Chapter Five: Stitched to Meet You

Alice:

A grumpy tailor took my measurements, her wrinkled face scrunched up. Scribbling down the measurements, she shoved swatches of fabric in my face. Feeling overwhelmed, a frustrated groan poured from her lips. Adjusting her perfect bun, she cleared her throat. Her gray steely eyes shot me a death glare, she smacked me in the back of her head.

"I am your tailor, and maid for this weekend. I am Sariah Farswitch." She introduced herself briskly, attempting to smile politely at me. "Please just pick a color. I have to get to work." My heart broke at the black bags under her eyes, my hands crossing. Taking a deep breath, an idea came to mind. No one deserved to be worked this hard, her aura nice and golden.

"How about you just focus on my dress." I chirped cheerfully, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, just focus on my dress. Make it your masterpiece. Surprise me, and have some fun." A rare smile curled on her lips, her boots pounding out of the room. Sitting on my own, boredom soon became my enemy. Sighing deeply to myself, my fingers played with the hem of my navy sweatshirt dress. Sitting on the bed, resting my hands on my knees. Exhaling tiredly, my stomach growled. Scarlet burned my cheeks, why was I so embarrassed right now. Leaping off of the bed, my bare feet landed on the cold floor. Wandering down the hall, a hand reached out for my arm. My foot slammed into Samuel's face, embarrassment burning my face. Nervous laughter tumbled from my lips, his hand rubbing his jaw.

"Is that how you always say hello?" He teased playfully, smiling warmly at me. "I just wanted to hang out with you and was wondering if you could do something with my hair. I looked back at your past, and you always cut your father's hair." Wincing at the mention of my father, an apologetic smile dimmed his face. Ignoring the very thought of him, a polite smile dawned on my face.

"Of course." I promised gently, watching him dig his hands deep into his black jeans. "It has been bothering me this whole time. Let's go find some clippers. Just tell me what you would like." Holding up a razor, both of us chuckled to ourselves. Of course he was prepared, almost like a small child ready to lay out all of their reasons for their case.

"How about something edgy?" He suggested happily, running his hand through his wild hair. "I always wanted one." Smiling warmly to myself, his twinkling eyes letting me know that I was going to make his day. Following me into the bathroom, he sat down in a black wooden chair. The white marble shimmered underneath my bare feet, excitement bubbling in his eyes. My eyebrows twitched, the anxiety of screwing up causing my hands to tremble. When I cut my father's hair it was just a quick buzz. The poor guy didn't know how incapable I really was at cutting hair, the razor buzzing in my palm. Running it along the side of the head, a tuft of black hair floated to the floor. Doing the same to the other side, it didn't look so bad. Spinning a pair of scissors in my palm, Trimming up the top a bit, a triumphant grin brightened my face. A long piece of hair hanging over his eyes. Dusting off his black t-shirt, a hell yeah exploded from his lips at the sight of his new look. Spinning me around, his strong arms embraced me tightly. Tears of joy flooded from his eyes, his hug getting tighter. My ribs began to crack, a strange wheezing sound pouring from my throat. Releasing me from his bear hug, my fingers wiped away his tears. Had they really been this cruel to him? Wrapping my arms around his neck, he patted my head. Not going to lie though, it made me feel a bit like a dog.

"Do you like it?" I asked kindly, already knowing the answer. "I hope you like it." Hugging me once more, Sy wandered into the bathroom. Leaping into his arms, Sy spun me around. Clutching me close to his chest, another bout of sadness about to crash into me. Seeing him so happy reminded me of all of my childhood pain, tears streaming from my eyes. Sy complimented his new haircut before sweeping me away to our bedroom. Once he shut the door, every single emotion burst from my bottle.

"What is wrong, Alice?" He asked lovingly, my fingers gripping his black suit. "Did he say something?" Shaking my head, his hand rubbed my back. The thought of my parents not being at my wedding depressed me, even if they were major assholes. Why was I even fucking crying? I must be so pathetic right now in his eyes, his lips brushing against the top of my head.

"I am so stupid for crying right now." I sobbed softly, banging my fists against his chest. "Seeing him so happy made me think of my shitty childhood and how others always had nice parents. It isn't fair that I had to suffer the way I did. Every year I would watch happy parents walk down the street with their kid smiling up at them while I was stuck in my house raising my parents. I didn't get to be a kid. Seeing him smile like a small child made me realize that all over again. Why did they do that to me!" Catching my fist, he lifted up my chin with his slender finger.

"They were assholes. It sucked to watch you grow up that way. I watched for years until middle school when I showed up to be the friend you needed." I comforted her weakly, the corner of her lips quivering. "I can't make your past go away, but I promise to make your future brighter than the full moon. Yes, moments like this will drudge up those awful feelings. The difference here is that I am the net to catch you. So let me catch you." Pressing his lips against mine passionately, half of my anxiety melted away. My heart fluttered, time stopping. The chaos of the castle faded back into existence, both of us standing there stunned.

"That was amazing!" I uttered with a rich tone of euphoria, falling in love with him all over again. "Tell me why you never did that when we first met. I would have fallen for you right away." His lips parted to speak, Sariah rushing in and shoving him out. Slamming the door shut behind her, her wide grin oozed excitement.

"Lord Syphron, you can't see her before the wedding." She shouted through the door, Sy grumbling as he walked away from the door. Hearing Samuel join him made me feel a bit better about him getting sent away, curiosity glistening in my eyes. She wasn't holding anything, so why was she here?

