Wasteful: Terrible Greatness

By Vaehaos

This is a story about a young woman named Ellie Stone and her encounter with a young man named Maximis Eldridge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vaehaos
• Release date: Nov 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223823667

Book preview

1

The wheels failed to drift left, then failed to drift right, Ellie Stone crashed her dead brother’s truck. The engine faltered. Then finally welcomed rest. Its eventual rest. Just as he had years before. The last treasure he left for her. Now ruined by her very hand and her messy mind. Cadence, her foster mother, would never trust her again. This was the ultimate break. The sign she needed to move on. Sirens wailed in the distance.

Ellie separated herself from the truck. With pained steps, she paced back to see the setback in its entirety. As expected, the truck had been beyond salvaging. Her only relief? She crashed into a tree and not another car. Ellie wouldn’t have a chance of forgiving herself if she caused harm to others.

The dark timber was free from visible signs of damage. Her swollen eye drifted to the front of the truck. The hood of the black pickup reached high for the clouds. Dark smoke steamed from the engine. Ellie noticed for the first time that the windshield had completely shattered. The glass, in her favor, left her untouched. Repairing the truck would be impossible. Even if she had the funds. What a disaster.

While sitting in the ambulance. Ellie counted the lines of her fingerprints. She noted the path one line made and then tracked where the lines intercepted another. There had to be hundreds of them. A thousand, even. Every indent, line, scar, and detail of her hands. All of them. Imperfect and unable to keep her from wrecking her life.

Don’t worry about the truck, the EMS said. He checked her blood pressure. Items like that are always replaceable. Life, however, he unwrapped her arm once he was certain. Is not replaceable. I’m sure your family will be happier you survived.

Cadence, Ellie’s voice surprised her. How broken it was. The mere sound of its crackle. My foster mother gave that truck to my brother. She lost him. Now that I’ve ruined the truck. She’ll have nothing left to remember him of. Not something shared, that is.

The EMS shadowed. But he found a smile where he reserved them. Life over materials. Trust me.

Ellie didn’t trust anyone. Self-included. There’d be no trusting this stranger. Even if the crash was worse and he saved her life. She wouldn’t trust her life with him.

May I ask what happened? The EMS asked. Clearly you’re not intoxicated. How did you go off-road?

My fingers slipped from the wheel. Ellie lied with ease. She was an excellent driver. Niko, her foster father, taught her with calculated precision on how to drive. The painful truth. Tonight, was the first time she’d seen a ghost.

For all her life. Ellie Stone heard ghosts. Her skin chilled at their whispers. She wept at their shrieks. Her heart ached with their anguish. And tonight. Tonight, her eyes finally marked them.

They were coming for her, quiet and patient. Stalking her with invisible bodies. Teeth ready for flesh, her flesh. Mouths purposed for more than words. They craved to devour her.

Accidents happen. The EMS said. Though. His voice didn’t sound the same. In the flash. She analyzed his eyes. She promised herself that his eyes turned dull. Just like the ghost’s eyes before she crashed.

How long until we arrive? Ellie asked. Her tone steady. A skill she nourished with her conversations with Cadence. She knew how to mask fear and curiosity in her remarks. Even in the truck’s bouncing. Her eyes held mask as well. Bleak and vacant. They stared back into the strange eyes beside her.

Just a few more moments.

When they parked at the hospital. Ellie allowed them to roll her inside. She answered the questions at check in. Drank black coffee as she waited for a room. Ellie walked with them as they guided her to the second floor. She nodded to more interviews and contended with others. Then they left her to rest.

The only eyes on her. Belonged to ghosts. Waiting for their feast to let down her shield. For her to slip into slumber.

Ellie Stone checked herself out with the act of scaling out the window. While in the lobby. She managed to pickpocket two thick (disgustingly leather) wallets. They held enough weight for her to disappear. She couldn’t go back home. She wouldn’t go back home.

Ellie had a plan. A plan to never know ghosts again. Cadence wouldn’t be heartbroken. Niko may search for her. His heart more strained and warmer than his partner’s. The thought of him spending hours to find her challenged her stay. Hollow eyes blazed in her mind. She had to go. With Nicholas gone and Steven adopted. Ellie Stone would be the last false child to find her liberation.

2

TRAINS WERE NEW TO Ellie. Niko and Cadence never let her take the train. Which she found unjust considering Nicholas could travel to school via train. They never gave a reason for this. Not even a slight excuse for him being older.

They simply didn’t favor her to ride them.

Ellie used her borrowed funds to buy her ticket. She was sure Greg Ozar and Chris Kinckle wouldn’t mind. Even if they did, it wouldn’t matter.

While sitting in her carriage. The notable feeling of lack of personal items crept into her mind. Besides the two wallets. Ellie only had the very clothes she wore. She wouldn’t make it far. Especially in Rodian. Her mind paced with ideas and plans. Though hard to do such. She’d never left Ohio before. And then, deep down, she doubted herself. Ellie Stone hadn’t been on her own since she was a child in an orphanage. Was she capable of this? Would she survive?

