A few years go by, and we grow. They are more people in the community now. We have grown to about twenty-five members. Rufus and I had gotten even closer and now he basically lives with Mom and me.
Dad had never come back.
"Emma!" I hear Mom calling up the stairs for me. I jump so bad; I drop my hairbrush I'm running through my hair. It clatters on the floor, scaring me even more.
"Be down in a minute!" I yell back, picking up the brush. I turn back to my reflection and I'm surprised by what I see. My childish roundness is gone. My hair frames my face in a new way that I thought made me look pretty. I have doe eyes according to Rufus. He's always telling me that everything about me screams cute.
I glance to a corner of my room, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks at the spectacle. There's a simple brown table, that has a single framed picture of Rufus on it. It also has several candles surrounding it. I rarely light the candles, but I thought the shrine needed more to it. I shake my head and glance back into the mirror to stare at myself. I do my best to ignore the fluttering in my heart.
I finish getting ready and rush down to my mother. I bump into her at the entrance to the kitchen. She gives me a sharp look. "What was taking you so long? I was coming to call you again!" She says a bit peeved. She turns and makes her way back to the table, where I see a lovely white dress.
"What's this Mom?" I ask, running my fingers over the pure silk garment.
Mom looks back at me, and genuinely smiles, "Rufus and I were talking last night," She says, her voice full of excitement. "We decided it was time for you to enter adulthood and extend the life of Rufus." She tells me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. She gives me a quick short squeeze. I flip my head to her, my heart beating at a rapid pace.
"Really?!" I ask, not quite believing it. Her smile gets even bigger and she nods. I squeal and jump around. "I can't believe I'm going to join as a fully-fledged adult!" I tell her, clapping my hands together. Mom laughs, actually happy for me.
"What's with all this noise?" I hear behind me. I whirl around to see Rufus, a jacket slung over his arm. I run over to and give him a huge hug. My arms find their normal place around his neck. I hear Rufus give a small huff of amusement as he wraps an arm around my waist.
"Thank you," I whisper to him, burying my face into his neck. I feel Rufus run his hand along my spine, pulling me even closer. He presses a loving kiss atop my head.
Mom clears her throat and I release him to look back at her. Her face looks uneasy and she is fidgeting. "Let me make your favorite for breakfast, Emma." She says her smile firmly back in place.
I gasp, "Pancakes and bacon!"
Mom gives a small chuckle, pulling out all the ingredients. "You best go put that dress in your room, Emma. So it doesn't get dirty," She tells me. I nod my head and grab it oh-so-gently. I don't want to mess it up. I rush up the stairs, hearing a conversation start between Mom and Rufus.
I hang the dress up carefully, so it won't wrinkle anywhere. I gaze at it, amazed. I can't believe that I'm going to join as an adult. I'll finally have a say in the decisions, which means I won't have to leave when decisions have to be made. I will be able to stand beside Mom as Rufus walks in front of us and know we're all equal in his eyes.
The day passes by so slowly! I'm doing all my normal motions and I never realized how much they drag. I clean up around my house. I then go and assist in cleaning up other's homes. I help with the laundry and hanging it up. Normally, Rufus and I would spend some time together, but he's spending so much time making sure everything is perfect for my initiation into adulthood.
"Congratulations, Emma!" I look over my shoulder to see Mr. Smith waving at me.
"Thank you!" I shout back, waving. He smiles and moves on with his garden tools. He's heading towards Rufus's house. I guess Rufus's garden needs to be fixed up.
I miss Mr. Smith teaching me math. Not long after Dad left, my education stopped as well. Rufus had said that I didn't need much more than what Dad and Mr. Smith had already taught me. Mom had nodded along with everything Rufus said. At first, I had been happy...the sadness came. It meant they thought Dad was never coming back. I never understood why he left. I knew he was getting uncomfortable around Rufus, but he wouldn't have left without saying goodbye, right?
"Emma!" I jump and whirl to see Eliza looking at me. She isn't too much younger than Rufus and had joined a few weeks back. "Your hands need to be moving," She tells me sternly. She isn't a big fan of mine. She really didn't seem to like any other female in the community. Also, she's always all over Rufus. It's disgusting. Like really? What a whore!
