The Woman From the Fire Pits

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 (Third Person Narrator)

As Lucy and Edward walked through town towards the docks, they came upon the General Store and the Tavern. Normally, Lucy was used to all the people that strolled past her, but today, random people were coming straight up to her as she and Edward walked alongside each other.

"Oy, Lucy! Great show last night!" One man shouted.

"Oh, thank you, sir. Glad you liked it."

"We love you, Tempest!" A woman from the brothel yelled out.

"Thank you, miss."

"Good luck next time, lassie!" A tipsy man called from the tavern.

"Thank you very much...."

Edward's eyes shifted from person to person as they all praised and congratulated her. Once they passed the town completely and went down a hill, it subsided.

"Sounds like you're their favorite fighter." Edward commented.

"It seems so. I'm not accustomed to this much attention and...adulation."

"And why is that?" Edward asked.

"I was an orphan. People saw me, but paid no mind. I was seen, but unseen. Invisible, if you will. I'm used to being ignored, looked over, not given a passing glance."

"You shouldn't feel that way...."

"What do you mean, I shouldn't?"

Edward and I both stopped walking and face each other.

"Look at you, lass. You're intelligent and beautiful. Any man that ignores you is either blind or has poor taste in women."

"Or both." I added, scoffing and resuming walking towards the docks.

"But, Lucy, in all seriousness, doesn't your man back home pay you any mind?"

"I, uh, wouldn't know, Edward....I don't have a man to call my own."

"Tell me you're joking."

I just ignored his disbelief.

"With your beauty, how do men not throw themselves at you?" Edward turned his head to look at me as he walked.

"They have. Believe me, they have. It's stupid, really. They're steaming drunk most of the time. I want a man that's...different."

"What do you mean, 'different'?"

"Someone that has more on his mind than his next trip to the brothel or tavern. A man that is...genuine, caring, sensitive and....and...." I was tearing up, I could feel it. My cheeks burned, my eyes were moist and my lips were trembling.

"....What else...?" I heard Edward say, briefly helping me to come to my senses.

"Hmmm, what?"

"What else do you seek in a man?" Edward jogged my memory.

"Ugh, forget it." I shook my head. He wouldn't care if I told him. "It's dumb an' stupid. It doesn't matter."

"Oh, come on, Lucy. Tell me."

"Romance." I muttered.

"You're looking for a romantic one?"

"Yes...a man that's passionate, romantic...that has love in his heart."

"Haven't you ever sought that out on your own?"

"I have, yes...But....I'll tell you when I'm ready, okay?"