“One of us has gone down to the Heart Engine to inspect it for damage and has not returned.”“The Heart Engine?” You ask. “This is the first ... am hearing of that. What is it?”“When this place was created, and we along with it, the heart of the sanctum began to turn and spin. It is an impossible magical machine which provides access to the unlimited power of the subcosmos we inhabit.” The Hinas lips pinch together in a worried frown. “Since leaving the Nightlands, the Heart Engine has been fading. I think he would have liked to haveseen them, but he know it would be breaking protocol with Mistress. "Nothank you, Flower. Not now. Maybe later." As you wish, sir." Do you work without wages, Flower?" Oh, no sir. Mistress is very generous. She pays me $250 a week. But Inever spend it. She buys my food and my clothes. What do I need moneyfor?" Well, a girl likes jewelry..." I suppose," I said. "I'd like a necklace with a butterfly on it. Thatwould be nice. Maybe I could get my makeup tattooed. My cunt may shrivel up and die.”This made Gwen burst out laughing as she left to get back to her class before recess ended.Wednesday February 12 th When I woke up and checked my phone I saw a distraught message from Gwen.February 12 th 12:17AM From: Gwen Julia, I tried calling you, but you must be in bed already. I really need to talk to you, Rob and I had a huge fight. GwenThat morning I called her and didn’t get an answer. So I got to school early and as expected she was already there. I. There were Louise’s black Mary Jane school shoes. Louise, it transpired, had big feet for a girl – size sevens. I was a seven and a half, so her shoes were a tight fit, but I got them on.I stood up straight in front of Matthew and looked at him coyly. I felt incredibly girly, and also very sexy.Matthew had his camera in his hands again.‘Smile!’ he said.I looked at him thoughtfully. I might as well embrace it, I thought, and posed, hand on hip, one toe pointed away. The camera clicked. I stood.