Midnight stroll

Year 1848

"What is this called mama?" Asked the little girl to her mama who smiled at her and said," It's called a potato".
"So can I eat it?" Asked the Little girl again. She looked up to her mama with her cute round eyes and her mother smiled lovingly at her.

"Of course you can my love. But before that, you'll need to wash it first." Sarah said to her daughter who was only five years old.
"Okay mama". Little Marina quickly ran to the kitchen excited. With her excitement built up, she failed to notice the look of worry on her mother's face. But all too quickly, the look of worry vanished from her face. 'Everything will be alright, won't it?'. Sarah thought to herself but with no one around to reassure her, she sighed heavily and went into the kitchen to help Marina with the potatoes.

....

"Can I go out to the town today mama? It's time for the village fair". Marina excitedly jumped up and down as she asked her mother for a chance to see the fair. She had never been to the fair before but she wanted to see it this time. She was so eager.

Sarah bent down to reach the level of Marina as she tucked a piece of Marina's hair behind her ear. "Yes my love. We can both go and see the fair together".
"Yay!!!" Marina screamed so much that their neighbor looked at her as if she was disgusted by the sight of Sarah and Marina.

Sarah, noticing this, beckoned Marina to start walking. It was the time of winter. Snow covered the grounds all through out the village of Aston. But that did not kill the villager's excitement for the fair.

On their way towards the town square where the fair was taking place, Marina Asked her mother," why do the people always look at us strangely?" Sarah was surprised with the question. She saw the sad look on Marina's face which broke her heart. She answered, "Some times, people don't get along with other people and that's why they look that way." Even though Marina didn't understand, she just nodded and continued walking.

When they reached the faire, the little girl couldn't contain her excitement anymore. "It's so lovely mama." Marina said to her mother who laughed at her reaction. She was glad to see her happy. "Stay close to me Marina. It's too crowded here." Sarah said. Marina then spotted a toy rabbit hanging in one of the stalls.
"Can I please get this toy mama?" She pleadingly looked at Sarah as she pointed to the toy.

"Let's go then." Sarah smiled as Marina gripped her hand and pulled her towards the stall. In her excitement, she bumped into someone and almost lost her balance.

"I'm sorry." Marina quickly apologized when she saw the annoyed face of the person she bumped into. It was a boy of 8.
For a moment, there was a speck of red in his iris. But all too soon, it disappeared.
'Did I imagine it?' Marina asked herself.

The boy continued to stare at her with annoyance evident in his eyes. Sarah seeing this apologized once more then took Marina away. " Who was that mama?"
Marina asked as she kept turning to see if he was still there.

" I don't know Marina. He's probably a child from a noble family considering the way he's dressed." Marina nodded, still looking back.
"It's getting late. It's best if we return home. We can come back tomorrow to get the toy." Sarah said.
Most of the villagers didn't have the money to own a carriage but the village had local carriages which they made use of.

.......

"Have you seen the young master?" A guard asked in slight panic as he questioned the coachman. The coachman said, " He hasn't come back after the both of you went into the fair."
Both the coachman and the guard began to fret when they saw the young master approaching them.

"We thought we lost you young master" the guard said in relief after seeing him walk towards them.

"Simon", the young master also known as Daemon, called the name of the guard who looked startled. "Have you seen a little girl of about 5 years with long black hair and black eyes before?"

"...young master, a lot of little girls have black hair and black eyes." Simon responded confused.

"I see." Daemon murmured and then climbed into the magnificent and large carriage. Simon scratched his head and then closed the door of the carriage. He settled into the seat next to the coachman and the carriage slowly took off.