*AYYYEEEEEE CREEPS. SORRY THIS TOOK A WHILE. BUT GUYS IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!! :DDDD LET'S GET READY TO GET OUR CHEER ON!!
QUESTIONS!!:
-What is your favorite food? (I eat EVERYTHING •-•)
-What do you want for Christmas? (Just money and video games for meh! :D And an alpaca. ._. Don't ask.)
ENJOY THIS CHAPTER GUYS!! :D*
Stay Creepy, My Friends!~
Chapter 15
The crunching of leaves, twigs and dirt kept echoing under my feet and traveling around the trees. These noises were amplified by my father's own footfall and the mule's hooves. My father walked ahead of me as he held on to the mule's reins and I trudged beside the tall animal. I looked up and eyed the sacks of supplies and clothes hooked and tied onto the mule's saddle. I sighed, knowing that neither me nor my father would be able to ride the animal by all of the things on its back.
I diverted my attention to the temperate forest around me, eyeing the many trees and plumes of leaves hanging down. Nothing but a sea of forest surrounded us. Nothing but dirt and grass under us and nothing but sky above. Nothing for miles. I adjusted the cap around my head and groaned quietly at the sweat that dampened my neck. Father and I have been walking for days. We had just left another home of ours to escape more people that are out for my blood. And I had really liked that cottage too..
"Father," I called out to him. He turned around without a word, eyeing me with his calming yet intimidating eyes. I huffed, "How long until we reach our new home?"
Father sighed and pushed up his glasses. "We still have another day left to walk," he answered me and I could feel tears brim my eyes. How long has it been since we started this journey? How long has it been since we rested? I couldn't keep myself from whimpering and crying, "Father, my feet are blistering...! I can't walk like this any longer! I'll lose all feeling in my feet if I keep walking like this! Please, can't we stop?"
Father had slowed to a stop, as did the mule, and I sighed. When I stood still, I nearly buckled to the ground as my feet were barely able to sustain my weight in their condition. Father had kneeled down and placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them and looking me in the eyes. I expected him to tell me that we may stop and rest but instead he only told me, "Emily, we can't stop. We have to keep moving or else we'll lose daylight."
Staring at him in disbelief, I shook my head and murmured, "B-But.. Father I'll collapse eventually..! Please can't we stop for just a minute?! My dress is tattered and dirty and damp from my own sweat! My feet are bleeding!! Bleeding, Father! Most of it is dry already!"
"You don't think I feel agony having to walk?" He grumbled, "I feel terrible right now, Emily. My throat is parched, my legs are sore and yes, my feet are bleeding too. But am I complaining? No. Do I want to endure this? Absolutely not. Do I have to? Yes. Emily, you have to understand that if you want to be safe, if you want us to be safe, then you have to sacrifice many things. In order to live a happy life, you have to be willing to work and suffer to achieve it. Unfortunately, we have it harder than others. But we must prevail. Now, I will not have you whining and admitting defeat over something as cheap as walking. This is a hell of a lot better than what could happen to us if we're caught. So be thankful that you're not in chains right now. Keep walking."
I sniffled and nodded weakly. Father stood up straight and turned forward to keep walking along the dirt path. The mule beside me huffed, shook its head and started forward. I gulped down what little saliva my mouth mustered and took a step to begin walking again. Searing pain shot up my ankles from my heels and I suppressed my need to cry out or wince. The more steps I took, the more I begged for Father to call out our break. I could just stop and rest but Father would get angry with me and possibly drag me onto my feet. He'd tie a rope between me and the mule if he had to. He's done that sort of thing before.
The forest around us was quiet, excluding the birds that chirped over head. Looking up at the canopy of leaves, I did feel quite thankful that they kept the sun out, at least most of it. Very little wind reached the bottom of the forest floor, where Father and I walked, which didn't allow us to cool off. I looked up at the gray hided mule and wondered if the animal was suffering as much as us. It has to carry our belongings and endure this long trek. Even though it's an animal made for back-breaking tasks, it has to feel some sort of agony. Maybe this is different to it. Maybe it likes to travel and carry our things. Maybe it doesn't mind this. It's been used for many tasks such as this so what's to say it minds. It's only doing what it's used to, after all.
