Fleshrunner: A rewrite of Bladerunner

Rory Lane

HJK1650

Deckard took shelter under a neon soaked shopfront, the light was just enough that he could read the newspaper at an angle. “Tyrell Retires Last of Human Workforce.” The headline read. Another wash job designed to keep more liberal synthetics quiet. Most people cared little about politics, let alone Archaics. He wondered if anyone would even care if they knew the true meaning of “retirement.”

“Yea, Yea. Ready!” The noodle dealer gestured from across the road. Deckard shielded his head from the rain with his newspaper, taking a seat at the bench under the steamy canopy. The noodles looked a bit bland, but he hadn't enjoyed the taste of things for awhile now anyway.

“Rick Deckard, you old dog.” Deckard instinctively put his hand on his holster before recognising the voice.

“Gaff.” he said dismissively.

“Deckard, you dont sound pleased to see me. Arent you happy to see your old friend?” he laughed.

“Maybe I would be if it didnt always mean that Bryant wants something from me...”

“You're still sharp Deckard I'll give you that. Bryant wants you down at the station for a big job, Ive got my orders. You coming peacefully?”

Deckard grumbled, pushing his noodles aside. Great day for it. Gaff led him to his spinner, Police issue.

“You driving a marked car now Gaff?”

“My adventuring days are behind me Deckard, I'm running a beat now. Easy, clean and not many complications.”

“You've changed Gaff. I remember when you'd shoot first and never ask questions.”

“Haha Deckard, maybe that's why the boss needs a free-lancer such as yourself, get in.”

A few cops gave Deckard the nod as he walked through the office. A lot of them were good men, powerless or complacent, but good men nonetheless. Overlord Bryant sat in his office tapping away at his computer, exactly the way Deckard always remembered him.

“Deckard, good to see you buddy. Step on in, close the door.” Lapdog Gaff took a seat in the corner.

“What is it this time Bryant?” Deckard said, voice rising.

“Straight to business, I expected nothing less. Weve got a problem, the worst yet.”

“Archaics...” mused Deckard.

“Of course. We need a little bit of your fleshrunner magic from the old days. We've got 4 human escapees on the loose in Los Angelos. Apparently they didnt take kindly to retirement....”

“I wonder why....” said Deckard.

“Leave your ethics at the door Deckard. This is the law, and that's what we enforce, you know that.”

Gaff chipped in.

“They're dangerous Deckard, they tried to hijack a shuttle... They've killed 3 synthetics.”

“We think they are trying to get off-world, probably to Fleshdump on Titan...”

“Archaic City? Like that's going to be better for them? I'm surprised Tyrell HQ is still sending that place CO2 scrubbers at all” Said Deckard.

“Deckard, you know what Archaics are like, they hold onto petty attachments like that. The pitfalls of deep emotion I guess. Anyway, You're to hunt them down and retire them.”

“And If I refuse?”

“This one came straight from Tyrell HQ themselves, there's no refusing it. You shouldn't have done such a great job on that last corporate case against Newgrounds, maybe then Tyrell wouldn't keep asking for your expertise.” Gaff rolled his eyes and gazed out into the office. Bryant switched on the Telescreen in the corner.

“This is video from Tyrell Stellar port just before the attempted hijacking. Tyrell suspected the humans might try to infiltrate the port to get off-world. All new employees were asked to undergo Voight-Kamph tests to try and weed out any humans.”

A blond man appeared on the screen, he looked nervous. Deckard suspected his humanity almost straight away, there were at least three Grey hairs on his upper scalp, a relatively rare and undesirable trait for any synthetic.

“Leon, welcome, please sit down.” The interviewer said. Deckard recognised his voice, it was Holden. A great fleshrunner, one of the best and most trustworthy men Deckard had ever met.

“How are you today Leon?”

“Is this part of the test?” Leon said glancing from side to side nervously.

“No, no. please be still.” The retinal scanner in the top corner of the screen refocused on Leon's eye. The test was designed to illicit overly emotional responses in humans. Sweating, blushing, microexpressions, involuntary dilation of the pupil. Things of that nature. Idiosyncrasies that are far more mild in synthetics.

“You're in a Desert Leon, there's a Tortoise....”

“What's a Tortoise, is this part of the test?”

“Yes Leon, do you know what a turtle is?”

“Sure, everyone knows that.” Leon had a bead of sweat building on his forehead.

“Well its the same thing Leon. So the tortoise has fallen on its back and is struggling to turn itself back over, what do you do?”

“Is it Synthetic?” Asks Leon.

“No, its organic.”

“I guess....... I guess I'd just leave it alone or report it as lost property.” His answer sounded forced. Deckard figured that an elite fleshrunner like Holden must already know hes got himself a human, but like any good cop, you've got to finish the test and make it conclusive beyond doubt.

“Your wife comes home...”

“I don't have a wife...”

“Pretend that you do....” Holden continued.

“She hangs a picture of another man in your bedroom, what do you do?”

Leon took a few seconds, fixated on the retinal scanner.

“I'd...I'd question her emotional attachment to the picture.....and.....ask her who the man is.”

This Archaic was smart, but his body language and facial inconsistencies were a dead giveaway.

“Describe in single words, only the good things that come into your mind, about your mother.”
“My Mother....my mother....” A blaster shot rang out in the video. The top of the desk tore open as a plasma round burnt its way through, presumably towards Holden.

“A bastard Replicant like you, killed my mother!” Leon yelled, aiming down off camera, he fired another shot.
“Holden's dead?”

“Yes, which is another reason we need you. You're the only fleshrunner left now, you're an obsolete functionary. Theres maybe what, 12 registered humans left in Los Angelos? Non-sentient amorphous synthetics are all the rage for menial work nowdays. They're cheaper to keep, and they don't complain. I would get Gaff onto this case, but hes been retired and had his NV2 emotional recognition chip removed. You're literally the only person left in the city with an eye for weeding out humans.”

Gaff leaned forward with a smirk.

“Seriously Deckard, after this case, get that thing removed. It was making me second guess myself at every turn, I almost started thinking I was Archaic.”

Deckard stared out the window of the spinner,doing his best to avoid conversation with Gaff. The rain was heavier now, blasting towards them, curving over the car and forming a wake. He could see Tyrell HQ in the distance, a dark monolithic pyramid structure, the center of this city, and arguably the world. Gaff eased back on the controls, pulling up and climbing the sheer face of the building. Why did Tyrell need to see him anyway?

