Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Colors sharpened. The piercing bells of ticking cogs stirred her awake. Prickles ran up and down her body, sparking her into consciousness. When her eyes fluttered open, Elizabeth was back at home, sheets tucked up to her armpits and her hair damp from the rain. Immediately, she bolted upwards and clasped a hand to her heart. There was no pain, no tightness of struggle. How is this possible? The last thing she remembered was fear. A cold shower of fear pouring into her chest until the point of unconsciousness. Her body failed, rolling her eyes back into submission. Yet, here she was. There was no discomfort, no twitch or uneasy flutter. In the stillness, she inhaled a deep breath, closed her eyes and strained her ears. Undoubtedly, there it was, the ticking. It didn’t pulse anymore; it just ticked. When she checked her chest for any surgical scars or bruises, there was nothing there.
Lightning and thunder tore through the skies, flooding the streets with dark water. Elizabeth trembled as she glanced at the door, unsure if she was dreaming. She noticed her necklace was missing. It must have fallen off during her struggle with Arthur. The memory left an awful taste in her mouth. Arthur Beaumont. The monster. Perhaps her heart condition had saved her this time.
“Elizabeth?” She turned to see William standing beside her bed. His shoulders slouched in his relief. “You’re awake.”
“Sir Wicker? What happened?”
“You had a heart attack, but you’re okay now.” He sat down on the bed beside her. His face and tone suddenly hardened. “I will not let those thugs get away with what they did to you. Arthur Beaumont will be brought to justice.”
Tears threatened to spill. She suddenly felt incredibly embarrassed, but wasn’t sure why. She didn’t want to be seen like that. She didn’t want her name associated with his, in any way, even as his victim. Elizabeth took a deep breath, swallowing down the fear. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “You got there before anything could happen.” She continued to rub her chest, unable to block out the sound of the foreign ticking.
William noticed her anxious rubbing and eased his hand onto her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to let that happen. At least now you’re never going to have to worry about your heart condition again.”
“I won’t?”
“Not anymore. But, I’m afraid I can’t stay here. I need you to continue my work. I will leave instructions to how to run the manor. Everything will be fine, this is just something I have to do.” He promptly stood up and turned away as though pained by his own words.
Lost, Elizabeth reached out to grab him. “Wait? Pardon?”
“Harry is staying behind in my place and will help with anything you may need. I’ve also contacted my sister; Margaret, she lives on the other side of the country but she’s aware of the situation.”
“W-What situation?” Elizabeth managed to stutter out.
William swallowed fearfully, stopping by the doorframe as she kicked out the sheets. “I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I’m afraid I’ve done the unforgiveable.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your heart was in a more serious condition than I thought. You died because of my negligence.”
Elizabeth hesitated from taking another step. “I died? That can’t be possible…” Disbelief gripped her.
“It was the only way. I couldn’t lose you.” He lowered his head, ashamed. Outside the crashes of white lightning fired across the walls in a snapshot. “Your heart was too damaged. I had to replace it.”
“You…you took out my heart?” Her hand shot to her chest. “But, there are no scars. No bruises…how is that possible?”
“With dark, unlawful magic, and a selfish man willing to pay the ultimate price.”
Her world froze. It couldn’t be. “You made a contract?”
Grief crossed his eyes as William gently cupped Elizabeth’s cheeks and soothed his thumb across her skin. “I never got to say just how proud of you I am. I want you to wear our family name with pride and never let anyone make you think you’re unworthy of the best.”
She cupped her hand along his own, tears pressing to the surface. “You’re my father. You have to stay here. You’re all I have left. Whatever contract you made, we can fix it.”
A soft gasp escaped his lips. He pulled her into his chest, cupping her neck and kissing the crown of her head. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you call me that.” A sharp ring from the phone down in the study caused William to drop his hands. “I have to answer that. I’ll only be a moment.” He stepped toward it but then stopped, remembering something. “Don’t go near Klaus, Elizabeth.” He returned and grabbed her shoulders to ensure she paid attention. “I’ve betrayed his trust. He is not a friend anymore. Promise me, if he returns for whatever reason, you will shoot him.”
He pushed what seemed to be a long thimble into her palm before easing her fingers closed. It was chilled and cold to the touch. When she glanced down, the golden nugget was no larger than an ordinary bullet.
“What? Why?” The phone ring was a constant scream within the dark mansion.
William nervously checked over his shoulder then down at his pocket watch. “I really have to answer that. Please, wait here.”