Tree leaves rustled above us and the forest floor was left untouched by the soothing wind. The forest is too thick to let in any full gusts of air. I understand why Father chose to have us journey through here. No civilization was around for miles and the only signs of other life were animals. Looking down at my moving feet, I sighed and clutched at my cotton dress. I had asked Father before we started the journey, why we didn't use a wagon. His answer was simple and smart. A wagon would only draw attention to ourselves, which is exactly what we do not want. Also, a wagon wouldn't be able to ride through this forest and its floor. Everything is too bumpy and jumbled. Bushes and patches of grass are all the forest floor contains. Father had a hard time finding the path through the forest, which had long been forgotten as many other efficient paths had been made in other areas far from here. None of the used paths should connect to this one meaning we shouldn't run into anyone else that would be traveling or hunting for us. We had left no trace behind before we started this journey so no people would come after us. And, if things weren't bad enough, Father had to steal the mule we have now from a merchant. Even now, I wonder how he swiped such a big thing. The only thing we have to be concerned about is animals and our own health. Father is doing well to ration what little food and water we have left as he's determined everything we have to do. So, if he says we only have one more day left to travel then we really do.
After minutes of walking through the brush of the forest, I suddenly collapsed and couldn't get back up. I panted into the grass and dirt and felt tears slipping through my closed eyes. I desperately tried to get back up before Father yelled at me but I felt too weak. I had only consumed a bit of water this morning. I can't see the sun over the trees but I'm sure the time is noon. I'm starving and exhausted. Too weak to keep moving yet I know I must. "I'm so sorry, Father," I whimpered as I tried to heave myself up again, only to hit the ground again. I felt his hand reach under my chin and lift my head up. Father wiped away the dirt that stuck onto my face and said, "You have to be stronger."
I nodded and awaited his order for me to stand up. But, instead he lifted me up onto my bottom and began to remove my shoes gently. I watched, with wide, watery eyes as he placed both shoes aside with care and examined my bleeding, bruised feet. "It seems that whatever blisters you might have had have already popped," he stated. On his belt was pocket for the smaller supplies we had. He opened up a pocket and took out small scissors and gauze. "You're lucky enough that these blisters weren't too severe," Father remarked as he put my left foot upon his lap, "If they were, I'd have no choice but to amputate your little feet."
I squeaked and gave Father a terrified look. A corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly and he said, "But, like I said, you are lucky. Though, I do have to cut off the torn skin." I gulped and watched as Father placed the scissors in his hand and held onto my foot firmly. Carefully, he cut away at the skin that was left, only to leave small red and raw patches of flesh. Father took out a rag and dabbed at my bloody feet. "We can't afford to use water for anything else other than drinking," he said, "So, I'll only have to bandage your feet. Are you okay with that, Emily?"
I nodded without hesitance. Father took the gauze and wrapped some of it around my foot, covering the aftermath of the blisters. He placed my foot down and grabbed my other, placing it onto his lap and doing the same procedure as before. Father was cutting off leftover skin when the scissors tugged on more and ripped off a small portion of intact skin. I cried out and he calmly shushed me. He finished removing the hanging skin and cleaned off my foot, then wrapped it with the rest of the gauze. My feet still felt weak but I know they'll feel better now that they've been treated. Father grabbed my shoes and placed them somewhere on the mule's saddle. Then, he leaned down and picked me up into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'll allow you to rest," he said, "at least for now."
"Thank you," I mumbled and squeezed my arms around him. Father was silent after that and he tugged on the mule's reins, signaling for the animal to start walking along with him again. Father held me as we walked for approximately another mile. My body started feeling better now that I wasn't walking. I watched behind him as we passed the trees and bushes that were once ahead. The crunch of dirt and gravel echoed out from under Father's shoes, creating a rhythm that I found myself relishing. I stared down at my bandaged and limp feet, blood already staining the gauze wrapped around them so carefully. Eventually, Father's footsteps began to lull me and I put myself to rest in his arms, resting my head and gradually closing my eyes and I listened to Father grow closer and closer to our new home.
...
I had awoken, still in Father's arms for who knows how long. My eyes began to adjust to themselves and I rubbed them gently as I yawned. "I see you're awake," Father said quietly. I looked up at him with blinking eyes. Looking around, I asked him in a small voice, "Where are we?"