“Richard Deckard, please...please come in. This is my assistant Rachael.” An attractive brunette. Deckard couldn't help but smile, thankfully she returned the gesture.

“The infallible Elson Tyrell, what can I do for you?”

Tyrell seemed happy with the label.

“Nothing serious, just a chat about our little venture.” Deckard took a seat, still thinking of the girl sitting, smoking to the right. Gaff may have been a shill, but he was right about one thing. In recent months Deckard was noticing himself craving emotional attachments that were far beyond the limitations of normal synthetics.

“That footage you saw, the man in the video. Did you know he was one of the last humans to retain independence? He is a dangerous man Deckard, he must be stopped at all costs. Leon has contacts within the realm of sympathetic synthetics, People who dabble in emotional experimentation and illegal emotion enhancement. That's why we need your insight. We don't want this Leon Archaic getting to Titan and whipping up the rest of them into a civil rights frenzy. That could be very damaging to Tyrell Corporation profit margins, and the stability of Panamerica in general. I'm giving you clearance to kill the synthetics involved, if and when you find them.”

“So I'm killing class one citizens now? I don't remember that from the briefing with Bryant.” Deckard could feel a tension rising.
“This is off police record, it would be a personal favour to the Tyrell Corporation.” Deckard got up to leave.

“Wait Deckard, one more thing....I want you to do a Voight-Komph test on Rachael here.” Tyrell said.

“What good would that do?”

“Please, please I am intrigued by the test, just humour me.”

Rachael lit another cigarette as Deckard tinkered with the retinal scanner.

“Have you ever killed a synthetic by mistake Mr Deckard?” She sat staring, Deckard stopped, locked onto her eyes, her hair was up. A small mole lay under her right eye, a common accessory amongst middle-class female synthetics.

“No, Never.” he leaned into the retinal scanner, shaking off his thoughts.

“It seems you feel our work is not of benefit to the public?” Rachael queried.

Deckard ignored her. She looked to the side, taking another drag.

“Ok It's ready, please look forward.” She smiled dismissively, placing her cigarette down on the ashtray.

“So Rachael, how long have you been working at Tyrell Corporation? Do you enjoy it?”

“ Ten years. I find this position satisfies my mental needs, and the credits are good.” She stared calmly, unflinching.

“Do you have any fond memories from your childhood?”

“Really Deckard, this is ludicrous. I'm synthetic, I had no childhood....”

It continued on like this for over an hour, Rachaels calm veneer was unwavering throughout. A perfect score; If words were the only thing being analysed. The Voight-Kamph machine also measures microscopic particles released into the air by humans, this and some strange Iris readings made Deckard uneasy.

“Ok, one final question Rachael...”

“You're watching the telescreen at home, a wasp lands on your arm...”

“Id brush it away, or kill it.” She answered quickly.

Tyrell came in from the side.

“Right, Thankyou Rachael, can you please leave the room for a moment..”

She got up, adjusting her skirt and closing the door behind her.

“Well?” Tyrell asked excitedley.

“She's Human isn't she?” Deckard guessed. The results weren't conclusive, a definitive result would require hours of cross referencing. But he could gauge from the situation that there was a reason Tyrell wanted Deckard to test Rachael.

“Very, very impressive Deckard. I see you live up to your reputation as an emotionally attuned man.Yes shes human.”

“But she thinks she is synthetic?” he could feel a heat rise within him.

“Exactly. A new technique we've developed. We can wipe their memory and insert anything in its place. This could be a multi-billion dollar opportunity....”

“What the hell for? I thought non-sentient bots were phasing out the use of humans.”

“Non-sentients dont have every base covered. Some work- in deep space for instance- requires greater intelligence than your regular house-class synthetic. These jobs are dangerous and politically risky when using 1^st class synthetics, what better solution than an army of humans who think they actually are synthetic. Obedient enough not to jump ship at the first opportunity, expendable enough that when a fatality occurs, no hearings, no investigations, no problems. We're sending a storage ship to Titan right now to acquire candidates for the procedure...”

A grin rushed across Tyrell's face. Deckard felt increasingly uneasy, he restrained himself from giving into his moral urges. There was no advantage to gain in speaking out. It was drawing a line, where before, only a vague acknowledgment of Deckard's heightened emotional state existed. They'd be time later to make a move.Tyrell was too powerful a man to risk making an enemy and judging by the parameters of this latest job, people who disagree with Tyrell, don't disagree with him for very long.

Deckard tapped the coordinates into Gaffs Nav console. Tyrell had given him the location of a suspected sympathiser. Seemed like a good lead. Trouble is, Deckard didn't know what he was going to do when he got there.

“You alright Deckard?” Gaff smiled.

“Just get us moving Gaff.”

It had only taken 40 years for humans to go from total independence, to near complete servitude. Sure, humans and synthetics alike signed the Carter Treaty, legalising the transition of society from from flesh to synthetic. Those original human scientists, those with dreams of people flying to the stars with synthetic immortal bodies, did they foresee a day when humans would be the lowest denominator? Did they accept that as an uncomfortable inevitability of the Synthetic transition period? Deckard thought that at least a few of them would be turning in their graves with the prospect of society coming so full circle, that now the humans were disposable commodities used for dangerous work.

Deckard knocked on 303's door.

“Thomas Liston, this is agent Deckard. Please open the door.”

A few moments passed, the door opened calmly. A slender man with glasses stood with a crooked smile, telling of something. This was him, Deckard checked his stats on the way over. The glasses must have been a fashion thing, it had been catching on lately in cosmopolitan circles.

“Officer Deckard, Please come in..” Thomas moved to the side, gesturing towards a plush red couch at the side of the room.

“I'm here to ask of your relationship to a group of humans. Specifically, An archaic named Leon.”

Thomas leaned forward, smile still present, he slowly picked up a glass of scotch, before leaning back, folding his legs.

“Why yes I know Leon. I helped Leon and his friends get off-world about 2 hours ago...” Deckard reeled a little from the statement.

“Are...are you always this transparent?” Deckard respected him for his courage.

“Its a logical play at this point Deckard. I'm sure you've already figured out Leon wanted off-world anyway, and it was only a matter of time until Tyrell suspected my involvement, my fate is sealed by decree.”

Thomas leaned in.

