Blackhearted

Chapter 1: Running Tides

"Where are you, girlie? I will always find you. Your cleaning has yet to be done!!" A voice called. I breathe in heavily and hold the air in my lungs. Mrs. Lankber couldn't find me. I'd be beat again. Pain was sometimes an escape from my terrible world but also a burden. "Girlie!!! Where are you?" She beckoned. I was so tempted to walk out of this house so many times, but then who would feed me, clothe me, and shelter me from the brutal streets of Sumber? She was the only one to take me in when I was younger. I had been left by my parents and numerous people just walked by without a care. Mrs. Lankber and her husband took me in after coaxing me through their door with a small roll of bread. I'd lived here ever since, never giving a care about anything in the world. I knew I'd have to come out eventually so I quickly slipped out of the cabinet and started swiping at the floors with an old rag. "Ah! There you are, my sweet child. I was looking for you. You made me worried." She said as she leaned against the door jam and wiped her sweating brow with the back of her large arm. She always loved leaning against something or sitting in her chair. I looked up slowly, not wanting to startle her and get my face slapped again. She was a short woman with curly red hair and large cheeks.

You'd think she would smile more but her mouth was always turned into a frown. She only had two dresses, one for at home, and one for when the Choice was made during the Festival of Blossoms. The Choice was coming up. She'd make me buy a new dress with my savings that were stored for when times were rough and food was scarce. "Stop staring at me and continue your task!" She yelled. She spun on her heel and stormed out to go sit in her chair. That's probably why she's so large. She only walks a few steps. I carefully stood up and set the disgusting rag on the cabinet top. I heard a tap on the window. "What was that Arina!!! You best not be breaking my dishes!!!" Mrs. Lankber screamed from the sitting room. "Everything's fine, Mum. Probably just a poor bird." I called.

Jogging toward the door was slightly harder than expected because she was standing up and blocking the hallway to the front door. That's when crawling comes in handy. "You nasty child! You ain't goin' nowhere lookin' like that." Mrs. Lankber declared as she grabbed the back of my tunic. "March Arina. I didn't send you to school for nothin'!!" I began marching. With all her yelling, who ever was there probably ran away by now. I hated that about her. She always said I needed to start getting a suitor, but with all of her yelling she probably scared them away. "Wear that pretty blue dress you have. It sets off your pale hair. Oh, and that pretty hair bow we got for you last Spring." She sighs through the door as I carefully slid the dress over my head. No rips, no seams broken. How did I still fit in this tiny thing? "Hurry Arina!! We need you to be done with cleaning before sundown!" Mrs. Lankber scolds, her mood changing as fast as the wind.

I roll my eyes and tie my bodice. Swinging open the door, Mrs. Lankber starts pulling me to the old vanity in the corner of my room. "Your hair's a mess. I can't believe you wear it in this ratty style. You need to learn how to braid and put your fine hair in a bun before I die." She says as she starts parting my hair to start a braid. She used to love playing with my hair when I was younger, but now that I am seventeen, she only smiled when I did something right, like cleaning the floors until they shined or made myself look 'presentable'. "Now you're ready to go outside. Don't be long now." She adds as she patts rosy dust on my cheeks. I stand up quickly and walk as fast as my legs would carry me before she tried making my eyes sparkle again. Then I heard it again. A thump on the window. It clearly wasn't a bird. "Arina.....Arina Wellit!" A voice whispered. I threw open the door and slammed it shut again. I hike up my blue skirt and started running to the back of the house.

And there he was. Timothy Blackrun. Of course he came again. "Timothy what are you doing here?! My mother will skin you alive!!" I scold as I punched his thin shoulder. "I had to congratulate you incase you win this year's Choice. It is an amazing award after all." He answers with a grin. That signature grin that could tell you everything you needed to know. "So what are you joining in this year? Another art contest?" Timothy teases. He always teases me about my art. He loved my paintings and said I should ask to paint portraits of people. It'd get good money but I didn't like drawing people and most over exaggerate their looks so that they seem more esteemed and come from better families. "I don't know Tim. I've never tried a person before and you know I don't like doing people." I answer. "Then how about," he ponders with a finger on his temple, "How about you draw a crowd of people? Like at the town square? Or maybe..." He trails off. "Maybe what Timothy?" I snap. I was tired of his games. We hadn't had a civil conversation ever. He was childish and never knew when to grow up. "Maybe you could paint me." He whispers so quietly I almost don't hear it. My eyes go wide. I've never thought about drawing Timmy. He's never asked for a painting of himself. "Oh, Timothy. I never knew that you wanted me to draw you. Indeed, I've made many sketches already and I can't decide which sketch to paint." I say sorrowfully. "Then how about we go and pick out a sketch. I'll climb through your window tonight. I'll have a surprise for you, Arina Wellit." Timothy says with a hint of a smile. I nod and run back inside before Mrs. Lankber suspects anything.