Corpse Flower

VI. Girls My Age

Sophia’s POV:

An endless canvas of colors painted themselves in the sky. Some days it is a pure, glorious blue that stretches across the peripheral vision. When the sun rises, a bright pink and oranges mixed on top of each other, sitting on it was a low hanging puff of clouds. The sky was alive, growing without limitation at each passing moment, spraying itself above the kingdom.

The frenetic city, filled with disposable pedestrians marched to their destination, continuing a never-ending pattern. Children were rushing around the dirt-filled ground, a smile on their faces as they chased one another, shifting into their wolves and growling with mischief. Adults buried themselves between the narrow streets, attempting to make a living for another day.

The speaker buzzed into their ears and everything went quiet. The adults stopped bargaining attempting to save their pennies as the children shift back into their human form. They grabbed their clothes from the sideline, wrapping it around their bodies as they kept an open ear. There wasn’t a single sound except the lazy chirping of the birds or what seems like birds.

“Citizens of Titan Arum, if you are still alive, the royal family welcome you to another glorious day. We are certain you had heard of words regarding the engagement between our King Luca Pierce and Princess Camilla of Clathrus Archeri.”

Whispers among the people were raised. Clathrus Archeri was known as a ruthless kingdom among others. If King Luca is officially engaged to Princess Camilla, it must mean one thing; a power contract.

“That rumor will be clarified during King Luca 25th birthday this Saturday. Unfortunately, we cannot invite everyone to his day of birth, but similar to every year, we shall allow you all to participate with us by an assemblage of televisions throughout the outer rims.”

The outer rims are what they called those who stood live outside the wall of the kingdom. Surrounded by massive brick walls, there was nothing else to do but stare at them, barely able to look inside to see what lurks inside to see the fortunate. To look at the paint that had started to chip off as time passed, or gouged by others - anything to pass the time, slowly going mad, theorizing absurd meanings from the wall’s blank stare.

“Similar to last year's warning, those who attempt in stealing the electronic devices shall we strip naked in front of the population and whipped until they are no longer conscious.”

They didn’t need to announce that, everyone knew better than to steal from King Luca.

“Now, we shall move on and thank our God for granting us another beautiful day.”

Everyone stood there, eyes gazing upward towards the light blue sky, seeing the moon gracefully danced towards the sun.

"The time is drawn near, let the strings appear! Citizens of Titan Arum, the royal family, wished you another wonderful year!”

And with that, the speaker buzzed once against throughout the outer rim and halted. Everyone resumed their usual routine, as the rumors of the engagement and the death of King Luca’s mate spiral uncontrollably.

I stood there, holding onto the strap of my torn up backpack tightly. I turned towards my destination, bare feet hitting the muddy ground and tiny pebbles. Placing a hand on my skeleton stomach, she rubbed it in circular motion attempting to ease the hunger.

It’s been a year since I’ve crossed into another world. The very world I believe was made up a year ago.

My eyes lurked over to see bodies after bodies lying like dolls on the dirt, with no one claiming them. Limbs at awkward angles and heads held in such a way they cannot be sleeping. Those bodies, once the repositories of people as alive as me, are now desert left to rot in the streets.

Who will bury them? Who will weep salty tears at their grave? Who will send them away with a graceful love song in memories of them? Who will pray for them to enter Heaven?

The answer is, no one.

The wildlife will consume some, while others decay, slowly giving up their flesh to the soil and showing their white bones for the world to witness, but not care.

Sometimes, I wonder if my previous world is a lie and this is reality. This is my world and what I believe was true turns out a be a beautiful lie.

I never thought that one day, I will miss my own world. Yes, there were thoughts and hopes of escaping into another world. But, not like this. Not this world.

I stopped my movement when I saw a man collapse to the ground, beside the bodies. Everyone seems to mind their own business, not sparing him a glance.

Right now, I’m in the slums of Amorphophallus Titanum, also known as the Titan Arum. But many call this kingdom, Corpse Flower because of its intoxicating scent of rotting bodies. Titan Arum is the place where everyone who was born here, dies here.

There are three ways to escape the slums, or many would call it the outer rims. One, the soulmate is of high status. In every kingdom, there are social orders of distribution of power which begin with the Royalty then Archduke/Archduchess, Crown Prince/Princess, Grand Duke/Duchess, Prince/Princess, Duke, Count or Earl, Baron, Hereditary Knight, Knight, and young gentleman/ladies.

Two, you have the privilege of being adopted by a well-doing family.

Three, you somehow manage to save someone relatively important.

All three possibilities are extremely rare, impossible some may say.

Similar to others, I would continue my day. After all, I could barely survive, why should I help a stranger?

I bit my bottom lips and turned back, “Here mister, there isn’t much, but it will help you for another day.” I place a small sandwich in front of him and walked away. I hate it. This urge to be a hero. I know that urge will one day be the death of me.

In the corners of my eyes, I can see other people shaking their heads in disapproval of my actions as if what I did, the attempt of helping another, is wrong.

I continued walking to school and heard a low croaking: “Thank you.”

Releasing a deep breath, I keep rubbing my growling stomach. “I’m hungry.”

My legs stopped when I heard a horrific scream. “Please! Mother! Father! I’ll get a job and start working!” a girl shrieked.

A man wearing a mask carrying a girl that’s a bit older than me into a cart filled with other children or adults. Their bodies were trembling, shaking their heads, mumbling curse words to the family that had sold them off. He threw her inside and locked the metal door. She crawled towards the edge, flesh burnt as she held the silver bars, shaking her head vigorously, tears mixing in with the sweats.

Another man came up to the couple and gave them a bag of coins. They bowed in gratefulness, eyes avoiding their daughter. The man jumped inside the car in front of the cage, signaling his men to leave.

