Lacie

By: Arkathne

Lacie was seventeen when she passed away. Lacie was seventeen when she pleaded for her only soul, feeble and slowly waning into the dark. Lacie was seventeen when the Devil struck a deal with her.

“I believe your time is up, my child.”

“No. no. It can’t be. I haven’t d-”

“What’s this? Ah, the lovely sound of human anguish. That mind-numbing despair brought about by the idea of ceasing to exist in such a big, big, pleasurable world.” He cut her off and chuckled. “Such music to my ears. It never grows old.”

“Please. Is there some other way?”

“You’re that desperate?”

The girl sobbed.

“Well…You see Lacie, sweetheart, I don’t spend my endless time visiting old sickly men and reaping their boring souls. No. Like where’s the fun in that eh?”

“My job specifi cation isn’t limited to being the ‘Devil.’ He crossed his legs and leaned closer. “In fact, I work part time as a businessman too.”

“And me being the good businessman that I am will surely hear out the demands of my customers. I wouldn’t want to miss out on the potential benefi ts.”

The tall man stood and studied her weak body with his deep onyx irises.

“I’ll give you your life back. “

“Tha-”

“A second chance for your greatest desire, greatest secret or greatest fear. Choose one and seal the contract with me. Then, you can go on living.”

“Fear! I’ll give you my greatest fear. Please. Take it. I want my life back.”

“Very well. Breathe, my child and I hope you live a very long life this time around.”

— Lacie was twenty-four when she became a successful entrepreneur. One of the notable dressmakers in Holborn. The young dressmaker was busy fi nalizing her inventory records when one of her staff knocked on the door of her offi ce and entered inside.

“Miss Lacie, I’m sorry for the interruption but a customer at the front wants to talk to you regarding the adjustments on her wedding gown.” to you regarding the adjustments on her wedding gown.”

“I see. Tell her I’ll be there in a few minutes.” The young lady “I see. Tell her I’ll be there in a few minutes.” The young lady replied not looking up from where she was computing her replied not looking up from where she was computing her numbers. numbers.

Not long after, Lacie stood up from her seat after Not long after, Lacie stood up from her seat after compiling the books and adjusted her dainty yellow compiling the books and adjusted her dainty yellow dress skirt before walking around her wooden desk dress skirt before walking around her wooden desk

to meet the customer. However, when she was about to leave her offi ce, she saw a piece of old parchment paper lying on the fl oor. Curious, she picked it up and memories from her past life surged back to her mind. It was one of her mother’s letters to her before she left their tiny shack and abandoned her poor daughter at the hands of an abusive father and four helpless younger sisters. It was during this time where Lacie’s life was nothing but starvation and affl iction. Their mother who had suff ered enough of their family’s pitiful circumstances left home to fi nd ‘work’ in the city only to never return. Lacie, then, took on the role she forsook and cared for her smaller siblings. That was before she caught her late father’s tuberculosis who died months after their dear mother disappeared. Before she fell sick, the girl looked and worked several jobs just to provide for their family. She was a scullerymaid for one of her town’s nasty governess, she also worked at a farm, tilling soil in preparation for the crops. At times, she’d sell whatever scraps she can fi nd and make half a penny. Lacie did everything she could. She was so desperate to be free from the constraints of poverty. She worked hard until she couldn’t

Deep onyx eyes fl ashed in her memory.

A ghastly cold shiver ran through her spine. Lacie brushed the memory away. It’s fi ne. The deal was done. Everything that happened was all in the past. There’s no reason to bring up what’s already been locked in the dark recesses of her mind. She’s living a peaceful and happy life now. Or so she thought. Lacie left the room without another glance.

The customer waiting at the front of the store was actually an old friend. Lottie, a pretty blonde lady the same age as hers, beamed when she approached her.

