Eclipse

Chapter 2

★Aruna★

I've read so many books where a chapter starts off with the character saying that the sun is shining. I look at the sky now, seeing that those stories were false hope. Hope for a change that I won't possibly see. The rest of mankind can hope to see the sun again when the eclipse is gone, but I will forever live in the dark for as long as my heart beats.

I make sure that my low hanging mask, that straps on just below the eyes, and my hood are on correctly before crouching below the broken wall, covered by vines and leaves. I step through, covering my dark blue robes from getting caught on thorns and tearing. I stand up straight again and cover the opening once again.

I look around the alley that the hole leads to before I begin my descent forward. I exit the alley, continuing on the busy street. I keep my hood low and keep my eyes ahead of me. I look at each stand in this low-class section of the kingdom. I hear marching in the distance, though it is far enough for the royal guards to be out of sight.

I set my eyes on a fellow woman walking toward me. This one, based on her clothes, is a married woman. She wears a tight, yet not too revealing, dress. The dress hangs loosely at the knees, and the collar bone is shown, with only two inches revealed below it. The sleeves are long. The dress is dark blue, and her brown hair is tied into a bun. This is the standard outfit and regulations for a married woman.

I slip closer to the woman and bump into her, causing her to stumble. I grab onto her hip, stabilizing her. I apologize profusely, insisting that I have a bad ankle. I look at her with pleading eyes, the same eyes that communicate that you are being beaten.

The woman stands up straight and assures me that she is alright and that she is not upset. We go our separate ways, and I grab my new coins, looking over them. I have enough in my hand to buy a loaf of bread, thanks to that woman.

I smiled to myself and walked to a stand with bread and cakes. I greeted the woman. The woman, Marel, already knew me from my previous visits. Though, she didn't know me for my real name. "Ana, how are you today? How's your sister?"

I smiled and handed her my coins. "She's good. I'll take a loaf of wheat bread, please."

Marel handed me the loaf and grabbed the change. "There you go, Honey."

I nodded and thanked her before turning and walking away. I held my bread close to me as I saw the royal guard turn the corner. I, and a lot of other women, checked our outfits. I made sure my mask was on correctly and that my hood was on. I made sure my signed slip was in my pocket on the off chance that they would stop me.

I suppressed the urge to both scoff and gag when I saw them. They make me sick. They passed me and I felt instant pressure leave my shoulders. It seems as if all the other women felt the same.

I heard a sound not too far in front of me. I looked around for the culprit. A woman at her shop was swatting someone away with a broom. I couldn't see who or what it was at this angle, but I had an idea. I smiled to myself. If he doesn't change this kingdom's views, I don't know what will.

Before I knew it, the royal guard was marching right back, faster this time. I smiled wider, amused. I was, for once, grateful to have this mask.

It amused me how much the royal guard hates that guy. And it all started with a rebellious kid. At least, that's what they say. I think it's more a fact of identity than anything, considering the fact that he doesn't complain about male laws, but only being forced to wear a robe and mask.

I continued on my way, going a completely different direction than my way home. I couldn't risk being followed. Exiting the kingdom without clearance will result in execution due to suspicion of being involved with an enemy nation. That is definitely not the case for me, but other people don't know that. I circle around the town before concluding that no one is following me. I make my way back to the broken wall.

While I'm on my way, I see two little kids. They are sitting against a wall with their mother sleeping next to them. I saw the little girl holding a signed slip. The woman had permission from her husband to be sleeping out here. The two kids looked malnourished. With the girl, I could tell only because her fingers were unnaturally skinny. It becomes increasingly obvious when a girl is being abused under these laws. To a foreigner, they may not see the signs, but us women learn to look for the small details.

I look at my loaf of bread. I unwrap the cloth and tear off a third of the loaf. I walk to the two kids, crouching down. I smile at the boy and girl. I hand them the piece of bread. "Do me a favor," I say. "Wake your mother up and share this with her."

The kids' eyes lit up and they nodded in unison. I felt warmth inside as I stood up and left them to excitedly wake their mother up. If I had more that I could give, I would. But I'm already going to get in trouble for the bread that I'm missing. 

I continued on my way to the wall. Once I got back to the alley, I checked to make sure no one was watching. I was about to move the leaves and vines when I stepped on a paper. I moved my foot off of it and picked it up. 

Nice exit, Moon.

-M.S.

I smirked. So, he's noticed me. How long until the royal guard does? Or even a random civilian? I turned and looked at the rooftops and the alley. Is he watching right now? I couldn't tell. That guy is honestly a mystery. No one knows much about him because he doesn't go spewing his beliefs. He simply tells us what he wants by his actions and protests. I have an unpopular opinion about it all, though.

I stuffed the note into my pocket and moved the leaves and vines. I ducked under the wall, going through, and covered it again. I brushed the dirt off of my robe. I pulled my mask and hood off in disgust, finally being able to breath. I ripped my hair out of the bun as soon as possible, letting my very long, white hair, hang loosely. 

I stuffed the mask in my pocket as I walked to my cabin-like home. The walk was only a few minutes, but considering that these woods were humid and hot, it felt a lot longer wearing these clothes. Occasionally, it can be relaxing. That, though, is when I'm wearing something comfortable. Unfortunately, I would be either imprisoned or executed if I'm caught wearing it in public. I completely understand anyone who wants to rebel.

I approach the cabin, watching as my older sister chops wood out front. She wore men's clothes as she did. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hair was tied into a ponytail. Sweat soaked her clothes. I ignored her as I walked to the front door. "Did you get it?"

I froze, having hoped that she'd ignore me. Of course, she did not. I turned and looked at her. "Yes. I did."

She looked at the loaf in my hands before she walked closer to me. "Then why is a third of it missing?!"

I looked down at it. "Some people need it more than we do, Rya."

Rya scoffed at me. "Did you give our food away?"

I smirked. "Would you believe me if I said no?"

Rya clenched her fists and ground her teeth. "You can't just give our food away! What would mom think of this?!"

I clenched my fists, trying really hard not to do something rash. So instead, I turned and walked into the house, setting the bread on the wooden dining table. I walked to my room and, my version of gently, closed the door. 

If I didn't walk away from the situation, I would have escalated it way too much. Rya had gotten way too angry when I decide to use my god-given powers with her. It sounds a little cringy saying that I have powers, but it's what it is.

I sometimes fidget with my ice, or when there are too many people in town for me to make a safe getaway, I create darkness to cover my tracks. Other than that, I don't use it. My mother taught me not to take advantage of it. She used Elio as an example of what not to be. Not to use your powers when you can use the natural abilities you were gifted with.

I hate to think it, but ever since I was 13, when Elio officially became part of the royal guard, I thought about how Elio didn't use his powers unless absolutely necessary. My mom would hate me if she knew that I had similar beliefs to him. The only difference is my love for women's freedom. And of course, there's my want to live, which is the reason I don't live a normal life.

I managed to calm myself down once I got out of the wretched clothes. I hid the note from earlier. When I say that no one likes him, my sister is included. She would hunt him down if she knew.