It’s disgusting how they could sell their families into slavery or possibility prostitution. It’s revolting how a practice like this was common, to breed children and sell them.

Then, I remembered how I used to play with this little boy next door before his father sells him into slavery a few years back. He was kind to me, always giving me fresh red apples to eat whenever I’m hungry. I knew he stole those apples for me, but I thought it was sweet of him attempting to make an effort.

He was one of the very few who believed whatever I said. He tried to help me find Arlo. With each passing year, my hopes of finding Arlo only decrease. Sometimes, I feel like I’m making up the memories of another world. How a young boy named Arlo, a young boy I practically raised as my son, never existed.

Kicking some pebbles, I saw a familiar small girl and ran towards her, “Anastasia!”

“Ow! Sophia! Stop doing that!” Anatasia yelled.

Anastasia is a girl I met during my first year in Titan Arum. She’s the one who helped me warm up to this world.

“Anything new?” I ask. Sometimes, it’s difficult for me to make converstation, but I would force myself. If I don’t talk to others regularly, I may have another breakdown.

She shook her head and continues sucking her strawberry lollipop. Anastasia is a few years younger than me, but she would behave like she is an adult. Maybe, that’s why it’s easier to talk to her than other children.

Reaching our school, we placed our dirty backpack on top of the others and sat down on the dirt. Since we live in the outer rims, the wealthy believe we didn’t need an education, resulting in only one or two teachers volunteering each year to teach all the kids.

“Okay children, aren’t you all excited!” Miss Pen shouted.

I stared at Miss Pen and wonder how she is always happy despite growing up dirt miserable like everyone else. I had always thought it was weird, unusual that her parents named her Pen. There was a rumor about how Miss Pen came from behind the wall, but she ran away for some irrational reason.

“Yes!”

“Okay, let’s get started!” she continues with a bright smile.

“We vow our loyalty,

under the royal crowns,

Our King is our God

Our Queen is our Goddess

We live for our country

If there is ever a time

When we are at war

We will not hesitate

To sacrifice our life

For our loved ones

For our people

For our crowns

Long live Titan Arum.”

I could never understand how everyone could easily rest their heads down and vow their life to the crown. In this world, there seems to be a heavy case of brainwashing.

After the vow, Miss Pen granted us a smile of approval.

Anastasia snorts, “Dictatorship much,” she mumbled. Anastasia is one of the few who feels the same as me. Anastasia looks at me and smirk.

Miss Pen claps, “Today is the day of the Hybrid Eclipse.”

“What’s the point? No one here is a werewolf except Anastasia,” a young boy said. Yes. Werewolf. As in, people who turn into wolves. The little girl beside me can shapeshift into a freaking wolf. Crazy.

“That does not mean we have to be ignorant of other species history. Now, can someone tell me about the Hybrid Eclipse?”

A girl raised her hand, and Miss Pen gave her a nod, “A Hybrid Eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that changes its appearance as the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth’s surface. Sun, Moon, and Earth perfectly aligned during a hybrid eclipse making it the perfect time to mate.”

“Excellent, can someone else tell me about the strings?”

A boy raised his hand.

Miss Pen pointed at him.

“When werewolves turned ten, the Moon Goddess grant them strings leading them towards their mate. There are three color strings, which are red, white, and black. Red means that your mate is alive and well. White means your mate is alive but not at the age of ten, so the string will cut half way until their mate turns ten. Black means your mate is dead,” he responded.

Miss Pen tapped his nose, “Excellent.”

Miss Pen continued talking about the Hybrid Eclipse and the royal families. I sat there zoning out after fifteen minutes.

At first, I would be interested in Miss Pen’s teaching, but then it got boring. Everything she taught, whoever was in this body, already knew. In fact, it makes me feel stupid to sit here.

Soon a bell was heard, and everyone released a sigh of relief. “Okay! School is over! I will see you all tomorrow, and we can continue talking!” Miss Pen clapped a few times, and wave everyone off.

School session doesn’t last long due to the teachers being volunteerers. Miss Pen dedicated her time to teach everyone there three times a week. She is one of the few in the outer rims who is educated. When she finishes teaching everyone in the morning, she will go back to the restaurant and work her real job, one which pays.

Anastasia stood up and walked to Miss Pen, then pulled on her shirt. “Yes Anastasia?” she said, placing her paper down and crouching down to her level. I stood behind Anastasia and waited for her. I’m hoping Anastasia’s parents will invite me to dinner.

Sad, I know.

“I’m curious,” Anastasia said, chewing on her stick.

Miss Pen smiles, “About what?”

“Why are you here?” Anastasia asked.

Miss Pen laugh, “Of course to teach silly,” she responded, tapping Anastasia slightly redden nose.

Anastasia’s eyes flicker black, “No, I meant why are you really here Miss Penelope.”

Miss Pen body froze, eyes parting slightly at Anastasia. Suddenly, she burst into loud laughter and glanced at me, “Dear mind giving us some time alone?”

No. But, I have no choice but to leave. If I insist on staying, most likely, I’ll catch myself in some trouble.

I settled myself beside the wall and played with my dirty shoes. That makes me seem like a child, right? What do girls my age do again?

The door flung open, “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow Miss Pen!”

On our way back, I noticed how the Hybrid Eclipse made its appearance. For everyone, it’s another day. But, for a werewolf, it’s a special day.

“Anastasia,” I said.

Anastasia swing the stick around, “Hm?”

“Are you excited to find your mate?” It’s interesting how werewolves, unlike other creatures, are able to find their soulmates.

“I don’t care,” Anastasia replies. “I don’t want anyone.”

“Why not?”

Anastasia’s feet halt momentarily, “Love is unnecessary.”