The Broken

by A. L. Frances

  “Yep, they should be arriving any minute now.”

  “Well, they ain’t here, so call them again!”

  Matthew is a bag of nerves. He worries that he won’t be able to concentrate as the recent terrifying delusional events continue to play on a loop in his mind. He is standing next to Daniel in the immaculate, glass-paned boardroom, waiting in anticipation for the arrival of Bill Hades. Glistening spotlights are beaming bright on the ceiling, creating a warming glow throughout the room. Ten high-back, red leather chairs stand alongside a huge glass table in the middle of the room. Sitting in the centre is a modern crystal-clear art deco vase, filled with ten of the whitest lilies.

  Across the way on an oversized white wooden cabinet is a huge seventy-two-inch television. On the other side of the room sits another matching cabinet which contains a hidden built-in mini fridge. On top of the cabinet laid out in an organised fashion are ten Honey Productions personalised pens, pencils and notepads, matching the number of chairs around the table. On the edge of the cabinet, perfectly parallel and turned upside down, are ten stunning expensive crystal tumblers, along with the boardroom phone. Every item is positioned with precision. This organised and stunning room is immaculate; not a fragment of dust can be seen, nor a smudge on any of the glass.

  Daniel places everything that’s required out onto the table in readiness for today’s meeting. Matthew, still on edge, jumps as the boardroom phone begins ringing.

  “Hello, Daniel speaking. Oh, that’s great. Yeah, sure, tell them I’m coming downstairs to meet them now. Yep. Okay. Thanks Kirsty.”

  “Who’s here? It can’t be them, I’ve not met with Christina yet.”

  “You’ve not met with who yet? What are you getting in a tizzy about?” Christina says as she enters the boardroom.

  “Christina, thank God for that. What time do you call this?”

  “Erm, plenty of time before the meeting is what I call this.”

  “That was the caterers by the way, they’re in reception. I’ll leave you both to have your prep meeting. Be back shortly.” As he leaves the boardroom, Daniel whispers to Christina, “Good luck, he’s been a right stress head all morning, not sure what’s gotten into him.”

  Matthew waits for Daniel to go out of sight then sits at the table and places his head into his hands.

  “Matthew, what’s wrong?”

  His appearance is slumped as he’s looking at the floor.

  “Matthew, please, talk to me. What’s got you so wound up, is Eve okay?” Making her way across the room, she sits beside him. “Matthew – please, I beg you, speak to me, I’m getting worried. I haven’t seen you like this since, well, since Lauren died. Is Eve okay?”

  “Yeah, Eve’s fine.”

  Shaking his head, Matthew quickly wipes away the single tear that rolls down his cheek.

  Christina reaches out and holds him tight. “I miss her every day, too,” she says gently. “I really do. She was the only best friend I had for all my life.” Pulling back and holding onto his shoulders, she continues, “But Matthew, it’s time. You can move on. No one will judge you and I’m sure Lauren would want you to be happy. Please, stop doing this to yourself; no matter how much we would love to have her here again, it’s not going to happen. Lauren isn’t coming back.”

  Matthew wipes his face and clears his throat. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping too great recently, and it’s draining me. My memory’s going, my nerves are shot, and I’m being told by the doc that it’s normal. It doesn’t feel very normal, Chris.”

  “I know. Listen, we all know your heart will always lie with Lauren. She was amazing, she truly was. But look at what you actually have present in your life now. Eve seems to like this Jess, which is your biggest challenge of all. She has been raving to Melissa about her. The best advice I can give you is to just relax and stop being so hard on yourself. Enjoy this for whatever it is. No one is saying go away, have babies, get married and buy a house—”

  “Don’t even joke about that,” Matthew interrupts.

  “Matthew – look, stop being so serious, it’s not what we’re all saying. Life goes on; it’s a fact. How do you think my mum and dad felt? They buried their child, the other half of me, my twin… it has been so hard on everyone, and we all just want you to be YOU again. Maybe without this Jess, or with her, but whatever it is, you must decide fast or you’re going to make yourself ill. You look exhausted.”

