Indigo

    Indigo Shyloh had been an ugly duckling all her life. In elementary school she was picked on because she had a big nose and ears. When she got to middle school she not only had a big nose, and big ears, she was also taller than everyone else. She turned to her studies and turned her back on a society that did not accept her.
   She always made the best grades, no student could match her on any level. She refused to compete in academic competitions, because of her looks. Winners always appear with their picture in the paper, for all the world to see. She always shied from the camera when someone was taking pictures in the room. The family photo album generally had her peeking out from behind an elbow or obscured in the back behind everyone else. She always did her best to hide or blend in, she never wanted to be noticed.
   When Indigo entered high school her heart fell to an all time low. She watched the pretty girls, with the beautiful faces, all get date after date. They always had their choice of the boys of the school. The boys flocked to these girls, as if they had some sort of invisible power over them. It hurt her to watch, she cried herself to sleep at night. Why couldn’t it be her?
   She began to notice the shapes of the girls faces and taking notes to herself of what she would have changed, if she could. By her junior year she had a plan in her head of what she was going to do with her life.
   She would work really hard and save all her money, then research plastic surgeons. She would make herself look like one of them.
   The years passed, Indigo finished college and a job in a corporate office. Day in and day out she did her job efficiently and without problem. She never complained to anyone, and she never asked for anyone’s help. In her spare time she researched doctors, and she saved every extra penny she made.
   Finally she had the money she needed to get everything done. She’d made sure she’d saved enough for the two years it would take of recuperation down time, when she would be unable to work between procedures. She quit her job, there was no farewell cake or party for her. Indigo had no friends.
   Four years later Indigo Shyloh was a completely different person.

Isabelle

    Awoken by a noise Isabelle quickly grabbed her dressing gown.  The autumn night air had a crisp chill.  The wood so cold under her naked feet she felt the urgency to sprint.  Isabelle came closer to where she heard the muffled noises.  She entered the stairway and stood face to face with a stranger.
     His hair was the color of spun gold, it fell limp and straight against his pale face.  His cheeks were slightly sunken in, as were his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in a few days.  It seemed her visitor hadn’t seen the sun in many seasons.
     Thomas stopped dead in his tracks as he stared into the eyes of his would be victim.  He felt the breath inside still, as his muscles froze as if encased in ice.   His gaze could not be moved, he could not even will it so.  Still the thought raced in his mind, fueling his desire to escape.
     Isabelle’s shock was soon turned to factorization.  This poor man needed shelter and sleep.  Her new thoughts were cut abruptly off before they could take root.
     Thomas could barely muster the breath to speak.  He knew to stay here would mean death, to explain himself.
     “I am held captive by your stare.  Look away.”  His voice was so calm and void of emotion. Yet his words spoke to her like a siren song, ‘You are stunningly beautiful.’  The verse his tone rung out, ‘I would know as I have seen many beauties.’
     She had never before thought of herself as anything but ordinary.  Plain, they always called her.  Now here stood a stranger in her house claiming otherwise.  Isabelle was drawn in.
     Thomas saw the pleasure crossing her face.  He knew with her new found power she could have him arrested.  In jail in less than two hours time.  He was sorry for ever coming here, sorry for glancing upon her face.  He could walk away, if he could find it in himself to walk away.
     “I am held prisoner by your glance. Avert your eyes.”  He asserted in a firmer tone as he took a step closer to her.  It was as far as he could muster his body to move.
     Isabelle felt her cheeks flush red and hot as he approached her.
     He glanced down upon her, upon her blushing cheeks.  Perhaps he was wrong, perhaps she wanted him.  He so undesirable, detestable, hated.  Yet there it stood evident, love in the world.  His face took an almost puzzled glance, as if thinking how to best proceed.
     Isabelle’s cheeks deepened red, she felt almost as if they were a-flame.  Quickly she averted her eyes to his chest.  The realization of what was about to transpire took over her mind.  She would never again gaze into this strangers light green eyes.  She felt a sudden sadness at the thought of his permanent absence from her life.
     The wheels in Thomas mind began to spin quickly, as he watched her cheeks return to their normal pallor.  He stepped full well out of her line of sight.  He had the power to control her emotions, a very odd sensation to him.  A sensation he intended to take full advantage of.
     “I may return to visit the blush upon your cheek.” he offered watching to see if he had hit his mark.
     Indeed he had.  Isabelle’s cheeks flushed an instant gratuitous shade of ruby.  Finer than any jewel he had yet to heist.  Without a moments hesitation more, he rushed down the corridor and off the estate.