|
Epilogue
The girl looked out from her perch. It was a low perch; lower than she imagined it would be. The faces commenting and admiring her beauty, and the craftsmanship that went into making her, were familiar. The names of all but one were forgotten, though all were hated.
“I see he modified the design”, said a voice.
“Yes, there were technical difficulties with the original design,” another voice said.
Trying hard to make sense of all that was being said, she focused on the voices most familiar to her. Her eyes darted, trying to catch the faces that matched those voices.
“I like this, though. No, she isn’t leaping out of the water. But this is more relaxing,” said a woman’s voice. “At least he did manage to have the water spring from her nipples and into the pond, as you wanted.”
“How did he do it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Does she know what she looks like?”
“Yes, it was a bit difficult to plum the foyer.”
“Amazingly realistic - her tail is beautiful – watch her eyes follow you –museum piece –engineering – breasts – fish,” she heard, the convolution of voices confounding her senses.
As the night wore on, the guests excused themselves, shaking Francis’ hand as they departed. Before leaving, Beatrice came to stand immediately in front of the girl.
“We were right. You are a far better fountain that you would have been a slave,” the woman said. “Oh, you may be interested to know that, in the year and a half since your abduction, the police have no leads. I do have a lead, though; your sister. She is only thirteen now and, in another few years, she is certain to be as lovely a work of art as you.”
End
I wish to express my thanks to my friends in the Writer’s Block. Whether you were students having to put up with my cold hearted instruction, or instructors having to put up with my Hitleresque ego, you aided and abetted in this story from start to finish.
Special thanks to Tessa. Your encouragement, excitement and friendship as I produced this tale were key to my own excitement in seeing it through.
Extra special thanks to my personal inspiration – you know who you are – for being so excited with each and every oddity I write and for being my #1 fan.