by Cege Smith
Before Cameron was born, Eve rarely thought about the soulless ones. She knew that the adults were kept behind closed doors at the Soulless Asylum. It was only after Cameron was born that Eve found out that parents often left their infants there too until their Soul Distribution Day. Malcom and Eve didn't have a lot of extra money, and sending Cameron to the Soulless Asylum was simply too expensive. So without anyone else to help, Eve had been sequestered at home per regulation with her ugly soulless baby.
Today signaled the start of their new life. Eve started gnawing on her lower lip, a tick leftover from her childhood. As long as Cameron didn't end up with a bad soul, they'd be home free. But there were no soul guarantees. You got what you got, and sometimes you wouldn't know that your child had a bad soul until it was too late. Eve shuddered and rubbed her hands together. It wouldn't do her any good to keep dwelling on that. She hoped that she would never feel the need to lock her bedroom door at night.
"Do you want to talk through the ceremony steps again?" Eve asked. She needed something to distract her mind. She looked down at the open manual in her lap.
Malcom sighed. "Again?"
"Malcom, we have to do everything right if we want to make sure that Cameron attracts the best soul in the fountain. I'd hate to think that your daughter got stuck with sloppy seconds just because you forgot to say an incantation right," Eve snapped.
"We don't even know if any babies other than Cameron are getting implanted today," Malcom said patiently.
Eve hated how calm he always was; nothing ever seemed to faze him. "They called four names on the public announcement, and I don't see anything in this guide that says they'd go through all of this formality for just one infant."
"Well, the Office of Souls isn't exactly forthcoming with details about any of this stuff," Malcom said.
"Everything is right here," Eve said, holding up the Official Handbook of Soul Implantation Procedure and shaking it at him. "You are always so skeptical. It seems very straightforward as long as you don't deviate from the protocol."
"Do you ever wonder why there is a “protocol?" Malcom asked. "Haven't you wondered why the whole soul implantation process is so secretive? I bet Before they didn't even have procreation procedures. What don't they want you to know that you should know?"
Eve let out a short sigh of frustration. She and Malcom had had the same philosophical argument since the day their names had been called as winners of the procreation lottery. She couldn't believe they were having this discussion yet again at this particular juncture, when they were finally getting their hearts' desire.
"Malcom, it isn't for us to question the Office of Souls. And personally, I couldn't care less if there is a protocol, ten million steps, or the sacrifice of a limb. I would do it to get Cameron a soul."
"That's because you'd give them one of my limbs, isn't it?" Malcom asked solemnly.
Eve let out a long burst of laughter and felt the tension leave the car. "Of course. I'm glad we're on the same page," she finally managed to sputter.
Malcom turned toward her with an expression of mock pain and then looked back out the windshield. Eve felt all of her worry dissipate. She was being silly. Everything was going to be fine.
She reached over and squeezed Malcom's arm. "Our daughter is getting her soul today. I can't wait to celebrate tonight. I love you."
Malcom met her eyes and smiled. Eve relaxed into her seat. In just a few short hours, it would all be over.
SAMUEL
Samuel hurried between each of the groups of acolytes scattered across the garden. His message for each of them was the same: The Head Master asks that you complete your meditation as soon as possible and return to your rooms for the duration of the ceremony.
He knew that the acolytes were surprised. Soul Distribution Day was a special day, and being able to observe it helped the acolytes see the fruits of their labor; it connected them to their reason for service to the Light. The magic of the transformation and seeing a soul choose and take hold in its human host made all of the ambiguity of life inside the compound worthwhile.
The ceremony itself was powerful and electrifying. It felt otherworldly, and if you looked at the fountain instead of the Chosen, you could even peek into the other realm where the souls resided during their recuperation between hosts. Samuel regretted taking this away from the acolytes attending the garden, especially the ones who had risen high enough in rank to be able to observe since the last Soul Distribution Day.
"But why, sir?" asked Advanced Junior Acolyte James Myer.
James had applied and been accepted to the Office of Souls less than a year ago. His superiors quickly noted the fervor with which he served and his dedication to his tasks. Less than six months later, he had been invited to join one of the Circle of Meditators who facilitated the garden preparation for Soul Distribution Days. Today was supposed to be the first time James observed the ceremony.
Samuel felt a twinge of satisfaction, even though he knew that to feel so was mean-spirited. He had taken James under his wing after the third report of James' excellence crossed the Head Master's desk. The Head Master showed great interest in the reports, and declared that he had uncovered Samuel's successor when Samuel passed on. As Samuel had no intention of passing on anytime soon, he had been keeping James close to him ever since. It wasn't unheard of to have an "accident" pave the wave for a promotion in the Office of Souls; especially as a benefit of service was an extended life cycle. That meant there was very little room for movement into the upper ranks of the administration.
"We don't question the Head Master's wishes," he said to James. He noted the expression of annoyance on the younger man's face. It was something that James needed to learn to control. "The Head Master realizes that this request will be disappointing to many. But the Head Master is only looking out for the best interests of the Chosen, and it is our duty to obey him."
