Princess of the streets

chapter five

"I promise, Marie," I said gasping. Mama, papa, William, and Joan stood around my bed. They had puzzled looks on their faces. "What is happening?!" I couldn't think straight and my head hurt. The room was spinning until my eyes finally focused. I laughed when I felt Mason lick my face. William seemed concerned and was holding my hand. Joan clapped her hand together near her face and started crying.

"You are alright, my dear! We thought we lost you." Joan came closer to me and held my face.

"How long have I been asleep?" I tried to remember what happened. I thought it had all been a dream, but my pain was all to real.

"Two days. We prayed for you to come back and God answer our prayers!" Mother said trying to grab Mason and put him on the ground. I stopped her and let him curl up next to me.

"God most definitely did," William smiled kissing my hand.

"I wish to get up now. Thank you all for the prayers." I smiled trying to get up. I couldn't feel one legs. I panicked and tried not to cry. I tried and willed to get up. William took my by the hand and pulled me up. I stood and my legs felt limp. I felt like my leg was on fire with every step I took. I realized one of my legs was slightly crooked and I was full of bruises. I was sore all over and there was no word to describe what I felt other than agony. Pure and intense agony, from which there was no escape.

I went about my day trying not to use my leg. I sat on the swing and lifted my dress to see my leg. It was swollen and purple. I knew then it was fractured. I walked into the house and showed mother.

"Joan, look at my leg!" I cried showing it to her.

"I know who to tell, Alice. You will have to promise to never tell anyone about this," she grabbed my hand and led to way. I was actually rather surprised to see that it was Leonard.  Joan whispered something to him. He immediately had me sit. He put a piece of wood in my mouth and set the bone. Leonard swiftly and painfully put it in its place. I was crying and my teeth were sinking into the wood.

"It is alright, Alice. Now promise me you will never tell!" I nodded frantically and said my thanks. I was stunned a servant would have such a skill.

"I promise with all my heart and soul," I hugged him and was now crying because of joy. I limped back to my room for the night, praying that tomorrow will be a better day.