THE FOREST QUEEN

CHAPTER ONE

"Tomato soup again? Really mum?"

"Hush child, you should be grateful your father put so much effort in his job. Without him there will be no food on our tables and n-"

"I know I know, no clothes on our backs", I said cutting my mum off"

She says this everytime I complain about something. Dad works at the mine, the pay is small but it's enough to pay for our needs. Mum works at the tavern but she has the night shift so she's usually free during the day. Dad doesn't like her working there. There are some nights the customers get too drunk and turn mum into a punching bag or their personal slut. It makes my dad's blood boil but there's nothing he can do, the people in the tavern are above us in status and so if dad retaliates he might end up in jail or worse be killed.

"Why don't I get a job too so I can help out with money and so you can quit your job"

"Child don't say something like that, you're only 16"

"Yes but I can work"

"Enough Annora"

I kept quiet.
Mum had been working in the taverns for as long as I could remember. It was dangerous and difficult work, and she was always coming home with bruises and cuts I knew the men who frequently went to the taverns for drinks were taking advantage of her, but I couldn't do anything to stop it. I felt so helpless and angry, but there was nothing I could do. I just wanted her to be safe, but It felt like a hopeless dream. I understand mum is just trying to look out for me. Her and dad have given me everything I need since I was born. I've never gone to bed hungry or cold because they took care of me. But I can't stand seeing mum come home with bruises and dad exhausted and dirty.

"Annora", my mum called sweetly

"Yes mum"

"I got that cocoa bread you like"

I looked into the bag and sure enough was the cocoa bread I loved so much but mum hardly buys it because it's a bit expensive.
Tears ran down my cheek as I looked at my mother, she was shocked at first then smiled warmly

"My little girl", she said as she kissed my head.

Back at home...
I met dad sitting in our tiny dinning room, his head in his palms and I could see some drops of water on the table just above where his head was. I didn't see the axe or helmet he normally came home with but saw some money on the table along with a note. My mum who still had my hands in here squeezed it tightly.

"Annora could you please go to your room", mum said and I could see some tears well up in her eyes.

"Yes mum"

I didn't bother greeting dad as I passed him by, I knew he wasn't in the good mood now.

I got to my room and I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation but I couldn't hear anything. The walls are very thin so they could either be very quiet or they're not talking at all. Just as I was about to give up and take a bath I heard my dad say "I'm sorry" then my mum burst into tears. My heart stopped for a second I knew what this meant. Dad had been fired.

I can't believe it, I just can't. Dad had lost his job at the mine. The shock of the news hit me like a ton of bricks. My dad had worked at the mine for as long as I could remember. It was all he knew how to do, and now suddenly he was without a job. My mind was racing as I thought about all the implications of the news. How would we pay our bill? How would we put food on the table? I felt a knot on my stomach as I thought about the future. I was overwhelmed with worry and concern. My thoughts raced as I tried to figure out what we would do next.