the lord and the alleycat [COMPLETED]

Chapter Four

I awoke to the sunrise, bright orange and red bursting across the horizon. I stretched lightly before turning toward the door to see it crack open and the woman from the day before poke her head in.

"Good, you're awake," she shoved the door open further with her hip and she carried a tray of food to me and set it beside me on the bench. She didn't question my sleeping choice, but bustled around the room, completing the dusting I had wanted to do during the night. As I sat watching her, she glanced back at me and pointed to the food, "Eat."

I tried to use the utensil I knew was a fork to eat the fruit, but quickly gave into the hunger rather than the proper etiquette. Placing each piece into my mouth, I savored every bite, knowing after this meal, I wouldn't have anything for a very long time. I chewed the sausage and eggs slowly, feeling energy return to my body. I could go back now.

"Would you please bring me my clothes from yesterday?" I asked quietly after finishing the scrumptious meal. The maid slowly turned around from her dusting and looked at me incredulously.

"Miss, your clothes didn't survive the wash. We had to throw them out," she matter-of-factly stated.

I closed my eyes and hung my head. "But," I paused, feeling tears beginning to pool, "that's all I have."

"Oh, please don't cry, Miss," I felt the maid come to my side and sit. "We have other clothes for you."

"You don't understand," I shook my head violently. I raised my head and looked at her as a few stray tears escaped. "I have to go back, I worked so hard to save those clothes. So hard," my words ending in a whisper.

"What makes you think you are leaving?" I heard a voice from the hallway as Bennet appeared from the shadows. The maid stood up and curtsied before leaving the room. Bennet closed the door behind her and walked to me. Sitting on the floor in front of me, he tried to peer into the eyes I had lowered and I turned away from him.

"I have to go back. Hai—people are counting on me," I curse myself for almost speaking her name.

"Who?" Bennet inquired sternly. "Who is worth you returning to that place?"

"No one. Everyone in general."

"Ali," he sighed and I almost gave in.

"I have to go. Please bring me the clothes I had on when I got here." I spoke to him with my head turned and my hair hiding him from my peripheral vision. I knew if I looked at him, I would tell him about her. He can't know.

"Fine." He abruptly stood up and walked out the door. I tightly grasp the golden coin I had found in the corner of the window seat. While I know it's not right, I have to feed her and as many others as I can.

"You may take these, and I will not hear any of it, alright?" Bennet returned and laid new pants, shirt and coat on the bed. He also had brought a cloth filled so full with bread it was nearly overflowing.

"But, Bennet," I began and he closed his eyes and held up a hand.

"Please, Ali. Take it, as well as the blanket you have on you now." The pleading sound in his voice surprised me, but I silently pulled the blanket to the bed as he exited the room. I pull the clothes on and adjusted the food, blanket, and gold in my arms. The maid returned to the room and led me past the room I had seen Bennet come out of the night before. I saw him standing at a window looking out without a second glance at me.

"Thank you, my lord, for everything," I said as I passed. He stiffened when I said 'my lord', but didn't say a single word back. We continued down the stairs, and she lead me out a horse a buggy, most likely the same one I had hoped would take my life earlier the day before.

As the maid helped me into the buggy, she sadly smiled and said, "If you ever need anything, my name is Marie Forknot. If you ask around the market, they can point you in the direction of this house."

I smiled at the gesture, understanding it wasn't a real offer, and allowed the buggy to take me back to my home. The ride was bumpy, but I appreciated the fact I didn't have to walk back, considering I wasn't sure where I was anyway. As the grandiose houses with spacious lawns gave away to crowded and grimy apartment buildings, I knew we had to be getting close.

"Here you go, Miss," the driver pulled to a stop and I stepped out and nodded to him before he and the horse quickly trotted off. I took a deep breath and crossed the street, following the row of apartments until I located the slit I needed. Looking around and seeing no one was paying me any attention, I ducked into the shadows and entered the Alleyway.

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I know, short. 

<3 sborek