“But what of you Deckard? The last fleshrunner? Retirement or not, your NV2 chip has been active for over a decade, do you not feel something? Something beyond just a gesture, or a show of intention?”

This guy had done his research, Deckard had totally lost control of the situation.

“If you're really playing the game, you'd know to keep quiet instead of painting a target for Tyrell over your head.”

Thomas' smile broadened.

“I knew I could take a gamble on you Deckard.”

Gaff looked agitated staring at Deckard as he approached the street.

“What the hell took you so long?”

“He wasn't there. I broke in, checked around his apartment. Found a tracking slip for west-side starport, could be the next place they're looking to hit.”

Gaff calmed.

“Got some new orders for ya anyway. There are five human targets now. Some Class-2 female organic from Tyrell escaped. I didn't even realise they still kept Archaics there, might have been for research or something.”

Deckard swallowed, trying his best to disguise his reaction. No, not her. Please not her.

“Take me back to my apartment, I need to check a few sources out...”

Gaff cranked up the engine, taking off at a good speed, Seemed like he wanted to get home too.

Deckards apartment door was unlocked. He crept along the wall, pistol raised. Was it the humans? Tyrell?

“Deckard...” a soft female voice. Rachael.

“I'm sorry, I....I didn't know where else to go.” She looked slightly unkept now, her hair was frazzled, wet from rain.

“I...was curious as to why Tyrell had me sit the test.....I was listening at the door.....I.....I...mean..... I dont know what to do, Im still in shock I think. You seemed like a decent person. Will you help me Deckard? Can you?”

It seemed more than one person was willing to gamble on Deckard today. He raced over the scenarios. He'd already made a massive leap tonight, it was too late to back out. Even if he did, there's no way he could bring himself to retire Rachael. The attachment had him now, rational or not, it had to be followed through to its conclusion.

“Yes Rachael, yes I can help...” She smiled, rushing over to Deckard and throwing her arms around him. She started crying. Deckard stood frozen for minutes, not daring to let go until a sense of euphoria had passed. He was beyond synthetic now, perhaps something closer to the original intention of those human scientists. Awash with something that defied quantisation. He pulled her away and lead her to the door.

A Daughter of The Patriot

Based on the film ‘The Partriot’, of the American Revolutionary War. My re-write is a diary form of Margaret Martin’s perspective, a young girl whose father is a Colonel and in charge of a militia unit.                                                                                                                

3^rd March 1776

Dear Diary,

I am so glad father has bought me this for my birthday, now I can write down memories just like mother did before she died. Although mother’s diary was very intricate and elegant, with a smooth charcoal leather, binding every single leaf of paper together. Whereas my diary seems like a lifeless item, which may or may not live inside my top drawer where dust will drown it.

I can never get use to the idea of diary writing and the purpose it may hold, although writing down what has happened during my day, or even writing down my deepest thoughts and dreams of what I wish to be when I grow older, seems like an obvious purpose to me. Father says a woman’s place in this world is entirely up to her, but my brothers think different. Thomas says women belong in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning and attending to her husband and children’s needs. He also says that were only in this world because were breeding machines. I swear this is not true and I wish to prove him wrong, maybe at dinner tonight when father comes back from Charleston town, voting for the levy to support the Continental Army. Gabriel has also been trying to prove to father that he is old enough to join the army and that he is ready for battle and die our country, but I know that father does not want to join as he does not want to lose another member of our family. Father does not talk much about his time he served during the French and Indian Wars, but from stories I have heard, father was a great and heroic veteran. I feel that he hides this character which is known by all, as he buries it with the memories in a war trunk upstairs. Sometimes when father is out running errands Trevor, Bryan and I go upstairs and play with some of father’s things. He has a tomahawk that is beautifully detailed with engravings on the blade and I think it is made of pure steel as it is very heavy, knowing that lives have been killed with fathers tomahawk endures the weapon with burdens of its own. Sometimes I wish mother were still alive for Susan’s sake, as she does not remember anything about her. But I do, and I love sharing my stories of mother with Susan, even though some memories may have been dreams of mine or parts of memories that I can remember, either or, my stories of mother never hinder my love for her. I envy Maria Robertson’s family very much, her mother Sara reminds me of mother so much. Her singing and mouth watering aroma of freshly made bread stir up memories of mother singing in the house and her music echoing into the fields where the black workers would sing a long while mother would play on the piano. Some mornings I wake up to hear the workers outside singing, I can hear the crackle of fresh bread, I run downstairs with my heart pounding thinking mother has already set breakfast, only to find Abigale and Susan in the kitchen kneading dough. My tears run down as I write about mother.... I know she would not want me to cry, but I cannot help how I feel....I miss her...

Love

Margaret.

10^th March 1776

Dear Diary,

It has been almost a week since I have written in my diary, for I have been through so much in such a small time of one week. I saw my brother die, I saw my house burn into ashes...I saw my father turn into a man who I have never met....and now...we are staying with mother’s sister, Aunt Charlotte. Why is this happening to my family? What have we done to deserve this?  I feel that father is to blame for being involved with the Continental Army as he was a coward not to vote. But father did not want to leave us and join the army, as he may never return from battle.

How has the Deceleration of Independence freed colonies, when there is still war and innocent people dying because of this? We had British troops tear through our farm, where we helped wounded soldiers of the opposing side and in return of our small act of kindness Colonel Tavington orders his soldiers to set a light on our home. A man of God, how does he not feel any remorse for his actions, and he calls Gabriel a spy and he takes him prisoner to be executed....I feel like screaming....we helped Colonel Tavington’s men. Limbs hanging, gushes of blood spatter everywhere and the pain and agony the British men where in, we were able to give comfort. Then the bastard shoots Thomas who runs to free Gabriel. How dare he turn around and spit at my family when we offered hospitality to his injured men. Thomas meant no harm. Now father has gone to join up with Gabriel at the Continental Army base and fight for the new America, and to bring justice for the death of Thomas and those who have lost loved ones of this war. Abigale and the rest of the black workers were taken by the British Troops that day, and I pray to God that they are still alive and that no harm has come upon them. Though Abigale was a black woman, she was like a mother to us children, she feed us, bathed us and clothed us...Susan on the other hand had a great bond with her and sometimes during the night she would wake up crying for Abigale and I would always have to make up a story of where Abigale is and why she is gone. Aunt Charlotte has tried her best to make our stay most comfortable and she has gone out of her way to make us feel safe and more over to ignore the war which father has gone to be a part of. Bryan has been most quite throughout this whole journey, though I think it has to do more of the fact that he and Trevor accompanied father in freeing Gabriel, and by doing that my two younger brothers helped father kill twenty British soldiers. Trevor has now been appointed by father as the man of the house and is cocky that he helped father execute those British men. I am feeling quite tired now but Aunt Charlotte is calling me.