"We're still in the forest, Emily," he answered. I heard a slight snort and I looked to my left to see our mule again, still hulling our belongings. "What time of day is it?" I asked next. Father didn't hesitate to answer with, "Dusk has just arrived." I whirled my head around to look at him and I said, "F-Father...! We were supposed to rest before dusk! D-Did you rest?"
"No," Father answered bluntly. An expression of concern presented itself on my face and I said, "Father, you should've rested! You can't keep walking if you haven't taken a break! Did you at least drink a bit of water?"
"Emily, I'm fine, I have no need for rest or water right now," he assured me, "At this rate, we may reach our destination sooner than I estimated."
"Yes, but at the cost of your health and safety," I remarked worriedly. "I'd rather take forever to find our new home than to have you sacrifice yourself like this."
"I'll be fine, Emily," Father repeated sternly. I closed my mouth and stared at him, noticing how dampened with sweat his face was and how tired he looked. I cannot imagine how he must feel right now. How long has he been walking since he started carrying me? It must be a very long time. The forest was still quiet except for the birds fluttering and chirping overhead and the leaves rustling above and in the bushes. Everything was as quiet as it had been before. Taking a glance over Father's shoulder, I looked at my bandaged feet. A bit of blood had stained the gauze but it seemed the bleeding had stopped all together. I moved them around a little and felt a slight stiffness but it was mostly because of the gauze.
Turning my attention to the environment, I looked at the blue and purple sky that peeked through the trees. If these trees weren't in the way, the sky would look beautiful to its fullest. Despite that I was glad that dusk had arrived, I couldn't help but feel worried. Sometimes the temperature drops to a cooler degree, which can be unpredictable at times. And when there's dusk, that means that night is soon to come, and being out in a forest like this during the night is not something pleasant. Predators may start to hunt, since that is what they do, and Father and I could become lost without any daylight to reveal our environment. Father had a lantern but it's almost out of oil and there's not any sort of refill tank for miles. We have very little right now, so I can only hope that night is fair with us and we get to our new home soon.
I rested my head on Father's shoulder again, though this time I didn't close my eyes. I watched the ground pass under Father's feet and listened to the sound of his ragged shoes crunching dirt and scattered twigs. Things were quiet and tranquil. I could tell Father wasn't so tense as he usually is, either because he's exhausted himself or the tranquility of the forest may be effecting him. Even the mule seemed to be relaxed as it clopped it's hooves against the ground in a casual gait. I kept taking in the serenity of the area and admiring how the forest began to look during dusk. Before, Father would have me sleeping as soon as dusk approaches so that way I'd be rested enough to walk again early in the morning. I haven't been able to see a view like this since we began traveling.
"Father," I murmured, "are you sure you don't want to rest?"
"I'm absolutely sure, Emily," he said and I sighed in response. He's so stubborn. I put my mind away from the subject and focused on the forest. It was so quiet and perfect for resting. This place is beautiful yet it's also dangerous. It's a strange combination that Father likes to point out to me. But I've come to appreciate it since beautiful and dangerous things are all around me.
Still trekking across the ground and through the sea of trees, I stayed in Father's arms and watched as we grew farther and farther from another terrible place. I felt relieved though also anxious as I know we'll soon be driven out of the home we are traveling too, like many others. But for now nothing was happening, no trouble was stirring in the woods meaning I could relax. Well, I had thought I could relax.
I had heard rustling noises far off behind us and it wasn't our own movement or an echo. Our mule started getting antsy and huffing exasperated breaths. I listened to the noises more closely. It might be another animal like a deer or rabbit or maybe even a badger? I knew more animals would start roaming about once nightfall arrived. I was about to warn Father when I heard a different sound that corrected my guess that an animal was out there. Voices. People.
"Father," I whispered, though he was quick to stop in his tracks before I even finished. He listened intently at the other voices far away from us. His face was contorted into a frown as he stood there and listened. I gripped onto his shirt collar nervously and whirled my head around to survey our surroundings. When I turned back, Father wasn't frowning anymore, his eyes were stricken with panic and he whispered his reason, "...They're getting closer."
Suddenly, Father quickly and collectively searched around us and then sprinted off of the nearly invisible path. I watched our mule grow smaller as Father ran off with me. A few moments later he kneeled and set me down next to a bush. Placing his hands on either side of my face, he leaned in closer and whispered hurriedly, "Emily, hide in this bush. People are coming and if they see you they might try to take you away from me. I order you to hide and stay in the bush until I say you can come out, do you understand? Do not disobey this order."