But what if Rufus likes it? A pit forms in my stomach. Eliza is really pretty. She's curvy, while I look like a good gust would have me flying. Her eyes hold a million mysteries, while mine are so plain and honest. Her hair is longer and healthier looking than mine, which is stringy and full of knots. The true difference between us is that Eliza is a woman and I am a child.
I shake my head and get back to work. It is just a silly crush. It isn't like Rufus would ever look at me like that.
***
It is finally nighttime, and we are an hour out until my initiation. Mom's running a brush through my hair, humming. She looks distant like she is just going through the motions, not caring or noticing what she's doing. I look at my super long, but ugly hair, and a thought enters my head.
"Mom, could we cut my hair?" I ask. Mom jerks her hand, coming out of her daze. I flinch as she rips my hair towards my scalp. She meets my eyes through the mirror and blinks, processing my words.
"Why do you want to cut your hair?" She asks, smoothing the section she had messed up.
"I feel like it would make me more like an adult." Mom looks unsure, "Please Mom?" I'm pleading for her to understand with my eyes. I stare into her eyes that mirror mine through the mirror. She bites her lip, the unsure look not budging.
Finally, she sighs, "If that's what you want." She puts my brush down and goes to find the clippers. I am going to look like an adult. I glance over to my Rufus picture and feel heat rise to my cheeks. My heart starts to race a bit as well and my stomach is fluttering.
Thirty minutes later, and my hair is a bit past my shoulders. It looks so much better. I finally look, adult. I feel a tear cascade down my cheek.
"Emma?" Mom asks, alarm clear in her voice. I quickly wipe my tears.
"I'm okay, just happy," I tell her. I don't want to tell her why I'm happy. Mainly because I can't quite believe it either.
***
I'm standing beside Mom looking at the window before us. Rufus had rushed us back here, saying the preparations were almost done. My dress falls to the point it hangs a bit over my bare feet. Mom is wearing a red dress that falls to slightly below her knee. She looks gorgeous. Her makeup really brings out her beauty. I probably look like a child wearing their mother's makeup. The image of my new hair comes to my mind and I feel a wave of confidence wash over me. I. Am. Beautiful.
"Margaret." I see Mrs. Ike, similarly dressed to Mom, motion for her. Mom nods and waves her away.
"Mom?" I ask, she turns to me and grabs my shoulder. She turns me until I'm fully facing her. Both of her hands are on my shoulders. I wince as I feel her nails digging into my flesh.
"Emma." I jerk my eyes to meet the same ones. She stares down at me, her face so serious, matching her tone perfectly. "Do it." She says and then leaves me alone. She turns to look back at me, "You will hear Rufus call your name, do not come until then."
She looks and sounds exactly as she always does. She had been getting better and we had gotten closer. I guess she's sad I'm growing up so fast or I did something wrong. Or maybe there's something wrong? I shake the thought from my head. I face back to the window and look at the endless stars.
I remember when I asked Mr. Smith how many stars were in the sky. He had stopped and considered my question, before saying, "Too many to count." I had been upset with that answer at the time, but a few seconds later he had spoken once more, "Just like life's possibilities."
Why am I thinking of that now?
Maybe, this means my possibilities are starting. Maybe, I'll finally experience all the things that Mr. Smith, Mom, Dad, and Rufus had. Maybe this means there's a possibility that Rufus and I will be together forever.
"EMMA!" I hear Rufus shout, and I rush to the door. I quickly, straighten everything, just as the doors open. Mr. Ike and Mr. Jameson stood on either side, holding them open for me. They were wearing lovely red robes. I look forward and see a sea of red. I start to walk forward. I fasten my eyes upon Rufus and see his happy face looking back at me. I make my way down the aisle and notice something as I get to the front.
The newest members aren't wearing red, but instead black. Does this mean they haven't fully joined the community yet? I spot Eliza, in her black dress, and see her looking back and forth between Rufus and me. Her gaze finally lands on me, glaring at me with so much hatred. Ha, Rufus is only paying attention to me tonight, Eliza.
