Elizabeth.

I didn't make the connection until now. She has been here all along.

~

Six years ago...

Elizabeth and I sit on the floor in my living room. I am sitting at the coffee table, trying to make some progress on my story. Elizabeth is sprawled out on her back behind me her eyes closed. She hums quietly to a tune I don't recognize.

"What the heck kind of song is that?" I ask, looking over my shoulder.

"It's a lullaby a friend taught me forever ago." She says not even opening her eyes.

"What friend?" I don't really care, but I cannot think of anything else to write.

"You don't know him." Elizabeth lifts her hand in the air and starts doodling, eyes still closed.

"Humph. Why exactly do you have to sing right now?"

"Because I am in a good mood." She snaps.

"Sheesh! Just asking." I put my hands up surprised.

We are silent for a minute before I say, "But you never sing."

She sighs, opening her eyes. "Well I am feeling particularly grateful today."

"Why?"

"Oh my gosh, you are seriously a four year old trapped in a teenage body!" I raise an eyebrow. "It's stupid."

"I won't laugh." I promise.

"Doubt it. Ugh fine. Today is the day I met the guy I fell in love with."

My eyes shoot up from the ink tornadoes that border my paper. "You have feelings?"

"Insane, I know right, who knew the Rock could have emotions?"

"I think that name is already taken."

"By who?!"

"Dwayne Johnson."

"Who the heck is that?"

"Just a super famous guy back on earth."

"Well honey, if he is alive know I am old enough to be his great great great great something grandmother, so I think I get to call dibs."

"Whatever. Now who is this majestic dude that you loved SO much that you would scrub his toenails clean with a toothbrush?" 

 "Ew. But I was in love with a guy a long time ago, and he would always sing. I ended up falling in love with music, until I lost my voice when I was around seventy five. I couldn't sing and I lost my last connection to him, but now that I am in this child's body," She says referring to her mid twenties body, "I can sing again. So I do when I am feeling grateful."

I flop backwards on top of her and she groans. "You weigh a ton!" She protests.

"Elizabeth Marie Kones! How is it that I have known you for over four years and didn't know that?"

"You never asked?" She says squirming. "Get off you big oaf!"

~

Elizabeth Marie Kones.

Pluume was her maiden name.

It's Elizabeth that's been taking care of me.

It's Elizabeth that was unconscious and carried away from my room.

Coming back to the present, I struggle against the chains holding me in place. "Let her go!"

"Where's the fun it that?" Charis asks, clasping her hands neatly in front of her. "As much as I hate to go, I have to make sure Elizabeth is ready to see you. You get to stay here -struggle with those chains all you want, maybe even escape- while I go assist her. If you don't escape then I will have to walk all the way down here again, so do me a favor, use that brain of yours for once and release yourself. Meet me in the room where we first met. Ta ta!" She says and then leaves me in the dark.

                                                                                               ~

After tampering with the locks for about fifteen minutes I sign and just hang there. I really am useless aren't I? I can't pick a lock, help Bennet, or Elizabeth, I can't even stay conscious for a month. 

Can't say I disagree. Charis taunts.

Hanging in defeat, I stare down at Bennet's uninhabited body. I notice a chain lying on the floor coming from his pocket. 

Is he trying to be a nineties thug or is it something I can use?

Using my toes I reach for it. It is nearly in my possession when my dang stockings prevent me from picking it up. 

Stupid formal attire.

I use a piece of the shattered bottle by Bennet to rip a hole in the stockings. While doing so I accidentally cut the ball of my foot and it starts bleeding.

"Crap." I mutter under my breath.

I pick up the chain. It's a locket.

I maneuver the gold chain around until I hear a click and I suddely fall, only being held I up by my right hand.

I cry out in relief, I flex my wrist, bruises are already forming. I move into the next shackle, it goes by quicker this time since I've already done it.

At long last I an free to collapse on the ground and mourn Bennet.

The grieving is cut short when I remember Charis is waiting for me. With Elizabeth.

She is going to torture me forever if I go up there. I can't handle that!

But if I don't she'll torture Elizabeth until she dies and suffers for eternity

The thought makes my heart ache. Too many people have died at her hands.

You're one to talk.

Guilt once again bubbles up within me. I have to go. I deserve it.

------------------------------------------------------
Before I say anything else, I would like to apologize for the long wait. My notes got deleted on accident, then my phone broke, and I have an unwavering hatred for computers. Now I am using my five year old sisters phone which is not nearly as good quality as mine was but I can deal.

So long story short, I epically failed at the weekly upload thing.

I will get back on track though.