Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

A Strange Woman

Lucinda's point of view

I drag my feet as I walk through the village. My eyes flickering around me as I try to find Isabelle. Everything looked so blurry. I sniff and wipe my eyes with my wrist.

Maybe I am being irrational. Maybe she is not missing, maybe she has just went out for a midnight stroll and didn't realize it was morning...

I shake my head.

No, no. That doesn't make sense. Isabelle hates going outside, she has said in the past (very loudly) she would much prefer staying inside with a god book to read.

"Look at her," I hear someone sneer. I jump out of my thoughts and glance to my side. I wince as I met some of the women's cold glares. "Glad someone finally put some manners into the woman."

"I have never seen that ugly girl wear a dress in my life!" One of the women laughs.

"If I was completely honest, I say she looked better when she wore pants." Another adds, I flinch and wrap my arms around myself. I glare down at the dress I am currently wearing. I now regret not changing out of my work clothes. Correction, I was fired. I sigh.

I don't have the energy to bicker with them. I barely slept last night, worrying about Isabelle and where she might be. It was long before morning when I started my search for her. Yet still, no luck.

"Excuse me, miss?" I turn to the voice, a middle aged woman stares back at me. "Might I ask, what are doing? You seem as though you are lost?"

I sigh. "I guess you could say that." I whisper to her, my hands rubbing my arms.

"Oh, my sweet dear, you look so tired! What on earth have you been doing?" The woman asks, her hand held over her chest as she gasped at me.

I shrug. "I... I didn't get much sleep, last night, Madame. I've been looking for my sister, and I have yet to find her." I dig my nails into my arms, trying to hold back the tears.

The woman tuts and shakes her head at me. "This won't do, dearest! Stop that, now!" She pulls my hands away from my arms, cupping them in hers. "I'm sure your sister is well, wherever she might be."

"I do hope so," I croak, groaning as I felt the painful throb in my throat. I forgot I didn't eat anything this morning. Much less drank anything.

"You sound so weak, my dear! Come, let me get you a drink!" She says and pulls me toward the village's well. She grabs the pale and pushes it into the well. "Well, my dear, tell me. How did you lose your sister?" She asks as she holds into the rope, lowering the bucket deeper into the well.

"I didn't lose her!" I snarl. "She... she just.. disappeared." I bite my lip and wrap myself in my arms. "And I don't know where she went."

"That is what happens, when you lose something, or in this case, someone." The woman groans and pulls on the rope, lifting up the heavy and full bucket.

"Oh, let me help you!" I say and move to help her when she waves a hand at me.

"Oh, never mind that, my dear. I got it." She smiles at me and grabs the bucket, placing it on the rock barrier of the well. "Well? Wouldn't you care for a drink?" She asks.

I lick my dry lips. Surely it would be rude to refuse... I nod and reach for the bucket, lifting up to my lips, I take in a few gulps. I sigh, the fresh water sweet to the tongue. I put down the bucket and wipe my lips on my wrist. "Merci, Miss...?" I drift off, now that I think about it. I do not know who this woman is. "I'm sorry," I apologize and pull a stray curl behind my ear. "I do not think I have met you before."