The Travelling River {ON HOLD}

Memories

Chapter 5 : Memories

The darkness consumed me. It was everywhere. I felt it. I grew closer and closer. I was suddenly in a familiar home, looking at my younger self. I looked childish, it almost made me giggle.

"Leo? Where are you off to, Leo?" I asked. It was one of the saddest moments of my life. My best friend, Leo Fells had run off with his parents. It was the last time I saw him. "Don't you worry about me, Princess. When I'm older, I promise I'll come back and prove myself worthy enough to marry you."

I sobbed and cried. "You are already worthy, Leo! Please don't leave me!" He hugged me for the last time, before facing the other direction and walking away. He didn't even look back, not once. "Leo!" I tried to run after them but a few guards pulled me back.

Another memory. My cousin was coming to visit. I was more than excited to have new friend, and even better, a girl! After Leo left, I had stopped eating for at least 3 days. Mother had told me that I was not to socialize with the villagers.

"Veronica, why don't you take Natalia to your room. Your aunt and I have lots of catching up to do." I smiled and nodded. "Come, Natalia! I will lead the way. She smiled and nodded. There was something off about her smile.

When we arrived at my bedroom she looked around and said, "You have dolls? Can I hold them?" She asked. I obliged and she happily picked up my newest doll. She broke the head off. I screamed. A maid walked in and saw. She ran off to probably tell mother or father.

Mother, Father, and my Aunt were here. I was crying so much that I could barely see. "What happened here?! Veronica, what did you do to your newest doll?!" My mother screamed.

Natalia spoke up. "We were playing with her dolls and she thought it would be a great idea to throw them around. When she threw that one around, the head fell off." Why that sneaky little brat!

"Is that true, Veronica?" She asked.

"Mama---"

"No, young lady! I am confiscating your dolls and stuffed toys!" She told the maids to take them away.

"But Papa! I didn't do it." I cried and clung to him. "Natalia, Viviana, Lora, I'd like to speak to my daughter alone."

The memory faded away.

"Hello." Someone said. I couldn't see anything. "Did you enjoy the show? That was all we had time for." Something was suffocating me. "You alright? I didn't know you were the Princess Veronica Penelope Ramone. What a pleasant surprise! If I may ask, what is a pampered princess such as yourself doing in a wretched and horrid place like this? Were you kidnapped perhaps? Ah, I see now! A merchant's assistant's outfit. You look rather peculiar in it, I have never seen you in simple clothing. Such a rebellious princess you are!" The same voice said. "Who . . . are . . . you?" I managed to say. I couldn't breath, it was so hard to. "Now now, calm down Princess Veronica, you'll certainly die from suffocation if you keep struggling, or talking."

A blinding light appeared and I could suddenly see. It was a person who was choking me. No! He was not a person! He was a demon, disguised as a person! Where am I? What did he want from me?

"You look delectable. I'm almost certain you will be a fine help to me. Now, since you will be my puppet for a few hours, what do you think I should do first? More horrid memories, nice memories turned into horrid ones? How about I create my own! Be a good little puppet and try not to struggle to much. It makes my job harder than it already is. You're my first person in a while." With a snap of his finger, I was no longer in control of my body and we were in a familiar place.

This is home! What is this demon up to? "Flora!" Apparently my name is Flora right now. I straightened up, or rather he forced me to straighten up. "Yes, Mother? Is there a problem?" I asked. My voice sounded very peculiar. It was soft and quiet. "In fact, there is, Flora!" She said my name with so much venom. "I told you to clean the dishes, you wench!" She raised her hand to hit me. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact. I didn't feel it. Instead, I felt someone in front of me, shielding me. "Viviana!" I yelled and she was hit down. Viviana? That sounds like my mother's name. Realization hit me. This was my aunt and mother's life as peasants before they were married to rich noblemen. They were so young. Mother looked absolutely beautiful, even though she had a few cuts on her cheeks, blood dripping from it, and her eyes were glassy. Her hands and feet had cuts as well. "Viviana! Leave! This is none of your business."

"None of my business, you say? You were about to hurt my younger sister, I think this is my business. Flora, go to Papa and stay with him." She turned to me. I shook my head. "I'm not leaving!" I said. "Flora!" She yelled so loud that I jumped. I ran off and searched for Papa by the mines.

"Papa? Papa? Excuse me, sir, do you know where," I paused to remember his name, "Cory is?" I asked. "Cory? Oh, didn't anyone tell you? There was a gas leak in the mines when your father was there. Sorry pumpkin, but he's dead."

So that's why Mother became teary whenever I tried to bring up Grandfather in the conversation.