Ré's Sacrifice

Chapter 7 Stealing bread

"Stealing is bad unless you must in order to survive"

One day I woke up with a horrid groaning noise next to me. Poor wee Amélie was lying next to me, clutching her stomach, her face scrunched in pain and hunger, she was dying of hunger, we all were. My stomach felt like an empty cookie jar. It groaned and rumbled and wondered where all the food in the world had gone to.

Suddenly I could bare it no longer, I NEEDED TO EAT, and save my friends!. I ran out the pub door and down the street. The markets had just started to open. The bakery was up and running early as usual. I went to have a closer look. Several loaves of bread were stacked on top of each other. The smell was irresistible. I crept to the bread and made sure nobody was looking, then I took a loaf of bread and ran away. I thought I had gotten away with it before I heard a sharp shout coming from behind me. "THEIF! THAT LITTLE THEIF STOLE BREAD! I SAW HER!". I started to panic but didn't stop running. I heard footsteps following me and I ran even faster and didn't stop until I reached the door of the pub. Before I could open it though, several hands grabbed me from behind and I screamed as loud as I could. I bit someones hand when they placed it over my mouth and they slapped my face. Waves of pain ran down my face and my eyes filled with tears. Someone else tried to wrench the bread from my arms, but there was no way I was ever letting go of my precious bread. I held onto it tightly and struggled and kicked out at anyone who went in front of me.

Then the pub door opened and Evan stood there, sill in his night clothes, looking shocked. "What on earth is going on out here?" He shouted. Every one turned and looked at him. Finally the person who was holding my arm said "This brat stole bread Monsieur! She will go to prison for this!". I hated the thought of going to prison. "I had to, to save my friends!" I shouted. "Shut up!" A harsh voice spoke into my ear and I felt my arm twist. I cried out. "That would be unnecessary" a voice said "I will pay for the bread" I stared at Evan in shock. Then I realised it wasn't him that said it, it was Ebony. She was behind Evan but shoved past him to get to the front. I couldn't believe it, would she really pay to save me? Ebony handed the baker money to pay for the bread and the crowd moved away. Ebony took me inside and knelt down infront of me so she was level with me. "Do not, ever do such a thing again Rè, what in heavens name were you thinking? Stealing bread! You could have been imprisoned for a very long time!". Even though she wasn't shouting at me, I still felt heartbroken and my eyes filled with tears. "I'm really..really sorry, I just had to save my friends.." I sobbed. "Oh Ré..I am so sorry, I know how hard it is to starve..I promise to help you more, but you have to promise me that you'll never steal again..okay?" She spoke softly. I nodded and we hugged for a while. I still had my bread and I thanked her for saving us once again. That was two times she had saved me and I still hadn't done anything to return the favour. I felt terrible. I wish I could've done something that meant everything to her. Something which costed a great deal.

I loved Ebony with all my heart. I really had to stay with her. Forever and always.

I shared the bread with my friends. I made sure Amélie had the biggest share.

Ebony's bread saved our lives that winter. Another favour I didn't think I could ever return.