Helpless

Chapter Four - A Changing World

I woke late and I could hear Mrs Maggie in the kitchen. I got up and walked in. She thanked me for getting water and the food. I told her not to worry about it and she gave me breakfast. It was simple, yet delicious. 

Our meal was disturbed by shouting outside. I opened the curtain and looked out the window. A patrolman was holding a woman. Another man, presumably her husband was shouting at the man to let her go. Apparently she had just walked next door to deliver some bread to her neighbour. The patrolman said she wasn't with a man, so she should be taken away. The shouting continued and the patrolman let go and of the woman and roughly shoved her towards him.

I shook my head and finished my breakfast. I washed up the dishes and made the beds. I was startled by a knock at the door. I hesitated, then thought it might be John. I ran to the door and flung it open. To my dismay I was face to face with a patrolman. 

"Young lady, what are you doing answering the door. People should be greeted by a man." He told me a harsh voice. I moved back and used my peripheral vision to see if I could see Mrs Maggie; but she was nowhere to be seen. "Where is your husband or your father?"

This was the question I have been dreading. Still not seeing Mrs Maggie I straightened up and faced him. "I do not have a husband and my father does not live with me. My mother and I live here together." I told him confidently, trying not to falter under his piercing glare. He looked at me with pure disgust. "Now, you know the rules. You must be living with a man. I am going to take you, and your mother away." He told me sternly. I gulped, unsure what to do. Should I go with him? Should I run away? Should I persuade him not to take us away?

Luckily I didn't have to decide which one to do because another patrolman was requesting instant backup. He shot another glare at me and said in a Terminator voice "I'll be back." Before turning and leaving. I swung the door shut and went to find Mrs Maggie. 

I found her at the vegetable garden, gardening. She saw the patrolman come to the house and decided to stay outside and "let me deal with him." I mean seriously, what did she expect me to do? I told her what happened.  She brushed me off and told me we will decide what to do  over lunch.

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After we both had eaten our fill of chicken and vegetable soup Mrs Maggie started to discuss what we should do. "You will leave the town and travel alone to Immunda. I'll give you an address to go to. I will hide at Brain's house until John returns." I stared at Mrs Maggie; I was speechless. "Go to Immunda, on my own?" I asked, still shocked. That was the place I was forbidden to talk about, and I had never left the town before. She nodded and handed me an address. She confirmed that I leave tonight. She advised that I pack a small bag with a change of clothes, food and water. Then I sleep until she wakes me.

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I woke to Mrs Maggie shaking my shoulder. I looked out the window and saw it was almost dark. I got changed and went out into the kitchen. Mrs Maggie greeted me with a smile and a large dinner. Half a chicken, potatoes and some of every vegetable in the garden. 

The meal was beautiful. Everything was expertly cooked. I looked over to Mrs Maggie of whom was eating the same meal as me, just a much smaller portion than me, with a tear in her eye. I finished and thanked her for the meal. Mrs Maggie brushed it off and looked at me. "You need a haircut."

I burst out laughing. She was about to send me away and she says 'you need a haircut'. Mrs Maggie pulls out a pair of scissors, completely seriously, and asks me to sit. I sat and she brushed my chestnut brown hair. 

My hair was down to my waist, however she cut it to my collarbone. I was shocked. Once she was satisfied I ran my fingers through my hair. It felt so different. 

I walked into my room for one last time to collect my bag. I tidied my bed and slipped my hand into the pillowcase. I felt around and pulled out three necklaces. The one with an amethyst stone I bought recently, an infinity sign on a silver chain and a silver ankh. I put all three around my neck and returned to the kitchen.

Mrs Maggie said a final teary goodbye and I hugged her. I also told her to say hello to John. She checks I have the address and takes me outside. She points to a house across the road and down a little bit and tells me to go there. I wave to Mrs Maggie with a tear in my own eye. 

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I softy knocked on the door. An old man answered it, standing there in his pyjamas. I told him I was leaving to go to Immunda and need directions. He told me which way to go and gave me a list of further directions. I thanked him and left.

I walked through the backyards to the houses to avoid the patrols. Once I had to hide in a tree to avoid two patrolmen. I made it safely through town and started walking along the long, dark, dirt road. 

I spotted a large tree and climbed to the top. I looked back at the town that I have called home my whole life. I could see my street, the town square and could name who lived in most of the houses. I tear slipped down my cheek, knowing I might never see the town again. I shook my head and jumped out of the tree.

I knew I had to be focused so I don't get caught. I continued walking down the road into the unknown.