I felt strange, as though I could barely move. I opened my eyes, suddenly staring at the off-white ceiling above me.

Why is this room so huge?

I looked down, towards my hands, only to find that they were tiny. I felt tiny.

What is going on?

I began to panic, clenching and unclenching my fists and letting out a yell. I blinked. My voice! I sound like a… like a child! Not knowing what else to do, I just began to cry. Loud sobs filled the air. I knew it was childish but I didn’t care. I tried to stand up, only to find that I couldn’t. My body felt heavy, I tried to sit up, only to find that I couldn’t do that either.

What is going on? Where am I? How did I get here? Where is here?

My irrational thoughts were interrupted when I noticed a young lady barge into the room, she was dressed… in a dirty old dress? I tried to speak, to ask her where I was. But it came out as a quiet “gghya”, I tried again, this time all that came out was a muffled “whytfw”. The lady calmed herself, no longer looking panicked, before striding forward. She had an air about her, as though she was someone important. Laughing, she reached my location, wherever that may be, and I noticed that she was giant! I watched her humongous arms extend towards me, doing my best to retreat away from her. I rolled to the side, putting only a few extra centimetres between us, only to find that there was a strange wall behind me. Confused, I looked to the side, noticing that a wooden railing of sorts was blocking my escape.

Why am I in a crib?

Her arms were still reaching for me and I had nowhere to hide. They enveloped me and she lifted me out of the crib. Now I could see the entirety of where I had been laying. The dirty blankets were a light shade of brown, but they had obviously been white at some point and the crib looked as though it could fall apart at any moment.

What am I doing here?

I was now sitting in her arms, staring up at her face. She was beautiful, with billowing brown hair and shining green eyes. I felt relaxed. As though I could trust her. My mind stopped racing and I realized something, something important.

She’s not huge, I’m just tiny!

Am I a baby?

That would actually make sense.., kind of.

Then, I remembered. An image of three people appeared in my mind, they stepped forward, towards me, and I was overwhelmed by the urge to run. But I couldn’t, it was as though I was frozen in place. They stopped a few steps short of me and then they turned. My brother gave me a kind smile, and I felt an urge to go to him, and then I could move! I sprinted towards him, wanting somebody familiar, before he began to turn around as well, a voice echoed in my mind, YOU ARE USELESS, it said. I felt my eyes go wet. I had heard this so many times, why was it bothering me now? Then I remembered who these people were, they were my family, my mother, my father, and my brother.

Another scene flashed through my mind, it was of him pushing me, of him telling me to get up. I remembered what had happened. How he had killed me. For some unknown reason I had felt compelled to apologise, for what? I don’t know. I hadn’t done anything wrong. I shook my head, snapping out of this strange moment. Now I was back in the present, but what exactly was happening in the present?

“Ari, it’s time for a nap, go to sleep”.

I could hear the strange woman telling me to sleep, but I wouldn’t. It was the middle of the day! With considerable effort, I lifted my arms, waving them around. As I did this my eyes began to feel heavy, and my blinks became slower and slower. Steadily, I drifted off to sleep. As I fell asleep I heard another person walk into the room, by judging the footsteps I could identify that he was a man.

“Constance, I understand that your financial situation is not ideal at the moment, however I cannot afford to house you and your child for much longer!”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I strained my ears, trying to understand the situation. What was going on?

“I know, I’ll leave soon”

“What about Aretta? Where will you both live?”

“...”

And with that I drifted off to sleep.

***

“Father, I'm worried, what’s gotten into Ari? Usually she’s loud and happy, but lately she’s been quiet, she has barely cried. This isn’t normal for a baby her age.”

“She is within the safety of the church, there is nothing to fear Constance.”

“I understand, but… I still worry for the health of my sweet daughter.”

He must believe that I love my daughter by now. This ridiculous act is tiring. This child has taken everything from me, my love, and my reputation. How could I ever care for her? I must dispose of this inconvenience before word reaches the duke that he has a daughter.