“Lacie! How are you? I came to see if the gown I asked my messenger to send back two weeks ago is done? Perhaps, you need a few more adjustments?” Lottie chattered before pausing. “Oh my. I’m sorry if I sound demanding. I know you have a lot on your hands right now, it’s just that the wedding nerves are starting to get to me.” She laughed lightly.

“It’s okay, I understand. No worries, Lottie. Your gown is almost ready. I’ll have it delivered to your address tomorrow afternoon.” Lace gave her a small smile.

“Wonderful.” Lottie stepped forward and gave her a short hug. “Thank you very much, Lacie.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll make sure you’ll look very beautiful in your gown.”

A sudden cheeky look was plastered on the pretty lady’s face. “Speaking of my wedding, when can I expect you to tie the knot?”

Lacie was slightly surprised by the question because, honestly, she never thought about getting into a relationship at all. Lacie found it odd that when she was a young girl, she feared she couldn’t escape her miserable life, so she worked hard and wished she could marry someone prominent. But as the years passed, she didn’t really feel the need to pursue that desire. Probably because she’d traded it? And she wasn’t in the throes of poverty anymore?

“I haven’t met someone yet.” She replied briefl y.

“Well. I hope you do fi nd a dashing young lad and start a family soon. Didn’t you say you’d like a family of your own before?”

Yes. She did. She wanted a family besides her own. She told Lottie back then. Even when she was hungry and starving, she feared she’d be stuck in a life unable to feel the warmth of a happy family. She told her how beautiful it could be if her family expanded once their pockets were fi nally abundant and their tables were bountiful.

However, right now, she’s unsure if she still has the same sentiments.

Lacie was thirty when she felt her life was unchanging. She was a notable dressmaker in Holborn. That was it. The young dressmaker was pondering deeply inside her offi ce, a brown pamphlet on her right hand and a small letter scribbled with familiar handwriting on her left when one of her staff knocked on the door of her offi ce and entered inside.

“Miss Lacie, apologies for the intrusion but your younger sister is here and she’s looking for you.”

“I’ll be there in a few.” When the staff closed the door behind her, Lacie let out a deep sigh. The pamphlet before her was given by a merchant friend. He approached her the other day and told her how an acquaintance of his had enrolled in an education program for dressmaking. It appears that they’ll have educators from London teach aspiring and current dressmakers as well as seamstresses how to be more successful. He thought it would be a help to her, an investment of sorts. She thought so, too. It’s not every day that women are provided with a good education. However, shortly after, Lacie felt like she didn’t need the education. Her business was doing perfectly fi ne. It’s stable, and her customers remain loyal. She didn’t feel the need to expend her time at school. Besides, isn’t she too old for that? Though, she remembered

she’d always wanted to study before. She couldn’t stop mulling it over. She couldn’t stop mulling it over. Similarly, on the left, she had a letter open, one that came from her sister, the Similarly, on the left, she had a letter open, one that came from her sister, the second eldest of the fi ve of them. The contents revealed that she had just given second eldest of the fi ve of them. The contents revealed that she had just given birth to her son. A healthy baby boy named Ezekiel. Her sister told her that he birth to her son. A healthy baby boy named Ezekiel. Her sister told her that he looked so much like Lacie when they were young, and she wished she could visit looked so much like Lacie when they were young, and she wished she could visit them soon. Lacie felt bad. It’s been years since she last saw her sister, Sharon, them soon. Lacie felt bad. It’s been years since she last saw her sister, Sharon, and although she’s been keeping in touch every few months, she just didn’t have and although she’s been keeping in touch every few months, she just didn’t have the time to travel to the other side of the country to visit her. She loved her the time to travel to the other side of the country to visit her. She loved her sisters dearly. It’s just that she’s been struggling in the past few years, trying to sisters dearly. It’s just that she’s been struggling in the past few years, trying to understand the constancy of her life. Everything felt dull. She wasn’t sure anymore. understand the constancy of her life. Everything felt dull. She wasn’t sure anymore. Maybe she just needs more time. Maybe she just needs more time. She shook her head one last time, stood up and went to meet her sister. She shook her head one last time, stood up and went to meet her sister. — — Lacie was thirty-two when she felt him.That same eerie chill that passed through Lacie was thirty-two when she felt him.That same eerie chill that passed through her fi fteen years ago before the last bead of light was snuff ed out of her. Lacie her fi fteen years ago before the last bead of light was snuff ed out of her. Lacie refused to acknowledge the sudden presence. It’s been over a decade. There’s no refused to acknowledge the sudden presence. It’s been over a decade. There’s no reason for him to come. He had what he wanted and she had hers. Lacie furrowed reason for him to come. He had what he wanted and she had hers. Lacie furrowed her brow and shrugged it off as nothing serious but the fatigue in her body. her brow and shrugged it off as nothing serious but the fatigue in her body.

