Shatter Me Twice

VI

RHEA
Gasping for air, my body jerked upright. My face had been pressed into cold, damp mud, and as I sat up, I could feel it clinging to my skin and hair. Blinking rapidly, I looked around, disoriented and confused. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was crisp and filled with the rich scent of earth and pine.

My clothes were filthy, covered in mud and grime, and my hair hung in tangled strands, also smeared with dirt. I took a moment to steady my breathing, trying to piece together how I had ended up here.

A distant sound of horses and the creak of a carriage broke the silence, snapping me out of my thoughts. I scrambled to my feet, my body aching from the sudden movement. Bending low to avoid being seen, I hid behind a nearby tree, peering out cautiously to get a better view.

The land sloped down sharply in front of me, forming a natural lookout point. The kind where bandits might lay in wait for unsuspecting travelers.
I pressed myself against the tree, my breath shallow, as I watched two carriages approach. The drivers seemed oblivious to their surroundings, focused on their journey.

The first carriage passed beneath me, its wheels clattering against the uneven road. The second followed close behind, the sound of horses' hooves echoing through the trees. I held my breath, my heart pounding, until they had both disappeared from sight.

Once the carriages were out of view, I stepped out from behind the tree, my eyes scanning the road below. Gathering my resolve, I jumped down the slope, landing softly on the road below. The forest was silent around me.

I paused for a moment, looking left and right, then began to walk in the direction the carriages had gone. My steps were cautious, every sound amplified in the quiet forest. I had no idea where I was or what awaited me, but I knew I had to keep moving.

The sun climbed higher in the sky as I walked, casting long shadows across the path.

The road eventually led me to the edge of a bustling village. The scene before me was a vibrant tapestry of life and activity. Chickens clucked and pecked at the ground, darting between the legs of villagers as they went about their day. The market was alive with the hum of conversation and the calls of vendors hawking their wares. Stalls overflowed with colorful fruits, vegetables, and spices, filling the air with a rich medley of scents.

The villagers were dressed in simple yet colorful garments. Men wore tunics and trousers, their sleeves rolled up as they worked or bartered. Women in flowing dresses and aprons moved gracefully through the crowd, their hair covered with kerchiefs. Children ran around in carefree abandon, their laughter ringing out as they played games and chased each other through the narrow streets.

As I walked through the market, I observed the array of goods on display. Baskets of freshly baked bread and pastries, their golden crusts glistening in the sunlight, tempted passersby. A butcher's stall showcased an assortment of meats, from plump sausages to cuts of beef and pork. An old woman tended to a stall brimming with handmade candles and soaps, their fragrant scents wafting through the air.

The buildings in the village were quaint and charming, with thatched roofs and walls made of timber and stone. Flowers bloomed in window boxes, adding splashes of color to the rustic structures. Decorative banners hung across the streets, giving the village a festive yet cozy atmosphere. It seemed like a place where time moved a bit slower, where the rhythms of daily life were dictated by the rising and setting of the sun.

I continued walking, taking in the sights and sounds around me. The villagers greeted each other warmly, their interactions filled with the easy familiarity of close-knit community life. I noticed a house that stood out, slightly larger than the others, with a well-tended garden in front. I came to a stop before it, taking a moment to absorb my surroundings.