Chapter 1
Running, faster, and faster, the mob long since lost in the darkness of my woods. Flashes of memories began dancing in my head until slowly I collapsed to the ground at the base of the tree.
I started to cry, I knew i was weak. But i didn't expect that much weakness to show. It was like yesterday, the first time i was almost caught. They never caught on to who i was, nor that i sat under their noses for so very long. The only difference is the rain. The rain was hard that night, and so was the run.
Being with child and running is nearly impossible. It hurts, and pain begins to ripple from the long jagged scar across my side and belly. Looking down, a flash occurred.
They ripped me open and pulled my child from within. My heart raced painfully, and blood seeped through my clothes. But those mattered not, nor did the pain. I reached out, reaching for the child. They screamed and hollered. The reverend stared at me with such delight. "He was the seed of evil. I had seen the signs." And walked away, to assumingely preserve MY child in a case for a lesson. I fucking HATE him.
I returned to my hands shaking before me. I'd sat up, and tears streamed down my face. "Damn... its dark.." my head ached and my stomach twitched.
I heard a voice but i could not move in time. A man wrapped his hand around my mouth and held a knife to my throat. "I know what you are.... and they do too. You never bothered to check your bag before you left, huh.... they are coming.... come with me if you want to escape...."
I nodded weakly and groaned as i started to lose consciousness. He grumbled something and ripped the cloth out of my bag tying it to a tree. He hoisted me up and carried me bridal style as he ran. He was faster than me by far and he was much more quiet. Hours passed and finally he stopped. A small cottage in the middle of the woods.
The sun baked roof tiles appeared to be ancient, the once light brown clay had turned as dark as night- the door was hardly holding on by its hinges. There was a small pond fed by a stream just barely in view from the front.
My eyes, blurry as they were from just waking up, could see clearly the small sigils carved upon the front entrance whereupon a broom sat perched on the frame.
"My... baby...." I couldn't let the worry bubble, it would fester into much worse. "Is my-"
"Shhhh..... go back to sleep. I will check on the little one once I lay you down. Please, do not worry, Miss Adonia." His voice was softer now than it was in the woods. Something in his tone calmed my nerves as once again, sleep took me under its shrowd.
This time, upon opening my eyes, I find the man with his head on the table. His eyes were closed, and I assume a once cold rag cluched in his fingers partially draped across my belly. I felt the gentle flutter deep inside me, and I knew then that it had survived the events of the previous night. The sun blazed hot through the window, lighting up his ashy blonde hair and the dusting of stubble on his chin.
I tried to move quietly and slowly enough to not startle him, but his eyes flew open and darted around the room.
"Oh, hello there. You are awake, Miss. Are you feeling alright?" He glanced between my face and my stomach, then back up again.
"Y-yes. I am quite alright. A little sore and... A bit peckish, but other than that i am fine." The moment I had started to say peckish, he nearly leaped from his chair, his knees pushed it back as he flew into action. He went to the small kitchen area toward the back of the small single room house. He opened the medium-sized brick oven and pulled out a large pot filled with something that smelled of beef and spices. He set the pot on the counter and opened the lid, releasing the most mouth watering scent I had encountered in a long time. There was a small wooden bowl in which he ladeled out a large portion of the stew.
"I-I made this last night, Miss. I saw you in my dreams seven moons ago. I simmered this for the last day." He smiled. "Here." He gently placed the bowl in my hands and handed me a spoon. "I truly hope it is to your liking."
I shakily put the spoon in the bowl, trying to show some restraint. It wasn't impossible but honestly, I wanted to just drink it straight from the bowl. I was ravenously hungry. But I slowly took the spoonful I had and blew on it until it was cool enough to chew. And I did. The burst of flavors dancing upon my tongue made a noise come from my throat and the man smiled. He looked relieved. "Good. I am so glad you like it. Do you feel any pain anywhere?"
All I could do was shake my head 'no' as i stuffed another spoonful into my mouth, the bowl was gone all too fast. And right as i took the last bite, as if he knew i would want more he took the dish and filled it back up. I finally had nothing in my mouth so I cleared my throat and looked up at him. "Who... are you?"
"My name is Dailon. But please, just call me Lonny." He smiled softly as he placed the bowl in my hands. Suddenly, i felt the urge to throw up. I tried to fight it, the food was far too delicious to waste because of my fickle stomach. But it was coming with or without my cooperation.
He saw it in my face, because before I could say a word he brought me a bucket. I took it gratefully as the contents of my stomach made its way back up. "I... Shouldn't have made it so rich. I am so sorry, Miss."
I held up my hand as if to silence him. Once my lungs found breath again I croaked out "No... Lonny.... No. It was amazing. I.... The baby.... Its picky. I can't eat too fast, too much, or anything sweet. Its... definitely not your fault. I-"
I felt him gently lift my hair from between my chest and the bucket, tying it back and away from the bile and stew mix that had barely missed the bucket. "I will make you something lighter to start.... Does bread and goats butter sound easier to keep down?" I just simply nodded before a wave of dizziness stuck me. He helped me lay down once more, and then covered me with a blanket.
The blood. It poured and poured, never ending. A stream of crimson as the life fled from my eyes. I only barely heard the single cry from my baby. I could see it, a faint vision of his little toes before the crying abruptly stopped- replaced by the sound of water thrashing around. I remember the face of the nursery maid, the only one that stayed by my side. She held my hand, her crystal blue eyes staring into mine, tears streaming down her face. I could see her lips move but I couldn't hear her. White clothed hands dragged her away, replacing her comforting presence was a man with a needle and thread. No anesthetics. No clean rags. Just tying me back together, but the pain didn't register until I had awoken on the floor. The head of the church stared down at me with his twisted grin. "Don't you worry, child. That evil thing is gone."
When my eyes open I could feel the heat and tears streaming from them. I tried to sit up, but a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. "No, Miss Adonia. Do not rise. I sensed a shift in your child right after you slept. It is alright right now, but you need rest. Do you need something?"
"W-water..." I whispered. "I- am so thirsty." My throat was so dry it was hard to speak. He grabbed a small pitcher of water, poured me a glass, and helped me drink it from my prone position. After he set the water down, he took a rag and gently dabbed it against my forehead, it was cold. "What... is happening....?"
"Stress, Miss. You overexerted yourself, the stress is getting to you. Your baby needs you to rest." He smiles and tucks a stray lock of his hair back behind his ear. "Is there anything else I can do for you...?" I shook my head before I thought about it, I needed to bathe. I knew the brambles had cut up my legs and I felt about as dirty as I possibly could.
"Do... You have a way to bathe...." My voice sounded so weak, I wondered if he had heard me. "I...."
He nodded and cocked his head. "Do you think I am a savage? I have a bath. I can boil some water while you sleep-" i cut him off by shaking my head. "Are you alright?"
"I... Don't want to sleep...." I mumbled. "I can't.... I can't sleep again... The nightmares....." He handed me a cup of something. "What.... Is this....?"
"It is a sage based tea, it should help with the dreams...." he smiled. "I only take it one day a week. I wouldn't be able to handle my magic otherwise." He nodded. "It will also help you calm yourself, perfectly safe for your sweet baby as well. No need to worry." I took a sip, and felt the near instant relief from the herbs.
