Flames.
All I can see are flames surrounding me. Screams also, who is screaming? I think until my vision partly clears to see dead bodies. So, so many, why is everyone dead?
Why?
I think as the world around me crumbles surrendering to the flames and burning into ashes.
~
My eyes open as I wake up panting I try to calm myself as I sit up.
Why is it that dream again? I think as I massage my forehead calming down. "I should probably get some water" I mumble to myself as I get up and go towards the kitchen. Everything is so dark that I stumble around trying to find the light switch in the murky darkness.
When I find it and turn it on it temporarily overloads my sight as I let out a sigh. I slowly open my eyes getting used to the brightness as I go to the cupboard to get a glass then fill it up with water. As I slowly drink the water and regain my bearings, I walk back to my room to sit at my desk.
Then I recount what happened in my dream as I grab a pen and paper from a place at my desk. After that I write about the flames the bodies the memory fog and then close it finishing with my recollection as I glance at the clock on the wall showing that the time is four fifty in the morning. Which means I have to open up shop soon.
I then get into a change of clothes and wash my face as I look into the mirror my short wavy blonde hair with red tips standing up since I haven't brushed it yet. Along with my blood red eyes as I sigh and grab a hair brush to brush my hair.
Then go back to my room to pick out my clothes from my closet which are, a red skirt with a high cut along with a pair of black shorts and a dark red Victorian style shirt tucked in with black high heels. Then go down to the first floor. which is also where my workshop is along with my display area along with the cashier counter. In the main area there are my tools for labor along with mechanical humanoids, clocks, pocket watches, and small mechanical toys or music box's to.
I sit down at the front desk not having anything to do but wait with my own thoughts recounting on my past with nostalgia. With how murky this city and world is it feels good at times to remember who you are. Also regarding the fact that in this city this world you will have to lose yourself to make it.
This world will destroy you from the inside out if your will is not strong enough. A world where steam and machines only matter and where a thick smog covers most city's.
My thoughts are suddenly brought back to the real world as I hear the door bell as I look up at the person. As they say.
"Hello. Is this Elise's clockwork mechanics? May I take a custom order?"
"Ah, yes it is I am Elise. what would it be that you want?"
I answer the women's question as she is walking into my shop. She has bright orange ginger hair along with freckles on her face. Honey brown eyes and, she stands tall and confident her hair is also tied up in a high ponytail with a bow. She is wearing a long sleeved dark blue Victorian shirt tucked into black pants and, black heeled ankle boots with small white dots that look like stars.
"I'd like a knife that can be hidden as a pen."
A knife that can be hidden as a pen..? Sure I can make that but.. well it's not really my problem in the first place or my place to pry.
"Ok I can make that but I'd need to have your name, address along with landline number and, with a hundred and fifty or so dollars as pay."
I say as I take out a contract for the commission.
She then writes down all the information and gives the contract back to me. As I look over the information that she has written.
___________________________________
Name: Lily Smith
Address: ********
Landline number: *********
Commission: a clockwork knife that can turn into a pen.
Commission fee: 140$
Tax fee: 26$
Total fee 166$
Signature: LS
_____________________________________
"Ok Mrs. Smith if there's nothing else you need you can leave and check back in two weeks for your commission."
She then puts a hand where her heart is and bowing and saying something as she is putting the money on the counter.
"Yes thank you very much"
She then leaves as I mentally go over the materials I will need to complete Mrs. Smiths product.