Clenching her gloved hands, Lacie moved to speak to the man beside her who was Clenching her gloved hands, Lacie moved to speak to the man beside her who was watching in dismay as Lacie’s shop was barricaded by the Metropolitan Police. “Mr. watching in dismay as Lacie’s shop was barricaded by the Metropolitan Police. “Mr. Oswald, I’m sorry for disrupting your ea-” He turned to her with a scowl, “I told Oswald, I’m sorry for disrupting your ea-” He turned to her with a scowl, “I told you this would happen.” you this would happen.”

“I didn’t me“I didn’t me-

“I kept on saying that you should leave this antique of a shop and transfer to Soho. “I kept on saying that you should leave this antique of a shop and transfer to Soho. I knew one way or another the authorities would have this taken away, considering I knew one way or another the authorities would have this taken away, considering the state of this district. Their plans were just expedited because of the epidemic the state of this district. Their plans were just expedited because of the epidemic and now, look what’s happened to that shop of yours. I even off ered to help you and now, look what’s happened to that shop of yours. I even off ered to help you with the lease.” with the lease.”

“You know I could never aff ord to move there.” “You know I could never aff ord to move there.”

“No.” He pointed out in displeasure. “You could but you chose not to.” “No.” He pointed out in displeasure. “You could but you chose not to.”

“I know for a fact you could’ve expanded your business. Invest on resources, “I know for a fact you could’ve expanded your business. Invest on resources, perhaps, acquire nobles to invest on it. Yet, for years, you barely did anything other perhaps, acquire nobles to invest on it. Yet, for years, you barely did anything other than take orders, sew, and deliver fi nished goods to your customers. It seems as if than take orders, sew, and deliver fi nished goods to your customers. It seems as if you are stuck in a loop and you have no desire to break out of it.” you are stuck in a loop and you have no desire to break out of it.”

Lacie was silent. Lacie was silent.

“At present, this hell of a country is suff ering the consequences of its own actions with this plague. This district has one of the highest number of cases. I say if you with this plague. This district has one of the highest number of cases. I say if you don’t start acting on your future, you’d suff er more than just getting your dress don’t start acting on your future, you’d suff er more than just getting your dress shop closed down. What a waste of a brilliant and industrious woman like you.” shop closed down. What a waste of a brilliant and industrious woman like you.”

Lacie knew Oswald was right. She had so many opportunities, but she failed Lacie knew Oswald was right. She had so many opportunities, but she failed to latch onto a single one because she didn’t exert eff ort in doing so. Lacie was to latch onto a single one because she didn’t exert eff ort in doing so. Lacie was complacent and indiff erent. She merely sat on her laurels, and even now, as she complacent and indiff erent. She merely sat on her laurels, and even now, as she watched her sole business and all her hard-earned money being taken away from watched her sole business and all her hard-earned money being taken away from her, all she could do was stand with little to no feelings. her, all she could do was stand with little to no feelings.

