To Be Us

Chapter Six

"Leanna..." I gasp softly.

***

"My Lord. My name is Christian Nyx. My wife and I are the bakers here in Mikala."

"What is it that you wish to trouble me with today, baker?"

"It's our daughter, Leanna, my Lord. She went for a ride yesterday afternoon. She hasn't returned..."

***

"Leanna! You have to go back to the village!" I exclaim, "Your parents are worried almost to death!"

"You- you know my parents?" She whispered, "How?" She demanded.

"Whoa. Calm down. They came to Orona House to request the Lord to send a search out for you. Why didn't you go back?!"

Leanna stayed silent, looking out at the ocean.

"Leanna?" I questioned softly. She turned back towards me with a smile. It didn't reach her eyes, however, which were brimming with silvery tears. "Please. Don't cry, I'll help you back."

"I can't go back, Bailee." She said softly, tears tracing tracks on her cheeks. "Father wanted me to marry – so I did. But I dislike the man strongly."

I raised my eyebrows.

"Fine. I hate him. He hits me when I don't do what he says or when I question him. All he wanted was for his line to continue. And it will..." She trailed off, no longer attempting to hide her sobs.

"You don't have to be with him. Talk to your parents. Tell them he hits you. Talk to them, Leanna." I was really bad at comforting people. I couldn't see my words helping much. But they might have.

"Bailee... I do have to stay with him." She said so softly I could barely hear her.

"No, Leanna! You don't!" I cried. "He hurts you, Leanna. There's no way you have to stay with him."

Leanna just cried. "Bailee." She said softly, "I must. I absolutely must stay with him.

"You ca- oh. Oh. Oh no." I said, finally realising what she wanted to tell me. I collapsed against the tree. "You're pregnant."

| Author's Note |

I updated! A day late, but still. It's here, now I have to write the next chapter. I have good news though. There might be two upcoming short stories, but definitely one. I have planned both, but one of them's a bit weird. Look forward to that in the next couple of weeks. It'll be good, I've run the idea through my fellow nerds at school. Please don't kill me, they almost did.