"Yara, are you not going to eat that? You know there's such little food as is right?" Said Mary-Lynn, a thin slightly malnourished woman with lengthy blond locks and a dirt covered face. Yara sighed with disappointment. "Bread crumbs again? I can't believe we have to actually eat this crud!" Yara was a bit smaller than Mary-Lynn but more plump. She had dirty shoulder length brown hair. The two girls lived in Yonder a small outskirt town of Dender. Yonder was for the lower class. People who were forced to work the fields and mines. Mary-Lynn and Yara were not related but grew up together. Both abandoned at the orphanage as children. It was common for parents to abandon children during these times. "Oh Yar! Why be picky? You know that's a luxury for the wealthy," Mary-Lynn chuckled. The two girls were in their younger twenty's quite proper to marry soon. In Yonder women married at a younger age. Some sold off to Dender and other wealthy cities for coin. "Ya know Yar... Do you remember Merk? The boy who always teased you when we worked the fields? Well I met up with him yesterday and he offered me some good coin if I went with him up to Jenin. I think I am going to take his offer." Said Mary-Lynn holding back tears as she ate the soggy bread. Yara was startled. She had no words to say. There was a moment of awkward silence when Mary-Lynn said "It was so sudden, but I have to go pack now.." Yara slammed her fists against the table stopping Mary-Lynn as she started to walk away. "so your..your just going to get up and leave me behind? Your best friend, your...your leaving me alone?" Yara stated, you can hear the cracks in her voice as she was holding tears but her voice full of anger. " Well what do you expect of me Yar? To live here forever and conform? Marry and have a bunch of kids and raise them here in this crap hole?!" Mary-Lynn barked back at Yara with a bright red face. "What does he have to offer? Your moving to a place worse then here..." Yara said. "I can't tell you, I promised I wouldn't..I am sorry. I cant live like this anymore. Slaving away and eating poorly. I will come and visit eventually.." Mary-Lynn stated griping the wooden chair tightly and looking down unable to face her. No words came from Yara's mouth, just tears of anger and sadness. Yara only ever knew Mary-Lynn, they protected each other. She never knew what it was like to be alone, now she will be forced to. "I am leaving at dawn by the east gate, if you don't come I'll understand. Thank you for everything.." She walked away down the hall. Her shadow fading with the candle light.
Dawn came and Yara already up working the fields for the morning breakfast. People worked not for coin but for food. Now that Yara was going to be alone she had to think of other things to do to make up for Mary-Lynn's lost. She put on her normal wear, dirtied dress with ripped holes. She tied her old boots and and raised her beige socks. She grabbed her bag that was given to her by the orphanage woman who was like a mother to her and walked out. As she walked over to the farm land she passes some shops and lots of people coming and going to the mines. It paid in coins and gave you a better status when you worked for the mine companies. Even had options to transfer to other mines in other towns. Dangerous work had people dying and quiting left and right. She tried applying for the mine but got refused due to her being a woman. "Men's only job missy, go look at the flower shops or the fish market for coins.." The man at the hiring company once told Yara. She was so heated that day but luckily her and Mary-Lynn laughed over it over some hard liquor that night. Making fun of the man and his thick sounded voice. "Good times.." Yara softly said under her breath giving a smirk and a chuckle. She arrived at the fields and started picking and placing it in her bag. "Hey! Youuu! What are you doing here? Aren't yah supposed to be at the east gate to see your friend leave?" A girl came running up to Yara. She had the same dirty brown hair and bright hazel eyes. Sophie her name was. People said she was a wealthy mans unwanted daughter but was the sweetest girl you would have met. Yara looked up annoyed. "Yah I know she is off but I have to pick before noon. If not the birds will come and take them all." Yara said turning around and continuing to pick angrily. Sophie confused reached over and placed a hand on Yaras shoulder. "I know that your upset with her but if you don't see her off and something happens then you will regret it. If you go now you will reach her." Sophie said softly in Yaras ear. Yara closed her eyes tightly and thanked Sophie with a nod and ran off.
"Meh I knew she wouldn't come see you off! We must leave now as the journey is rough and we don't want to be caught in darkness alone. Hop on now." Merk said to Mary-Lynn as she paced back and forth searching threw the crowds of people. Merk hoped onto the carriage and grabbed the railings. "Come dear Mary!" Merk leaned over and yelled to her. She looked back and gave him a shrug and started walking over to the passenger side.
Yara ran through the crowds of people, bumping and knocking people to the side. People yelling her to watch out. She didn't care, she just ran.Tears flying out she ran as fast as she ever could. She finally reached the east gate and looked all around and not a single sight of Mary-Lynn. She was about to break down and yell and cry when she heard a faint voice. Her name being called. She stood up and followed the voice. Their Mary- Lynn stood and they both ran to each other. Hugs were given. "I thought you weren't going to see me off!" Mary-Lynn said hugging Yara tightly. Cough, cough, "I think it's time to let go lady's. Sorry Yara but we are very behind on schedule and I will make certain she is well taken care of!" Said Merk giving a wink to Yara. Yara ignored him, "Write to me and be safe. You better visit!" "Of course I will! Why wouldn't I?" Said Mary-Lynn giving one last hug good bye. They both waved to each other and they set off. Yara stood back watching their carriage off and stood in disbelief on how she still left her. That was 5 years ago and to this day I have not heard or ever seen Mary-Lynn again.