"There is evil in this garden," he heard a voice whisper behind him. Samuel whirled around. Bishop stood behind him, but his eyes were unfocused. Samuel often wondered about the man's stability. He had tried to tell the Head Master about his concerns, especially when Samuel found the notebook that proved the gardener's interest in the fountain remained well after the "incident", but the Head Master wouldn't listen.
"Bishop, you have your orders," he barked. He was relieved to see the man blink and then seem to realize where he was. The gardener shrunk away with his shears gripped in his hands. He needed to speak to the Head Master. He turned back to the group, ignoring James's glare. "The ceremony starts in less than three hours. I would hurry. You need to complete your meditation as soon as possible."
He started to move away when he felt a hand on his arm. Touch was forbidden in the Soul Garden, and he jerked his arm away to find James toe to toe with him.
"Sir, I must speak with you," James whispered. "I don't mean to be insubordinate; sir, but the Head Master promised that I would be able observe this ceremony."
"James, I understand that you are eager to learn as much as you can and advance your career within the Office of Souls. The Head Master has his reasons, and you know there will be another ceremony soon. There are extenuating circumstances around today's ceremony and the Head Master feels that it is most prudent to have only required members of the Office of Souls present with the Chosen for soul implantation. I am sorry, but this is his wish." Samuel was amazed at the young man's imprudence, and then wondered why he was bothering to go into such detail over a request that should be easily obeyed.
"He promised," James insisted.
"He changed his mind," Samuel said. He was tired of catering to this brash young man. He was tired of worrying about constantly having to watch his back. He nodded toward the group. "The meditation circle is not as effective when all the members aren't participating. Today of all days, the Head Master would be displeased to hear that the integrity of the safety net was compromised because some junior acolyte decided to pursue his own interests."
He saw James's eyes narrow as he caught Samuel's unspoken threat.
"Of course, sir. I didn't mean to overstep my bounds."
At that moment, Samuel saw something dangerous in James's eyes. He would have to keep a much closer eye on the young acolyte, he thought. He nodded, "As you were. If anything changes I will let you know."
James walked back to his group and joined the circle. Soon his head had dropped and he was deep in the meditation trance. Samuel drew a quick safety symbol in the air and then headed down the path towards the administrative offices. He didn’t know if any of the unusual things happening were because of the unseen dangers the Head Master had warned about, or because they were deviating from the normal routine, but either way he needed to find out.
MARIUS
Marius retrieved the book from his room and hid it under his jacket. As he stepped outside the Soulless Asylum, he looked both ways to see if anyone saw him. The Asylum residents weren't supposed to leave the building, but Marius had tested that rule a few times over the years. After the last time, when his sudden appearance at one of the acolyte resident halls had caused an uproar, the Head Master threatened the door of the Asylum to keep him in. But as with all things in the Asylum, the acolytes got lax and the door was left unlocked again. Marius was just a lot more careful in his excursions outside the Asylum walls.
As Chim had promised, the Office of Souls’ staff was non-existent around the grounds since the majority of the acolytes were required to prepare for the soul implantation ceremony. Marius had never understood why it required all the hoopla that it received. But he didn't care. Once he was souled, he would be the master of his own destiny. And that destiny involved getting as far away from the rule of the Office of Souls as possible, even if that meant leaving Malm.
He quickly made his way down the path that led to the administration building. He counted off five benches on the side of the path and then stepped beneath the heavy shade tree next to it. He didn't dare sit down. Behind him the high shrubbery marked an exterior wall of the garden. The shrub was at least twenty feet high, and was such a thick density that a human would look like a bloodied pin cushion if he attempted to push through to the other side. But even if someone was crazy enough to try it anyway, the protection spell that encircled the garden was potent enough to keep all intruders away. Marius had heard the rumors, and although no one really knew what the protection spell would do, the general consensus was that it would render you soulless and dead.
"Good to see you again, Marius."
Marius swung around and tried not to show his surprise at Chim's appearance next to him seemingly out of thin air. Chim had a way of doing that, and Marius wouldn't put it past him to have figured out a way to transport directly into the garden. "I didn't see you there, Chim."
"I'm only seen when I want to be seen. You know that, Marius." The little man chuckled.
Even though Chim was hidden deep in the shadow of the shrubbery, Marius could still make out his red eyes and shrunken nose. The soulless were ugly, but Chim bordered on repugnant. Marius had observed that Chim's skin was losing the telltale mottled tone and was instead turning the color of rot in many places. Marius wondered how old Chim really was; his appearance suggested he was ancient.
"What's next?" Marius asked. He was ready to move. He was nervous standing there out in the open. He knew if they were spotted it would raise an alarm.
"We just need to wait a little bit longer," Chim said. “In about thirty minutes the garden is going to be empty except for the Chosen and their parents, the Head Master, and the Lead Acolyte.”
"Where are the rest of the acolytes going to be? I thought that they watched the ceremony."
