Daily Dialogue: Infant Bargaining Chip
Stacy
I… I didn’t mean to summon you.
The Collectress
And yet, here I stand, from a series of circumstances that the pantheon made dreadfully selective. You see, the only way I could be here now is on purpose. And on purpose, I’m here to collect you.
Stacy
I didn’t mean to summon you!
The Collectress
I wonder how many times throughout eternity you can tell me that lie until you finally believe it. I can’t wait to test.
Stacy
But I didn’t!
The Collectress
Then, Stacy Matthews, humor me. What did you plan on doing?
Stacy
I wanted… I wanted…
The Collectress
Don’t worry. You’ll eventually come up with a reason at some point of your death.
Stacy
No! Wait! What if I… exchange my life?
The Collectress
What if I… don’t want to exchange your life?
Stacy
What about me makes you want me?
The Collectress
A boost of your ego before I tear down your mind? Fine. I’ll play.
Stacy
You just met me.
The Collectress
Indeed, but you went through so much to find me, despite what you may argue, that I can’t do anything else but strongly desire you.
Stacy
Then… you only want me because I found you?
The Collectress
Is there no other reason, my Stacy?
Stacy
I’m not yours.
The Collectress
Oh, I beg to dif–
Stacy
I’M NOT FUCKING YOURS!!
The Collectress
Take a look at your hands.
Stacy
Wh-what did you do?
The Collectress
I only say things I mean and things that are true. Those markings bind you to me. They make you mine. So, when I say that you belong to me, you know that I mean it. Truthfully.
Stacy
Please don’t. What if I could find you another life instead of mine?
The Collectress
What other life could I possi–
Stacy
What could someone else offer that I can’t that would make me worthless?
The Collectress
You’re never worthless, my Stacy. But if there was an innocent lurking, I might pass you over.
Stacy
An innocent?
The Collectress
Someone who hasn’t been corrupted by the world. Tainted flesh tastes astoundingly vulgar. Even yours, sadly.
Stacy
Someone… Someone… Someone like a child?
The Collectress
The fresher, the better.
Stacy
What about my baby girl?
The Collectress
You’d be willing to let me deliver unimaginable pain and sorrow to your infant so you may live a while longer?
Stacy
If it’d protect her from how bad this world is, yes.
The Collectress
Bathe me intrigued. Why would you do such a thing?
Stacy
I grew up being bullied and tormented and shat on for no other reason than because I was a girl. I thought that it would change when I was a woman, but it hasn’t. I thought that it would change for the next generation, but it won’t. Not enough people aren’t telling boys to respect girls, and telling girls to be respected. When they grow up and treat women like shit, the powers that be look to scapegoats like porn or movies, when they should really be looking at if they were taught to be respectful. I’d bet my life that they weren’t.
The Collectress
I’d be willing to take you up on that bet. And you think that the horrors I plan on inflicting on your daughter will be better?
Stacy
No. You’re a monster. But it’s your nature to be. The people I’m surrounded by could’ve been much better, but they aren’t and they don’t see any reason to change. You’re the lesser of two evils.
The Collectress
Humanity must be a strange gathering if I’m the heroine. Fine. I will take your daughter. But every single day, I’ll show her what your life is like without her. How happy you are. How happy she will NEVER be. And when you die… you can take her place.