"Father, what about you?" I asked, my heart aching with panic and worry.
"Don't worry about me," he confirmed, "people won't care about a man by himself in the woods with a mangy mule. You're more recognizable than I am. Without you, no one will be able to take a guess. I'm just another face. Now, do you understand what you must do?"
I nodded quickly and he pressed his hands more against my face. He gave me a quick kiss on the head and then helped me hide in the bush. Once he made sure that the leaves were covering every part of me, he stood onto his feet and sprinted off back to the mule. I waited there on the ground with leaves and thin branches poking at my dress and skin. I listened for Father as I could hear his footsteps far off. A small opening through the leaves and branches allowed me to see what was happening or what would soon happen. I could hear my heart beat within my own ears as my painful adrenaline coursed through me. I wanted to run to Father and stay by his side but I cannot disobey orders or else I'll be punished. As much as I don't want to be here, I must.
The voices we heard before became clear and I caught a glimpse of men -possibly four of them- catch up to where my father stood with the mule. They had two horses with them, all loaded with bundles of supplies and what looked to be weapons like knives and muskets. At the sight of these objects, I gulped down my saliva nervously, hoping that they all must be merchants. All four men confronted Father, who stood tall and calm, like always. Despite the distance, I could still hear them all very clearly.
The first man that approached Father presented him with a charismatic smile. "Well, greetings, my good sir," the man announced, "My friends and I couldn't help but notice that you're all alone here. Don't mind me asking, but what's a gentleman such as yourself doing on a path that has been isolated for years?"
Father looked at the man, and with a calm demeanor, he answered, "No other person uses this path which means it's not very busy like all of the others. I travel with more ease. I'm actually quite surprised to see other people using this path as well."
"Well, we share the same opinion," the man said. He turned to the mule and then asked, "Strong lookin' animal you have. Do you mind...?" The man inched his hand towards the mule's hide and Father nodded as an approval. The man smiled and patted the mule's hide, whistling in admiration. "Beautiful thing, aren't ya," the man remarked to the mule and it only huffed as a response.
The man stopped petting the animal and then pointed to our belongings. "That's a lot of things for just one man."
"I have many priorities," Father lied. The man raised an eyebrow and replied with, "But you're just a countryman. This whole forest is your necessities."
"Well, where I'm going, I'm going to need all that I can get," Father said.
The man eyed our belongings again, and I could tell that he was growing suspicious, yet he still played his smile. "Where are you traveling to?" The man asked Father.
"Anywhere," he answered, then asked a question himself, "How about you? Are you traveling anywhere special?"
"Oh, no, nothing special," the man chuckled, "my men and I are just riding along in the woods to the nearest town. You see, we're looking to sell some merchandise in hopes for some fine currency!"
"You all must be merchants, then," Father stated and the man nodded. My guesses had been proven that they were only merchants. But this hadn't lasted long as I realized that the other three men were gradually surrounding Father and our mule. They were all too casual to raise suspicion. But Father is intelligent, he'll know what they're doing, I'm sure he has already noticed by now.
"We're all very glad to have come across you, actually," the man continued, "you see, you have things. Nice things, old things, doesn't matter. You have things, and people like us want those things. Now, we are not men of business or bargain, fortunately for us. Unfortunately for you, this means that we like to take things when we want them and from whoever they belong to. And, right now, you seem to be the only other man out here.."
Suddenly, the three other men pulled out daggers from their belts and twirled them towards my Father. I suppressed my urge to gasp and call out for him. Father stayed still within his spot and barely took any glances at the other men. He kept his gaze on the first man and stated, "You are all bandits."
"As sure as the sun," the first bandit said and pulled out his own dagger, yet only played with it in his hands instead of pointing it at my Father. Father sighed and said, "You cannot take my things."
"I didn't ask for permission," the first bandit said. The bandit looked at his fellow men and then ordered one of them to check our belongings. "Here is our plan," the first bandit, the leader I would assume, told my Father, "if you have things valuable enough to sell or keep, then we kill you. If you don't have anything worth our time then we'll beat you and then kill you. Does that sound fair enough?" Father said nothing.
