Young Writers Society

Chapter three

I sat in the shop, alone. Craunia had gone back to the palace after giving her opinion about the designs. I put my head in my hands. Craunia had a specific design in mind, but she couldn't describe it the way she wanted it. Nearly half the designs were crumpled in the trash. I sat with a pen in my hand, staring at a blank sheet of paper for what seemed to be hours.

I wasn't going to be able to come up with ideas tonight. So I packed my bag and locked up the shop. Craunia had given me a Small coin for talking with her after hours. I slung my bag over my shoulder and began to walk home.

In the soft moonlight, frost sparkled on the ground, mirroring the stars. I stood there for a moment, exhausted.

“Kim…” Oh, no. I turned with annoyance to see Arron's face staring at me sadly.

“Do you need anything?” I began to walk.

“No, just you…” he grabbed my hand. “Kim… I know I've been annoying, but-”

“But nothing, I can live on my own.” I turned away.

“Please!” He gripped my hand tighter. “It's the only way for you to be married! It's the only way for you to be happy!”

“Happy?” I pulled my hand away. “Happy? Being stuck with you for the rest of my life isn't my idea of happy.”

“But Kim!” He tried to grab me.

“Don't touch me. I'm not marrying you!” I pulled away and began to walk quickly. I turned a corner before hearing him call out my name. His footsteps were approaching. I rolled my eyes and ran into the nearest shop.

“A little late for a shopping trip, eh?” I jumped around to see a withering man smiling at me. He smelled like strong lye and cleaner. I then took in my surroundings, a Castle Boundary jewelry shop.

“Sorry, sir. I was just-”

“Ah, young troubles. Running away from a fiance?” I began to shake my head. He laughed. “I had the same problem with a girl who thought we were meant to be.”

“Really?” I laughed awkwardly. I just wanted to leave, really.

“I’m Eliott Jeorge, I work the late night shifts here. Just look around the shop until you feel it's safe.” He gestured towards the elegant jewels. “If you need me, I'll be in the employee’s room.” He left quickly. Leaving me slightly dazed.

I heard Arron still calling my name. So I began to look around at the different jewelry. They were all so beautiful. I rubbed my fingers over a smooth purple Stone and sighed in desire. Something shined in my eyes and I looked up.

It was captivating, the beautiful amber embedded into a silver frame. Before I knew it, I was holding it in my hand. Staring with such intensity that I noticed there wasn't a single dent, or any fault at all, in the stone. I exhaled in amazement. It seemed to be calling to me. You can't afford it. I tried to put it down, but i… couldn't. Why are you obsessed with this? There are much nicer ones that you can buy!

“That one… that one's been here for an eon of time.” Eliott's voice made me jump. “We've been trying to sell it for years…”

“Just a piece of jewelry.” I tried to put it down. Tried to unlatch my fingers. My knuckles were white with strain. I couldn't let go of it.

“Keep it.” Eliott pushed the necklace to me. It was like a weight had been lifted out of my chest. I was deliriously happy as I immediately put it on my neck. I smiled like mad as the cold stone settled on my chest. it seemed to beat with my heart. Eliott smiled.

“That hasn't sold for nearly a century.” Eliott fingered the amber stone. He looked me right in the eyes. “It seems to have been waiting for you.”

“Th-thank you.” I stammered. I was so in love with the necklace that I hardly cared what he was saying.

“Go home now.” Eliott walked over to the door and opened it slowly. I kept staring at the necklace in a trance. It was mine. It seemed to have been made for me. I walked out the door silently and never took my eyes off the necklace. I knew every path in the Lelik by heart and didn't need to look at where I was going.

I was sitting in my bed when I looked up from the necklace. I sighed. I needed to take it off to sleep. I searched for the clasp, but my fingers only felt the chain holding the stone.

I ran my hands over the entire chain. There… was no clasp. I stood suddenly, rushing to the mirror. I studied the whole necklace. There was no clasp. I tried pulling it over my head. The chain was too small. I then began pulling the necklace to try and break it.

“Come on you stupid thing!” I whispered. I grabbed a kitchen knife and began to hack at the chain. I kept hitting the chain until Sparks flew off of it. I slumped down on the ground. This necklace was… indestructible.

“Kimmy?” Mariene poked her face out of the bed room. Warrann followed her.

“Sorry, Mariene. Sorry Warrann. I didn't mean to be that loud.” I forced a smile.

“It's okay Kimmy.” She gasped. “ What's that? It's so pretty!” She pointed to my necklace.

“I got it today.” I stared at the stone again and fingered the smooth surface. “I can't take it off, though.” I grumbled. I yawned as Mariene looked at me in confusion.

“That's okay.” Mariene pulled my hand. “You need to go to sleep.” She said sweetly. I smiled and let her pull me up and into the bed room. Warrann hugged my legs and crawled into his bed. I gave Mariene a hug and she went to bed as well.

I held the necklace in my hand. Running my thumb over the surface of the stone. I couldn't take it off. I sighed, laid down and pulled up the bedsheets. I could feel the necklace resting on my chest. Well, maybe it’d take away my nightmares.

If only.