Midnight Flight

Chapter 4

The two young people stood facing eachother for several moments

Philip's eyes widened as he took in the girl opposite. She was slightly shorter than him, with a slender build. She was dressed in an ankle-length brown dress with long sleeves, but her feet were bare.

Her hair was like straw, and reached midway down her torso. Although it wasn't as shiny and sleek as the hair of the many countesses and princesses that he'd met, it was the longest he'd ever seen.

It was her face that held his attention. Filthy. It was filthy. She had dark smudges on her cheeks, and mud caked on her forehead. Her eyebrows were indistinguishable, and nose coal- coloured.

The only light feature was her eyes, whose whites presented a shocking contrast. Her pupils, like the rest of her face, were dark.

The girl's eyes were equally wide, and she opened her mouth to speak, revealing strikingly white teeth.

Philip braced himself, glancing round to see a way of escape.

Maybe I can get away before the palace guards are alerted he thought.

'Your face!' She cried

Philip tensed, ready to sprint.

'It's all bruised- you have to get that cleaned up.'

He breathed out slowly, relieved.

'That's okay, I will. Thanks.' He mumbled, nodding at the girl.

Philip recalled an inn he'd passed on the way. He would get a room there for a few hours and get cleaned up before heading back to the palace.

Turning to the side, he began walking away.

'W-wait!'

The urgency in the girl's voice made Philip spin round and tense up. He knew it had been too good to be true.

The girl was stood where he'd left her, a pleading expression on her face as she appealed to him.

'S-sir, if you please. I have siblings at home, we're orphans. We have no money, i-if you please...' Her eyes began to shine with tears in the moonlight, and she clasped her hands together as if praying.

Philip felt a twinge of guilt. After, she had helped him, and he could certainly spare a few coins. Nodding assent, he reached into the small satchel that rested on his hip.

'Thank you so much, sir,' she said with a shy smile.

'What the-' Philip exclaimed as he brought out his hand, empty.
'My money, it's-'

'Sir?' the girl tilted her head, looking concerned, her smile gone.

'Gone! My money's gone!' Philip shouted, feeling the anger rise up in him.

'Y-you mean to say-' the girl's voice wavered

'Yes,' Philip yelled, 'It's all gone. None for you, none for me!'

His eyebrows drew together, and he kicked out at a glass bottle that lay nearby on the floor.

Clunk

It rolled over a few times, then lay still. Not satisfied, Philip kicked out again, but to the same effect.

The girl watched, her mouth open slightly in horrified fascination at the display of temper.

Roaring in fury, Philip picked up the bottle and threw it at the wall, causing it to smash. Splinters of glass flew through the air, peppering the muddy ground and reflecting the pale moonlight.

His rage abated, Philip took in some deep, calming breaths. Remembering the girl, he turned to face her.

'Look, I'm sorry, thanks for the help.'

She sighed, nodding slowly, 'I hope your face heals okay.'

Philip gave her a small smile, 'Thanks.'

Turning once more, he set out for the light of the main street, pulling his hood up and over his eyes.

Aaaarg

A high, piercing scream ripped through the night.