A smooth voice announced the train’s departure.

Trees were always her favorite beings to watch during travels. They held an odd yet charming sway that spoke to her. Their whispers soothed her.

ELLIE TRIED TO SLEEP, but it never came. She explored the train to clear her mind and steady her nerves. Even now. Miles and miles from home. Ghosts reached out to her. Wailing her name and words, she didn’t know. Ellie imagined they were taunting her. Proving that, no matter how far she went. They’d always be there. Waiting. Hungry. Wanting.

Why me? Ellie thought. Why did I have to be the one?

Excuse me.

Ellie jumped from the voice. Then she found herself relieved. The voice belonged to an older gentleman. A real man, not a ghostly one. I’m sorry. Found myself lost in thought.

The man smiled. Oh, no worries. It happens to us all. He eyed the painting hanging in the small dining cart. This piece of art is lovely. On most of my trips from city to city. I search for it.

Ellie didn’t notice the painting at first. She turned to glance at it. The painting had been enchanting. A word she learned from the ghosts.

The portrait held a painted ocean. Then, with the tilt of the head. Or the shift of the eye. The deep blue waters turned into a baby blue sky. Clouds drifted as if they were waves. And when she revised the portrait in view. The ocean returned.

Ellie counted to dance with the painting. She’d seen nothing like it. How is this possible?

I’ve traveled on this train, the man said, hundreds of times. And I can never solve the visual riddle before us. Even those who serve the train can’t explain it.

Ellie turned to the man. Gray hairs tinted his chestnut strands. He wore a navy suit, with a brown briefcase in hand. There was a statement in his stance. He was old, yes, but not fragile. What business brings you to Rodian?

The man smiled. His eyes remained on the painting as he spoke. A deal of a lifetime. If it goes in my favor. I’ll be one of the wealthiest faces in the country. To Ellie’s shock. His smile melted at the mention of his wealth.

Finally, the man looked her way. With a grim grin he said, It’ll make me one of the very ghosts you hear, Ellie Stone.

3

Ellie could never escape them. Just as she could never escape her lies. It had been weeks since the train, yet the man’s eyes remained on her mind. His words echoed through her heart. Before she could question him on how he knew of her invisible predators. He vanished. Had he already been a ghost?

With weeks’ worth of demanding work and overconfident lies. Ellie sneaked her way into a part-time job and a one-bedroom apartment, well the couch of a one-bedroom apartment.

It took little to convince the restaurant to hire her. It did, however, take lots of convincing for Pam to let Ellie move into her living room. The woman had been quite stern for her age. Ellie didn’t think someone in their mid-thirties could have so many rules to live by.

No cats. I don’t do dogs either. If rent is late, then you’re locked out for good. Cash only. And don’t be up too late. I don’t care what people know about this city for, I like my sleep unbothered. Got it?

I think so. Ellie said.

You better not think, you better know. Pam said. Her lips pursed. If you didn’t have cash now, I’d make you go the paper route. How long do you plan on staying in my living room?

Ellie calculated in her mind.

If she had been successful in finding a job. And if the job paid her well enough. She figured she’d only need to live in the room for....five months. A month at most.

Good. Pam snatched the dollars from Ellie’s hand. I don’t like long stays. Don’t enter my room and we’ll be fine.

4

The diner Ellie worked only let her work four days a week, which in Rodain city calculated to about one day worth of pay. She every dollar she made went straight to Pam, and every time she was short, Pam threatened to throw Ellie’s belongings onto the sidewalk while she was at her dead-end, non-paying job.

What is the point of you going to work if you never have my money? Pam said. Her fingers slid dollar bills onto the small round table. When Pam had dinner, she insisted the table was too small for more than one plate. Ellie had to eat where she slept. Pam had no issue filling the table with the money Ellie worked too hard for.

I’m doing the best that I can. Ellie pleaded from the wall.

If you’re going to claim you’re doing the best, then why are you, Pam placed the final dollar. One hundred and fifty dollars short?

Ellie wanted to pick up every dollar and storm out. She wanted to tell Pam that being rude wasn’t going to do any good in helping the missing dollars appear any sooner. Instead, she said, You’re right. I’ll see if I can get more hours. A lie. Or I’ll see if I can pick up a second job. A lie. And I’ll make sure to give you every dollar you’re owed. A lie.

Tsk, tsk, I’m afraid I’m only going to give you till tomorrow in order to fulfill that promise. Pam said. If you can’t do it by then, you’re going to have to leave. Understood?

Understood.

Pam shuffled the cash into one pile and stood from the table. She walked down the hall. Before entering her room, she said, Don’t worry too much dear, there are plenty of young girls like you who foolishly move to the city believing they are great enough to survive. And there are plenty of young girls like you who discover they were far from the truth. There’s no shame in going back to whatever small state you came from and admitting you were wrong. Goodnight, Miss Stone.

