Blood, Sweat and Fears

Hello, my lovelys! I have been commissioned by Hulu to write a sample contest entry for their new Original series, The Handmaid's Tale premiering April 26th. I honestly feel so honoured to be apart of this campaign because the TV and Film industry are a huge passion ofmine and to have the opportunity to work with a brand such as Hulu isincredible. I'm actually starting University this summer to study Film so thisis really exciting for me. I hope you guys enjoy my entry and take part in thecampaign as well by submitting your own entries for the contest.

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Blood, Sweat and Fears

The morning air was crisp and Alice wrapped her jacket closer to her body as she made her way through the market square. She could feel the cold cobbled stones beneath her feet. She might as well have been barefoot, she thought as a shiver of cold licked her soles.    

The villagers had started to gather in the square. Alice weaved in and out of the crowd, keeping the cap low over her eyes.

She knew from the moment she entered the narrow alleyway that they were waiting for her.

"A woman is not a weakness but..." She whispered and waited sensing the bodies hidden in a doorway.

"...a strength." Two figures replied as they emerged dressed in the same attire as her. To anyone else they looked like three stable boys.

There were no more words said between them. Alice had discovered the two girls starving to death down a backstreet. She had handed over the loaf of bread she had swiped from under the baker's nose and watched as they filled their stomachs. 

She had spotted the two girls trailing her a few days later and offered to teach them the art of sleight of hand. Once they had stolen enough food from the stalls they made their way down the empty backstreets to where the poor were waiting with aching stomachs.

Nodding at the two girls Alice made her way back out into the square, her eyes already locked on the bakers stall. She knew the risks but it was the sunken, gaunt faces that made all the risks worthwhile.

Stealing from the Baker was always easy, a bread roll or two, she was too fast for anyone to notice. Alice moved on, stuffing the rolls into the pockets of her jacket. She spotted a small stall that was selling tarts. Alice smiled.

Creeping up behind a lady she had just seen place a tart in her bag, Alice dipped her hand in and...

"You there!"

She began to turn but it was too late. Someone grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her through the crowd.

"Do you know what happens to little boys who steal?"

Alice spotted the two girls lingering on the edge of the crowd, she pleaded with her eyes for them to run, to leave her and escape unnoticed.

A small crowd had gathered around to watch the morning's entertainment.

Alice gulped, swallowing her fears. She would not allow herself to be scared.

The man pulled her head back and snarled in her ear, "How about I take you to see the officers, I'm sure they'd like to know what you've been up to."

Alice ripped herself out of his grip by thrusting her body forward. She fell to the ground, her hair circling her face.

A collection of gasps came from the crowd.

"Stop!" Someone called.

"That's the Princess! Princess Alice."

She could feel everyone's stare on her face and her recognisable red hair.

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