Chris Smith

The Water Lily Soul

Working in the conservatory that housed the Water Lily Pond was one of the far more desirable jobs on the entire plantation. It was a serene and calming place with the large pads beautifully stretched across the still water of the pool. The dank humidity that clung to the windows muted the sound outside and she found it deeply soothing to open the heavy glass door and feel the warmth inside billow over her. As she would squeeze her body in between the gap she always felt safest as the door weightily closed behind her. It also meant she was mostly left alone these days. Her work was good, and she rarely complained about anything. Her battle-weary Line-Commander was the only one who would ever appear and, even then, with suitable disinterest in anything other than fulfilling his own directives.