The Runaway

Chapter 3

We stand outside of the entrance of town. Hardette's hard breathing shows in the cold air. This was the first time we were going to town. We had been on the train tracks for a week or so. I move my gaze down to Hardette. She's nervous. We could get arrested for sneaking in. "Hardette. Your going to be fine. Just follow me." I link my hand with hers. Her hands so cold. I give it an encouraging squeeze and step through the gate. No one even bothers to look at us. "See, we're okay." I whisper to her. "We just need to trade the apples for some water then we can go find Maradith. She will give us some warmer clothes for free." I pull her along. We were heading to the trading market in the square.

I pull my bag over my arm and grab the sack of apples. Maradith's eyes light up. She loves good apples. "Tell you what, Hazel. Since these apples are perfectly good I will give you another gallon of water added on to the original trade of water."

"Thank you, Maradith."

"Your stepmother was here. She asked if we knew where you were. I can't believe you finally left." She speaks quietly, converting a few jugs of water back and forth on the little cart. "Be careful out there. If the guards found out you were Hazel you would be arrested." she hands me three jugs of water, another bag, two coats padded with cow skin, two pairs of wool boots, and a blanket.

"Thank you so much, Maradith. I couldn't ask for more." I hug her.

"Be careful, Hazel." She whispers in my ear. Her cold breath against my ear gives me chills all over. I let go. Then turn to Hardette and help her put on her coat and boots. I shove the water jugs in the new bag and give the bag to Hardette.

"One more stop, Hardette. Then we can go."

I stroke the fine wood on the bow. The arrows are sharp, good for hunting. Father taught me how to hunt before he died. I kept practicing after that. "Don't touch!" Clover, the small lady smacks Hardette's hand that was stroking the blade on a throwing knife. My blood boils as Hardette grabs her hand in pain.

"Don't you ever touch her again! You got it, Clover?" I yell into her face, moving Hardette to my side.

"She's yours?!" She sounds surprised.

"Yes, now keep your hands off of her." I growl and go back to the bow and arrow.

I wrap my fingers around the bow and arrows. I walk along the shelves of knives. Hunting knives will work. I grab the finest hunting knife. Then walk to Clover to buy my findings. Hardette could use the hunting knives while I use the bow and arrow. I will teach her.

Clover's eyes land on the knives. "Hazel, i know you ran away. I know its going to get harder out there with you and your girl. I know you don't have much supplies. The knives are free, the bow and arrow are half price, and I will five you both some heavier clothes. It'll be getting colder soon." She grabs two pairs of hunting gloves from the shelf behind her. Hunting gloves are warm and comfortable. She grabs some white thick boots and hands them to me. "Good boots in the snow."

"Thank you so much Clover. What will it be for the bow and arrow?"

"You know what, just take it. Hunting season will be great this winter. Make sure to bring me some of those rabbits your always catching." She gives a warm smile. I put the bow and arrow pouch on my back and hide the boots, gloves, and knives in my bag.

I give one last glance at Clover before taking Hardette outside. She seems nervous. "What's wrong, Hardette." I say sharply.

"People are staring at us. Even the guards." My body stiffens but I force myself to keep walking.

"Just keep walking." I whisper.

We're almost to the entrance and about to leave when everything goes down. "Arrest them! Their outsiders!"

The guards aren't at the gate. Think fast. "Run, Hardette!" I scream. We start sprinting to the entrance.

"Stop!" "Someone get them!" Towns people yell. "No, don't! That's Hazel! Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" I recognize the voice; Maradith. "Run, Hazel! Run! Be careful! Run!" She yells.

"In the square!" A guard yells. I look over my shoulder.

"No!" I scream but don't stop running. They're hanging Maradith in the square because she helped us and told the guards to leave us alone. I don't dare stop. Thank you Maradith.