By: Cithara Patra

Lia winced at the tiny drop of blood bubbling at the tip of her finger. In her other hand, she glared down at the needle. She was never this bad at sewing, but losing her thimble and having very little materials threw her concentration off. Grabbing a napkin, she blotted the tiny drop and went back to the coat she was working on.

“Will anyone like it?” She held out the half-finished sleeve. The swirling red circles weren’t an ideal choice, but this was the only material she had. With the blood coming out of her finger again, she pressed down on the red parts of the coat. No one could see this. That spot would mesh with the rest of the material. If anyone spotted it, she’d lie and tell them that food fell on it.

“Almost done.” She inhaled as she picked up her needle. For days, she worked on this winter coat when she heard it would get cold soon. Coming from a warmer place, she never knew what it was like to wear winter clothing. She saw photos of people wearing them, of course. She watched movies and shows set in the winter with everyone running around in snow and ice. Even in the cold harsh conditions, they always had a good time.

Her eyes went to the clock on her nightstand. Two hours. There were two more hours before she could go out. It gave her enough time to finish the coat. Unfortunately, her concentration went out the window once her stomach gurgled. Ugh, that gurgling sound wouldn’t go away. She hadn’t eaten since starting the coat. She didn’t think once to get up and get something small to quell that hunger. She pushed those thoughts away and remembered why she was sewing the first place. The winter. She’d get to experience winter for the first time.

“I can do this.” Blotting out the blood with her napkin, she went back to work. Outside, the sun was replaced with darkness. The moon poked out of the sky, surrounded by the glittering stars. She stared at them for a second. Even those stars reminded her of those swirls on her coat. They circled the moon tonight. Stepping back, she turned to the walls. Funny. Once blank save for a few photos, those walls had swirling patterns. Staring at the room gave her a headache. Back and forth, clockwise and counterclockwise, they went around like gears in her head.

If only my mother was around…she’d know how to fix this. The very memory of her mother, a sewing expert, brought her spirits down. Her mother would tell her to snap out of it. Step away from the swirling pattern. Don’t let it bother. Step away from it and do something else. Either that or her mother would finish the coat herself. She hated when Lia wallowed like this. A little blood was nothing. Lia was strong. She could do this. She could ignore her hunger and sadness to finish one coat.

“Enough! Back to work!” She grabbed the coat, glaring down at the red swirls. Her friends laughed at this pattern, saying it reminded them of peppermint. They teased her that someone out there would mistake her for candy.

“Beware of the dogs. If they see you, they’ll chase you. They’ll take you for food.” They would remind her. “You should buy different materials. Get another pattern. Get something that doesn’t make you look like a meal wrapped in fancy paper.”

As annoying as the teasing was, they all had a point. This pattern belonged to wrapped food. It belonged to gifts. It didn’t to her body. She put the project aside and closed her eyes, hoping to stop seeing swirls for a few minutes. In the darkness, they pulsed back and forth.

At ease, Lia. You don’t need to force yourself to finish this.

Her mother’s voice. Now there was someone who could sew a coat in two hours and never prick her finger. She could make the ugliest patterns look like the latest fashion trends. She had the patience to sew for hours, never stopping once for headaches or needing breaks. She wanted her mother right now. She wanted to have her mother’s hands on top of hers and guiding her down the way. This was how they sewed when Lia was younger. They worked together to finish any project they set their mind too.

Are you stressing out, Lia? You’re almost done. I always said patience is a virtue.

“Yes, Mama.” Lia tossed the napkin aside, her eyes locked on the swirls. It wouldn’t be long before she’d be outside. “Will I make it? I’ve been working so long, I forgot about everything else.” Her stomach growled as she put the needle down. “I haven’t eaten in a while.”

You’ll get your turn soon. Keep working on the coat. You have a little bit left. Put your mind to it. You can accomplish anything if you are focused.

That voice gave her enough energy to get back to work. The hunger pangs kicked in, now mixing with the swirling patterns before her. So long. She hadn’t eaten in so long. The last time she went outside, she couldn’t find any food. Everyone kept their food locked away thanks to the cold. Every store closed because of a winter storm. Everyone stayed indoors. Her stomach ached and her body froze when she took the first few steps outside. In the end, she left with no food and chills all over her.

Of course, back then her mother was alive. She was there to comfort Lia and reminded her there was next time. She also vowed to make her a coat to keep the cold out. That vow didn’t last. Her mother never got around to grabbing the sewing basket or picking out a decent pattern. She never gave Lia the thimble she promised. All she had was the red swirling material. It was the only reason Lia bothered to work with it.

You’re almost done. Her mother whispered. She wasn’t in the room, but her presence lingered as Lia finished the last sleeve. Make sure you count everything.

“I did.” Lia held up the final product, red swirls and all. She designed it to hide her entire body. Now she could blend in with people, mingle with them, and strike when they didn’t expect it. “Just in time too.”

She turned towards the window as the massive green and blue planet appeared. In a second, she’d land in one of those green masses. She planned to hit the northern parts of the planet this time. The southern parts weren’t too bad. It was time for a change. Throwing the coat over her body, she buttoned it up and admired the swirls. They’d stand out in all that fluffy white snow. People would notice her. They’d come to her, say hello, and she’d make conversation. Those poor souls were unaware of their fate the moment they faced her.

Brace yourself for landing. You’re almost there. Her mother’s voice rang in her ears as she put the coat aside. And don’t worry about your hunger. You’ll eat soon.

“Yes.” She put one hand on her stomach and the other traced the swirls. All that hard work finally paid off. She had a coat to help her blend in with the people of Earth.

And plenty of food to keep her satisfied.

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Cithara Patra currently lives in NC with their family, traveling between there and Texas. They spend much of their time writing and studying languages. They’re also a big fan of things from the ocean, dachshunds, and making brand new meals.