Imperfection - Prologue (Patreon)

"The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst."

-David Hume

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Ellen

It was always my dream to come here. From the moment I was old enough to understand the lack of stability of the outside world, I made it my mission to become a part of the perfect society. No matter what role was given to me, I would take it with pride knowing my belly would never be empty, nor would my life ever be at risk. But like all things that are too good to be true, Etherium was just another false promise.

I was chosen from the annual collection to become a pawn in the Etherium Society. And like every other pawn, I felt naïve hope at being brought into the society that had perfected itself. The people of Etherium abandoned society centuries ago. They were the best and the brightest the world had to offer. They saw the direction it was leading long before society took notice and decided they no longer wanted part of it, delving society into a downward spiral and leaving people like me on the outside to fend for ourselves. The outside is a place I never want to return to. Out of my five siblings, I was the only one to survive into adulthood and even then, it was hell. The food is scarce, the work grueling, and with each passing year, they grow closer and closer to war. A war that the Etherian's pay no mind to. They leave the outside world to its own devices, only stepping in if absolutely necessary. As they did with people like me. They would offer sanctuary for those they deem worthy of it, but they would never fix the problems the outer world has with itself.

Once a year, Etherium distributes testing to those on the outside. Of course, I never tested high enough for placement, but I was lucky enough to be recognized as a refugee.

"Ellen. Once you finish the arrangements, Mrs. Hightower wants to see you."

I turn away from the large vase in the window to face Willow. She's the head of the serving staff as well as the servants. She's always had a soft place in her heart for those of us who were born outside of Etherium, and now she's watching me with a worried expression, piquing my fears.

"Am I in trouble?" I ask.

She doesn't respond immediately, placing me on alert. Her head shifts from side to side as she searches for unwanted passersby before stepping into the room, clasping my hands in hers.

"Just... do as she asks. We love you here. We don't want to see you go," she says softly. I watch her in shock, clasping my trembling fingers in front of me in a sad attempt to control my fears. I know the reason she would want to see me, but I can't imagine she'd know about it. He swore he would never tell her, and that I shouldn't either. He said that if I kept it a secret, he wouldn't have me removed from Etherium. I should have known his promises were as good as the promise this society offered. I slowly stand brushing my fingers over the front of my dress before exiting the front room to go in search of the lady of the house.

The Hightowers are an influential family in Etherium. They are part of the rook's class, their influence gaining over the past few years since they have been holding positions within the king's class. They are one of the wealthiest families of the rook's class, the head of the family, Christian Hightower, is responsible for discovering renewable fuel sources within the domes. Though he was only able to do so because of the access of his superiors. I was elated when I was chosen for the Hightower family. I've lived a life I never could have imagined if I remained on the outside. What I couldn't imagine was that the desires of men stretch beyond the outside, and no matter how "perfect" you claim to be, you can still fall short of it.

I silently walk through the family home, coming to a halt in front of the sunroom. The French doors are closed, so I knock lightly, waiting a moment before the doors are opened for me. In my earlier days, I loved the sunroom, this one in particular its been positioned in such a way you can watch the sunset from it. Sometimes, I time my chores so I can finish here. But that was before it became a reminder of what these people are capable of. As have most of the rooms of this house. Today, however, it isn't Christian who waits for me. It is his wife, Lisa. She sits on the center cushion with her brunette curls tucked delicately into a bun. Her blue eyes study me disappointedly as she takes a sip of tea, gesturing for me to sit across from her.

"Have a seat, Ellen."

I slowly sit in the cushions across from her, my eyes remaining glued to the glass table between us as she silently decides how she wishes to proceed.

"Tell me about the outside. Tell me, where you grew up."

I pull my gaze from my fingers to meet hers. Her expression is unreadable as she studies me.

"I grew up in one of the cities."

"Oh? What plagued your city? Disease? Hunger? Or war?" she asks taking another sip.

"My city had been hit by the war before I was born, so the buildings and air quality were difficult. Disease had set in by the time I was born. It took two of my siblings," I murmur.

