Elemental (Cancelled)

Chapter 2: To Market

The day had come finally! The time the crops fully bloom! From the small garden the orphanage kept, I knew that all crops bloomed at different times, but my crops always finished growing and ripening at the same time each year. Which meant a bumper crop once a year, which earned me enough money to last the next year.

I grabbed my wheelbarrow which I  had found when wandering the dark streets, and started to harvest my crops. It was a peaceful task, as none of the many plants I had grown struggled against my force. I whistled a jolly tune while I picked my array of crops while enjoying the gentle summer sun.

I had grown everything from Potatoes to Strawberries to even Lavender. The latter was very popular with the many ladies that visited my stall. I always kept a batch of fresh fruit for the baker, who was one of my best customers. He sometimes even exchanged them for cookies and fresh bread. Oh, fresh bread! My mouth seemed to applaud at the very thought of it! I'd never had bread at my orphanage; only cold, slimy, mushy gruel. The cockerel crowed. The market was starting! But they knew to wait for my stall, as I was very rarely on time as picking my crops took quite a few hours.

But today I finished faster than usual (Still late, of course.) ,which I felt was a good omen, surely.

I made my way to the market, thinking "Who knows? I may earn enough for some decent food". I liked my vegetables well enough but the thought of a decent meal melted my tastebuds. As I reached my market stall, I sighed contentedly and set up shop.

No one bought anything. No one even came near my stall. It was like they thought I had some kind of contagious disease! People kept giving me dirty looks, which was extremely unusual. Even the baker just walked on by, as if I wasn't even there. 

I couldn't take much more of that. Soon after, I grabbed a fistful of my crops; stuffed them into my wheelbarrow and headed for home.

I couldn't believe what had just happened. Why were they all avoiding me? Did someone spread rumours? It did seem like they were slightly afraid too, All these questions swam round and round in my head. Then one thought emerged out of all the others,

I had no money.