The passing of three years flew fast, rendering me now a mature young lady of sixteen. Albeit I still had much to learn; I felt as if I had seen everything that needed to be witnessed and could now venture into the depths of my soul. Edward had been quite well himself, beginning everyday a battle yet winning them all. As I must update on Edward, I shall do the same for monsieur Emilio. So far, he had not been as devious as I thought him to be, rather a charming, benignant gentleman that any maiden would give all to have a courtship with; I did not wish to have a courtship with him, for I thought there was no need. Instead, we spent our time enjoying tea and participating in a delightful –sometimes controversial— colloquy. As of now, I was not with Emilio enjoying refreshments, rather it was Edward whom I accompanied.
Now more than often, I was helping him with simple things such as: acquiring sustenance, sewing torn clothes, and washing the dirtied ones whilst taking care of his gravely ill mother who was bedridden. As we walked hand in hand down the village road, Edward and I were currently looking for vegetables. We also had to conceal our identities with cloaks so Edward would not be spotted and tormented, thankfully I had not to worry due to the village people being absent-minded on who I was, alas my eyes would probably scare them all. Leading the way, I found a small stall selling a few vegetables that looked fresher than the normal ones that are sold. Reaching the stall, the owner appeared to be quite the strong male, with muscles and stern features that seemed as though they have been carved onto him since birth.
"Good morning sir, I shall take two tomatoes and onions, three carrots, and two maizes, please." Asked I, placing four shillings onto the counter.
"Of course, young lady. Why don't you show me your face and I'll give you extra?"
"Oh, you wouldn't enjoy the sight of my face, sir."
"With a voice like yours, I'm sure you'll have the face of an angel!"
Edward squeezed my hand, warning me he was frightened by this man and his words alas, Edward's mother needed the freshest vegetables available to rid her of sickness. Cupping his hand in reassurance, I replied to the perverse requests of the owner. "I shall not reveal my face due to the blazing sun that has graced us today. Now, you shall take the shillings and I the vegetables, then we will go our separate ways, clear of a squabble." Adverted I, snatching the shillings and holding them within the palm of my hand. "No deal, missy. Either show your face or leave." Said he, making my patience grow thinner by the second.
Gripping the hem of the hood and pulling it off my head, I gave in to the man's request and revealed my face. "You will gratefully take my money and hand me the vegetables, or I shall curse you and your family to sicken by the day, until you all may die a pitiful death."
The once headstrong man quivered at the thought of me granting him adversity. Quickly handing over the vegetables and taking the shillings, he uttered profanities under his breath. Hastily snatching the vegetables, I took Edward's hand and ran for the hills, scared the stall owner would have us detained for my little stunt. After swiftly retreating, the stall owner suddenly bellowed throughout the bustling markets.
"Enchantress! That girl cursed me!" He shouted, pointing in the direction we fled. My hood had flown off my head, freely trailing behind as we ran; Edward was trying so desperately to keep it covering his head with one hand, for only God knows what would happen if he was to be caught. Laughing, I thoroughly enjoyed the excitement and exhilaration coursing throughout my veins, giving me a boost in every step. I paid no mind to the people or things surrounding me; only the idea of rushing into Edward's home bounced within my mind. "Elaine! Watch where you're going!" Warned Edward albeit, within the midst of my excitement, I had vivaciously collided with a person and was harshly thrown back, landing upon the dirt road.
I felt immense pain flood into my head, my heartbeat pounding out of my chest, trying to break free from the cage it was held within. With my senses returning and becoming clearer, I saw Edward beside me, gripping my arm. "Are you alright, Elaine!?" Edward asked with an overwhelming amount of solicitude. I smiled meekly and with the help of Edward, I was back onto my own two feet; although, another protruding problem had arisen in front of us.
The woman whom I had crashed into looked at us with eyes full of disdain and disappointment, fury evident upon her features. "My dearest apologies, madam!" I apologised, curtsying in forgiveness. Alas, her expression of fury and displeasure soon twisted into consternation as if her life was full of perpetual bane.
"Y-Your e-eyes! They are c-cursed! You are cursed!" Shouted the woman, pointing her finger directly at my face. Due to her shouting, she had successfully gathered the attention of all within the market place, who now all gathered around I and Edward.
"Madam, I promise you I have not been cursed, I have lived with these eyes since birth!"
"So you have been cursed at birth!? Get away from us, you will have us all doomed!"
During all the excitement, someone from behind had ripped Edward's cloak off from his figure, revealing his snow-white features that were illuminated beneath the sun. Once I had noticed his cloak had been wrongly taken from him, I immediately sprung up and over to shield him.
"What is he doing here!?"
"The poor dears, I hope God can help them."
"Omens of disaster. So they're the reason the crops ain't growing anymore!"
Edward hugged me tighter, clasping onto my dress for dear life. He was so frightened, so petrified of what would happen that he started to quiver and shake, releasing tears that shook me to the core. "How could you!?" Bellowed I, making the crowd hush their insults. "How could you torment an innocent boy who only has been granted different features!? I find it appalling that you do so! Disgusting, I dare say!" After a few prolonged moments of silence, another within the crowd spoke.
