Different Worlds - A Luke Brooks Fanfiction

Chapter 4 - Sneaking Out At Night Isn't Exactly Always Bright

Sophia was getting sick of the constant bashing the workers were making; it was going to drive her insane. With a groan of annoyance she hopped out of bed, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness before her, as she quickly lit a candle, a faint light now circulating the room. Patting her dress down, Sophia walked to the door, and opened it as quietly as she could. She couldn’t be caught after dark, if anyone caught her, especially her mother, she wouldn’t see her next birthday.

After walking down the stairs she couldn’t help but feel a sudden longing for home, as back there whenever she couldn’t sleep her old maid, Matilda, would stay up with her, and talk on end until she would eventually fall asleep. While here, she didn’t think she’d get the pleasure of doing do. She sighed and headed for the back door, just to clear her mind a little, a cool breeze whipping at her exposed arms. She shivered, and considered going back inside, but she carried on walking, and sat down on the grass by a wooden fence.

There was a faint glow of the torches on the other side of the field from the convicts, who obviously didn’t have any shifts; it was just work, work, work. She felt a pang of sympathy for them, but brushed it off, as she told herself she shouldn’t be feeling that way for criminals, they were there for a reason. There was another sudden breeze, which made Sophia curl up to herself, really wishing she had brought a coat.

She then heard a faint rustle, before she was pushed over by something heavy, and found herself lying on her back, the figure now slumped beside her. With one movement the figure was now standing, Sophia guessing it was a boy from the muscles on his arms. She wasn’t that quiet and shy, she had seen boys, and observed them greatly. She wasn’t exactly one to shy away from something nice to look at.

“You’re a girl?” She heard him say in a thick accent, the sudden noise making her jump. “Excuse me?” She said flattered, not standing herself. She still couldn’t make out the boy’s face, and it was truly getting on her nerves. “I thought you were a rock.” Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. “So you were intentionally diving for a rock?” She heard a chuckle, before the moonlight finally passed a cloud, the white illuminate light causing wonders for his face.

He had messy brown hair and wide brown eyes, which in this light looked more hazel than anything. Her heart ached at the sight, but then quickly realized this boy had just knocked her over a few minutes before hand. “May I ask why on earth you were diving for a rock in the first place?” The unknown boy chuckled again, the sound ringing in Sophia’s ears like pleasant music. “Well you see I was hoping to jump over the rock, and hide, but that seems to be a waste of time now doesn’t it?” This puzzled her greatly. Why would he be trying to hide from something, or maybe even from someone?

He must have realized the confused look on her face. “I was hiding from the guards. I didn’t want them to see me slacking off, so I ran over here instead.” Sophia’s jaw gaped open at his words. He was one of them, one of the convicts she swore she’d never go near. With a sharp intake of breath she backed away, the boy’s eyes quickly shifting from amusement to a slight hint of hurt. He instantly threw his hands up. “No, no you must understand I’m not like half of those people over there!” He pleaded, Sophia backing up even more. “Step away or I will call for them to come get you and take you back to where you belong.”

He just shook his head, his hands now at his sides, like he was surrendering. “I won’t hurt you okay? Just please, tell me your name.” Sophia stayed quiet for a second, wondering if she really should tell him. She didn’t know him, he could have killed hundreds for all she knew. But as if she couldn’t control herself, she blurted it out anyway. “Sophia Carter.” As soon as the words escaped her lips she clamped her hand over her mouth, she eyes wide. The boy just smiled gently, before there was a shouting in the distance. With a look of worry, and one final glance, the boy whispered his name before running off again, the night whisking him away as he ran.