"I bet you are wondering why I am here. I need to go pick up supplies for your dress, and was wondering if you wanted to come." She offered kindly, her hand waiting for mine. "You don't have to, but you remind me of my granddaughter. I lost her when she was a baby, and you look a lot like she did when she was a baby." Placing the facts together, was she my grandmother? Pulling up my sleeve, tears welled up in her eyes. Her finger traced the birthmark of a raven on my arm.

"You are my lost granddaughter." She proclaimed excitedly, embracing me warmly. "Alice, how I missed you so much. Let's go have a day of fun." Standing there numbly, Sy shot me a sympathetic smile as she dragged me into a hearse wagon. Sitting down across from her, every bit of confidence that I had dissipated. What do I freaking say, her eager eyes boring into mine. Cold sweat dripped off of my brow, a nervous smile dimming my face. Playing with the hem of my dress, my mind racing with what to say.

"So do I call you Grammy, or something like that?" I stammered awkwardly, her fingers wrapping around mine "I don't know how to behave in this sort of situation, so you will have to be patient. Also I stabbed out your son's eyeballs. I am sorry about that. I was protecting your other grandson Samuel." Chuckling to herself, a youthful glint twinkled in her eyes. Waving her hand around, she flashed me the same smile that Samuel gave me.

"He will just grow his eyeballs back." She said nonchalantly, pointing out the window. "Honestly, he is so stubborn. Maybe you stabbed some sense into him. Forget about him,and have some fun today. Let me change." Snapping her fingers, her plain black suit changed into a red blazer over a simple black dress. Looking down at my outfit, a tight black lace dress hugged my curves. Scarlet burned my cheeks, her eyes falling on my scars. Snapping my fingers, a black sweater covered them.

"They were from my mother and step father." I explained shamefully, refusing to look at her. "They are both dead now. So don't worry about me, 'kay!" Biting her lips, the joyous mood was broken. Clearing her throat, she could tell from the look in my eyes that I wanted a change in the subject. A pregnant pause hung between us, inky blackness of Hell flashed by my window. Pressing my hand against the glass, the scarlet cushion creaked as she sat down next to me. Taking my hands, a warmth washed over me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, her dainty hand pulling me close to her. Holding me while I cried again for the millionth time today, was this what family was supposed to be. Wet tears soaked the top of my head, the creatures screeching to a sudden halt. Lifting up my chin with her hand, she wiped away my tears before wiping away her own. The door swung open, the skeleton coachman opening the door. Helping us out, my jaw dropped to the floating cobblestone. Picking up my jaw, dread bubbled in my stomach.

"I don't have any money." I uttered numbly, her pressing a small stack of strange dollar bills into my palm. "I can't take this. This is y-'' Trying to give it back to her, she shook her head. Fixing up my hair, she made me put it in the black pouch hanging from my wrist. The streets were bustling with different demons and monsters of all kinds, the shops all filled to the brim with cool items. The two of us walked down the street, a pair of jack-o-lantern cuff links catching my eyes. Tapping her on her shoulders, a gentle smile met mine.

"I want to get something for Sy." I stuttered nervously, the sign over us reading Bits and Bobs. Wrapping her arm around the crook of my elbow, the smile on her face made my heart skip a beat. Sauntering in, everyone greeted her warmly as if they were her family. Ruffling the top of my head, her next words had me shaking in my boots.

"I am going to get your dress supplies. Since you can't see the materials I am getting, I want you to look around." She sang before ditching me downstairs, my face paling. This was great, I was in a strange place with strange money. Running over to the cuff links, my fingers wrapped around the box. Meandering around the store, a spell book caught my eyes. Picking up the purple book, a dark energy hovered behind me. A shadow figure tossed me into the shelves, glass raining down on me. The cold hands wrapped around my ankles, metal clanking as it dragged me across the floor. A black crowbar sat inches from me, my fingers grasping for it. Jamming it towards it, panic gripped my mind when the crowbar slid through them. Grabbing the nearest jar of salt, my trembling fingers ripped off the cork. Tossing the salt in its face, the hand finally let go. Black energy swirled around my arm, my hair flying up. Jamming the ball in its direction, claws grew from its fingers. Searing pain coursed through my face as his claws tore up my cheeks. Black blood poured down my cheeks, my fist slamming into its face. Black flames devoured its body, a crowd gathering around me. The box of cuff links crashed to the floor, a growl rumbling in my throat.

"Black flames of darkness! Devour the monster in front of me." I chanted confidently, the lights flickering. His skin lightened to ashes,his body disintegrating at a single touch. Cheers erupted behind me, the store owner running up to me. Blood poured from my nose, the attack taking a bit more than usual. Collapsing to my knees, my shaking fingers wrapped around the box holding his cuff links. Tears welled up in my eyes, bruises covered my ankles. Why the hell did the whole world hate me here too? This wasn't fair!

"You can have anything you want." The store owner promised honestly, my body was twitching. "Would you like to have those cuff links? How about the spell book you were looking at? Each book is one of a kind, the books in this realm choose their owners." Everything hurt so bad, electrical jolts of pain shocked my body. Coughing up an unnatural amount of blood, a high fever burning my cheeks. She settled everything with ease, clammy sweat drenching my skin. Tossing me over her shoulder, embarrassment burning my cheeks. Sitting down in her hearse carriage, she laid my head on her lap. Playing with my hair, a black silk handkerchief hovered in my face. Accepting it graciously, blood stained it with every wipe. Shivering, she placed her blazer over me.

"You are too strong for your own good." She mused playfully, shifting through her many bags. "Chew on this." Shoving a red stick of solid candy into my lips, the bitter taste made me want to spit it out. Holding it in my mouth, she pressed the box with cuff links into my palm. Holding it to my chest, sweet slumber taking me off to dreamland.