Eddie 2
Masterlist
“You’ll call me John.”
Startled awake with a kick to the shin, Eddie bursts up from his cot. Before his eyes can adjust to the light, a hand grasps his shoulder and drags him to his knees in front of a man.
“Did you hear me?” John, presumably, says, tilting his head to the side minutely. Eddie can barely see his face with the glare from the overhead lights.
John straightens when Eddie doesn’t respond, then cracks his knuckles, distracted for a moment. “I. Don’t. Think. You. Heard. Me,” he spits, the words cracking through his teeth.
Eddie wishes at that moment that he could respond. Surely, this man knew what he was purchasing for an ungodly amount of money?
“Get up,” and Eddie does so immediately. “Walk exactly five feet behind me, always in reach of my right hand. Stare at the ground and do not speak for any reason whatsoever.” John turns and faces the door, motioning for Eddie to follow his direction. “This is the most important moment of my life. You will not ruin this for me.”
They walk out of the room together, and Eddie does as he is told. He stares at John’s feet, watching the shiny shoes sparkle with each step. He can see the legs of people as they pass, and the first few are maids, and servants with dusty boots. Then he passes more and more shoes like John’s.
“We are pleased to welcome to the stage, John Villarreal and his newest prized possession; a rumored Speaker.”
Eddie cringed at the very name. He was not a Speaker, a psychic of myths, said to speak only when they are telling a fortune, or seeing the future. Sure, Eddie had never learned to speak, and sure, his parents were long descended from an ancient woodland tribe of elves, but it didn’t make this true. Was this why John had bought him for an outrageous amount of money?
Eddie doesn’t look up, but he can see stage flooring beneath him, and bright lights reflect from the shiny surface. He can hear thunderous applause from in front of him, and John standing proudly five feet ahead.
“Thank you, thank you,” John says, overflowing with glee. “I know how important this gala is to everyone, and I apologize for the long wait, but my friend here…”
John leans his hand over, grabbing Eddie’s chin and forcing his head up, so that he is faced with blinding lights, and more thunderous applause. The crowd is filled with people that looked exorbitantly rich, dolled up in diamonds and jewels and fur. In the back of the large auditorium, stands a line of servants, waiting on their master’s every beck and call.
“...he had to rest his vocal cords after a lengthy journey to my humble abode where you all stand today,” John continues, never letting go.
“And today,” he exclaims, “we all shall witness the magnificent glory that is…” he pauses for seeming dramatic effect, much to the excitement of the crowd. “A Speaker!”