I promise to write again...mother would have never missed a day of writing.

Sincerely,

Margaret Martin.

11^th March 1776

Dear Diary,

I am writing today’s entry at the breakfast table, now if father were here he would tell me to put it away, but I am feeling somewhat rebellious. Aunt Charlotte has sat down and smiled me at, so I feel that she is letting me continue writing at the table. Jerry has made the best porridge I have ever tasted, though I will never tell Abigale this....even though I may never see her again. The porridge is so thick and creamy like velvet and sweet as if a whole jar of honey had been poured into my bowl. I think I am going to have another serving, and the boys seem to enjoy it too. However Susan is still picking her bowl, but I can see she is tempted to have a taste as she sees us enjoying our breakfast. I see a cloud of smoke behind the hills and I hope it is only a farmer burning wood....but the smoke is almost pitch black....now I can see fire brushing over the tree tops. I pray to God that the people there are ok, and now I have lost my appetite.

I have been excused from the table as Aunt Charlotte notices what I can see over the hills as she abruptly goes outside to the workers. I can hear a horse neighing, but Aunt Charlotte has no horses whatsoever....

It was the post rider and Aunt Charlotte just finished reading us a letter from father. He is in good health and so is Gabriel and they will be visiting soon. Father says the French is helping the Americans with this war as he has been at close work with Major Jean Villeneuve, a French infantry officer, who is assigned to father’s South Carolina militia unit. I remember Abigale talking about a militia unit, where ordinary citizens who are not soldiers form together an army. But how can you have a successful militia where ordinary citizens like farmers have no basic means of what it is to be in an army unit. I laugh at times that I am a girl but I want the adventures only are permitted to a boy, but father tells me that I can create adventures of my own no matter what race you are, colour or gender. I wish to travel the world and become and author writing about my voyage and travel to other countries. I would be a great author and Susan can be my right hand man or woman I should say, in our exciting ventures.

I need to remember to thank Aunt Charlotte for taking us in, as she is our family we know.

Sincerely,

Margaret Martin.

                                                                                                                       13^th March 1776

Dear Diary,

Sorry I did not write and entry for yesterday, but as soon as I finished signing my entry Aunt Charlotte came running upstairs to get us. The same British Troops lead by Colonel Tavington found us. There were fifty men on horses surrounding the house, we ran into the dining room and Aunt Charlotte lead us downstairs to the workers kitchen where we hid from Colonel Tavington who already made his way inside the house. Trevor was not quick enough to get down where we were hiding so he hid under the dining table where he was only inches away from Colonel Tavington. All our hearts where pounding so loud that I thought the Colonel could hear us, and it was so quiet that the even smallest squeak of the floorboard would break the silence. Eventually we made it out with the help of father and his militia unit and it was so good seeing Gabriel who came to rescue us. But watching Aunt Charlotte’s house burn down, reminded me of Thomas’ death and the cruel war which we are all in. Although there may be and upside of this brutal crusade....Gabriel and some of father’s men took us along the coast where the black workers have settled and amongst them was Abigale. Yes she is still alive and I know God has answered my prayers bringing us here to her, to live with her people. We have settled in rather well as we are far away from all the rivalry and combat and I wish nothing will ruin our stay here with Abigale. Gabriel has left again with father’s men and he promises to return with father, and I pray they come back safely. Susan’s spirits are back to normal, and I overheard her telling Abigale my outrageous stories of where Abigale has been all this time. The boys love it here, helping the men fish, playing with boys their own age and planting of crops. Aunt Charlotte loves the peacefulness living along the coast and I have seen her writing in a diary too. She does remind me of mother, both blonde, both beautiful. Though Aunt Charlotte has soft curly hair and sea blue eyes, mother had silky straight hair and eyes of the colour emerald with a hint of amber. I wish I could stay here forever, it is a safe haven where the war cannot touch us. God does work miracles and this place is one of his many miracles. The say the black are slaves and have no freedom, but with the Declaration of Independence this should give every man a right to speak and this war is being fought by an integrated army, they should see both races are working together for the same purpose and is the image we want for the new America.

Abigale is calling, and I can smell the great aroma of dinner.

Sincerely,

Margaret Martin.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time, in a far away land, there lived a King and a queen who celebrated the birth of their new baby daughter, Aurora. The King and the queen invited the entire kingdom and also the king of the nearby country and his young son, Philip, to share their moment of joy.

The two Kings made plans for Philip and Aurora to marry on the princess’s 16th birthday. Also at the celebrations was the witch who was very kind to the royal family. She was born as a witch, but she had a heart of a fairy. As she can’t do magic on herself, she cannot change her appearance. She has helped King and the queen in every walk of their life and she was very fond of Aurora. She visited them every time they needed her. The kind witch brought a very special gift for the little princess, and her gift was a crystal for Aurora, which she can rub when she needs the witch or if she ever gets in trouble and needs help.

The King intentionally didn’t invite the three fairy godmothers which turned evil after the birth of Aurora because King and the queen always asked the witch to help them and not the fairy godmothers, so they were jealous of the kind witch. They wanted to take revenge from her and also from the King. While the King and queen were busy in the celebrations, there suddenly was a crack of thunder and the three evil fairy godmothers emerged from the mist. They looked enviously at the celebration and how everyone was enjoying it. Then they went up to the King and said in a sweet tone, “We know you haven’t invited us, but for the love of the little princess we came here”. They also gave some gifts to the little princess. Then they left saying to the little princess “Don’t worry darling, we will give you a special gift on your sixteenth birthday”. But they had an evil plan for her sixteenth birthday.

The King was now worried about his daughter’s safety. He knew that these evil fairy godmothers will do something terrible to her daughter on her sixteenth birthday. So he called upon the kind witch and told her about his worries. Then the kind witch told them her plan to protect the princess Aurora until her sixteenth birthday had passed…

The kind witch renamed the princess, Briar Rose so the three evil fairies could not trace her. She took her away to a little cottage in the woods. There the witch put away her magic wand and disguised as peasant woman so that the fairy godmothers wouldn’t be able to find them.

