It had been a few hours since Amillee had put me to bed and I estimated it was around 9:00 pm. All sounds of maids and servants had died down and I guessed they had probably gone to sleep.
There was no time to loose. I jumped out of bed quickly, pulling on my dressing gown and sliding into my slippers. Carefully, I picked up the candle sitting on my nightstand making sure not to knock it over.
'I must not risk revealing my escape to anyone' I thought, 'Once I'm out of here I'll have a better chance of escaping'
I slowly trudged across the carpet toward the door. I gulped. The door handle creaked as I turned it and the door shifted open revealing a dark hallway. Nobody was in sight.
I sighed a sigh of relief that I didn't know I was holding. I peeked out of the door cautiously checking my surroundings.
I started creeping down the corridor making sure to check behind corners for any light or ways out. I tiptoed quickly to a window pulling apart the curtains and checking outside.
The moon gleamed shining beams as bright as daylight into the once dingy hall. The garden was large and surrounded the small palace and the forest started behind the tall gates.
'I shouldn't be too far from the exit now' I pondered excitedly, rushing quietly toward a set of large doors easily double the size of my height.
I turned the creaking knob slowly, my heart thumping in my chest. Even though it was necessary to leave, I still felt guilty for leaving loyal Amillee and the servant alone in this place.
One of the doors slowly screeched open revealing a smooth patio and a path leading up to the towering gates. I couldn't help but think that it looked like a road out of hell the way the shadows of trees and bushes loomed ominously over it.
I slowly stepped down onto the path closing the door quietly behind. 'There's no time to loose' I thought.
I started running towards the gates The candle's flame flickered in the wind making me remember the danger of keeping it outside.
Somehow the chances of me surviving in this body in the woods seemed more slim by the second. I bit my lip in anguish and I quickly blew it out keeping it close to my chest.
'I'm not trying to start a forest fire in my hour of escape' I thought clutching the candle's handle. I suddenly found myself before the barrier separating me from freedom. The bars were thick and the gaps between them were wide enough for my small frame to slip through quite easily.
One by one, I sneak my arms and legs between the gap. I held my breath hoping I could make it through without cutting myself on a piece of metal.
I looked back at the house a feeling of loneliness echoing off the walls and a deep longing from my heart. I was now on the other side of the gate now and the shadows of the trees spread ominously over the dirt road leading away from the mansion.
Taking a deep breath, I started down the road weaving in between small trees and weeds.My slippers were dirty and slightly damp from dew. and the candlestick was smoking from the recent fire.
The road seemed never-ending and dark. I tucked my delicate hair behind my ear and I started sprinting. It was rough and seemed like rocks were jutting out of the ground anywhere I looked purposely trying to trip me up.
After a few minutes, my breath quickened and my chest felt dry and tight. There were too many breaths and not enough time to breath them. I leaned up against a nearby tree to empty out the mud in my slippers.
'I should've found better running shoes' I thought critically. There wasn't much choice back at the mansion and believe me, I had checked anytime I could've during the day.
The rim of my nightdress was slightly splattered with dirt and my slippers were caked with dew and mud making my feet feel soggy. I glanced up after catching my breath and I flinched. Noise. Coming from just beyond the bushes.
Cautiously, I tiptoed past the overgrown greenery and lights came into view. I squinted letting my eyes adjust to the sudden light. A village! I grinned happily.
Lamps and a murmur of laughter and shouts came from a pub just down the hill. A sign hung from the side of the building labelled 'The Black Dog'.
Just then, a bell from just outside the door rung out as the door swung open. A girl ,around 17 years old and wearing a brown dress and an apron, came out of the pub holding a wooden bucket in her hands and whistling joyfully. While watching her, the mud from under my feet had moved slightly sending me falling down the hill.
I collapsed onto the mud at the bottom of the hill and I heard a loud gasp from nearby. I quickly sat up ignoring the mud smeared over my clothing and legs and I glanced over in the direction of the gasp. The girl had now dropped her bucket and had her hands cupped over her mouth in surprise.
"Oh my Lord, are you okay?" She asked rushing over to my keeled over body.
"Uh...I'm not entirely sure. I'm just tired that's all and I lost my balance. Yes, that was it." I replied struggling to get up from my sitting position on the mud and picking up the candlestick.
The girl took my arms and helped me stumble to stand up. Mud was now inside of my slippers and made me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was.
"Let me introduce myself," The girl said putting her hand out for a handshake "My name is Victoria it's nice to meet you."
I hesitantly wiped my hand on the clean part of my dress before reaching out to shake her hand.
"Thank you, you can call me... Rose" I replied biting my lip. I don't think she would know who I am but it's probably better to keep my new full name hidden for now.
Victoria had dark brown curly hair (down to the middle of her back) tied up in a loose ponytail tied with a silk green bow. Her eyes were also a dark hazel with tints of light brown which were barely noticeable in the dark. She had light brown skin that complimented her eyes and
"Would you like to stay a night at the inn?" She asked curiously waving her hand toward the pub. "I work there and if you don't have any money you can pay in washing up."
She giggled after her statement and I couldn't help but smile along with her happiness.
"I think I would like that." I replied smiling happily to her, " I don't suppose you have any jobs available? Just a question since I've actually been looking for one."
Victoria beamed with excitement and led me toward the back door of the pub.
"We were looking for someone to replace an old employee..." She said unlocking the door with a key she had pulled out of her apron.
A lamp was posted just outside the door luring a few moths to flutter around it bouncing against the glass.The sound of grasshoppers and midnight birds filled the air as Victoria creaked open the door letting me inside.
It was a kitchen full with rushing women with plates and drinks of alcohol. Talking filled the full and everyone was either running of walking quickly.
"This way!" whispered Victoria taking my wrist calmly and leading me through the crowds of people. My shoulders collided with other people who then shot me angry looks.
"Watch where you're going kid!" Someone said angrily to us and we pushed past.
"Sorry Blythe!" Victoria called out not looking back and leading to a set of clear stairs past an open door.
She sat me down and leaned closer to my ear.
"If you go upstairs to your right there should be a girl my age who will help you. She's called Soleifi." Victoria whispered to hesitantly in my ear.
I nodded and I lifted my nightgown so I could stand up.
"Thank you" I whispered back as I turned to go up the stairs.
Each stair creaked quietly as I set my foot on it making me wince. As I reached the landing at the top, a small voice reached out from the right. Before I had time to react, someone had pulled me by the arm into the nearest room making me lurch in that direction.
"H,hey!" I called out in reaction to the sudden movement.
"shhhh" said another voice firmly that seemed to be the same person who was shutting the door of the room. It took me a few seconds to catch the mysterious person's face.
"Are you Soleifi...?" I said hesitantly to the person.
It was a girl with hazel hair reaching just below her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep seaweed green darker around the rim. Freckles were dotted along her nose and cheeks. Thin, wired glasses were perched over the bridge of her nose.
"Yes, I'm here to help you get cleaned." Soleifi grinned, "I think you need it."