She closed her eyes, then coughed. “I-I know. I don’t know.” Lacie felt the shortness She closed her eyes, then coughed. “I-I know. I don’t know.” Lacie felt the shortness of her breath. Blood rushed to her ears, as she strained to reply. “It’s just that I of her breath. Blood rushed to her ears, as she strained to reply. “It’s just that I don’t seem to have the enthusiasm to do something else.” don’t seem to have the enthusiasm to do something else.”

“No, Lacie. You have a strong proclivity for constantness.” “No, Lacie. You have a strong proclivity for constantness.”

“What? What do-” “What? What do-”

Then it was pitch black. Then it was pitch black.

Lacie was thirty-two when she passed away. Lacie was thirty-two when she passed away.

“That wasn’t such a long life.” A deep husky voice brought her back to “That wasn’t such a long life.” A deep husky voice brought her back to consciousness. consciousness.

Before Lacie could register her surroundings, he saw his familiar fi gure kneeling in Before Lacie could register her surroundings, he saw his familiar fi gure kneeling in front of her and immediately backed away, hands clutching her chest. front of her and immediately backed away, hands clutching her chest.

“Why are you here?” “Why are you here?”

“Not particularly the kind of greeting I’d expect from an old friend.” He replied, “Not particularly the kind of greeting I’d expect from an old friend.” He replied, face in mock hurt. face in mock hurt.

“I’m serious. Why are you here?” “I’m serious. Why are you here?”

“Snarky.” He chuckled. “I know you’re not the dumb type, Lacie. You know very “Snarky.” He chuckled. “I know you’re not the dumb type, Lacie. You know very well why you are here.” well why you are here.”

“Tell me where did I go wrong.” “Tell me where did I go wrong.”

“Not going to plead the second time around?”

When Lacie didn’t reply, the timeless entity before her only continued.

“You know, Lacie, my dear, the fi rst time we met, I adored the vigor and brilliance you possess. That desire to do something other than be hopeless, weak, and mediocre.” He stared at her blank eyes. “That is why I made that deal with you. Yet, despite your wit, human nature can’t help but make mistakes.”

“I made you choose between your greatest desire, secret and fear. You chose fear. Because who wouldn’t, right? You’d think that losing something that you humans call inferior and abysmal is a gain, but that’s where you’re wrong. You see, besides trading with me your greatest fear, you never understood yourself in the fi rst place. You gave your fear to me without actually knowing that it was also the one thing that propelled you to achieve your dreams and desires. You feared the constantness of your life, not being able to act on something and settling on meagerness.”

“The moment you lost that, you lost the desire to do anything at all, simply settling to work in that shop of yours with no urge to make it bigger than it is, to make a family of your own and to go to school. “ He sighed dramatically. “Truly, I pity you because you couldn’t even fi nd the energy to transfer after your country’s situation grew worse. It’s all because you didn’t fear consistency and the unchanged. Now, you fi nd yourself in this situation again. Dead.”

“The options I presented to you a decade ago had no right answer. In fact, all of them are interrelated. Desire is the opposite of fear. Fear is the opposite of desire. They are diff erent sides of the same coin, and both are considered to be man’s greatest secrets.”

He touched her brittle hair as she faded in and out of consciousness. “Let me tell you a secret, a recompense in a way.”

“Don’t fear your fears. It made you who you are. You feared staying in poverty your whole life, so you worked hard and yearned for success. For what is desire if there is no fear to learn and work on?In the end, you had your life back, but you were unhappy. Such a passionate soul, only to deteriorate in the end.” A sole tear cascaded down the lady’s cheek. Her life and mistakes fi nally dawned on her. “Don’t blame me, Lacie. I was a businessman. I do what I can do to profi t.”

“Your time is up, my child.”

Writer’s Profi le

The doors are overseen by the cast members. The one side cast Ally Aero PulchraVita Archer Tsukenomi Shiningnemesis Majinbu Fletcher Shirasagi Kaul

The other side cast Royceance Istepani jabeluna Rhyza S. Sion Rekka Pauline Jurisprudencia Hermit Daria Takipsilim Theoathkeeper Arkathne Liberius

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