The Magical Heart

The Truth

I awoke early in the morning, eager to get moving on my journey. I already planned out what I would do once I left. I would go to the old woman and ask her what else she knew, then I would leave the town, traveling place to place. It would be wonderfully adventurous and free trip where I could do almost anything I wanted without people who hated me wherever I went. I would be truly happy at last.

I hurriedly dressed myself and rushed down the stairs, grabbing a sack full of extra clothing I had prepared the previous night. I had to creep down the stairs so as to not wake my mother sleeping across the tiny hallway. Luckily, she wasn't awake yet. I could hear her light snoring coming from her room as I passed by.

Finally down the stairs, I snuck to the kitchen, taking dried meat and stuffing it into the bag along with as much bread as it could possibly hold. Then, I tied the ends of the bag, sealing it up. Now I had to get some sort of money so that I could find places to sleep when I traveled. I ran up to my room to see how much I had earned through saving my allowance. Only five linnings (basically ten dollar bills) and three knabs (the same as dimes). That might only last me a few nights at the most. I would have to "borrow" some money from my mother.

I crept up to my mother's bedroom door. She was still sleeping, her soft snores drifting through the air. I pushed on the door ever so slightly, causing it to creak a little. I froze, keeping absolutely still, hoping she wouldn't wake up. It seemed my prayers were answered, for the snoring continued. As quietly as I could, I tiptoed to the nightstand by the side of her bed, and attempted to open the first drawer.

Again, the drawer made a dull scraping sound as I pulled on it, and I froze with fear. The snoring never stopped. Sliding the drawer out until I found the money my mother was originally going to use for the market tomorrow, I opened my pouch and began stuffing the money inside. I took all but twenty linnings (ten dollar bills) so that she would still be able to buy what she needed. At least I would have all that I needed now. I figured I would work numerous jobs along the way.

I quickly closed the drawer and left the room, whispering "farewell" before shutting the bedroom door behind me. I raced down the stairs, excited yet nervous, and ready to go. I left a small note in the kitchen telling her that I had left, and headed out the door. Turning around from shutting the door, I jumped a little out of surprise. Standing there was none other than Jack. He looked just as shocked as I was, with his mouth hanging open as if he were about to say something.

After a moment of pure silence, I asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I was doing some early morning chores, and wanted to see if you were up yet." He replied.

"Early morning chores?"

"Yeah. I just got done milking the cows." He said. Just then, I noticed the four pales of milk that he was carrying on a stick across his shoulders.

"What are you doing?" He questioned, noticing the bag I was carrying.

"I was just going out of town to run some errands for my mother." I lied.

"Your mom never lets you go out of town, Kayla. Now what's really going on?"

Oh no, he was suspicious. This could be bad.

"Nothing. Like I said, I'm just running some errands." I tried to convince him.

"You were going to run away, weren't you! It's probably all because of what that woman said yesterday!" He exclaimed.

He was dead on, completely right.

"No..."

"You're a terrible liar Kay. That's exactly what you were going to do, wasn't it?"