Servitude

1.

If you do not read the prologue prior to this chapter, this book will never make sense to you.

Ethie's loud giggle rang in his ear, as he watched her ash brown hair jump with every step she took. Charging through the woods behind her, he laughed, admiring her mud drenched gown. It was light pink with navy blue laces, it's not like she likes it anyway, he thought.

"I told you, I'm faster than you," Ethie smiled, kicking back some slimy mud his way.

"Ethie!!" He shouted, picking up a handful of mud, "get back here!!" He came to a slow stop, shielding the handful of mud behind his back. Ethie stopped and turned around, exposing her black veil.

She squints at him through the black film as she reaches down to her feet and wraps her hand into the cold, copper scented mud, gripping onto a handful. She pulled the handful from the earth and charged for her best friend.

Reaching him she received a face full of the horrible stuff, " Jarrad!!" She frowned, wiping the mud from her veil with her uninfected hand, slapping the other, mud filled hand onto his shirt front.

Jarrad chuckled, pulling her into a hug, "I'm sorry." He whispered.

Ethie's body started trembling, the cool mud soaking through her dress. She looked at the teenager clinging onto her, " I don-"

"-Ethie!!" The voice was quite familiar to her, quickly Jarrad let go of his cling, fixing his clothing.

"Yes?!" She answered.

"Where are you?! Get inside NOW." She shook when she recognized this yell. She hugged Jarrad one last time, then ran in the direction of the demand.

"Wai-" Jarrad sighed, turning to the direction of his home, he brushed some mud off of himself.

"I'm here," she panted, charging up the plentiful steps, as her father grabbed her arm, dragging her inside he pushed her into the thin air.

"What were you doing?!? What the HELL happened to your dress? Who were you with?" Her father glared at her, slamming the stained black, wooden front door.

Ethie shook in fear, she could smell the liquor on his breath, "I was running and I tripped over a limb, I- i-"

"Go to your room!"

She darted to her room, catching her breath against the burgundy walls, the smell of her rose scented perfume calmed her nerves. She looked in the mirror, snatching off her veil, her eyes, a soft blue ocean surrounded by red flames. She admired her pink nose, the worn off cherry red lipstick along her lips. She touched her cheeks to calm the soft blush, sighing. Why am I forced to cover this, she thought.

Slipping off her muddy dress she ran her hands down her ivory sides, examining her wardrobe for a sleeping gown. She found a light pink silk baby doll night gown, slipping it on. She managed her way over to lock her door and lay inside her bed, her face exposed, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

5:08 am

Ethie woke up, startled from a large thump, she glanced around, blinded from the black around her. She gasped at another thump, coming from her bedroom window, her heart raced because she knew exactly who it was. She stormed through her veil drawer, but she was too late, Kane was already outside her window, glancing around.

She quickly grabbed a shirt and covered her face letting him in, "turn around, you shouldn't see me like this."

"Okay," he chuckled.

Trusting his obedience She removed the shirt and placed a clean, black veil over her face. "Now what is it, what could you possibly want at -- 5:10 am?" She looked at his pale face, blushing from the cold night. His pupils, dilated from the dark, surrounded by a hazel iris, the rest was bloodshot, like small rivers of red flowing throughout his eyes. His golden blonde hair was roughly thrown to the side, stuck to his forehead by tiny beads of sweat.

"My fath- master threw me out again, he just , he acts like I'm his damned puppet." Kane shoved his fists down, as if the ground was his worst enemy.

Ethie shook from his choice of words, she found herself walking over and giving him a hug, gently stroking his hair. "Kane, if anyone sees you in here they'll-"

"Have my head. I know, no one saw me." Kane gently calmed himself, glancing at her shielded face, "I should go, I am willing to risk my head, but yours, certainly not before I see your exquisite face."

"Kane, you shouldn't speak of marrying me.." Ethie looked down at herself, her pale breasts weren't exactly covered, remotely she snatched her forearm up to comfort her bareness.

"Four years ago we met, I can speak of what I want of you." Kane stumbled over and caught himself on her oak wood dresser.

"You aren't yourself Kane, get out." Ethie swung her window open, "I am here for you, but certainly not in this manner."

Kane shook his head, gathering his thoughts, "you're right, I need to leave." He hugged the concerned 16-year-old and kissed her covered forehead. "Goodnight beautiful." He said, climbing out of her window.

Ethie sighed in relief after she locked her window, she took off her veil and sat on the foot of her bed. Unlocking the chest beneath it she pulled out her journal and began writing:

It's been eleven years since her death, why am I still.. Wondering how she died, who could possibly want to kill my mother? All of our memories were extraordinary. I don't know why no one has the guts to tell me of her death. I promised my master I'd wear a black veil until I know. I guess he'd rather me die alone than know and forgive my mothers death.

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SPOILER INFORMATION BELOW.

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Black veil: a signature of grief, ruled by the king that whoever wears a black veil must never engage in marriage until the white veil has been restored.