"So what you're telling me is it was very difficult out there for you, correct? Nothing like in here. In here we feed you, clothe you, give you shelter, and only ask that you follow our rules in return," she says as she sets down the cup. She gestures to the servants in the room, and they swiftly bring her papers. My cheeks grow warm from the anxiety trickling up my spine as her eyes roam over the papers in front of me.

"As you know, we do annual checkups on all of our staff to keep things like disease out of our homes. I have your results here, and it's the strangest thing, Ellen. Your results say you are pregnant."

My eyes widen, and for a split second, it feels like my heart has stopped. The rush of blood fills my ears, roaring loudly as I try and remain upright in front of my superior, but I can't. A choked breath escapes my lips, tears burning at my eyes.

"You didn't know?"

She releases an irritated sigh, crossing her legs.

"As a result of sex, Ellen, children can form. I know the education you received on the outside was less than satisfactory, but surely they taught you the basics of biology. And what is our number one rule, in Etherium for pawns?" she asks.

Silence fills the room. I can't answer. I can barely force air into my lungs, but her irritation has shifted beyond her patience. She leans closer to me, her eyes narrowed.

"Pawns cannot what? Reproduce."

She sits back, slapping the papers between us on the table. I flinch, gripping the edge of the cushion for support.

"I...I didn't-"

"I don't want your excuses, Ellen. Lucky for you, I like you as does everyone else in our house."

She gestures for her servants once again. The clamor of footsteps fills the air before a simple, glass cup of tea is placed in front of me.

"We will get rid of it and make sure you cannot do this again. Just tell me who the father is and I will see to it that the two of you can never make this mistake again. And you can remain in Etherium."

I'm sure I look terrified to everyone in the room, but I have been dealt a losing hand. If I do not tell her who the father is, I will be removed from Etherium. And if I do tell her who the father is, I will definitely be removed from Etherium and stripped of my rights and womanhood.

"I cannot tell you," I murmur.

She blinks in confusion, obviously not comprehending that someone of my status would deny her the answer she seeks. She scoffs, gesturing for her servants to leave. She doesn't wait for them to clear the room before she speaks.

"Let me guess. You love him." Her eyes remain on me as she takes my silence for what it isn't, laughing.

"Ellen. Love will do you no good here. This isn't a fairytale, this is real life. Your life. And if you want a better life you must follow the rules. I am offering you a way out. You and the father of your bastard. We will ensure the both of you cannot make this mistake again and in return, you can stay. Isn't that what you want?"

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from blurting what I want to say. That her rules are cruel, and there is nothing in her law protecting me from people like her husband who preys on those that cannot fight back. I don't tell her that it is her husband who put this child unwillingly inside of me, finding me every moment he can when she is not around because he knows I would rather die than go back to the outside world. He knows I have no choice. I've never had a choice.

A bitter laugh escapes my lips and I gently grip the cushions beneath my fingers, remembering the softness of it. I lift my gaze, ignoring the disgusted glare of Lisa Hightower, taking in the beauty of the sunroom. The glass reflects in a way that sometimes allows rays of the rainbow to glisten off the furniture. Dust and grime wouldn't dare permeate this place. The physical structure of Etherium lives up to its reputation. But the people within are nothing like these structures. They are flawed.

I slowly stand, placing my hand over my stomach for strength. The circumstances are cruel once again leaving me with no choice. I could never reveal the truth.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hightower. I think I would like to return to the outside."

I expect her to dismiss me quickly, but her face shifts to a shocked expression.

"Ellen, please. Just think for a moment. You are going to give all of this up? You cannot even protect the child inside of you. I know this is beyond your understanding, but trust me. This will not end well for you."

Pity laces her expression. The longer I stand in her presence, the more anger I feel. Their system has forced them to see things in ways that no longer resemble human nature. She sees me as an inferior human with no grasp on reality. She believes that because of my scores and the family I was born to, I don't deserve the rights afforded to them. Nor does she understand the position I've been unwillingly placed in. I am smart enough to know when the situation is not in my favor, and as of five minutes ago, it is not.

"I know, Mrs. Hightower. But I don't think me telling you the truth will end well for either of us."