HATEBOUND

💎CHAPTER TWO- ashes to dust and hope to fear💎

" You could have at least stayed on another sidewalk." A gruff choice broke Scarlet's trance. The butcher, Martin stood there. Muscles bulging. Scarlet had muscles too, she didn't know where they came from but she had them. They weren't bulging and she was quite tough but she still knew to never pick a fight with the butcher.

" well I really didn't want to but hey we can't be choosers right?" Scarlet muttered. The butcher's eyes shot up in amusement and she thought that she would be gone soon enough.

" You need a job kid? I got an empty space and I think you would be the only one left in this town to handle this." This time it was scarlet's eyebrows that shot up. But if Scarlet had learnt anything from the rules of survival was that you always had to bargain for what you wanted.

" a job heh? Well then in turn I can't trust cash or anything else.... how about you teach me how to wield a knife like that." Scarlet said pointing to the array of knives placed inside the shop.

The butcher smirked, " Well you have a good eye, and you're not greedy. You really might be able to survive in this harsh world" smiling without a smirk in his mouth, " come on, You need to start immediately if you want to learn that Many skills in one year." Scarlet stopped short in her tracks. " learn that many skills? "

" oh I Guess you didn't realise that this entire community is connected if you learn a skill from one, the rest will want to help. It's part of the helpful competition" he smiled.

Scarlet had never been more grateful in that moment. She leapt to her feet and followed the butcher into the shop. She was immediately caught off guard by the strong smell of blood and meat. But she managed to regain focus as the butcher ordered her to start sweeping. She cleaned the floor for what seemed like forever bforw she finally voiced her complainants.

" Seriously, this is all work. No skill"

" Thud" a knife shot through the air towards her as she immediately ducked
" What in the???" She called.
The butcher smiled, " Well you've got fast reflexes" that's a new skill. She groaned and rolled her eyes.

" Patience"

" What?!" Scarlet asked as the Butcher uttered one word.

" Patience. It's the most crucial skill in the art of knives you need to learn to wait and not just fly into something. You need to know the right moment to deal that blow. That throw. That will allow you to inflict the most damage. The skill you are most lacking Patience" He said. Scarlet was speechless. Patience, a Skill?

Impossible.

She could be patient anyway whenever she wanted. So she decided to prove that butcher, Martin Wrong. She cleaned for hours on end.
She had to control herself for a while from complaining and soon she found that Martin was indeed right. She was finding it very hard not to say a word.

" FINE" She cried out when she couldn't take it anymore.

" fine... I suck at being patient, teach me how?" She reluctantly admitted. Martin turned to smile at her. " You're already one step closer for trying these past hours. You just need to practise Everyday. And one more thing, when you really can't focus on why you want this. Focus on surviving. Then take a deep breath and continue"

Scarlet's eyes widened.

" really?" She asked, dumbfounded.

He nodded.
Determination spread through her like a tidal wave that crashed through her and made her feel like she could do anything she set her mind to.

" I'm going to teach you one more thing before we close today." Martin said as Scarlet turned to look at him her attention entirely focused on him.       " It's called speech."

She raised her eyebrow she would have expected the city council people to be the ones to teach her this.

" You need to know when to put a person down and take control and when to encourage the person."

"Why do I need this?" Scarlet asked questioningly.

" Because you cannot survive alone. That is the rule. It may seem dumb but you. Cannot. Survive. Alone" Martin was adamant.

" I want to"
" YOU CANT" he grew angry as she took steps back.

" Geez ok ok I get it no loner ness." Scarlet mumbled as he sat down.
" take the Patience lesson. I discouraged you  and encouraged you at just the right points in time which now you should know works"
He stated as She thought back to the lesson, thinking about what had happened in the past hours.

" ok..." She said slowly. Then he turned back as a customer arrived. Leaving Scarlet to contemplate everything.

" Patience. Speech. Company"
That's it, it can't be that hard.....

Right?