly and showed off goods I didn’t even know I had. It was a strange feeling to not fear or be anxious at the man who bathed me.

You have been requested to go to the ball. Get dressed I will be back in an hour to do your hair and make up.

Ally

I sighed and pulled open the bag revealing a sheer black dress. Could I even really call this a dress? How can I even pull this off? I gently took it out of the bag and laid it out on the bed. Could I even wear underwear with this? Maybe a thong?

I must have been making too much noise because Leo hopped up and cawed demanding to be pet. I chuckled and gave the top of his head a soft scratch.

“Alright, let’s get this done, turn around,” I swirled my finger to Leo. He cawed offendedly, but listened and plopped turned towards the walls. “Thank you!”

I gulped and pulled off my negligee and slipped on the dress. Well to be more exact it seemed like a strip of fabric, the material was fastened at my neck and then a piece of thin fabric held the front and back together held in place by silver chains and jewels that seemed to glow. The fabric seemed to darken around my breast and was padded perfectly to my cup size and shape. It was as if it were made to fit only my body. I found a pair of So Kate pointed toe heels and slipped them on worried they would be uncomfortable, and yet again that shaped to my feet and felt like clouds. The only issue I had with the dress was how it exposed the scars on my back.

The elevator door chimed alerting me someone was entering the penthouse. A soft knock came from the door. “Lady Astoria, it’s Ally, may I come in?”

“Y…Yes” I was surprised at her tone and candor. She opened the door bringing a trolley of boxes and brushes for makeup. “Why’d you refer to me as Lady?” I asked her softly. “Because my master has granted favor to you,” Ally smiled gently and pulled out the chair to the vanity. I sat and looked in the mirror as she worked her magic. My dull black hair now had a lustrous shine, it even seemed to have a purple tint to it. She somehow managed to make my eyes look like the night sky. It was long and she was able to style it to cover my back, and for that I was grateful.

“Okay, last bit,” Ally smiled and grabbed a box opening it revealing jewels that shined like starlight, a necklace, earrings, and a tiara all matching in style. “Done, go ahead and look,” Ally pointed to the mirror. It still gave me such whiplash at how she was treating, it wasn’t that our first meeting she was mean but she just couldn’t care less. Now it is like she would do anything I asked of her.

Looking at myself, a gasp escaped my lips. I couldn’t recognize who stared back at me. “Come on, we must get you to the ball.” Ally helped me up and guided me to the elevator. Leo quickly flapped to me landing on my shoulder and nuzzled my face.

“Hey! No messing up her makeup!” Ally chastised the bird.

Leo cawed and got comfortable as we made our way into the elevator. I chuckled and petted him as we rode down.

“Ally, are you coming with me to this ball? I’m not sure I’m going to do well,” I chewed on my bottom lip.

“I will be joining you soon. I need to change first, Alex is already in the hall and will switch with me once I am done,” she explained. The elevator stopped and opened to a quiet hallway. Alex was leaning against the wall looking dapper in a nice three piece suit.

I stepped off and joined Alex, we both waved Ally off as she slipped back into the elevator.

“Ready for this?” Alex sighed, seemingly annoyed with the whole situation.

“No, but I don’t think I have a choice,” I matched his energy.

“Yes, unfortunately, this is one of those times we must be here for him,” he explained, “so do not embarrass our master now that he has put his neck out on the line for you.” But he said ‘to him’ as if I knew who he was. I just didn’t want to ask anything else, Alex seemed to be more annoyed at my sudden acceptance than his sister.

We made our way to a pair of large white oak doors. “Be strong human.”