The shelves were laden with dust and glitter. Powder of various colors patching the floor looked like obsolete portals. Abandoned, forgotten strings lay over counter along with the ribbons that were never tied and the eyes that were never alive. Shards of glass were left dangerously on the floor from when the bulbs blew out, and the unhinged doors were taped over, warning the people of the world not to enter.
Two flew in, their wings flittering fast behind them. Their feet dangled daintily several feet above the ground. With eyes like green neon lasers, they scanned the room for their prize.
"You sure it's here?" the one asked.
The other replied, "If Her Daisiness said so, it should be. Let's clean it up a bit, maybe we'll find something then."
They hovered further into the room, grabbing handfuls of dust in the pouches tied on their belts. They blew the dust out of their open palms and let the past take over. The sparkling dust clouded the whole room, reversing time. The shards of glass rose and fit perfectly around the glowing tungsten wire. Strings and ribbons rejoined their original rolls. The ancient den became a bijou establishment. But the eyes were as dead as ever.
"There she is!" the other pointed.
In the corner of the room, head lodged sideways, was a doll. It was fit for the hands of a four year young girl. It's dress was as prim as it's socks and patent shoes. The lips were perfectly formed for a kiss. As the one and the other approached, her eyes came alive. The black beads rolled in their capsules, looking upon those fluttering towards her. They bowed down.
"This is the one, I am the other. We come to you for the seeds of life."
The doll spoke, "The seeds of life cannot be given. They must be taken." With that, the doll closed her eyes.
The two looked at each other and summoned their blades from the energy surrounding them. They cut the doll in two, pulled her limbs from the sockets, and finally, carved out her eyes. After removing the black beads from the capsules, they skinned the beads to reveal the crimson seeds underneath. The one and the other each took a seed of life, and zipped out of the dusty room as if they were never there.
After time was restored, the doll's remains were stashed in the corner, but her broken eyes joined the rest on the counter, next to a jar full of black beads meant to replace the ones that were taken.
(photo via Vogue.com)