  “I haven’t slept. I can’t sleep. I keep seeing this woman. I can’t explain it because I can’t remember all the details, but she’s just constantly taunting me at night. I know it sounds mental, but I’m telling you this because, well, what have I got to lose, really? Nothing.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank you for what?”

  “For speaking to me. I know how hard this is for you. Matthew, it’s such a traumatic thing we’ve all experienced, you and Eve more than most. The reality is, your mind is clearly playing cruel tricks on you. I promise. Maybe you should head back to the doctor’s after the meeting today.”

  “Can’t. I’ve got to go straight home from here, there’s something I need to check back at the house. Hopefully I’ll get some closure. I promise, if it carries on, I’ll go back. I think I’m just going to cool it off with Jess for a while. Stay friends. I only hope Eve doesn’t freak out.”

  “I’m sure she’ll understand. Now, off to the toilet and sort yourself out before Daniel comes back and Bill and Vera get here.”

  “Thanks, Chris, I’m lucky I have you.” Matthew heads to the door and, as he opens it, he turns and says, “You truly are like her in every way, you know. Like you say, the other half.”

  Matthew walks into the toilets and heads straight for the sink. He turns on the taps and repeatedly splashes cold water onto his face. Water drips from his features as he keeps his head down, his arms spread out on either side of the sink. Matthew is desperate to return back to normal. Wiping the excess water from his face and straightening his tie, his mind unexpectedly throws him back into a happier time of his life.

  Tiny Eve is toddling around their favourite clothes shop. She’s pulling at her mum’s arm, rushing to the tie rack. Lauren’s smiling, Eve’s giggling and Matthew’s not too far behind them both. Gripping the ruby-red silk tie with her hands, she rips it from the tie rack. Eve mischievously runs off to her daddy and passes it to him, saying, “Daddy’s tie.”

  Matthew snaps back to reality. He’s wearing the ruby-red tie from his vision. As he takes a deep breath in, suddenly the light in the toilets flashes off and quickly flashes back on again. No sooner has he regained his sight, he’s frozen stiff. She’s standing right behind him. The Dark Empress has returned. As she lifts her head, black blood gushes out of her mouth. The light once again flickers off, and this time, when it comes back on, she’s gone! Breaking down, Matthew sobs into his hands. “Please, just stop. Leave me alone. I can’t take this any longer. Lauren, if it’s you, I’m sorry! Please, I’m sorry.”

  Matthew’s had enough. He curls up into a ball on the floor of the toilet. He can’t cope with the mental torture. Physically and mentally drained, Matthew begins to cry uncontrollably.

  Eve is backstage getting ready for her final ever production at the school theatre. She’s been nervously practising all morning with her fellow musicians. Students of all ages, from all school years are congregated in the designated practice areas, excitedly preparing for the performance. This year, Eve has her very own solo and she’s reviewing her notes, alone, in the corner of the dressing room. Once she’s satisfied with her understanding of the chosen piece, her mind begins to wander. She’s confused by the thoughts racing around her head. All the other girls, grouped together, are extremely giddy. They’re all loudly giggling and chatting away to each other in the middle of the dressing room.

  “That was the best we’ve eve
r done it. Girls, we’re going to rock this.”

  “I know, I’m emosh, this is our last ever show. I’m gonna miss spending this time with you ladies. Group hug?”

  “Group hug.”

  “Eve… Come on. Eve… Eve, are you ok?” says one of the girls, whose name is Emma.

  “Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, what were you saying?” Eve replies.

  “Georgina was saying we’re going to rock this. Group hug, come on, get in,” Emma says.

  “No, I’m all right, thanks, I’ll stay here,” Eve says.

  Emma makes her way over to Eve, looking concerned. “Are you sure you’re alright? You’ve been on another planet all morning?”

  “Yeah, sorry, just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “Nothing, really.”

  “Well, I don’t think it’s quite nothing, you’ve barely spoken to any of us all morning. Eve, I know we haven’t been close for some time now, and God only knows I’ve tried to be there for you, but you won’t let me in. Please, don’t do this, you’re not alone. Speak to me.”

  “Emma, you won’t understand, and I can’t explain it anyway.”

  “Try me.”