One of the other bandits called for the leader and stated, "Look at this!" He held up my pair of ragged shoes in the air and that's when I could sense the situation worsen. The bandit leader eyed them intently and said, "Those are too small for a grown man's foot." He grabbed one of them and examined it more closely. "Why would you have these dirty things?" He asked.
"Maybe I would like to sell some things myself," Father lied. A moment later, the same bandit that found my bloodied shoes, threw down a heap of cloth in front of the leader. The leader kneeled down and picked out a piece of cloth from the pile, then unraveled it to reveal one of my worn dresses. The bandit leader furrowed his brow at the dresses and then at Father. I could see him putting the pieces together and before I knew it, he had ordered all of the other bandits, "Someone else came along with him. Find her!"
Even with the other bandits running around, searching for me, Father still stayed collected. I watched three men search high and low for me and I prayed that they didn't come near me.
"Where is she?" The bandit leader asked my Father, finally pointing the dagger at him. Father was unfazed by this and responded with, "I don't know what you're talking about-."
"Don't play dumb with me!" The leader growled, dropping his smug smiles and his sly act. "A man doesn't usually keep girls' dresses and shoes unless he had a girl with him. Where is she? And why are you hiding her from us? Is she important? Huh? Answer!!" The bandit leader shoved his dagger further towards my Father until the tip was barely touching his throat. Yet still, Father said nothing.
I was too busy watching the two of them to notice that one of the other bandits had found me. I was too late to react as he yanked me out of the bush by my dress collar and then dragged me towards Father and the bandit leader. I screamed and kicked, trying to dig my feet into the ground to keep the man from dragging me, but nothing worked. All I received in return were scraped toes and a dirty, grass stained dress. The bandit finally let me go as he threw me to the leader's feet. I looked up at the man and watched as his lips upturned from a frown into a wicked smile. He looked at Father and said, "You lied to me."
A bandit picked me up onto my bandaged feet and I winced as they still felt strange. He forced me to look at the bandit leader and show my face. The leader leaned in and examined my features well. His eyes widened and then his smile became more wicked. "Now I understand why you hid her," he chuckled. Suddenly, he fisted a handful of my hair and yanked me towards his body. I screamed and grabbed at his hand to ease the pressure on my hair. "It seems that we've found an infamous witch," he announced to his fellow bandits. He leaned in close to my ear and hissed, "You're worth a lot of currency, little witch. I hope you don't mind coming along with us now...!"
"No!!" I cried out.
The bandit leader ignored my cries and said to Father, "It seems like you did have something of value. A lot of value, I must say. Harboring a witch? Haha, what a riot! I bet you're worth some money too. If not then I'm sure a good many of people will be happy watching you dangle by the gallows!!"
"No!!" I screamed, "Leave him alone!! Leave my father alone!!"
I could sense the bandit leader's energy falter and he tugged at my hair. "Come again, witch," he hissed, "Did you just call him your father?" He then smiled at Father and laughed. "Oh, what kind of demon seeds do you have to create such a fuckin' thing?! Haha!! This is amazing! A father and his witch daughter? Forget their things! I'm sure the bounty for them will last us years!! Grab him!"
Two bandits tried to grab Father but he quickly whirled around and punched one of them in the face. The other one caught his arm but Father flipped him over his shoulder before the bandit had done anything else. A third bandit came running towards him with a dagger but Father caught the man's wrist in time. They struggled as they pushed against each other. Their hands shook and their faces contorted into ones of strain and effort. The bandit had unfortunately managed to stab the dagger into Father's shoulder and he grunted in pain. Father kicked the bandit away and pulled the dagger out of his shoulder, fresh blood spilling out and staining his shirt. One of the other bandits had gotten back up and lunged for Father but he was soon struck down again as Father slashed at the man's face. The bandit's screams of pain filled the quiet forest and soon the brawling was scaring our mule to the point where it broke into a sprint. Some of our belongings fell off of its back while others stayed tied.
I stood there watching my Father fight off three men at once. As if he wasn't exhausted enough before. I couldn't let this go on, I had to stop and get away from here with Father. Mind flitting, heart racing, stomach churning, I began to panic. Within the moment, I screamed out, as loud as I could, for him.
"SAM!!!"
