Running

~Chapter~1

Above is a picture of Kristina.
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My step-father told me to pack some clothes that we were going on a trip so I started packing my string bag I grabbed five outfits and my other pair of boots that I wasn't wearing and my one pair of slippers. Than I grabbed other necessities that I'd need. I wasn't sure about what was going on. But I could tell something was wrong, even though I was only 14.  We walked a long distance and my feet hurt, but I didn't dare voice it because father was mad and when fathers mad he gets physical, he hurts me. After quite a distance he said we could stop for the night. I rolled out my thin blanket and used my shawl to cover up with since it was cold out tonight.
When I awoke father was nowhere to be seen. I panicked and quickly packed my stuff thinking he'd be back and that I should be ready. Soon an hour passed then another. It was getting dark I was scared. I'm not afraid of the dark but I am afraid of what lurks in the dark. I didn't want to stay in one place in the dark so I started walking. I had no idea where I was headed I just didn't want to be caught by the order, even father was afraid of them. After a little while I started to get hungry, I stopped and felt around in my bag hoping I had leftover jerky. After a moment I found some. I tried to savor it and slowly chewed it trying to make it last. I walked all night and even after dawn I kept walking but soon it caught up to me and I became dreary and tired so I stopped to rest. I soon fell asleep and awoke where there was hardly any light. I immediately started walking not wanting to be caught, by what I don't know. All I know is when I stop for a break and it's dark out I feel like someone is going to get me.
It was getting darker by the minute and I wasn't sure where I was going. I couldn't tell which direction I was heading or which direction lead to home. I was left behind by father. He never did like me only reason he took me in as a young child is because of mother, but then she was killed by the order and father never got over it. The day we left for the trip it would have been the second month since she'd past away. I still miss her even though she wasn't my real mother. They took me in when I was 12 and I didn't remember much before my life with them. While I was deep in thought a figure appeared in front of me and I just walked into the figure. I fell down from the force and looked up at whoever it was. I couldn't really tell who it was just that it was probably a man. When I caught his eye they looked cold and hollow. I quickly stood back up. The man watched me the entire time. When I was standing he spoke. "What's a little thing like you doing out here in the woods all by yourself?"
"I...I l..lost my father?" The man grinned. What for I've no idea. "Well, I'll help you find your father for a favor, of course." With this man I wasn't sure what kind of favor I could give him. So I asked. "What kind of favor?" The man grinned a nasty, evil grin. I knew then that the man had bad intentions so I turned and ran. The man laughed a nasty scratchy laugh then he started chasing me.
I ran and ran, but he still was right behind me. Than I felt hands on my sides, I screamed as loud as I could . I screamed for someone to help me. I begged for him to let me go. All he did was laugh then he started undressing me. I pulled and pulled but his grip just tightened. He reached for me and I punched and kicked at him, but it was irrelevant he wouldn't let go. I screamed when he ripped my dress. I screamed with tears in my eyes. Then the man wasnt on me I took my chance. I frantically looked around for my bag. I spotted my bag just a foot away. I snatched it up and started to run. I didnt look back, I didnt want to chance it. But my curiosity got the best of me and I glanced back I saw nothing so I slowed. When I turned around to keep going there was a man, not the same one as before, but I still didn't trust him. I backed away from him. He did not move, but after a sigh he crouched down and looked at me. He said to me that it waa alright he wouldnt hurt me. For some reason maybe it was the look in his eyes or maybe it was the way he spoke, but I trusted him. He held out a hand me. After a second I cautiously grabbed his. He led me to a group of men I started to drag my feet in fear. The man glanced down and said its okay three friends of mine. When we got to the group, all the men looked at me then they started arguing and yelling. Efore I even realized why I couldnt make out what theu were sating I realized I was falling. I tgink someone caught me, I did not feel myself hit the ground. I tried to keep my eyes open, but they traitorously closed their own accord. When I came to, I realized I was in a cave of sorts. I slowy looked around and then what happened came to me. I looked down to see I was in a bed of furs covered with the furs. I was still in my ripped dress. Hastily I got up. Then I frantically looked around for my bag. When I saw it I snatched it up. I looked through it and changed into one of my white tunics and one of my shorter dark blue skirts. After I was changed. I went out the of the room I was in. I was in a long hall I looked either way, but wasn't sure which way I should go. Then I realized with excitement that I heard water. I started following the sound of the water down the hall. I soon found a wall of water and a large room with men in it. They all turned and stared at me. I was scared, but I couldn't show that to these men. They might take advantage of it, of me. I kept myself calm by singing a song to myself in my head, that I knew from when I was younger. I felt self conscious about my skirt since it only went to right below my knees, but I didn't want to appear weak. I searched the room for the boy from last night and to see if there were any women among them. I found neither, but I did see a young boy who looked to be only 6 or 7 summers. Finally a man spoke and he asked "What's ye name lassie." He had a thick Scottish accent. I was quick to answer "What is yours?" I didn't try to sound mean but I know I didn't say it very politely. The man laughed and then said "The lassie has quite the sharp tongue now does she." Every man in the room chuckled. I just looked around confused on why they were laughing. After they had quieted down the man answered "Me names Richard but people call me Richy." The little boy from earlier walked up to me and pulled gently on the bottom of my skirt, I bent down to see what he wanted. He then whispered in my ear " Me names Will, you can call me Willy." Than I whispered back," Well,Willy you can call me Kristy if you'd like." Willy giggled than whispered "I'd like that, Kristy." All the man looked at me bewildered. I looked around trying to figure out what was wrong.