As he rushed off, Elizabeth was left speechless. She placed the bullet on the table next to her, unable to look at it. Her back hit the wall before she slid down in a state of exhaustion. How could it be possible? I must be dreaming. It was the only reasonable explanation. William would never make a contract. When did he have time to find a Time Collector? It had to be something else.
There was a loud bang of the front door being kicked open followed by the crash of thunder. Elizabeth sat up, alerted to the commotion, before creeping out into the hallway. Looking down from the stairwell, she could see into the empty main foyer entrance below. The flash of lightning reflected off a set of wet footprints left across the tiles.
Cautiously, Elizabeth went down to the ground level, peering down at the footprints then over at the front door swinging back and forth with the thrashing winds. Every now and again, a flash of lightning would snap, spraying the harsh white across the entrance. As she glanced over her shoulder, just as the lightning passed, she caught sight of Klaus’ back walking down the hall toward William. She called out to him, but he slowed only enough to glare in her direction. Without a word, he stepped into the study. She could still hear William speaking obliviously on the phone and raced after them. She tried the door handle only to find it locked. She crouched by the study door so she could peek through the gap between the door and its frame.
“Was it worth it?” Klaus’ voice cracked in his rage. She couldn’t see Klaus, but she could see William as he bolted upright from behind his desk. He quickly slammed the phone down, ending the conversation.
“You must understand.”
“Nein.” Klaus spoke near the door where Elizabeth crouched. She inhaled her breath, trying to be as silent as possible.
“Listen, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let her die. I couldn’t.”
“You promised me.”
“I know, but she has to live. She has a right to live a long and healthy life. That’s worth every sacrifice.”
Annoyed, Klaus cut his hand through the air, gesturing back to the hallways. “You did not save her. It was all a waste. We were meant to stop Nikolas!”
“She has a new heart now. She can help you in my place.”
“Nein.” Klaus’ voice dropped dangerously low.
“You know she is more than capable, even said so yourself.”
“She will die too.”
Stunned silence filled the room. William’s pleading gesturing changed with his surprise. “That’s not what we agreed on. I’m the one paying the time! Not her!”
“And after your death, your contract will no longer be valid.” Klaus stepped up to her father, grabbing his shirt. “Once I take what you owe me, I will have to take away her new heart too.”
As if a landmine exploded beneath her feet, Elizabeth’s world shifted and broke beneath her. She couldn’t feel her legs or her face from where she squashed it up against the wood panel. Above her shock, William’s voice was a drifting echo.
“No! No there must be something else. Anything else!” William backed up into his desk. Klaus pulled a blade from his inner pocket. Her eyes widened at the familiar handle design and how close it mimicked that of a Collector’s weapon.
“Klaus! Stop! Stop!” Elizabeth hammered against the door. William glanced over at her scream, his eyes lost in fear as Klaus delivered the knife into his chest.
A flash of golden light erupted from the puncture point. There was no blood. No tear in his shirt or skin. Just a gentle, wispy golden light. It was almost beautiful. The soft smoke burrowed into William’s body before vacuuming out his soul into the empty handle of the blade. Klaus eased the blade out before carefully positioning William into his office chair. In seconds, William’s body was emptied of color. In seconds, his eyes glazed and his muscles relaxed. In seconds, he was dead.
Klaus knelt down and cradled William’s forehead against his own. A painful ache hit her chest. Another crash of white painted the halls. The air felt stale, heavy. White flickered. The door by her face was suddenly yanked open. Klaus appeared, spotlighted by white lightning. Elizabeth propelled backwards, scrambling to her feet.
“Get away from me!” She screamed and lurched into a sprint. Her long dress tripped her, throwing her into the walls. Klaus’ presence sat on the back of her neck. His fingers curled out, ready to grab her. She grabbed a vase on the foyer table and hurled it at him. Klaus caught it and tossed it to the side.
Exhaustion felt like a death sentence. Her bare feet struggled to grip the wet tile floors. Just as she hit the staircase, Klaus caught her. He pulled her down so she lost her footing, her stomach hitting the edge of the steps before flipping her onto her back. She couldn’t scream, she didn’t have the breath. Her hands shot up to protect her face.
Before he could strike, Klaus spun and caught the lamp stand Harry tried to hit him with. Harry’s feeble arms and aged body quickly lost grip. Klaus tossed it aside and shoved him to the ground. He moved erratically, striking before seeing the threat.
