Chapter 13

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(Todd)

I lead Sumner down the path towards the well. I try to keep the sadness from overwhelming me. I would much rather hit him over the head, instead I take the pacifist choice. The air is weirdly warm considering its late Autumn.

As we reach the well he looks around seeming annoyed.

"Where is this bloody woman?"
I look around pretending to be full of worry.

" I don't know, she must have gone inside."
I keep my voice monotone revealing nothing. I've had lots of practice trying to keep things from Mary. I had so many things I wanted to tell her no it is to late. I could never tell her her smile makes me light up inside. I also hadn't shared what my superstitious mother said. My mom claimed the gods speak to her. She told me Mary is part of a prophecy, that she will either destroy the world or save it. I say she has had one to many drinks at the tavern.

The physician looks around. Then turns to me and yells.

"Todd! You are the most dim witted person I have ever met. How does one lose a wounded girl?"

He exaggerates each word as if I'm a slow. In a moment of rage I punch Sumner square in the jaw. He falls to the ground and lays there motionless. I stand there in shock. Did I just kill him. I bend down praying to the lord he is not dead.

He groans loudly and opens his eyes looking confused.

"Where am I?"
I breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe he doesn't remember I hit him.

"I was getting my things to go to that wounded girl. And then I'm here with you over me with a troublesome look on your face. What happened?"
I laugh at him and then lie fluently.

"You got knocked out by a mad lady."

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Next Morning
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The warning bell rings me out of my restless sleep. Telling everyone to come out to the square. It is one of our sacred rules. This is the perfect time to sneak away. I packed a bag of food and a pouch of wine last night. I have to be ready for any chance of getting out of the village unnoticed. I have to make sure Mary is alright. I don't shady Sterling one bit. He has this weird way about him as if he's searching for something and is close to finding it. I grab my bag and head outside.

It seems like now is that chance to leave. Even the watchers of the wall are required to come when the bell is rung. I know I can walk the path on the ground unnoticed. So I will just have to crawl on the roof. Hopefully climbing with Mary on them all those years ago will help. If not I have to die trying. I thank the lord that the houses are all in semi-circle.

I feel a pang of guilt as I jump on top of my moms dwelling. I haven't said goodbye to any of my family. Probably for the best, I'm not sure I would be able to leave.

I get to the to eastern tower. The guards left the door wide open. Peoples stupidity surprises me more and more everyday. A white rope is coiled in the corner. I feel like it is waiting for me. I can't believe my luck so far. Usually things tend to go not my way. I tie the rope and start to belay down the opposite side of the wall.

I walk towards the front gate. As I approach it I notice something strange about the gate. The huge green swinging gates are bolted on the outside. As if they want to keep us inside. For the first time in my life I wonder if the village is really safe. Do they want to keep us prisoners? By telling us the outside world is deadly. I have to remind myself what the task at hand is, Mary.

I find recent hoof prints. Great they took bloody horses. I wonder if I will ever reach them. I start walking humming a tune Mary likes. It makes me feel closer to her.

A branch snaps and I squint my eyes to see what it was. All the sudden I'm being pushed hard in the shoulder. I stumble but remain upright. I recognize the figure that pushed me. It is miss Dolly. Miss Dolly is the local mule. She is to small to be a plow horse and to horse-like to be a cart donkey. This is because she is half donkey and plow horse. She usually is in the cow pasture, but occasionally gets out. Not a comfortable ride but I'll take what I can get. I make a bridle with the white rope I stole from the watch tower.

With only a sack of food and a blanket to my name I set of to go find Mary.

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