I finally make it to Rufus. He offers his hand to me and I happily take it. He turns me around to view our community. I feel confused, noticing that Mr. Ike and Mr. Jameson aren't in the room anymore.
"My dear family," Rufus begins his speech, "I am honored to say that Emma Johnson will join as an adult and a fully-fledged member of the family." I feel my heart skip a beat. It's actually happening.
"Emma," Rufus turns me to face him, both hands on my shoulders, "You are going to do a great thing." I bounce in place, feeling adrenaline coursing through my veins. Rufus notices and I see amusement dancing in his eyes. He leans towards me, "I love your new haircut. You are a gorgeous woman." He whispers this into my ear, his breath feeling hot on my ear. My heart starts racing even faster and I feel the butterflies performing acrobatics in my stomach. He pulls away and announces to where everyone can hear him, "You are going to extend my life, as well as yours." He tells me, looking so proud.
What?
Confusion washes over me, and then I hear the door open. I look over and my heart drops to my stomach. Mr. Smith is tied and gagged, supported by Mr. Ike and Mr. Jameson. He's wearing the clothes he had been wearing earlier. His shirt is ripped, and his pants are filthy. His feet are bare and covered in dirt.
"My sweet Emma," Rufus croons as he takes his hands off my shoulders. I look at Mr. Smith and terror washes over me when I meet his eyes. He looks so scared as if he knows something bad is about to happen. My throat is dry, and when I try to swallow all the salvia in my mouth has disappeared. "Emma." Rufus says, and I hear the words "look at me" float into my head. I turn to him and my heart skips a beat for a new, much more terrifying reason.
He's offering me a knife.
Mr. Ike and Mr. Jameson finally make it to us and force Mr. Smith to kneel before Rufus and me. Immediately, he looks up and glares at Rufus. There is only rage in his eyes. He then turns his attention to me, and his eyes soften. He looks at me like he always did. Just like how Dad used to look at me. As if I were his everything.
"Thomas Smith has volunteered to extend my life and our sweet Emma's," Rufus announces to the room, spreading his arms. Everybody is cheering. I search for Mom and I find her. She's cheering as well, but she looks disturbed. Mrs. Smith...what about her? I scour the room and finally, my eyes find her. She's crying, but there is also a certain amount of pride in her eyes. She's... she's proud of Mr. Smith for dying. I try to swallow again, but I can't.
"Our youngest member will now slit the throat of our gracious volunteer, so that she and I may extend our lives," Rufus announces, grabbing my hand and putting the knife in it. Its handle is warm from being in Rufus's grasp. "For the community." Rufus intones.
"For the community." I hear everyone echo his words, raising in volume the more they say it. I look at Mr. Smith, feeling tears pricking my eyes. He meets my gaze, and it looks as though he's pleading for me to do something. He's trying to tell me something. I can't figure out what though. I stare into his eyes a moment longer. And then I hear it. Mom's voice echoes in my head.
Do it.
I raise the knife and put it to his throat. Mr. Smith's shoulders relax, and he closes his eyes. As though he's at peace. I grab the top of his head and push it back. I add pressure to the knife and move my hand...
I hear the cheers echoing. I hear Rufus saying something, but my mind can't process it. All I can do is stare at the slumped over form of Mr. Smith. His blood is all over my front. The knife is still in my hand, dripping blood onto the ground. I don't think I could let go of it even if I wanted to.
"You have done a great service to the community, Emma." I snap back to reality and meet Rufus's eyes. He looks so gentle...and proud. "You did so well. And Mr. Smith...I know he was so happy to help you become an adult." I nod my head.
Mr. Smith was gone. I killed him.
Mom walks up to us and she's holding something red in her arms. She makes her way to me, smiling. "Here you are darling." She hands the bundle of red to me.
Red robes. I feel bile rise in my throat. Does that mean...everyone...
I shake my head. I need...to not overthink it. This is for the community. Mr. Smith wanted this. I...I extended Rufus's life. I'm assisting him in living forever. I did the right thing.
I did the right thing.
I did it for the community.
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