The Fire Inside

3. The Market

Emmalynn had given Jimin more than what she'd expected. Jimin ended up wearing exactly what she had on before. The only difference was that she had on a tight black shirt instead of a white one. She wore her own worn-out boots and borrowed black jeans from Riley, which they had to stitch up to size.

Riley on the other hand, wore a silky black dress with silver floral designs. White lace adorned her collarbone. The dress went as far as her knees and she wore light brown sandals.

Emmalynn wore a navy blue deep-necked shirt and tights underneath. She had similar boots to Jimin and decided to wear those.

Jimin walked outside with the girls. In front of the hit was a crystal-clear lake. Jimin went up to it and looked at her reflection. She looked exhausted.

"I feel better than I look," she muttered.

"I'm sure."

Riley walked over to where Jimin sat and crouched down next to her. Jimin looked back at her reflection. Her eyes were soulless, cheeks sunken, and hair knotted. Her once golden waves were now rusted brown. She picked up a few locks of her hair and examined it. She grimaced at the split ends clearly visible in the daylight.

"Don't worry about that," Emmalynn said. She was still tying her boots by the door.

"I've never cut my hair in the first place, but with the dirt, it looks disgusting."

"Well these woods aren't exactly safe. You'll stay out there for a day and it'll feel like forever. Especially if you're as beat up as we found you."

"I guess so... thanks Emmalynn."

"Don't call me that. It sounds weird coming from you. Call me Lynn."

"Ok...Lynn?"

"Emmalynn! Jimin! We need to get moving now!"

The group made their way into the forest single-file. Riley led the three of them while Emmalynn made sure Jimin, who didn't know where to go, didn't get left behind. Jimin took in the nature surrounding them since she was unlucky enough to run into the woods while the sun was setting, but under the light of day the forest was magical. The leaves fluttered and trees swayed in time with the breeze. The birds sang and squirrels raced among the trees. Jimin even spotted some deer in a clearing.

When Riley finally caught a glimpse of the market, she ran ahead before turning around.

"We're here! Welcome to Molly and Murphy's Market!"

"Molly and Murphy?" Jimin questioned.

"Yeah, they started this trader port. Husband and wife. Murphy loves his wife so much that he put her name first as the title. Talk about selfless..." Emmalynn explained.

"Was that sarcasm?"

"For the most part, no. Some of it? Definitely. I speak fluent sarcasm."

"What...?"

"Guys! I get that you're finally bonding, but must I remind you guys that we're here for a reason?"

"Bonding? Yeah right. And it's bread, milk, and medicinal herbs. I remember, ok?"

"Good."

Jimin's face fell. She had thought Emmalynn and her were getting a little closer, but apparently they weren't. She sighed before looking around. She watched as the short emo bargained for bread and milk by acting all cute, the complete opposite of her true personality. On the other hand, Riley was seriously debating on the best deals for medicinal herbs. Jimin kept surveying the crowd, but freaked out when she saw a familiar figure—or figures. It was the hunter from her village, with a few accomplices. Jimin debated who to tell first. Short-tempered Emmalynn or delicate and kind Riley. She quickly walked over to Riley who gave her a questioning look when she saw Jimin's panicky face.

"We- We should go. Like right now."

"Do you need to go to the ladies room? There's one over there."

Jimin didn't look where Riley pointed. Instead she looked at the redhead in shock. She wondered if Riley was actually being serious.

"Jimin?"

"No! We need to leave!"

Riley still looked confused, but nodded and turned to look for Emmalynn. They found her at a blacksmith's shop looking at everything.

"Lynn! We gotta go!" Jimin yelled.

Jimin haltered and turned around to see a bear-like man breathing down her neck. She jumped and ran towards the direction of the hut.

"Jimin! What's wrong?" Riley hollered.

Jimin stopped for a second and turned around to see Riley and Emmalynn running towards her. She caught a glance of the hunters coming behind them and ran into the woods. She ran as far as she could before ramming into a tree.

"Ow..."

She looked back and saw Emmalynn and Riley catch up. She looked close and noticed Emmalynn carrying something. Realizing it was a weapon didn't make Jimin feel any better. A long scythe. The handle was a jet black velvety grip with purple swirls spiraling up to the hilt. The blade curved around in a crescent shape and shined a dark silver in her hands. Jimin stepped back in fear.

"Jimin! Jimin Song! What the HELL was that? You ditched us, didn't explain, and left me to deal with those men!" Emmalynn complained.

"Ji-Jimin. I don't know w-what that was, but d-don't scare us like t-that. P-Please..." Riley shuddered.

"Riley! She clearly is in some tough shit. She's dangerous and being around her is dangerous. I never trusted her in the first place. Did you hear what those guys said? She stole something! Something clearly important!"

Jimin looked between them. She had already ran away from her only home, leaving her family behind, ran through the forest in almost pitch darkness, and not even one day had passed before she was being abandoned.  Jimin looked at the two and then at the scythe waiting to slice through the first thing it touches.

"I'm sorry for causing you guys trouble. So, so sorry. And thank you for all your help and taking care of me."

And with that, Jimin ran in the opposite direction. Even after seeing the hut where she had been nursed back to health, she kept running past it. She ran until she saw the trees throw shadows in her path and she was completely lost.