Kept Promises

I made a promise back then. One that I would keep no matter what happened. She lay dying in my arms and even then Emelia still cared more for how I was doing. “Go live a happy life.” Is what she told me, the one we planned together. Soon after that the light faded from her eyes and I was left with nothing but a body. Her body. Alone It was her dying wish so I would keep it. 

I had a long journey ahead of me before I got to the place we wanted to head home. Across Torospeas, over the Khadijiah Mountains, through the Continental straits and into Escaria. There I would find the spot I proposed to her. A cliff overlooking a lake. NEarby would be Onirose, the place she’d grown up in. It had always been her dream to settle down here and start a family. One that had now been passed down to me.

I built a house here, two stories, enough to house a small family. One she had wanted to start. I furnished the building the best I could, interior design was never my strong suit, it was more her thing. Till I learned more about it I would make due. After about a week I moved everything into the building, her stuff found itself drifting to the closet. I had started to find it more and more difficult to look at it every day. I’m sure she would understand, I’m sure she would do the same.

I had started to sleep better each night, sure they were lonely but at least I was able to sleep. Then after a few weeks of living here I awoke to noise downstairs. I creeped down the stairs following the noise into the kitchen. The curtains were blowing away from the window, and something was in my pantry digging around. I grabbed a broom ready to scare the creature away. I creep closer, careful to remain hidden from the thing so as to not spook it before I have a chance at it. I bring down my weapon of choice when I am with range, I immediately hear it break out into tears. Animals don’t usually sob, at least none that I have seen.

I light a candle and hold it into the pantry sitting there curled up, is a young girl. In between gasps for air she begs, “Don’t hurt me. Please.” as she starts to turn around and back into a corner. I set the broom down and offer her my hand to help her up. She responds by throwing an apple at my head. It splits and falls to the ground. Standing up I go over to the stove and light its flame. If she was hungry enough to break into my home then I’ll at least get her something to eat. Once lit I go back over to the pantry and reach over her to grab some carrots and meat. This elicits a muffled scream from her as I get close. I look down at her frown and shake my head disapprovingly. Then back to cooking I go.

While I make a stew she doesn’t move from the pantry. She seemed to be too scared to even try. While the pot simmers I get some bowls out and light the torch in the room so everything is illuminated. Once the table is set I pull out a chair and motion for her to sit. She doesn’t move. I speak for the first time in a long time. “Sit!” My voice came across gruffer than I hoped, more of a command than an offer. She hurriedly stood up and rushed over to the chair like a child being put into time-out. She seemed like she thought she was in trouble. So I gave her some of the fresh stew. She stared at it for a while in disbelief for a few moments before scarfing down the entire bowl. I soon got her more, where she slowed down and started to enjoy each bit rather than eating as if her life depended on it.

While she ate I finally got a good look at her, deep brunette hair down to her mid back in a disastrous rat’s nest. Her clothing looked like it had never been washed and it looked akin to a potato sack. Her eyes were sunken leading me to believe she had not slept well in a long time. As I gave her one last look over she turned the bowl to the sky to get the last of its contents and that is when I saw the most glaring part of her appearance. A dark blue mark around her neck. The mark looked similar to hands gripping something. I stared at them for a few moments too long and she caught on.

She brought her head down and the shirt up to cover it. Her eyes darted to the ground as she looked for a way out. I spoke again trying to keep my voice low, “Stay here the night. No one can hurt you here.” She looked up at me scared, I wasn’t sure what to do about her so I would just do what I think Emelia would. “Just stay the night, there is a bedroom upstairs. I’ll stay down here and make sure no one else comes here.” The girl looked around the room where her eyes landed on an ornate sword sitting in a display on the wall. Then she came back to me.

“One night.” She then got up and headed to the bedroom I offered her. Once she left I picked up the food and got myself ready for the night too. The bruising on her neck seemed fresh, couldn’t be more than a few days old. I hope they don’t come looking for her.

I wonder what Emelia would think. Would she be proud of me, watching over this girl? Making sure she’s safe. I hope Emelia makes sure I stay safe. I hope she still has my back like I had hers. 

I sat at the base of the stairs all night. I told her that no one would come for her, and that’s something I intend to do. When the sun rose I made my way to the bathroom. I was going to run a bath for the poor thing. What kind of host would let their guests leave filthy. Once it was nice and warm I went to wake her. As I ascended the stairs I heard a soft cry from the bedroom. I pressed my ear to the door to listen in. The girl was talking very quietly. I could only pick out a few of the words, “No, Stop, Help, Mom.” After she settled I entered the room with a knock on the door. 