As the years passed, the fairy godmothers kept searching for the princess, but never found her. As Aurora’s sixteenth birthday came closer, the fairy godmothers sent their trusted pet raven to try and find her. It was their last chance…

The morning of Briar Rose’s 16th birthday came. The witch sent her to pick some berries from the forest so she could prepare some birthday surprises for her. After gathering the berries, Briar Rose rested in the woodland glade. She started singing in her beautiful voice. Her friends, the animals and birds, joined her and started dancing with her. Prince Philip, who after a long ride, was resting in the woods with his horse. Philip was enchanted by the voice coming through t he trees and went to find the singer. As soon as they met, Briar Rose and the handsome stranger fell in love. They felt sure that they had met before—once upon a dream.

Then Briar Rose hesitantly asked him, “Who are you, handsome stranger?” “I am Prince Philip”, said the prince. I am on my way to meet Princess Aurora. We are supposed to be getting married. Then Briar Rose felt so sad that he is going to marry a princess not her. But she was not aware that she herself is Princess Aurora. She told the prince that her name is Briar Rose and lives nearby and also asked him to promise that he will not forget to invite her on his wedding.

Meanwhile, the kind witch was in a terrible muddle! She had baked a scrumptious birthday cake but the mixture was too runny, so the cake wouldn’t stand up! Then she had made a special sparkly gown for Briar Rose to wear in the evening. But it was a very odd shape! And then she started to wrap Briar Rose’s birthday present. But then the wrapper started to rip! “It’s no use,” she said to herself. “I need to use my magic to sort everything out, so I’ll just go and fetch my magic wand. I don’t have much time now as Briar Rose is about to return any minute now!”

The kind witch had never used her magic wand before from the time she started living with Briar Rose. She didn’t want to use her magic wand even this time but she had no other choice left. Before she used her magic wand, she had to stop any magic dust escaping and alerting the fairies to their hideaway. So she blocked up every single gap in the cottage. But alas - she forgot to block the chimney!

The kind witch felt so wonderful to be able to use her magic again! She waved her wand and a beautiful sparkly pink gown appeared in front of her. Then she thought pink was too girly and waved her wand to change the color to blue. Then she changed her mind again and changed it back to pink. Then she changed it back again to blue. All this time, the magic dust was escaping from the chimney!

The evil fairies’ raven was searching nearby. He saw the magic dust escaping through the chimney and decided to investigate about it.

By the time evil fairies’ raven reached the cottage, Briar Rose had already returned. She was admiring her beautiful gown and tasting the delicious cake and looking at her present from the kind witch. She thanked the witch for everything. “This is probably the happiest day of my life,” Briar Rose said.

Then she started to tell the kind witch about the handsome stranger she had met in the woods. She told her how she felt about him. She told the kind witch that she is really sad that Prince Philip is going to marry the Princess Aurora. “I wish if he could marry me, as I have fallen in love with him.” Then the kind witch thought this is the right time to tell Briar Rose about the truth. “It’s time you should know the truth Briar Rose,” said the kind witch. Then she had told Briar Rose that she is actually a princess and her real name is Aurora and that she has to be kept safe from the three evil fairies. Briar Rose felt so happy that she started singing and dancing. She was so glad that she would soon marry her true love Prince Philip now. Meanwhile, up on the chimney, the evil fairies’ raven smiled.

“Today you must return to the palace and start your new life,” said the kind witch. “You can start packing as we will leave when it is dark”. Briar Rose, a.k.a. Aurora started packing excitedly. She was looking forward to meeting her real parents.

By now, the raven had heard enough. He flapped his wings and flew away to tell his mistresses about what he had found out and letting them know that the search for Princess Aurora was finally over.

As soon as the darkness fell, the kind witch led Briar Rose through the forest, where wood nymphs were whispering to each other and giggling, to the palace. They had absolutely no idea that the three evil fairies were already there, lying in wait for them to come…

At the palace, the kind witch left Aurora in a quiet room to rest and she went to fetch the King, queen and Prince Philip. Suddenly, in the room where Aurora was resting, a strange glowing light appeared. Aurora followed it in a trance-like state. It led her up a winding staircase to an attic room. Inside the room were the three evil fairies waiting for her…

The three evil fairies urged the Princess to leave the kind witch and asked her to be with them. They told her that if she goes with them then they will not harm her in anyway. But, Aurora bluntly told them “NO”. The three evil fairies got so angry that they all combined their magic powers and cast a sleeping spell on Aurora.

As soon as the kind witch returned to Aurora with the King, queen and Philip, Aurora was already lying on the floor. She just had a glimpse of three ladies disappearing. She knew it straight away that those were the three evil fairies. The King, queen started to cry for their daughter as they thought she was dead. Price Philip was sad too. They asked the kind witch to do something. Then the kind witch told them that Aurora is under the sleeping spell. She told them that because the evil fairies combined their powers, it is not easy for her to break the spell. She needs three magical things in four days to awaken the Princess from the deep sleep. She asked them to keep the Princess in a safe place until she returns from her journey with these magical things. Saying that she left in a hurry in search of those things…

The kind witch was thinking that she could go just as she was, but then thought it was too risky and she got out her disguise kit. She didn’t want the evil fairies to follow her and create more trouble for her. So she decided to disguise herself as a fairy godmother and put on her clothes and make up. Then she put on her wings and sprinkled some fairy dust on her to make it look like she was a real fairy. Just as she was about to leave, she nearly forgot about the sleeping spell she needed to cast on the entire kingdom, so they won’t spread the word about Aurora. She quickly murmured a spell and set off on her journey.

It was a cloudy day outside, and very windy. The kind witch was wondering how she could get three magical items from the other side of the world back here in just four days. “It’ll be alright,” she said to herself. “I can do it, just concentrate.” Just then a gust of wind blew her. She squealed and landed on the grass. Then she took off her backpack, which she disguised as a ring and examined closely where she would have to go first. She was amazed - where she was going first was the Enchantria rainforest!

So she quickly got up, but back on her ring, and went to the nearest stallion-stop. She looked at the timetable to see when the next stallion-sleigh would arrive. Then she let out a sigh of relief as she hadn’t missed the previous stallion-sleigh.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, a beautiful looking herd of white stallions arrived with a flourish, carrying a posh looking sleigh along with them. The kind witch held her breath, amazed. The kind witch hadn’t seen stallion-sleighs this beautiful in a very long time!