  “Okay then, but you’re gonna freak out.”

  “Like I said, try me.”

  “Something’s coming,” Eve states.

  “Huh, what’s coming?”

  “Argh, see, it’s hard to explain.”

  “Well at least try.”

  “The voices inside my head. Emma, they keep rambling on about my purpose.”

  “Voices?”

  “Yeah, voices.”

  “So, I still don’t understand, what’s coming? Your purpose? I’m confused, what does that even mean?”

  “I’m not sure. Look, come over here.”

  Grabbing Emma by the arm, Eve drags her over to the clothing rail where all their wonderful costumes hang in size order. She pulls Emma in between the items. She doesn’t want anyone to see them or hear what she’s about to say.

  “This should be safe. Okay, be quiet and don’t tell anyone.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Emma, promise me?”

  “I promise. Eve, you’re scaring me slightly.”

  “Emma, it’s serious. I keep hearing this voice. It’s constantly whispering to me, telling me that my time has come, and saying that my purpose is greater than this, greater than me.”

  “Okay, that’s a bit strange. Eve, I think that maybe you should go and speak to someone.”

  “I can’t, Emma, I must trust the process.”

  “Trust the process? Eve, what on earth has gotten into you? Listening to these voices and letting them in? I mean, come on, that’s not exactly normal, you must see that.”

  “Define normal, Emma?”

  “Not that.”

  “You don’t understand. I get it, it’s fine, you’re a clone and you’ll always be a clone. Go on, off you go, get back to your group hug.”

  “Don’t be mean, Eve. Why do you have to push people away all the time?”

  “Push people away? Why, how close have you all been for me to push you away? I think you’ll find you’ve stayed well away from me for a long time.”

  “No, I haven’t! You wouldn’t let me near to help.”

  “That’s a load of crap and you know it. You dropped me at my time of need. My mum died, and we’d been friends since nursery. Ten years of friendship, for what? My mum made you tea and looked after you when you came and stayed over at our house, then you drop me when I need you most.”

  “Eve, I tried to help you. I can’t believe you think that. You turned so nasty. What was I supposed to do? Allow you to keep having a pop at me cause my mum and dad are still alive and together? You made our friendship impossible.”

  “Impossible? Ha-ha, don’t make me laugh. Shows your commitment to our long-standing friendship.”

  “Whatever, Eve. Seriously, don’t ruin this for us; we’ve all worked hard for this and it’s our last one. Just because you’re unhappy doesn’t mean the rest of us should have to change and tip-toe around you.”

  “Unhappy? You lot don’t understand the meaning of the word unhappy, with your protected lives. You’ll soon see. I can’t wait for my day. You’ll all see. It’s not far away and then, well, I don’t need to say what’s going to happen next. I’ll show you all.”

  “Whatever, Eve, I’m done trying to make you feel okay. Enjoy your misery.”

  “Yeah, enjoy your fake friendships. Pfttt…”

  Separating the clothing and stepping back out into the dressing room, Emma goes off to join the group of girls, leaving Eve on her own.

  Eve hears one of the girls ask, “What’s up with happy over there?”

  “Oh, the usual: everything’s got to be about Eve. I give up trying,” Emma replies.

  “I don’t even know why you try. I wouldn’t give her the time of day after the way she treated you. Emma, you’re better off with us anyway.”

  “Thanks, Georgie. I love you.”

  “I love you too, my beaut. Now, everyone, let’s do this.”

  Eve comes out from the clothing rail and watches as Emma and her friends mischievously creep around backstage. Peeping through the huge, heavy red-velvet curtains, they’re all getting excited as some of their parents are beginning to take their seats. Eve has reserved two seats on the front row. One for her dad, and the other for Jess. As the girls move on, Eve makes her way over and peers through the curtains. Neither her dad nor Jess are sat in their seats. The production is starting in less than thirty minutes, and as she’s left her phone at home she can’t call either of them to confirm if they’re coming or not. She doesn’t hold out much hope.

  “Eve, come on, quick.”

  “Huh?” Eve turns to see Layla, a pretty red-headed girl from Eve’s music class.