Then Richy spoke. "The lassie has a magic touch, she got little William to speak." Richy then asked me if I wanted some breakfast. I nodded my head unsure if I should speak. After Richy handed me a plate of food Willy grabbed my free hand and dragged me to a corner in the room and sat down, so I followed suit and he smiled at me. I started eating than noticed Willy didn't have any I than whispered to him, "Are you hungry." Willy nodded so I shared the rest of my food with him. For the rest of the day Willy showed me around he didn't speak much and when he did he whispered, but I didn't mind as the time passed by. It was dark out and Willy was practically falling asleep while walking, so I asked him "Willy, I'm quite tired do you know where I can sleep." Willy excitedly nodded his eyes sparkling. He pulled me down a hallway than we turned and we were in the room I woke up in. I walked over and laid down where I had woken up than I spoke in a normal voice " Willy, would you care to lay down with me?" He shook his head again, but I could see he was tired. Then he finally nodded. He laid down beside me and just a little after he was asleep. I pulled him close to me and I slept. I awoke to see a happy Willy standing in front of me. I got up, than noticed I had to change. So I bent down and asked Willy if he'd kindly leave the room for I moment so I could get dressed. Willy nodded still happy and skipped out of the room. I changed in to my last white dress. I counted the outfits I had left, only 4 more. I slipped on my black calf length boots, and braided my waist length wheat colored hair.
When I stepped into the hall little Willy was standing there with a grin on his face. He looked so adorable. I than joked around saying " Willy, what trouble are we going to get into today, but of course after breakfast." Willy nodded than started walking down the hall. I followed closely behind. We got to the big waterfall room and I searched the room and found Richy, he waved me over so I took little Willy's hand and walked over to Richy. Richy handed me two plates of food. I thanked him for them and walked over to me and Willy's corner where we ate our food in silence. After we were finished I placed me and Willy's plates with the rest of them then I walked back over to Richy just to be friendly. I knew Willy was following me so I turned and gave him a quick and what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
When we reached Richy I noticed he was talking to someone at first. I couldn't see their face, until they turned. I paused in my steps just for a moment from shock. It was the man who saved me. After they had stopped talking. I started walking towards them, then I turned to the man who had saved me. I gave him a quick hug and thanked him for saving me. Then I turned to make small talk with Richy. Soon our conversation turned to bad people, reminding me how useless I had been to defend myself against that man. Then I asked something I never would have asked before that night "Richy you know how to fight right?" Without waiting for an answer I continued "Can you teach me how to fight? Please?" Pleading with my eyes I looked at him. He was silent for a few moments then he answered " We'll protect ye lassie, but if you really want to learn I'll teach ye, but ye gotta get up early in the morn and ye'll have to work hard." I nodded my head vigorously. I bent down to little Willy than I whispered in his ear "If I learn this I'll be able to protect you and myself, do you think you could help me?" Willy nodded his head looking very serious. I laughed and tugged his hand. I whispered in his ear " Let's have some fun shall we." I grinned at him and he tried to stay serious, but then he too grinned.