Everyone was sent off of their feet: Father, the bandits, their horses. I barely stumbled. I quickly raced towards Father in hopes to pick him up. As I fell to my knees beside him, I could see the tiredness in his eyes. I knew we had to run away now. "Father," I said, "Father, come! Let's go! We have to go!"
With some effort, Father lifted himself up onto his feet and began running with me. I held his bloody hand as we ran through the brush of the forest, away from the bandits. Looking behind us, I saw the bandits chasing after us, now with the muskets that they have surely stolen from other people. Turning my head back around, I kept my gaze forward as we ran. The more I ran the more my feet began to ache and I could feel my wounds sting. My dress had snagged onto a bush and I whined out of panic. Father quickly cut the fabric off with the dagger he had stolen from the bandits and we pushed on.
The one thing I dreaded had finally began as shots were fired. The sound was loud in my ears and I breathed heavier. "Sam," I cried out, "keep the bandits away from us!!"
Without a word, my bodiless companion sent one of them flying back and another one into a tree. A bandit that was still running had stopped to raise his musket to fire a bullet at us. Sam quickly prevented us from any fatal hit as a bullet was fired and sent back into the musket, causing the weapon to burst apart and injure the user. He quickly subdued the two other bandits by throwing rocks at one of them and making the other shoot himself with his own musket, creating two bloody messes. I began feeling less panicked as the bandits were gone, that is until the leader suddenly caught up to us and threw his dagger at Father's calf. Father staggered to the side and tumbled down a hidden ditch, taking me down with him. We tumbled down and down; dirt, rocks and twigs scraping our skin, creating cuts and bruises. Once we hit the bottom, I landed next to Father and coughed. I quickly got up on my knees and tried helping Father back up. "Father, stand up! Please!" I pleaded, "Please, we have to keep running! Please!"
"Go," he groaned.
"Wh-Wha-?"
"Run, Emily," he ordered, "just run. Keep going."
"B-But-!"
"Sam will protect you," he stated as he pressed a hand against my cheek.
"But, Father, we can still run," I said, "We can still make it!"
"My leg is injured, I can't run," he said, "I'll slow you down. You have to run away. I promise I'll come find you but right now you have to-."
"Found you!!" A voice exclaimed and I turned to see the bandit leader coming out of the brush we tumbled through. Father suddenly shoved me away and bellowed, "Run!!" Before I could protest another time, Father stood up just in time before the bandit leader came up to us to fire his musket. Father shoved the musket barrel out of aim and both men struggled back and forth with each other. I watched with wide eyes and stood still. Father finally noticed that I was still present and he urgently ordered, practically screamed, "Leave, Emily!! NOW!!!"
That was enough for me to start sprinting away. I scrambled my way up the ditch towards the other side and then pushed past pushes and tall grass. I ran with shaking breaths and small fearful whimpers. Suddenly, I was stopped in my tracks by the loud, booming, wretched sound of gunfire. Then...dead silence. I stood behind a tree, wondering, fearing what had happened. Why had it gotten so quiet? Who had taken the bullet?
I had waited, and waited, and waited, for any signs of anyone crawling out of that ditch. No one came out. No tall grass or bushes rustled from any movement. I took a risk and called out to Father. "Father..! F...Father...?!"
No response. No subtle pip of a sound other than my own heart beating in my ears. My fingers clawed into the bark of the tree I was hiding behind and I called for Father again, this time more loudly and more desperately. After many attempts to receive an answer, I suspected the worse. My eyes burned from the tears I restrained and I trembled. I leaned my head against the tree and shut my eyes tightly. My legs began feeling weak and my hands trembled like never before. He can't be..
The sudden rustle of bushes caught me by surprise and my instincts took control. I ran away in the opposite direction of the noise and kept running. I was too panicked to worry about my feet as their only protection from the ground was the bandages. I hiked up my dress so it wouldn't snag on more bushes and I ran through the trees. I jumped over tree roots that poked out of the brown, rich soil, dodged more bushes and trees that were in my path and ducked under drooping branches. Finally, my aching chest, sore legs and short breath got the better of me and I came to a stop. I fell to my knees and slumped over onto my side, exhausted and defeated. I lay on that dirt for what seemed like ages, waiting for my breath to return to me. With weak limbs, I sat myself up and my eyes immediately turned to my feet. I frowned at the sight of the ripped bandages and the small scrapes along my toes and ankles. Dried blood stuck to my skin, creating faint orange patches of my own red fluids. My adrenaline wore off and the pain finally came to my feet. I winced and groaned, holding back my cries of anguish.