“What shall you both do once you leave the church?”

The words of the Father startled me, my facade as a loving mother dropping for a moment before I quickly plastered a smile back onto my face.

Did he notice? No, thank goodness.

“I understand that you are in quite the delicate position at the moment, however, for as long as I have known you, however short that may have been, I believe that you are a good person. You shall care for your daughter well and for that reason I am certain that the God Ermes shall show you the way.”

He couldn’t be more wrong, is this man stupid? This useless ramble he goes on about is ridiculous, if there was a god then he wouldn’t have brought her into existence. The little wench who ruined my life.

Deepening my smile I replied “Of course, may Ermes show us the way.”

If this incompetent man weren’t of some worth i’d have killed him by now.

My smile faltered. How did I even end up in this situation? This ineffectual individual must be stupid, to house a stranger with no sense of danger.

He’ll be lucky to survive until the end of his use to me.

Seemingly noticing that something was off, the servant of god turned to me.

“Is something the matter?”

“No no, all is well, I think that I may have heard the voice of God just now. All is extremely well.”

Seemingly inflating at my words, the Father seemed ecstatic.

Perhaps I can convince him to hand over some gold? We shall see how this turns out.

“Oh my, whatever did you do to receive such an honour! We must inform the temple of this great gift, for you are now a holy maiden.”

This daft fool.

I molded my smile once again, this time making it appear gentle and modest.

“I simply pray every day, because Ermes is all knowing and all loving, he is deserving of praise. I even prayed for the successful birth of my dearest baby girl, and god delivered.”

I’ve never prayed a day in my life, this foolhardy man is utterly stupid. God should deliver some intelligence to him.

“And you needn’t go through the trouble, I shall inform them myself, after all that will be my next destination regardless of whether you inform them or not. I simply ask that the church fund my trip, after all, how else would I get there?” I replied, with a small smile, almost laughing at the thought.

I certainly shan’t be going to the temple, I shall return home. Without my extra baggage. No matter how long it takes.

“Very well then.”

***

With that being the end to the conversation, I turned around and went back to my office nearby.

I must write to the temple and inform them of this incredible feat. Once Holy Maiden Constance arrives at the temple, they shall throw a feast in her honour. I must inform them so that they are prepared to welcome such an esteemed guest.

Now that I was at my desk, I sat down and dipped my quill in ink, beginning to write.

***

Dearest Matthew, Resident of the grand temple of Ermes,

Salutations, may Ermes aid you in your journey of life and maintain the prosperity of this great nation.

Respected son, I write to you today, to inform the temple of the birth of a new holy maiden. This woman goes by the name of Constance and has recently heard the voice of God while within my church.

This esteemed woman has prayed daily for many years. She has informed me of her future journey to the temple in order to make you aware of her presence as a holy maiden. It seems that Constance wishes to make the journey herself, possibly to get closer to God Ermes.

She is a devout follower of our religion and has been residing in the church. In order to not make a chasm between her and God, I shall dispose of her child. We can not allow her to devote herself to anybody except God. This child threatens that.

Sincerely, Father Jonan

***

I was now alone in this huge room, I had recently woken up. My body still felt strange, however it was now far easier to move. Maybe this was because I had slept for a while. Judging by the sun, now low in the sky, I had probably slept for a few hours. I grabbed onto the side of my crib, trying to keep a firm grip on it, and used it to stand up. I succeeded, though only for a moment before I fell down once again. For some reason, whenever I fell, or moved suddenly, I would cry. It was as though my mind was subconsciously matching it’s mental age with my body’s.

Recently, for the past few days in my new life, I had felt as though my mind was becoming slower. It was almost like I was becoming dumber and more emotional. The only thing keeping me conscious of myself and my actions was my advanced memory. Even in my past life, I was able to recall everything from the age of three. Now it seemed that this skill was helping me stay aware. I noticed that when the woman, who is probably my mother, and the Father speak, they are very formal. Maybe it’s the culture? Would it be rude not to speak formally?