Seeing her chance, Elizabeth scrambled back into a run. The hallways to the library seemed to extend longer than she remembered. She hit the library door, chancing a look over her shoulder to see Klaus catching up to her. He was incredibly fast, too fast to outrun. Elizabeth inhaled her scream, shoving her shoulder against the door and slamming it shut behind her. Darkness didn’t slow her as she bolted forward, hands held out in front, fingers spread, frantically pulling herself along the book shelves as a guide. A burning headache pulsated through her head, the strain on her eyes ripping through her like fire.
Where’s the gun? Where’s the gun? Where’s the gun? The library door was forced open behind her.
She didn’t slow, even when exhaustion gripped her throat and squeezed the strength from her legs. Hands grabbed her. She screamed as she was spun around and shoved against the bookcase. Hot hands grabbed her throat, fingers along her jawline forcing her chin to the side. Elizabeth slapped Klaus hard across his face, but to no reaction. He reached into his trench coat and brought out the blade. Lightning flashed once more, bringing his face into light, allowing Elizabeth a second to look at him. Blood wept out of his nostrils, dragging bright red down his chin and neck. She managed to pry a book from behind her head and whacked him across the nose. His second hand instinctively caught the book and dropped his grip on her. Elizabeth slipped out of his arms. She spun around, snatched at the edge of the bookcase and brought it down on top of his head. All she could hear was a grunt as the bookcase crushed on top of him.
Sprinting onwards, she reached out and felt the doorknob leading into the second storage room. She ran in and slammed the door shut behind her. She turned sideways to move quickly through the narrow aisles. Thankfully, the curtains were still pulled back, painting the room in the weak city light. The chaotic storm split the darkened skies into searing white veins and the howls of the wind masked her panicked breathing.
She fell into the table, fumbled for the gun before grabbing it, and turned back around with the pistol head up. Whiteness fluttered into the room, revealing Klaus two steps away. His shadow loomed over the top of her, his presence like a wolf cornering his prey. She didn’t hear him come in. He was just there.
Despite the adrenaline coursing through her, sending her into a trembling mess, Elizabeth paused. Klaus’ face was covered in blood. His nose bled like a broken faucet, pouring blood down his front and down his clothes. So much red. Thunder roared, jolting Elizabeth out of her trance and causing her finger to squeeze the trigger. It was impossible to miss. Klaus’ torso was within range, the barrel inches from contact. Yet, as she clenched her grip, the gun replied with an empty click-click.
Click- click. Click-click. She had forgotten to take the safety switch off. Klaus whipped his hand out, slapping the gun from her grasp and sent it skipping across the room. Her spine hit the table as he climbed on top. Her leg shot out and pushed against his chest, stopping him from getting any closer. Klaus lifted the knife above his head.
“No! No! Don’t! Don’t, please!” Elizabeth held her hands out, her voice cracking. “I want to live.”
“I’m sorry.” She couldn’t see his eyes beneath his ruffled hair. His arm stiffened, ready to strike down. “This has to be done.”
Her attention shifted back onto the glimmer of silver from the knife, noting how Klaus’ fingers flexed around the grip, his face lost behind the blood. He was not human; this was the face of a Time Collector.
Elizabeth’s mind froze. In her last moments—even when facing Arthur, a life without her mother, a life of servitude—she had never really wanted to die. Klaus’s distant words echoed back. Throwing away your life so easily, you do not respect anything. That, is real selfishness.
“I wish for more time!” She screamed without taking a breath. She didn’t move. She couldn’t. She couldn’t even think. “I’ll give you what you want. Liberty? I will give you liberty.”
The world halted. The war of thunder behind them fell into silence. Klaus’ face tightened, his eyebrows high and his eyes widened in disbelief. He struggled to speak, the words knotting on his throat. “Don’t say that.”
“Please?”
“Death is a better option.” He seemed to beg. Time, the last few seconds she had of it, seemed to drag as Klaus’ hand hovered, ready to deliver the blade into her heart.
He wore an expression of pure torment. The longer he lingered, fighting his body, the more the blood seemed to thicken from his nose. Then, he dropped his hand and rocked backward. Elizabeth pressed herself further away, finally letting her breath go.
He held the blade out, where in the handle the spiral of cogs started to spin. The color of ghostly white spiralled out in smoke and into the darkness. As the smoke escaped, it splintered into veins before soaking into Elizabeth’s skin.
“I can give you three years,” Klaus whispered, defeat ripping through his raspy voice. “And just like Sir Wicker, you will pay your price.”
He then stood and left the room. All she could do was slump against the wall and cry.