“I have a bath ready for you down stairs. You should use it while it’s still warm.” The girl rubbed her teary eyes and nodded a thank you to me. After a few moments of self collection she walked downstairs with me to get cleaned. Before she got in I had her slid her clothing out to me so I could get them washed up. 

I took the clothing to the kitchen sink and attempted to wash them. The tunic had holes in it everywhere. It was barely enough to keep one’s self covered up, let alone warm during the night. As I was starting to wash it the holes started to get larger and larger until it was in 3 different pieces. Good job, now she doesn’t have anything to wear. What am I going to do about that? What would Emelia do? 

She would give her anything to wear. With that answer I made for my bedroom to look through the clothing I had. All of my outfits were dozens of sizes too large, it would be like giving her a towel to wear. There was only one thing in the entire house that might even come close to fitting her. The stuff that Emelia used to wear.  I don’t want her to wear it but Emelia would. In the box I had her stuff in there was only one thing that would be small enough for her to wear. The outfit I proposed to Emelia in. A light gold dress that used to have some gems embedded in it. Even if I didn’t want her to wear it I had to let her.

I got back to the bathroom just as she finished her bath, where I slid her the outfit. “Sorry, yours is broken.”
“Are you sure? This looks expensive?” She seemed wary of accepting a gift.

“It is. I’ll want it back.” She took it and tried it on. When she came out it was drooping slightly. The length of the dress was on the floor and the arms were past her hands a few inches. “Let me pin it.” I grabbed a few needles I had in a drawer. She kept her gaze away from me as I did my work. I folded the arms back and pinned them so she had access to her hands, and then did the same for the bottom. 

“Follow me.” I told her. I was going to bring her to a friend of mine in Onirose who could get her some clothing. 

“Where are we going?”

“You need some clothing.” With that we set off for the few hours trek to Onirose.

The gates were open once we got there, as they usually are on nice days like this. As I started walking to Claire’s I got a few strange looks. Walking with a girl in loose fitting clothing while I was staunchly ignoring her never looked the best for anyone. Either I was a pervert of her father and I was unjustly ignoring my daughter. Either way I still kept on, rather ignore what everyone else thought than listen to it. 

When we made it to Claire’s I was greeted by her chipper attitude immediately. The old woman shot up upon seeing me. “Stirgis! So good to see you. What brings you by?” Then she saw the girl behind me. Claire shoved past me. “And who might you be? Emelia never told me you two had a kid?” She was down on her knees pinching the girl’s cheeks.

“I’m here to get her some new clothing. And no she is not my daughter, just someone who wandered into my house last night.”

“Fine, just sit here and I’ll go see what I can do for her.” Claire grabbed the girl’s hand and pulled her into a separate room. I sat there for about an hour thinking about what to do next. I could see if she had parents, if not bring her to the orphanage. Though the orphanage wasn’t the best place for a child if Claire was to be believed. After about an hour I heard some glass shatter and Claire shout for me.

I rushed into the room. The window out into the street was shattered, Clarie was laying on the ground with blood coming out of her scalp. The girl was nowhere to be seen. “Stirgis. They took Maria.” I must’ve looked a bit confused for a moment, “God damn idiot, it’s her name. How have you not asked it? Find her. Hurry!” Claire was starting to sit up as I jumped out the window. 

I scanned the street, it was busy though I did catch a glimpse of the golden dress. She was being pulled down an alley. As I was pushing through the crowd I thought I could hear Emelia’s voice, “Save her dear.” As I rounded the corner Isaw a man slap Maria hard enough she fell to the ground.

“Don’t try that again you brat. I gave you a place to stay and this is how you repay me.” The man seemed angry with her. I ran straight at him. He turned just in time to get tackled to the ground. I wasn’t going to let another person get hurt, let alone die. He tried to fight back. A swift punch in the jaw knocked him out. I turned toward Maira.

“Maria, I’m sorry about him. I broke my promise to you.” I shifted my eyes to the ground, the disappointment in myself was abundant. Soon though my shame was washed away as I felt her arms wrap around my neck.

“Thank you.” She started to cry so I held her close. I stood up with her in my arms. I walked her home with an offer to stay with me awhile longer, at least until she was willing to be on her own.