"Different? You have no right to speak for that thing!" The man announced, a majority of the gathering agreeing to his statement.
The loud weeping of Edward rung and echoed throughout my ears, making me as well submit and become arrogated by the emotions of despair dwelling within me. Clutching onto Edward's hand, I swiftly stood him up and exerted all my strength to plough through the crowd as rocks began to descend upon us like the sky itself had proceeded to break apart. "Edward! Hurry!" Beckoned I, noticing Edward was trailing quite far behind.
As the stones landed on my clothed skin, I yelped in pain, praying to God that this torture would soon conclude; and as God shall, my prayer had been answered. Edward's house was only a few metres ahead. Using the last of my strength, I had pulled Edward and myself into his house, roughly slamming the door behind us. Placing a hand upon my heart, it was beating as fast as a soldier's drum before the commencement of a battle; my breathing was laboured and unsteady as I had run like never before.
"Edward? Elaine? Is that you two?" A gentle yet sickly voice spoke from behind us, it was Edward's mother.
"Mrs Barton! You should be resting!" Said I, hastily ushering her towards her bed.
"What happened? Why, you look as if you had run all the way to London, Elaine!"
"No need to concern yourself, you must focus on healing! Here," As she laid herself upon the bed, I went to retrieve a wet towel and some medicine. "Edward and I were only playing outside, and I must say, your son has the most astonishing smile!" I complimented, avoiding the recent accident we were involved in. Mrs Barton smiled, sinking into her covers and closing her eyes out of exhaustion. Gazing at her peaceful face, I wondered what it would feel like to be stuck within an eternal slumber; would it be a gift or a punishment? Although as I thought, the voices and awful words of the village people echoed throughout my mind as it if were some cave that carried such voices on forevermore; that I was held captive within that cave and could seek no light nor exit.
Salty, fat tears streamed my cheeks from my milky-white eyes, broken sobs making their way out from my mouth that caught the attention of Edward, who rushed over immediately to my aid. As he embraced me, I released my pent-up sadness within me from years of torment and cried within the arms of my dear friend.
"Why must this happen to us, Edward? How have you survived!?" I cried, nestling my head deeper into the shoulder I lent on and setting my frustrations free. Edward tried his very best to assuage my pain as he traced gentle circles upon my upper back. Oh, how I repine mankind! They shall treat you as one of their own if you appear to their standards alas, they will cast you aside and reveal their perfidious ways may you look or behave with the slightest difference. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I looked into the deep eyes of Edward. "You must live with me from now and so forth, for it is too dangerous for you to be habituated here." Said I, in a serious demeanour. Edward set his eyes onto the floor as if it had become more piquant than I.
"What about my mama? I cannot leave her alone when she is so vulnerable."
"We shall visit her daily, I promise."
Edward was hesitant, so hesitant that he began to cry. Cupping his pale cheeks within my hands, I traced my thumb over them so the tears would vanish. "Do not cry, Edward! For I make a vow to care for her till the day she may take her last breath." I assured, bringing his head into my embrace. "Come now, we must pack your things and write a note to your mama." Edward nodded his head, leaving me to grab the things he desired to take as I found a quill and began to write a note to explain our sudden disappearance.
With all his necessities packed, Edward and I stood outside of the deteriorating building he called home. I wrapped him within the cloak he wore before and securely fastened it to make sure that it would not be rudely stripped from him. Clutching onto his hand, we turned away from his house and commenced to my abode, walking through the dense forest as we wished to avoid any confrontations within the village. As we strolled and overcame obstacles within the forest, a saddening silence befell us, shrouding any happiness that was to swivel its way between us.
The silence was suffocating as if it held pressure that weighed down upon my shoulders; I believe Edward felt the same as his shoulders were slumped and his head as droopy as a dead stalk of a flower. "Edward, I happen to have a book at home which I think you shall enjoy." Announced I, wishing to lighten his mood only a smidgen or more. He nodded, smiling for a second and then returning to his glum features. Thankfully, it was not a marathon to walk from my home to Edward's as we were soon to arrive, facing the back door where Millie stood firmly in place. "Do inform me on why you have been missing for more than half of the day, my lady. Monsieur Emilio was to visit this morning!" Said she, trailing her eyes from mine and over to Edward's. "I presume another visit from Mr Barton shall be in place?"
"Not a visit, Millie; Edward is coming to stay."
"Stay!? And when did you seek my approval for this!?"
"I have yet to as the decision was quite recent."
Millie brought her hand to her chin, deeply contemplating the situation at hand. Letting out a sigh and brushing a hand through her ebony hair, she gestured for us to follow her. "Oh my, I must prepare for the dangers yonder," Millie sighed once more, facing Edward and pulling the hood of his coat over his face more. "keep yourself cloaked, Mr Barton, or we shall surely be discovered."
"Yes, miss Millie."
I cast a bright smile full of exulting glee as I held Edward's hands once more. "Edward, think of all the books we may read before bed!" I exclaimed, already excited for our sleepovers. Edward had lightened and his mood ascended, finding the good in our adventitious situation. "I want to learn to read as well!"