AS ELLIE COLLECTED the plates from the empty table. She thought about how sometimes her thoughts lingered on the idea of strangling Pam with her pillow. Ellie stopped those thoughts because she knew the truth. She never wanted to be a violent creature. Lying had been the farthest she’d allow herself to sink to. Damn. A two-dollar tip. She wasn’t going to make enough, not in a day, she may have to strangle Pam after all.

The bell at the door rang.

Ellie washed her hands in the back. Dried them, then walked to the front. Only a few more hours to go.

Ellie froze.

At the walk-in desk stood the most beautiful woman Ellie had ever seen. Her slender legs bronzed in the light of the sun. Her baby blue sundress whisked above her knee. Her lips screamed, Play with me, I only bite for fun.

Ellie composed herself. Gathered a menu and clasped it tight. Hello, are you waiting for someone?

Oh no, love, the woman said. I am dining alone today.

Love. A word Ellie thought of often while lying on the pullout mattress. She hadn’t had love. Plenty of crushes, and plenty of broken hearts, but never love. After her brother’s death, love came last on her list of wants. What Ellie wanted was to not be alone. Perfect. Why did she say perfect?

Why it would appear so. She said.

Table or booth?

Booth.

Ellie didn’t need a mirror to know she had been blushing. Her cheeks burned with no signs of stopping. This wasn’t a time to think of romance. She needed money, not love. Here’s your booth. Ellie set the menu down.

The woman slid slowly into the stall. She removed her sunglasses, revealing eyes so blue they challenged the dress. Her eyes checked Ellie from her worn canvas shoes to her rushed ponytail. Thank you. She studied Ellie’s chest. Causing Ellie to burn brighter in the cheeks. I’m sorry, I don’t see a name tag.

Ellie laughed to relive her nervousness. A sensation that rarely found its way within her. Sorry, I forgot it back at home. My name is Ellie. Ellie Stone.

Well, the woman eased into the booth. Her back pressed against the cherry red vinyl. Ellie Stone, thank you for your service. I think for now I’ll have a black coffee and a side of sugar.

A fan of bittersweet, are we?

If only you knew. the woman winked.

Ellie stumbled over herself as she walked away. She poured the coffee and cursed under her breath when she overfilled the mug. Ellie cleaned the mess and calmed her nerves.

She set the coffee on the table and gently placed a small cup of sugar. Did you want to order food or is the coffee enough?

Now that I think about it, the woman poured two seconds’ worth of sugar into the coffee. Both women watched as the flakes dipped into darkness. I’d love for you to sit with me for a sec. You wouldn’t mind, would you?

Ellie looked from the coffee to the woman, and then to the front door. There weren’t many mouths to feed. Not on a weekday like this. Her boss wouldn’t be pleased if she noticed Ellie talking on the clock. My break is in fifteen minutes. Can you spare the time?

The woman smiled. For you, I’d bring time to a still.

Ellie sat across from the beautiful being. She only had thirty minutes, but it felt like hours. Her legs crossed as they both sipped on coffees. What do they call you?

Liza.

Suits you, Ellie said. Is it short for anything?

Nothing about me is short, dear. Liza said.

How long have you lived in Rodian?

Five years now. Liza poured fresh sugar in her cup. You?

Was this a moment to lie? This was Ellie’s issue with lying. She invested too much of her time in giving in to lies.

Now she could never know if someone deserved a tall tale, or if she could be honest. Not only with them, but with herself as well. A month now.

And how does this job suit you? Liza asked. The brow over her left eye raised.

Ellie sensed the brow held opportunity. She thought about the tips in her pocket. How her paycheck would only be enough for the subway home. The job wasn’t enough. Not if she wanted to stay off the streets. With a faint voice, she said. Like a loose shirt.

Liza’s lips curled into a grin. I think you’re quite beautiful, Ellie Stone.

Ellie choked on her coffee. She caught her breath. With nerved breaths, she reset her spine against the booth. Meaning?

Why don’t you come work with me? Liza set her coffee on the table. I’m a fashion model, one of the best in the city. It’s rare I find a face as rivaling as mine. The moment I saw you, I knew you’d be prefect. It’d be a waste to let a beauty as yourself rot away in this dying diner.

Not once did Ellie ever see herself as a model. For most of her life, she despised them. She didn’t like the way they carried themselves. How the height of their horses kept them from being humble.

Here’s a hint of what a paycheck from there would look, Liza took out a small billfold from her purse. She counted silently, then placed bills on the table.

A thousand dollars.

Ellie hadn’t seen that amount of money in person, ever. She knew it’d be a while until she ever saw it again. Her mind pictured the couch. The springs of the mattress underneath stabbed into her back through the night. Pam woke her every morning without warning or care. Ellie had been so tired. She needed a break. She needed more time. Damn it.

You really think I could make it?

With eyes as yours and that smile. Liza leaned across the table. That smile could kill a man in their tracks. I assure you. You’d do splendid.

Ellie