Lockets and Lizard Skins

Aabha stared at the dark water with a resigned sense of apprehension. From her hiding place at the entrance of the derelict building, she remembered how the sea used to thrill her. In the old times, her younger self had loved to bathe and swim in the cool salty waters of the ocean. Now, the waves were all but stilled and its kaleidoscope of colours; blues, greens, lilacs and pinks, had all turned to ashen blacks and sickly greys. The stifling heat of the day was beginning to fade and she knew that now was the time. It was strange. She had travelled for so long to reach this place, yet now that she was here, she found herself lacking in courage. Stalling for time, Aabha reached into her bag and took out the last remaining items. A large plastic bottle with a few inches of orange brown liquid inside, a chocolate protein bar and a small hunting knife wrapped in plastic. She stowed the knife carefully in her waistband and laid the bottle down on the earth at her feet. As soon as the objects were exposed to the air around them, a fine green film began to appear on the surface of the plastics. Aabha worked fast. In a few well practised movements, she tore the wrapper from the power bar, cupped both gloves hands around the exposed end and used her thumbs to pull her face shield away from her mouth and nose. She crammed half the bar in and swiftly covered her face again and pushed the remaining half of the bar back inside the bag. She moved her jaw around the chocolate flavoured lump, mashing her gums and working saliva into the food until it broke down enough to swallow. The cavities where her teeth had once been were no longer sore and she had become used to eating in this way. She finished the rest of the bar and the orange drink and left the empty bag. She would no longer need it. Aabha heard sounds in the distance and knew it was time to move. She judged the shore to be a few minutes’ run from her location, and though the shouts and animalistic noises drew closer, she knew there was time. She covered the ground well, despite her bulky layers of clothing, and reached the water quickly. She was afraid now. Dark had come in the last few moments and the echoes of running feet beat against her ears. It had to be now. As her shoes touched the water she already felt the fabric begin to weaken. Aabha pressed her goggles tighter over her eyes and submerged herself completely in the thick dark heat of the ocean.

It did not take long to reach the cluster of caverns that led to her destination, but with each laboured stroke Aabha grew more terrified. The poisoned sea ate away at each layer of her clothing with every minute and she knew it would not be long before the water’s acid tongues licked the flesh from her bones. Finally she was able to rise up from the shallows and clamber over hot dank rocks to the mouth of the caves. All of her outer garments that remained was the layer of cling film she had wrapped around her underclothes and her two plastic face masks that were dotted with small man-mad holes for breathing. The goggles had disintegrated as she emerged from the ocean and her eyelids now stung and swelled painfully, hindering her vision. She felt her way to the entrance with blistered fingertips. The hum of electricity and a faint glow of light that grew stronger as she approached were her guides now. Underfoot, the rocks were slippery and sharp and where her skin met the damp patches she felt it crack and burn. Whimpers of pain escaped her, announcing her arrival, she could not help it. Aabha entered the small cave and waited. She knew the Keeper was coming to meet her.

The figure came from an archway to her left. She was unnerved by the quiet of it. Her own rasping breaths seemed suddenly deafening and she was embarrassed. The creature stood in front of her. Taller than her and far stronger. It removed its hood and she saw that it was a man. A healthy man. Aabha felt her heart stop for a moment. She found that she could not move nor speak and the man did not speak to her, but walked around her in a circle, inspecting her carefully. Finally satisfied, he nodded, and indicated that she should follow him. Tentatively, Aabha tried to move her feet and found that she could. They walked in silence through the archway and down to the depths of of the caverns. Acrid water dripped and hissed down the walls and Aabha’s laboured breathing echoed as they drew deeper into the belly of the ocean chambers. The slope evened out abruptly and they entered a room filled with what appeared to be enormous bell jars covered in layers of the thickest plastic. Pale green light emanated from the domes, which contained blurred forms of various size.

“Choose”. The man commanded in a low voice that made Aabha’s skin crawl.

She approached the first jar and took hold of the edge of plastic. It was heavy and she needed two hands to pull it to one side. The sight that greeted her made her step back in alarm and she dropped the plastic which slapped loudly against the glass jar. The man tutted angrily begind her and she muttered and apology. She was pleased that her voice sounded strong. Taking the plastic more firmly this time she once again exposed the occupant of the first jar. A woman. Short, but well covered in what appeared to be scales, suspended in green jelly. The eyes were closed and she was bald, but looked healthy enough. The scales were shiny and did not have any tears or gaps. Aabha covered her carefully and moved on to the next specimen. She examined five in total, all female, and became more discerning with each. This one looked stronger, that had larger nostrils, better for breathing, she supposed. Each had gills instead of a mouth and webbed hands and feet. No tails, thank god. She turned to the Keeper.

“That one,” Aabha pointed to the fourth dome.

He nodded, but made no move to release the creature.

Aabha realised what was required. She had prepared herself for this part. She began to peel off her cling film. It was by now coated in a thick layer of grime and this was not an easy task. She felt braver suddenly and made eye contact with the man, bizarrely reminded of some other life and the rituals of undressing for a partner. But the moment passed quickly. As the plastic left her body, she felt her skin prickle as the air nibbled at her exposed flesh. She began to remove her underwear, but he stopped her.

“No”. He said, approaching her with his hand outstretched.

She backed away, suddenly fearful and confused. Why didn’t he want her? Since the days of sterilisation, all payment had come in this form when dealing with men. They seemed even more rampant than in the old times. But this man wanted something else.

“The locket”. He pointed at her chest, where a heavy gold locket hung, burning a scar into her heart.

She shook her head. And clasped the hot metal firmly, ignoring the pain of her palm on its surface. The Keeper could not know what it meant to her, though her body before him did bear the scars of childbirth. She met his eyes and saw that perhaps he did know. She felt at her waist instinctively, but of course the knife was long lost. He watched her decide her fate and she realised she could not take the locket with her to her new body. She took a step toward the man and allowed him to unfasten the necklace and to slit her throat, but not before he had smashed the glass of her lizard woman’s dome. The creature slithered toward Aabha as she lay bleeding on the cave floor, it’s eyes opened, film coated and magnificent. She touched its heart and allowed it to devour her, welcoming the transition from her human self to the next superior race.