Whisper (circa 2018, never to be completed)

She was like winter-- always impassive and sophisticated. She was exceptionally graceful, and her presence was queenly. There was sheer beauty in her coldness, but the softness of her appearance belied the strength and power she carried within herself. Because of that, people both admired and feared her profoundly. She transformed whatever she touched, and when she sauntered into a room, all fell silent as they relished in her poise. A rarity, she bore the identity of a Snowflake Obsidian with an equally unique name, Mara. Mara had become a prophet to other Crystalites within the region. She’d take these admirers and gift them with fortunes of the future, wishes, and advice through her meetings and letters. Her elegant foresight mustn’t be questioned. Other than the fact Mara began her prophesying after the passing of her husband Samuel, people knew little of her personal life. But this wondrous mystery made her all the more alluring.

I’d started working for her shortly after the dismissal of her old assistant Castiel, whose situation I found rather odd. She claimed he was too old and no longer needed. Why, then, would she need an assistant to replace him? And why did I still see him around the mansion? 

Her voice seemed to intrude on my thoughts.

“Casper, would you sort through these papers for me? It’s late, and I have business I must attend to before tomorrow morning.” she said.

“Yes, miss,” I replied, grabbing the thick stack on her desk. “If it doesn't bother you, can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“How did your husband die?”

I looked up at her. Her eyes shifted awkwardly. Still, she complied.

“He… died in a car accident.”

This is where I probably should’ve stopped and bid her well, but admiration brings great curiosity to its captees. 

“Do you miss him?”

“Dearly,” she began, “Samuel was the brightest gem in the tavern. He had such a generous heart. Only someone with a soul as gentle and loving as he would’ve cared for someone as broken as I was. He comforted me, restored me, built me anew. He saw the potential in everyone. I just wish he saw his own.” She said, cradling herself with the tenderness of old love.

She then burst in excitement. “That’s why I started this business, you see! If I could be to these people what he was to me, if I could replicate even an ounce of his light, then I can die knowing I’ve truly amended.”

 “He must’ve been real good and lucky to have caught the eye of someone like you, miss.” 

She chuckled. “No, no. I was the lucky one. The lucky one indeed…” Her voice trailed off as she left the office.