She excitedly hopped on the carriage and sat down on the comfy seats. Then she told the stallion driver to go to the stallion-stop by the rainbow-port where she would slide down a rainbow to the desired place, which in her case, was the Enchantria rainforest.

When she finally arrived, she hopped off the stallion-sleigh, thanked the stallion driver and gave five golden coins to him. Then she quickly flew off into the entrance to the rainbow-port.

The rainbow-port was crowded with lots of people, witches, elves and other kinds of things the kind witch didn’t know the names of. The kind witch kindly asked an elf, only just up to her knees, where the entrance to the forest rainbow was. The miniature elf told her that it was somewhere north-east from where they were standing and said ‘good luck on your journey’. Then she thanked the elf and went to look for the right rainbow.

When she finally found the right rainbow, the kind witch hopped on to it, checked that it was safe to go, and hoped for the best. The countdown suddenly started and she held her breath. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and… BLAST OFF!!!” She was going down from a rainbow to the Enchantria rainforest!

It seemed like hours before she got off the rainbow and into the Enchantria rainbow-port! There were lots of people, especially wood nymphs, in there, all welcoming and greeting others. The kind witch left the rainbow-port and got into another stallion-sleigh, but this time it wasn’t as nice as the one she rode earlier. She hopped on, not caring a bit about how the stallions looked, for she was on a very important quest to save the King’s daughter.

It was very quiet in the Enchantria rainforest, just the occasional chirp of a bird or two. She looked again at her paper. What she needed to find was a magical pink and green flower called the Trixie flower in the middle of the rainforest. Then she stuffed the piece of paper back into her “backpack” and flew off into the rainforest.

It was nearly getting dark, and the kind witch still hadn’t found the Trixie flower yet. She was worried she wouldn’t find it in time, but she would not give up. She had two more magical items that she needed to collect and only three more days left. Then suddenly she could smell something sweet in the air. She followed the sweet aroma until she had reached the middle of the forest.

There, she found the Trixie flower! She was really happy that she had found the first magical item on the list. So then she quietly picked up the flower, put it in her ‘backpack’ and found her way to a warm and safe spot in the middle of the Enchantria rainforest. She stayed there for the night. Just before she was about to go to sleep, she said, “One down, two to go”.

The bright light of the sun shone on the kind witch’s eyes and she woke up, yawning softly. She remembered that she had already found the first magical item on the list, so she quickly took out the list and examined closely where she had to go next. The next magical item was a silver necklace that she had to find in Goldwyvern, not far away from the Enchantria rainforest. So the kind witch hurriedly packed everything up, and set off towards the populous town of Goldwyvern.

When she finally arrived at Goldwyvern, she asked a girl called Jessella where the Goldwyvern museum of art and craft was, for that was where the necklace was. She told the kind witch that it was down the road, but if she was going to go and see it, that it would not be there. The kind witch asked why. Then Jessella told her that it was being auctioned. The kind witch was really worried now. She thanked the little girl and flew off like a jet to the Goldwyvern museum of art and craft.

There were lots of people at the auction wanting to buy the precious necklace. The kind witch flew around the crowd and to the front. Then the auctioneer asked people to start bidding. One elf said that he would buy it for 50 coins. Then another satyr said that he would buy it for 100 coins. The kind witch only had 600 coins, and she didn’t want to lose them all on an auction to buy a necklace. So when the bidding price got higher, nearly at 400 coins, she put her hand up and said that she would buy it for 450 coins. Then the auctioneer went “One!”, and no one said anything. “Two!” he said, then people were sweating, trying to think of a higher bid that they could make. The kind witch prayed that she would get the necklace. “THREE!” The crowd went wild and the kind witch cried out “YES!!!” in laughter. “Final bid, 450 COINS!” Then the kind witch went up to the auctioneer, payed him 450 coins and flew off.

Just as she was about to open the door to go outside, a person asked her how she had gotten the necklace. She laughed and said “Maybe it was just coincidence!” and flew off into the fresh night air.

She stayed at the same place, in the warm cave in the middle of the Enchantria rainforest. Before going to sleep, she took out her light and shone it over the piece of paper that told her where to go next. “That’ll be easy”, she said to herself. “I found two things in two days and I still have two days left to find one thing!” She was very excited, because the place where she was going to next was Fairwyn Island!

The kind witch had a good night sleep and woke up in the morning feeling better than ever. She excitedly flew off to the harbor and waited for the next dolphin ride to come.

But then she remembered that the island was quite far away from here and that she would have to spend the night on the island. She was getting worried now. What if she couldn’t make it in two days? What if something bad happened? What if there were wild creatures that roam at night on Fairwyn Island? “Don’t worry, everything will be fine, there’s nothing to worry about, just stay calm”, she said to herself. But she wouldn’t stay calm, even when she was on the dolphin ride. She kept worrying all the way to Fairwyn Island.

When she got to the island, she immediately found the last magical item she needed to find – THE RAINBOW COLOURED SHINING STAR!!

She picked it up gently. It felt so smooth and soft! Then she looked up at the sky. It was getting dark. She found a spot to sleep in and stayed there for the rest of the night.

In the morning, she immediately woke up and flew to the harbor at the edge of Fairwyn Island. She was worried that she would be late to awaken Princess Aurora. She was running out of time!

Finally, after an hour or so of waiting for the dolphins to arrive, the kind witch hopped on to one dolphin and rode all the way back to Goldwyvern.

After riding the stallion-sleigh back to the Enchantria rainport, the kind witch bought one ticket for 20 coins to go back to the Princess before it was too late. After what seemed like hours, the witch got off the rainbow and flew off to the castle where the Princess lay. She put the flower in her hand, the necklace around her neck and the shining star on her tiara. Then after a second, which seems like ages to King and queen, Princess Aurora opened her eyes. Everybody was happy that she woke up from her sleep and they gave all the credit to the kind witch with whose help this became possible.

That evening, a magnificent ball was held to celebrate the wedding of Philip and Aurora. The Princess, dressed in her beautiful blue gown, danced happily in the arms of her prince. As the kind witch watched over them, she couldn’t resist turning the blue gown back to pink and then turned it back to blue again. And so it went on….pink….blue…..pink…..blue….