  “You’re spacing out again. Mrs Maztalerz is looking for us.”

  Layla pulls Eve along and they rush into the dressing room and grab their instruments. They are greeted there by their teacher, Mrs Maztalerz, a beautiful, fun and unique woman.

  As Eve stands in the packed-out dressing room, her mind begins to drift again, this time to a happier time in her life. Hearing her teacher’s voice, Eve snaps back to reality.

  “Right everyone, settle down, settle down. Can everyone hear me? Hello?” Cough, cough. “Everyone! That’s better. Okay, thank you. So does everyone have their instruments?”

  “Yes, Mrs Maztalerz,” the whole group of students say in sync.

  “Okay, the parents are now arriving and we’re about to start at any minute, so I want you all to get in your outfits. Introduction team, where are you?”

  The group of twenty students put up their hands, Eve included.

  “Can you all quickly get changed and line up over by the curtains on the correct side to which you are to be seated. And please, be quick, you’re our opening act.”

  The curtains are closed. The conductor has just taken his bow, and he is now standing at the front of the stage with his back to the crowd. As the final parents take their seats, the curtains open. Sitting in her starting position, Eve looks anxiously to the front row. The seat she has reserved for her dad is, as predicated, empty. Disappointment and anger build up inside of her. She looks to the other seat and, astounded, she sees Jess. She’s smiling, with her head held high. Their eyes lock.

  Tapping his baton on the edge of the wooden stand, the conductor begins the musical performance.

  The audience clap and cheer with pride at all the amazing pieces of music they are blessed to hear from their talented children. Performance after performance after performance. Before she knows it, it’s time. Eve’s moment has arrived. Mrs Maztalerz proudly makes her way to the front of the stage.

  “How great have they
all been? I’m blown away and so very proud of them all. Now, as many of you know, this is the last production for most of the students here as they leave school in a couple of weeks and will start the newest chapter of their lives. Many of them have bravely elected to perform a solo for you this afternoon, and so it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you, on piano, the amazing, multi-talented Evelyn Jade Honey. Please, put your hands together as we welcome her to the stage.”

  Walking out nervously, Eve once again looks to the front row. She’s so angry. Her dad still isn’t sat in his seat. He hasn’t bothered to turn up, even though he knows how important this is! The voice in her mind whispers the same words over and over on a loop. Standing alone, she looks to Jess and bows. She sits on the stool at the huge black grand piano. No sooner have her fingers graced the keys than her thoughts are taken over. She’s given into the whispering voice and the last pure molecule of her soul has surrendered. With this final submission, her eyes become overcast and grey. She feels as though she’s about to throw up, and her head begins to spin uncontrollably.

  Under her breath, Jess whispers, “Your soul is mine.”

  Eve passes out on the stool and violently hits her head off the keys on the piano as she falls to the floor. She begins to convulse. Mrs Maztalerz tries to run to Eve’s aid, but as soon as she reaches the piano, an unforeseen force awakens around Eve’s shaking body and throws Mrs Maztalerz across the stage. Mrs Maztalerz lands in a heap on the ground and lies motionless, her eyes wide open. It’s as if her soul is no longer present in her body. Before anyone has chance to tend to both Eve or Mrs Maztalerz, all the lights go off and the theatre becomes dark.

  Panicking, the parents begin grabbing their children and fumbling around in the dark. All of them desperately attempt to rush for the nearest exit. When they realise what has happened, all the students behind the stage become hysterical. Everyone starts to scream, and the noise of each scream combined becomes ear-piercing. People of all ages, both young and old, are radiating fear. The evil entity that has taken control of the room is feeding from the distress, gaining strength with every second.

  A single spotlight appears at the front of the stage, focused on Eve. Standing up calmly, Jess fixes her attention on Eve. Her eyes hold secrets and are filled with deceit. She looks victorious. Eve is still uncontrollably and violently convulsing on the floor. Black foam begins to ooze from her mouth. Suddenly, the shaking stops and she lies motionless. Jess slowly places one foot in front of the other as she makes her way over to Eve. She is transforming with every inch that she gets closer to Eve’s body. Her true demonic form is taking shape.