Soon my reason for my anguish became more than just physical pain. I tried to hold my tears but I was too distraught to succeed. I began to bawl and bawl like a newborn baby. There was no one with me to relieve me of my pain, my emotional suffering. Father was not here to calm my frayed nerves. Even if his comfort methods weren't at all comforting but more over the lines of harsh affection, those methods still made me feel better. He's not by my side anymore to lead me through this vast maze of a forest. All I heard was a gunshot and now he's not here anymore. That bandit must've shot him and now Father is lying out on the dirt, Mother Nature just watching as her little creatures come to feed on him. And why was I not by his corpse? Why was I not lying down with him, waiting to die with him too? I could let starvation rack my body, I could hit myself upside my head with a rock and just lie there, I could just use that dagger he stole and stab myself with it to bleed. Why was I not dying with him? This world would be better off without me. Society doesn't need another 'witch'. At least dying by my own hand would be better than getting stoned, burned at the stake or tortured somehow in some humiliating fashion.
But I wasn't with Father. I wasn't dying by his side. I wasn't being there for him. I wasn't there. I'm just sitting in the dirt, wallowing in my own grief. Who will I rely on to lead me through this environment? I have no skills on wilderness survival. Father was the expert, even if he hadn't looked like an outside man. He gathered supplies, food and clothes for me. He was my one and only necessity in life. Now he's gone and I have no clue of how I'll survive without him. I don't know which way is North or South, what type of berries to eat, how to start a fire or make a makeshift shelter. All I have are the tattered clothes I wear now. I don't even have shoes..! I need Father. I need him more than I could ever need water or food. I've survived this long with his help. Now what? How will I do this? I'm lost! I'm scared! I'm hopeless! I need Father...! I need him! But it's just me.. Its just me and...
...And Sam.
Through my sniffling, I croaked, "S-Sam..?"
A momentary pause of silence. It had nearly given me a heart attack. But then...
Yes, Emily?
Even though I was still very distraught over the previous happenings, I smiled and broke down in more tears, this time they were of relief.
"S-Sam..," I murmured, "you'll never leave me...r-right..?"
Of course not. I would never.
"You'll protect me, just like Father said you would?"
With my entire being.
My tears feel harder as my emotions of affection coursed through me. Sam was always with me from the very beginning. He was but a voice at first and soon I learned -we learned- that he could move objects. Father helped me understand this unusual happening and we confided in this happening that could cause hysteria. People were sent to an asylum for hearing voices in their mind other than their own. Some were given lobotomies, in other cases, people would be bludgeoned on the head until the voices would stop, until the brain stopped functioning. Father didn't want that for me. I didn't want that. Voices were one thing, but if the being inside your mind could move objects then that is something entirely different and the consequences for it are even worse. Though, despite hiding this secret from society, it had leaked and soon I was labeled as a witch. Ever since, Father and I have been running. We've been running throughout my entire life. Now, it's only me and Sam. We're on our own.
"Sam," I mumbled, my tears beginning to cease, "you'll...you'll love me...yes?"
Yes.
"Good," I said, and smiled, "because I love you.."
I love you too.
I felt warmth spread across my face and I lowered my head onto my knees.
Stand up, Emily. We have to get moving.
I lifted my head and asked, "But where will we go? I don't even know where I am."
Don't worry, I'll make sure you get somewhere.
"Okay," I murmured, and stood onto my feet. I winced and shuddered from the pain but Sam's voice helped me through it. I began walking wherever Sam told me to go. I was back to where I had been before: walking through the desolate forest with aching feet. The only difference was I had no mule to carry my things, I had no shoes to at least aid my feet and I had no Father to guide me. I wish to go back and find his corpse but I know he would've wanted me to keep running. That's all he's ever taught me. Its all I've ever known, all we've ever known. So, I'll keep running, even if he isn't by my side anymore. I still have Sam, and I know he'll never be lost to me. I'll get by. We'll get by.
We can survive.
-TBC-
...