And they all lived happily ever after!!!

Rational People

At that time I didn’t know why she feigned that she was mad. I knew why she had been pretending, but when I saw Edward coming in with Miss Eyre, Mr. Mason and ministers from the church I thought it was over. But she still pretended. And I didn’t understand why she was acting crazy. Not really sure if I could have made any difference even if I knew the reason earlier. Not really sure of it. But every time when I looked at the blackened ruins of Thornfield Hall I had this strong feeling that it was an inevitable tragedy. It was not something happened instantly. It grew there for more than a decade with her deep sorrow, pain, despair, hatred and vengeance. And when I recalled her face right before she jumped off the tower, I thought it was not just those feelings she had towards him but the satisfaction of achieving what she lived for, the purpose that she had to maintain her life. She had her revenge but it was not the only reason she looked happy. Some people said it was because she was crazy and she didn’t know what she was doing. I didn’t think so. Not just because I was aware of the fact that she was in her right mind but also I could understand her at some level. I was the only companion she had and she existed only because I was there. Yes I was there.

I was born at Thornfield Hall. My mother was a servant of John Rochester, the grandfather of Edward Rochester. Nobody knew who my father was because she never got married. Although I could hear people talking about my mother sneaking out of Mr. Rochester’s room one night. I didn’t think he was my father. He never treated me as one of his own even when my mother left the world. I lost my only family but nothing actually changed. I served three generations of Rochester family and they were all gentle and rational people. I especially liked little Edward because I was his nanny. I watched him growing into an adult from a little crybaby. I never had a family after my mother died and I felt like we were a family, me and Edward. But after Edward left Thornfield it was me left alone again. Nothing really changed as always. It was like emotions were not allowed to me because there was nothing for me to feel. Everyday routine was a life itself. It just flowed like a river, and I just followed like fish.

When I knew Edward was coming back from Jamaica to inherit the fortune of his dead father and brother my heart pounded again. I didn’t know which day he would arrive so I went outside strolling quite often. I thought his comeback could be a turning point of my life. I was worried too because I felt like I flowed too far and I was not sure if I could awaken my soul again. But with uncertain hopes I was feeling livelier than ever since he left. One night he came back but he seemed different somehow and anxious. Firstly I thought it was his pain of losing his family but it was Mrs. Rochester he brought together actually.

The night he came back without any prior notice he called me out quietly and said “Grace, since my father and brother all passed away you are the only one left in the world whom I can trust. You always have been just like a mother to me and that’s why I am going to ask you a big favor.”

I said “Master you can ask me anything that’s why I’m here.”

“I married to this woman when I was in overseas and that was my father’s will. Now I’m the master and head of Rochester family. It is not custom for a respectable English man to marry a foreign woman. And most of all I don’t even love her.”

“What do you want me to do, sir?”

“You know the north tower where no one lived? There is a chamber on the top of the tower. I want her to live there.”

“And what should I do, sir?”

“I want you to stay with her. And keep her existence unknown to anybody.”

“You want me to guard her, sir?”

“I’m not locking her Grace. I just don’t want other people to know about my marriage. But since it is my responsibility to take care of her I want you to stay with her and fulfill her needs.”

“Will do, sir.”

That was the long waited reunion of me and Edward. Nothing was changed.

“You can call me Bertha.”

That was the first sentence she spoke to me. I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing. No, I didn’t think if it was the right thing. I just did what they asked me and it was so natural like we were built in that way. I didn’t even think how long Edward planned to keep her there. I spent most of the time in the tower and people started looking at me like a ghost. It was fine because we didn’t have much to talk anyway. It was always the same routines and the same stories. Edward sometimes came to the room and talked with Bertha. Mostly she remained calm but sometimes she argued with him.

“I’m sorry Bertha but it is for your own good. Your people still live in hard conditions. Although we do our best to provide education and developed culture still so many people suffer because of ignorance and starvation. I can provide everything you need and you don’t have to suffer from anything.” Edward said.

“Who are you do decide what is a better life and what is worse. It is your own criteria and you can’t force that into other people Edward!” Bertha said.

“Bertha. You don’t understand because you can’t understand. I just want to take good care of you.”

“That’s what you think, you are to save us, protect us, illuminate us. But you are just abusing for your own good. And you still justify and convince yourself. Under self-hypnosis you actually believe that you are doing the right thing. Edward. This is disgusting!”

It was almost a routine as well. He came to the room once in a while with a tender smile but always left with his face flushed.

The time I spent in the room increased even more. I didn’t eat with other servants and rather brought food to the tower to eat with Bertha. It wasn’t sympathy towards her but I just felt more comfortable spending time with her. We had nothing in common so I tried to tell her what was happening in the world as much as possible otherwise we had nothing to talk. But the fact was I didn’t know much about the world as well. So the stories always were limited to what was going on in Thornfield Hall and Edward. I told her about Adele and one handsome foreigner who visited Edward. When she heard about Adele she didn’t show any reaction but when I told her about this foreign gentleman she asked me if he ever left Thornfield Hall with Edward while he was staying here. I said it was unlikely according to other servants. She sighed deeply and talked.

“Grace. When there are people suffering from the same cause, there are still people among them who prey on the others. Even their own family.”

“I don’t understand Bertha.”

“The man you described, he must be my brother. I told you my father used to own a big plantation. He made his wealth by cooperating with colonizers. But it had to shut down because he was preyed on by other traitors too. I’m sure he came here to ask Edward for money. They didn’t go out together so I know he didn’t lie that I was dead already and since he left without seeing me. I think they have a deal now.”

After that Bertha pretended to be insane and it had been already 5 years since she arrived at Thornfield Hall. At first I thought she really had gone crazy because she had to spend her life in the room everyday and the presence of Edward in the room could trigger her insanity. But if Edward wasn’t in the room she just came back normal instantly. Edward didn’t ask about it and I didn’t feel any need to report him since he wasn’t curious. Time just flew as always and nothing was changed.

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When it was about 13 years since Bertha arrived one day Edward held a party at Thornfield Hall. He traveled a lot and joined with many respectable people but never brought people to Thornfield. I didn’t know what changed him and I wasn’t really curious too.

“Grace I can hear many people. Is he hosting a party?” Bertha said.

“Yes, many respectable people are here socializing including Blanche Ingram and her mother and sister.” I said.

