INA ELORA and I are both a morning person. I guess I got it from her. The sun is still not rising when we are already getting ready putting all the berries inside the sack. There is a small wooden cart that we'll gonna put all the sacks then we are off to the market.
As for us, a simple and doesn't have the high rank in the society here in Montage, we need to get early always in order to live harmoniously and in a righteous way. Selling berries in the market is our main source of living, that's why this is also precious for me and Ina.
When we were walking, me pulling the cart while Ina is beside me, we have walked passed the biggest rice field in Montage and above the marvellous sight is the sun getting ready to start the day with its light.
"Grecia."
"Yes, Ina?" I looked at her sideways then getting back the attention on the dirty road.
"I forgot to tell you about this. The last day that I asked you to bring the berries to the Cliff's, the District Mayor got to our stall. He is asking me about you." She looked doubtful when she told me that.
Cliff's Variety Candies is one of the local stores here in Montage and sells every kinds of candies with many fruit flavors. They always bought berries with us because the owner and Ina Elora are friends.
While the District Mayor is obviously the head or the leader of each district. There are eight district here in Montage. We belong to the fourth district. But every people in each district come and meet everyday because there are only one market, and stores and stalls inside the city of Montage. This is where we sell our berries.
My forehead creased upon hearing my mother's words.
"Why would he come to see me, Ina?" As far as I remember, I don't have any bad deeds and/or records here in Montage. I didn't do anything bad.
"He just told me that his son, Breave wants to meet you. He is your Primary classmate in Reading, am I right? You didn't tell me that you are friends with the district mayor's son."
I suddenly lowered down my head. Why would Breave wants to see me? He doesn't really know how to stop. He's been pestering me since Primary years. I was just in my twelfth year that time. Until my Secondary years, he was tailing me whenever I go. He keeps on asking me to meet and see him.
He actually said he liked me. But it just gives me cold and awkward feelings about him that I keep on avoiding his presence until we are done in school.
"We're just classmates back then, Ina. But we are not that close."
"So, would you go see him?"
"I...I don't know, Ina. Maybe not. We are busy everyday in the market. Who would be there to help you if I go to see him?"
"Well, it's okay for me, Grecia. I think you should go. You should do the things girls your age do sometimes, alright? Since you're still a child, you were always there to help me. Why not go outside with a guy for once? Also, it's the District mayor that paid us a visit in the market. Don't you think it is a shame for us to turn his son down? He might feel disappointed."
I huffed in near annoyance. So I don't have much choice, do I? For once. Yeah, maybe I can grant his long overdue wish for once. Then after that, I hope he will end this.
I sighed."Okay, Ina." As if I have a choice here than to say yes.
We continued walking our way to the city's market. But as we walked on the big rice field, we noticed three people in all black clothes running towards us. Their faces are also covered with a black cloth under their eyes so we can't fully see them.
"Ina!" I exclaimed as I reach for my mother. I am so scared what they might do to us as they are near.
But instead, they just run passed us. My eyes catches a pair of green eyes looked at mine before it avoided my gaze and they run away.
I suddenly let go of my breath that I wasn't aware that I have been holding since that intense stare from a stranger. I faced Ina who was also struck from the suspicious strangers running awhile ago.
"Are you okay, Ina?" I worriedly asked her. She just smiled a little and nod.
"Let's go back to walk. If they were one of the bandits here in Montage, then let us be thankful they didn't do anything to harm us."
Ina was right. There are some bad people here in Montage. Criminals. And we called them as bandits because the District mayor told everyone of us that the criminals are just in one group and has the same leader that controls them. So we called them bandits.
I nodded and followed my mother. But in my head I was praying to god Eros our gratitude that he protected us from a minute of danger earlier.
Maybe they were being followed or tailed that's why they have no time to stopped and hurt us because all they wanted was to escape and get away from here.
Either way, I hope this kind of dangerous situation will not happen again.