A Gaze-less Stare | Fear Street |

{ II } Within' These Woods

1666

Eleanor had started the morning chores early the next morning.

After waking up to the chiming of the neighbors' bell, she hurriedly dressed for the day, opting for tying her hair back and hiding it under her bonnet rather than waiting for Constance's help with her braids.

After she had cleaned and prepared the kitchen for Abigal, she grabbed her basket and shawl before slipping out of the still quiet household.

"You've risen early, Slater." A strong voice called out to Eleanor as she walked down the dirt road.

"Mornin' to you too, Sarah." Eleanor greeted, diverting off of her path to walk towards the teen. "Shouldn't you still be sleepin'?" She inquired, continuing her work of raking away the straw that she had carried with her out of the barn.

"Sleep is for the unambitious," Eleanor answered with a shrug as she peered her eyes over Sarah's shoulder and into the barn. "How is she doing?" She questioned, looking over the swollen pig that laid on her side in distress.

Sarah let out a puff of air, leaning on the rake in her hand as she looked over the pig she had just tended to. "Should only be a few days out, the poor lass."

The Fier family was lucky that the old pig was still able to breed. She was the last one that they had, so the pregnancy was a blessing. "How many do you suppose she'll pass?"

"At least six. Aiming for seven."

Eleanor nodded approvingly before Sarah nodded down to the basket in the girls' hands. "Where are you off to?"

"Berry picking, hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to stumble onto some herbs. Then off to Solomon's, promised I'd help with the crops."

Sarah tsked slightly at the mention of the man. "They still dying?"

"Sadly, the poor man can't seem to catch a break."

Sarah nodded in agreement before leaning her rake against the house. "Well then, let me walk you some of the ways. These woods aren't safe for a girl."

Eleanor rolled her eyes at the protectiveness of the older girl. "It wouldn't be my first time." She stated with a grin though her words didn't stop the Fier girl from walking by her side.

"Hush or I'll be worrying all day." Sarah told her with a smirk as they walked through town.

"So, you're still staying with the Berman's?" Sarah questioned as they passed a sleeping Thomas. "I should only be with them for a few more days." Eleanor answered softly, though she noticed the way Sarahs' eyes wandered to the Miller household.

"That's nice." Sarah mumbled as her eyes locked on Hannah Miller, the pastors' daughter.

Eleanor smirked to herself as she watched the two girls shyly wave to each other before Sarah and her veered away from the town and into the woods.

"Can I ask something of you, Sarah?" Eleanor questioned once they had ventured far enough into the woods and away from the settlement. "But it mustn't leave these woods."

Sarah snickered at the girls' mannerisms as she looked over her shoulder and down the path they walked.

"Is it so dire?" Sarah questioned jokingly.

"Just promise me, Sarah." Eleanor pushed for Sarah to agree, holding her pinkie finger out at the girl who rolled her eyes at the motion. "Fine, fine," Sarah mumbled as she linked her finger.

"Well then, what is it?" Sarah groaned, noticing how the girl stayed silent even though she had agreed to not utter a word of their conversation to someone else.