Chapter 16: A Calling

If the voices in my head could stop shouting, then maybe I could get more done. They’re incessant in asking for my return, begging me to fix one problem or another, like I’m some divine being instead of an immortal woman with amnesia. Pretty sure I’d have gone mad by now if Void wasn’t by my side. He’s my tether in this world. The only thing I know to be true outside of my subject's ghostly requests.

I do my best not to talk to Void about my problems because I know they’ll only worry him more. He’s already trying so hard to figure out how to access the records of world myth. I keep telling him that we should venture beyond the beach, but he’s determined to keep me trapped in paradise for as long as possible. Not that I’m complaining. Still, it would be nice to talk to someone else about my problems. Swap stories. Maybe drink fruity tea and enjoy some little figure foods.

“Who goes there?”

I yelp in surprise and drop my basket of fruit. I’ve been so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn’t realize how far from the beach I’ve gone. Void is gonna kill me. A woman in a blue-cloaked jumpsuit and matching scythe stands before me on the path. Her eyes are thin slits of judgment as she studies my form. To her, I must look like a monster. My horns and green skin are far from beautiful, although that hasn’t stopped Void from loving me all the same.

“Sorry,” I stammer with my hands in the air. “I was just out foraging, and I strayed too far from the beach.”

She tilts her head. “Beach? There’s a beach here?”

I shouldn’t tell her. She could be here to hurt us like the colonizers. But the words leap from my mouth before I can stop them.

“Yeah. My husband and I call it paradise.”

“No way there’s a beach, and Shadow didn’t tell me!” Her guarded demeanor melts as she hooks the scythe to her back and takes my hands. “Can you show me? I haven’t seen the beach in forever!”

“Can I first get ya name?” I ask.

“Right. Sorry. Where are my manners? I’m The Shadow Lady, but you can just call me Lady. And you?”

“Voidette. I kinda have amnesia right now, so pardon me if my etiquette is lacking.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re the first woman I’ve run into on this planet! You’re perfect.”

She called me a woman. Not a monster! I don’t know about perfect, but I’ll take the compliment all the same. Looks like I can still be one of the girls despite this new look. Wait till Void finds out!