Hidden

The grey fog curled around every object it could find. Large droplets of rain splattered across the land, drenching everything that it could reach. No-one dared venture further than their front gardens. Everyone could feel the sinister feel in the air, though they didn’t know what it was. Not a ray of sunshine had been seen for six days straight. Scientist’s were unable to explain this strange happening.

Deep in the countryside, in a tiny damp barn, was a young girl. She was barely older than seventeen but she was pregnant and close to giving birth. She was alone apart from two sheep and an old horse. The barn did little to shelter those inside but the girl barely noticed. She was muttering quickly in strange tongues and clutched at her swollen belly. Only she could hear the voices that answered her pained pleas. She knew she did not have long for this world. Her home awaited.

By morning the young girl held a tiny baby girl in her arms. Silent tears caressed her cheeks as she stared at the new life. “I shall name you Aimee,” she whispered. She got shakily to her feet and left the barn without a backward glance. Rain lashed at her face and she held the child close to her body, sheltered inside her coat. The inhabitants of Weasel Cottage jumped at the sound of the door bell ringing. Mr Davies, a large man with greying hair, grumbled all the way to the door. He had the shock of his life when he opened the door to find a tiny bundle on his doorstep. He gave a strangled cry and swept the baby up into his beefy arms. His thick black moustache twitched as he looked at the baby in undisguised disbelief. She had piercing green eyes and already had a tangle of dark hair.                                                                                                                                                                   “Maggie? Come and look!”