"They are being sent to their rooms after they tie off the safety net," Chim replied. He grinned. "We're going to be able to walk right up to the fountain and get both of us a pretty little soul. It'll be like taking candy from a baby; literally in this case."
Marius wasn't sure what to make of this information. Everything about the day so far seemed very different from any other Soul Distribution Day. "How do you know all of this, Chim?"
Chim snorted. "When you've been around as long as I have, Marius, you'll know a thing or two. Mostly you'll know when the stars are aligned in your favor so that you can take advantage of it."
Marius decided that it was time to voice something that he had been turning around in his mind ever since the day Chim had approached him with his plan. "Is that why you’ve never tried to do this before?"
"What’s with all of these questions?" Chim's voice raised in pitch. "I'm offering you the opportunity to get the thing that you’ve always wanted; the thing that has always been withheld from you. I would think you'd be eager to do whatever I asked instead of questioning my intentions."
Marius simply nodded. He had no interest in getting Chim upset. He was just curious.
As if reading his mind, Chim took a deep breath. "I know this is a lot to process, and you must be very excited."
Marius shrugged. While he knew he had developed rudimentary emotions for a soulless one, he wasn’t sure if this feeling inside him was what a souled one would call excited. He was much more familiar with anger. He knew that he had gotten a bad roll of the dice when it came to his existence and future, and that he didn't like it.
"I can't do this alone, Marius. I had to wait a long time for someone like you to come along. Potential partners are slim pickings."
Marius understood that. Most of the soulless wandered around in circles in the Soulless Asylum when they weren't eating or sleeping. They were little more than ugly shells, constant reminders of mistakes and misfortune. To encounter a soulless who could not only communicate, but process logical thoughts was a rare. Marius didn't know of anyone like him and Chim at the asylum. Before him, Marius hadn't had a coherent companion in many years.
"So the acolytes are all going to be in their rooms. Then what, we waltz into the garden, go the fountain, and grab a soul?" Marius asked.
"It will only be slightly more difficult than that, but yes, you've got the general gist," Chim said as he drew his hands together in a peak in front of his chest.
Marius thought it looked like a mock prayer. "We should probably talk about the more difficult parts, then."
Chim pursed his lips. "As you know, there is only way into the garden that isn't protected by that stupid death and damnation spell."
Marius nodded. The only way into and out of the garden was the entrance by the front gate.
"Today the entrance will be guarded," Chim said.
That news surprised Marius. "The entrance is never guarded."
"The Head Master thought some added layers of security today would be a good idea."
Marius frowned. "It's like he knows we're coming."
Chim waved his hand, "He knows nothing. What he thinks he knows isn't even the half of it. Besides, his precautions are laughable."
"So there will be violence," Marius said. "I want my soul, but I don't want to have to hurt someone."
"Oh, how precious. A soulless with an ethical code," Chim smirked.
Marius didn't like being the butt of anyone's joke. He started to say so when Chim raised his hand and silenced him.
"If you do everything I say exactly the way I say it, then there won't be any need for you to do violence, Marius."
"Then tell me what to do, Chim. I'm ready."
SAMUEL
Samuel couldn't find the Head Master. He searched his office, his bedroom, the dining hall, and the courtyard. He was on the verge of panicking. The ceremony was scheduled to start in less than thirty minutes, and he had seen the cars of the Chosen starting to gather in the parking lot.
Finally he found him sitting in the very back corner of the library. The old man was just sitting there, staring out into space.
"Sir?" Samuel said as he slowly approached him. The Head Master didn't respond. "Head Master?" he said louder. In the empty room the words seem to reve
rberate like heavy rolls of thunder as they made their way back to his ears, and he winced.
The Head Master's gaze finally focused and settled on Samuel. The hair stood up on the back of his neck. The Head Master's eyes looked haunted.
"Samuel," the Head Master rasped. "What can I do for you?"
Samuel wondered if the Head Master was ill. "The Chosen have started to arrive, Head Master. It is almost time for the ceremony. I did as you asked and sent the acolytes to their rooms. Bishop is stationed outside the garden entrance. He was acting strangely again, though."
The Head Master nodded, but his shoulders drooped. "As if any of it will do any good."
"Sir?" Samuel was alarmed. This man in front of him looked like the Head Master, but all of his usual confidence and presence seemed to have been stripped away. And what Samuel was left with was a timid old man.
"Samuel, do you believe in evil?" the Head Master asked as he cast his gaze up at the ornate ceiling tiles.
It was an odd question. "I believe that sometimes bad things happen," Samuel replied. "But the Office of Souls keeps all things that lurk with malicious intentions away. It has been that way since the beginning of Malm, after the end of Before."
The Head Master sighed and then grimaced. "I'm afraid that we are about to embark on a new age, Samuel. One that is very different than the one you know today. What we know today may well become the next generation's “Before." I have done my best to protect us—the men and women here who have pledged service to the Office of Souls, the Residents of the territory, and our way of life. There are many who would say that my rules have been too stringent. But it was necessary."