Chapter eighteen: Hunted
The next morning I woke up, surprisingly at ease. It wasn't until I remembered what happened yesterday, that I realized why.
I sat up, yawning and glanced around the small room. No maids to harass me, no father to berate me, and no half brother to insult me.
This is the first time since I've been here I didn't feel on edge.
Soft snoring floated to my ears. I glanced toward the window to see Sayvren, curled up on the sill– sleeping like a cat.
I assumed he would disappear after I got here, but he had insisted on staying close. I didn't dissuade him, because even though I was out of that house, I wasn't safe.
The Duke's men were probably already out searching for me. I pushed off the bed, looking at the clothing I had on. I have to ditch this outfit.
I grabbed the cap and shoved my hair under it, pulling the brim low once again. It would be risky to walk around during the day and more so with the outfit I had on.
"Where are you going?" Sayvren asked, turning his head to look over at me.
"Out." I said, reaching for the door knob.
"Like that?" He yawned, rotating until he could sit up. "Why don't you just wait til tonight? Aren't you running away?"
"The shops aren't open at night." I said, opening the door. "The afternoons get slower and the crowds thin out."
"Well, whatever." He shrugged. "I have things to do anyway. Call me if you need me."
I didn't respond as I stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind me.
I walked through the building, avoiding looking at anyone. A few of the patrons were already awake, talking over food. My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten in days.
I need to change first. I thought, walking out the front. Then I can buy something real to eat.
The crowd of people pushing in the streets was far more than I had assumed. Vendors were trying to sell items, kids were running around screaming, and others moved about heading toward their destinations.
I slipped into the crowd, looking for a used clothing shop. After a long time, I finally found a small building tucked away in a corner.
I pushed through the crowd and pulled open the door, entering.
"Welcome to Amore's Used Clothes." A cherry woman greeted me from behind the counter. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"No." I turned to the clothing selection, scanning the items.
Most of the clothing looked like it had been used heavily– full of holes and frayed hems. I grabbed a worn tunic, a patchy cloak, a pair of pants, and a plain brown dress– that later being something I had no desire to actually wear.
If the Duke's knights– by some chance– searched the shops, they would have a more difficult time trying to deduce what I would be wearing.
That's the hope anyway.
"I'll take these." I fished out a silver coin, and slid it over to her.
"Oh my." She gasped, lifting the coin and turning it until it sparkled in the light. "Those clothes aren't worth this much."
"That's fine." I shrugged. "You can keep the change. I'm in a hurry to get to my job. Is there somewhere I can change?"
"Of course." She smiled, pocketing the money. "It's not much but there's a closet near the back." She pointed down a hallway and crossed to one of the displays, humming.
I walked down the hall, scanning the location quickly. There was a door and a slip of cloth that reminded me of modern changing rooms. I slipped inside and quickly removed the maids outfit and changed into the pants and tunic. I tugged the cloak on.
Once done, I tiptoed to the end of the hall and peeked out. The woman was bent over, readjusting something I couldn't see.
Quietly, I walked toward the front of the room and slipped out of the door.
I pulled up my hood and stepped onto the street– instantly swallowed up into the crowd. The rumbling of my stomach had the fear of being seen fading to the back of my mind.
As I moved toward the food stalls, I "accidentally" dropped the old dress I had purchased down one alley, and the maid's outfit down another. No one seemed to notice.
The closer I inched toward the food vendors the louder it got.
"Hot food! Fresh!" One called.
"Come get your meat here! Quality is guaranteed!"
My stomach rumbled again, and I pressed a hand to it. A new dilemma rose up– payment.
Would they find it suspicious if I tried to pay in silver? I couldn't recall much of the information about the currency from the novel, but I did remember that mostly bronze coins were used among the common people.
Whatever. I need food.
I walked up to the meat vendor, telling him I wanted the full amount the silver got me. He didn't even bat an eye and handed me ten sticks of meat, thanked me, and told me to come back again.
The first bite of the meat burst across my taste buds and I almost moaned. Whether it was actually good or not– I couldn't tell. I was just that hungry.
Chewing on the meat and holding my hoard close– I made it back into the crowd of people. I was working on finishing the third one– when a set of hands shot out from an alley and grabbed me.
The meat fell to the ground as I was dragged into the shadows.
My body went stiff from fear when an arm wrapped around my waist and a hand slapped across my mouth.
Had they found me? I won't go back. I can't.
I stepped as hard as I could on the booted feet behind me, and tried to elbow the man.
"Calm down." A familiar voice hissed in my ear. "You're being followed."
I stopped struggling and tilted my head back to see the man from last night. Is he actually a human trafficker?
The sound of running and shouts echoed off the walls. The man swore, uncovered my mouth, and grabbed my hand.
A barrage of questions ran through my mind, begging to be answered. I knew better than to ask him anything. I didn't trust him– but the heavy footfalls I had heard could very well be guards.
Either I wait around to get captured or I follow the strange man.
Of the two options there was only one real one.
I would follow the man even if it led me into hell.