Her Keeper

~Chapter One~

I was six years old when I met Edith, Susie, and Lucia.

I sat in the alleyway as darkness fell upon me. Cool wind passed over me and my dress became colder and colder as it was soaked from the piss that was thrown into the streets. I wrapped my arms around me in an effort to keep warm. I felt tears prick in my eyes that soon flowed like a waterfall down my rosy cheeks. I quickly tired from crying and fell into a stressed slumber.

But soon I was awakened by a loud chatter coming from the around the corner. Nervousness arose in me and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly and pulled my legs closer to me.

       "Hey, shut your blubbering mouths for a second will ya?" A woman spoke. I heard a groan come from another.

       "Wha' is it Edith?" Another voice called out. "I don't have time for your foolin', I have an appointment with Lord Callingsworth tomorrow mornin' and I need to sleep." She proudly spoke.

       "Like he would be your keeper, he only wishes for fine tastes and you, surely, are not" A third woman spoke. I heard an exasperated huff followed by laughter.

       "Just come here, there's somethin' over there," The first woman, who I now identified as Edith, breathed out as her laughter died off.

I heard footsteps begin to near me and I felt my heart begin to race. Adrenaline filled me and I pushed myself further against the cold stone wall behind me. I opened my eyes for a moment to see the three women's dresses flowing as their heels clicked against the ground. I felt a light began to illuminate me.

I heard a gasp.

       "Hell's whiskers! It's a girl!" A surprised voice spoke. I heard the sound of something being hit.

       "Ow! Edith!"

       "Shut it Sus, it's not just a girl, it's a child, don't scare 'er," Edith chastisted as her soft footsteps began to near.

I cowered back more with a small whimper leaving my lips as her hand touched my shoulder. I felt her flinch back before she began to 'tsk,' her hand slowly reaching back out.

       "It's alright, we won't harm you love," Edith cooed to me as her hand began to soothingly rub on my shoulder.

I slowly began to peel my eyelids open that were crusted over from the tears I had shed. I blinked rapidly as I adjusted to the light, the first thing in my sight being a womans large bosom.

Soon her face came into view.

She looked young, maybe seventeen. Her dark locks cascaded around her face in ringlets. She had a soft smile on her face as her dark brown eyes inspected me.

       "There we are," She spoke quietly as though not to alarm me. "Now, what's your name?"

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and felt a sudden defensive urge fill my chest. But it quickly dispersed as I saw the motherly look the woman gave me as she patiently awaited my answer.

I took a deep breath to speak.

And immediately began to cough.

My dry throat made the air that entered me feel like dust and I hunched over as coughs racked at my body. Edith began to pat my back lightly and I felt tears begin to form in my eyes.

       "Would you two stop standin' there like unpaid lackies and get 'er some water!" Edith called out to them with an urgent tone in her voice. Her words were followed by the shuffling of feet and soon a small jug of water was placed up to my lips and I greedily downed it.