“Well, that’s not normal.”

“People are saying that he is getting married with Miss Ingram soon.”

That was the first time I saw her bright-eyed.

“If my brother finds out that Edward is getting married soon he will think of it as a good chance to ask him for more money. And If Edward tells him that I am insane now he will come to see me. After all he is my brother.”

Sometime It was surprising that she could see further than other people even she was locked inside. As she predicted Mr. Mason came to visit Edward soon and that night Edward brought Mr. Mason to the room in the tower. But as soon as they entered the room Bertha suddenly flew at her brother screaming and bit Mr. Mason. We could hear people waking up by the sound and Edward had to leave the room to pacify the guests. Mr. Mason looked horrified and Bertha approached him and said.

“Now listen carefully otherwise you are going to ruin the plan I prepared for the past 10 years. You go to the wedding and declare the existence of an impediment. He will bring people here to explain why he had to lock me in the chamber. Then I will reveal what he has done to me and claim his fortune. We can be rich if only you do not make mistakes. “

Mr. Mason was stunned.

“So you have been pretending to be insane for this?” He said.

“Yes I could run anytime but no one would believe me as he is a respectable English man and I’m just a half-blood. I need him to disclose it himself.” She said.

“Bertha. Are you serious?”

“I have waited for so long for this day to come. Don’t ruin this.”

Mr. Mason nodded.

Bertha didn’t tell Mr. Mason who he was going to marry but she knew it was Miss Eyre. She knew that Edward was playing a mind game with her and Miss Eyre had feelings for him too. Bertha said she in fact ignited feelings between them by literally igniting Edward’s room. So when I heard Edward was marrying Miss Eyre I felt that the entire Thornfield Hall was dancing to her tune. And as her planned Edward brought people to the chamber and revealed Bertha in front of everybody. Miss Eyre looked shocked and Mr. Mason was waiting for Bertha to open her mouth but she still feigned that she was crazy. I didn’t know why at that time. And even if I knew there was nothing I could do because no one asked me. And I was just a bystander again.

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The morning when Edward realized the disappearance of Miss Eyre, he was out of his mind. He contacted everybody he knew for help and couldn’t rest at all. He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep for three days and that’s when Edward came to the chamber and talked to Bertha.

“Hello Edward. What took you so long? I have been waiting for you for so long” She said.

“So it was you who called Mason. It is strange. Somehow I always felt that you were just pretending to be crazy to fool me. Even when you tried to burn the whole place, even when you harmed yourself so bad and almost died. A part of my mind always thought those were not real. And now I know that you are not crazy for sure but in my eyes you look crazier than ever!” He said.

“Because sane people, no inferior and sane people can’t dare challenge you right?”

“What do you want Bertha? How did you do that?”

“Oh Edward you just want to know why those happened. You are such a rational man, can’t stand left out without understanding can you? It is you who built yourself in this way. You tell me first Edward. Why her? You said it is not custom for a man with a large fortune to marry a half-blood like me. Then what about a governess from a poor family? How did she snatch you? Tell me Edward.”

Edward didn’t say anything but his hands were shaking.

“I will tell you Edward. You thought marrying Miss Eyre was saving her too. Thought you could ease your burden, thought you could be redeemed by marring one little, obscure, plain and poor woman. Oh Edward. Accepting Adele as your ward even she is a daughter of the woman who hurt your pride. You always tried to be a protector but what you wanted was to save your soul. But you can never save your soul Edward.” She said.

“You are wrong! She is different. She may not be the most beautiful woman in the country but she can see through me, she can understand the pain I have. She can express herself in front of me despite of the difference in our social status. I am happy with her. My feelings are pure!” He said.

“That is what I was telling you Edward. You expect us to stay passive, to just receive not lead. And her being active and passion to knowledge charmed you. But we always have been equal just not recognized. I was always the subject of my life not an object.”

“I … … I just wanted to protect you Bertha.”

“Lie! You never treated me as an equal. You abused me. You approached me for the wealth of my family but as soon as you inherited a large fortune I was just an obstacle to you. Do you think I am just an animal, that I can bare it? Do you think, because I'm a woman, mixed blood, uneducated and not baptized that I have no heart? That I am without soul? I have as much heart as you, and as much soul.”

Edward lit a cigarette and inhaled it deeply.

“You had many chances to run.” He said.

“You had many chances to just kill me before ugly things like this happened. But you couldn’t kill me because of your twisted conscience and pride.” She said.

“You had many chances to kill me too.”

“Yes I had many chances to kill you when you were in a sleep. But death was a mercy for what you did.”

“What do you want Bertha?”

“Nothing. I achieved my purpose. You will regret for your entire life. That will leave you scarred for life. Even she forgives you, you won’t be happy because you won’t be able to forgive yourself. I will engrave it in your mind. I have waited for this moment for so long.”

She picked up the candle and set fire to curtains. The old and dusty curtains burned so quickly and swallowed everything in the room.

“You are a rational man. You could always hide behind your gentle mask and convinced yourself that you did the right thing. But Edward you will never be able to forget what you did to me and what you made me into. In your dream, in your subconscious, in your blank mind it will always come back to haunt you. You will wake up in the middle of night screaming because you will dream of my blackened body.” She said.

I had to run out and wake up other servants. But I could hear Edward begging her to come out of the room.

When everybody woke up and ran out of Thornfield Hall I saw her at the window of the chamber. Edward still didn’t come out and some of the mail servants ran into the tower to save him.

I looked at Bertha and for a short moment I thought she looked at me as well.

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Once she said she existed because I was there. She said although we breathe and eat and sleep, we couldn’t exist unless there was someone to recognize. And Bertha said I was also a prisoner of Thornfield Hall just like her. I didn’t understand it. I was not able to understand many things in deed. Edward lost his eyes from the fire and moved into a small country house in Thornfield. Sometimes I went to the remains of Thornfield Hall to recall and try to understand what I missed. And one day I found Miss Eyre standing on the ruins.

“Miss Eyre is that you?”

“Grace! Oh thank god you are fine. What on earth happened here? Is Mr. Rochester fine?”

“Oh Miss Eyre, we have a lot to talk about. What happened in Thornfield after you left and more importantly before you came.”

Maybe Miss Eyre could help me I thought. My name is Grace Poole and I was too a prisoner of Thornfield Hall, but I never thought I was.