The Stone of Life

Chapter 4

Stumbling down the path to the village I had one place in mind. With the little dignity I had left I came to stand infront of Francis's front door. Swallowing my pride I knocked three times and took a step back, contemplating running far away from any judgment. Before I had the chance to act on my thoughts the door swung open, revealing a tired looking Francis as she wrapped a robe around her thin body. The light from inside spilled around her, giving her a magical aura.

"Sylvia," she said in a worried tone. "What are you doing here, is it your sister?"

After holding in the sadness for so long those words alone finally broke me. Wrapping her arms around me she brought me into her warm home and placed me down onto the couch.

"I'll go make you a camomile tea my dear. You can sleep in the spare room tonight," She said with a gentle smile.

Watching her retreat into the kitchen I took in my surroundings. It had been years since I was last here, it however looked exactly the same. With the same soft, homely feel; the wooden structures worn down with age and use.

"Here you go," Francis said, handing the blue, cermaic cup over to me. The warmth quickly spreading from my fingertips to my palms.

Taking a sip the sweet honey made me moan in delight. We hadn't been able to afford such a luxury in many years, with the little extra money we had going towards medicine for Lilllian. My lip started to quiver, feeling Francis's eyes on me I took another drink to conceal it. I was thanful that she wasn't pushing for me to say anything, allowing just her presence to be enough comfort.

"Thank you," I whispered, looking down into the almost empty cup. The tea having calmed my nerves, left me drained and tired.

"Your welcome, it was no trouble at all. Now lets get you to bed before the sun's up."

Standing up I followed her into the spare room which held the minimal basics of a bed and a chest. Thanking her once again she closed the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Letting my head hit the overly soft pillow my eyes wandered out the window to gaze upon the twinkling stars. Slowly my eyes grew heavy causing the stars to grow dimmer and dimmer until there was nothing but darkness.

....................

Jolting awake the loud sound of banging sent a jolt of panic through my body. Pushing the covers off my body I made it halfway to the door when a loud crash echoed through the room; followed by the bedroom door flying in my direction. Falling back onto my head, white dots speckeled my vision.

Soon after two men rushed into the room with purpose in their step, felling myself fall unconsious I didn't fight back agaisnt the men when they dragged me out of the room. As the men pulled my almost unconsious body past Francis's room the sight broke my heart; she lay still, wide eyed as blood ran down her neck. A tear escaped my eye and rolled onto the floor as my head fell back, with the last thing I saw being Francis's life leave her body.