I was standing in front of my vanity mirror, running my hands through my hair to create my braids. My mother already helped me put my make-up on and helped pick out my dress. It's only black but she had helped me put a little pizazz to it by wrapping a blue ribbon around the waistline and wrapping a similar ribbon around my right wrist. And of course, there were going to be blue ribbons at the end of my braids once I've finished them. Might as well wear everything blue..!
You look gorgeous.
I heard Sam compliment me and I smiled. "Thank you," I said.
Well, when don't you?
"Oh, stop it," I teased, "you know, you'd be a hit with the ladies."
And where is this coming from?
"Well," I said, finishing up my first braid and tying the first blue ribbon around it, "your compliments are always genuine and nice. Girls love to be complimented and your the grade A guy for the job."
Heh, heh, well, thank you. I must say I am pretty charming..! Too bad I don't have a sweet body, though.
I laughed and said, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. Not all sweet bodies come naturally."
Yes, they do. If that person is a pure hottie god. And I am a pure hottie god. I can feel it in my imaginary gut!
I laughed again and shook my head. After another minute or so, my second braid was finished and I tied the last blue ribbon around it. I raised my hands in the air and looked at myself to make sure my braids were perfect. Like always, they were and I smiled. "I'm ready," I said aloud and Sam gave a whistle of admiration.
I was excited. Tonight, Friday, was the night of my recital. I'll be playing the duet Craig and I have practiced so vigorously on for almost five months. All of our hard work will finally pay off tonight once we're on stage and performing. I bet Craig is being just as particular with the way he looks too. I can already imagine him fussing over his hair or his body and how 'it doesn't fit in the tux'. Thinking about that made me chuckle to myself. It's especially funny because that actually would happen. I bet if I called him right now and asked him how dressing was going, he'd complain and banter about it non-stop. Oh, Craig.
But, not only was I excited about finally being able to perform this solo in its entirety to an audience with Craig, I was also excited because a certain someone promised to attend tonight's event. The last time Jack and I had met -which wasn't exactly all too flattering- he promised to come see the performance. I'm expecting him to be there, even though I'm sure he will probably hide somewhere dark or isolated in the auditorium. Either way, he has to be there. He had promised me. In the shower. While I was naked. If that doesn't mean business then I don't know what does.
It sucks that you still have to wear that stupid splint.
I agreed with Sam. I'm still wearing the splint and it doesn't satisfy my outfit all too well. The dress is long enough to cover some of it, but otherwise it's noticeable. Because of the splint, I have to wear flats instead of heels or wedges. At least on the other foot.
I checked the time on my new phone and jumped with delight. I'll have to start heading out for the college. I quickly adjusted my bangs and then picked up my violin case from the floor. Looking back into the mirror, I took a deep breath and exhaled just as intensely.
You've got this.
I smiled. "Thanks, Sam," I told him, "Couldn't have gotten here without you."
And I couldn't be any prouder of you.
A rosy pigment color spread across my cheeks and I smiled even more. Putting on a modest stance and smile, I filed out of my room and down the stairs, carefully because of my splint. As I walked down the steps, I saw my mother and father waiting for me in the foyer. Once they spotted me, big smiles cut through their faces and my father had complimented, "Anata wa utsukushī...!"
"Thank you, ChiChi," I beamed. My mother pulled out a Nikon camera that she likes to use on special occasions and snapped a few photos of me. "Perfect," she chimed after she finished.
"Which one?" I chuckled.
"All of them," she said and I couldn't help but smile like a weirdo.
"So, shall we go?" My mother suggested and I nodded.
All three of us walked out of the front door and my father locked it behind us. We made our way towards my father's car and jumped in. As I sat in the backseat, nearly jumping with joy, I thought about how well the recital might go. No, it will go well, and everyone will be there to see it happen. Okaasan, ChiChi, Kayla and her parents, Craig's parents, the entire orchestra and my instructor, and hopefully, Jack. I want to amaze them all and make everyone proud. Jack might not care but he made a promise and I intend to make him glad he kept it. I'll make him just as proud as anyone else.
The engine of the car began to purr as my father turned the ignition and we were off. The gates opened up by a portable remote my father had and when we were out he closed them back up. I watched our estate grow further away from us as we grew closer towards our destination. I sat in that car and waited patiently to arrive at the auditorium. And throughout the drive, I kept a smile on my face.