Running away

Chapter 3

"Miss. Come. We must hurry." I stifled a yawn and stretched, surveying my surroundings. "My uncle will be worried. We must get going." I nodded and got up, moving the soreness away from my stiff shoulders. Sleeping on a tree stump is not something I recommend. Cathlin latched onto my free hands as I carried my bag. Dylan leads us deeper into the woods until we hit a stream. It was quite small but big enough because a type of fish was swimming among the rocks and bits of underwater plants.

We walked along the stream for a while until voices could be heard from behind the trees. "We must be coming to the trade market." I nodded and picked up Cathlin. Poor thing was stumbling and had bruises all over her legs. "My uncle lives just a block from the trade market." He pointed past the vendors and we walked out from the woods. Some people glanced at us but no one was paying extreme attention to us. I watched little kids run around completely naked and mothers looking tired with clothes baskets placed in their hips with a child on the other. 

A mother walked towards us and handed me a wet cloth. She motioned to Cathlin. "It helps with cuts and bruises. Keep infection away." I nodded in thanks before placing a shilling in her hand. I put a finger to my lips and she gave me a wide mostly toothless smile. I rubbed Cathlin's legs with the cloth and she seemed to stop looking so hurt. She gave me a small smile as she touched her legs. "It doesn't hurt." I nodded and she gave the woman a hug. "Come on, Cathlin. We must hurry along." Cathlin ran ahead and walked with Dylan.

"Your children are beautiful. Where is their mother?" She looked at my children with a wide smile. I was taken back by the question. What was I to say? "Our mother and father passed away a few days ago so we are heading to my uncle's place until I can provide for us without help." She smiled at me sadly but I gave her a cheerful one in return. "I must be along, madam. Have a beautiful day." I kissed her hand she hid a smile behind her hand as I walked away with a wave. 

Catching up to Dylan and Cathlin I grab their hands. Dylan leads us through the crowds and to a street with middle-class homes. Women in stylish dresses started to appear with properly clothed children. The mothers look at me with disgust. I pulled off my hat and let my hair free. It was in between. Longer than a boy's hair but shorter than what was considered appropriate hair for a girl. Some of the girls blush as I flashed a smile at them. 

When we passed by them they giggled and sent me a wave. I bowed to them slightly and they giggled again. Are they okay? What is with the giggling. "Come on. Uncle's house is just there." He pulled me into a nice house and I was instantly bombarded by a woman with colorful clothing. "You are you?" I glanced at Dylan for help but he seemed to disappear. 

"Of course you are you. What am I saying?" She seemed to be lost in thought before Cathlin sneezed. She then gasped and grabbed tighter onto my arm. "Sorry. Who are you? I am Catherine Diggle. I'm Mr. Diggle's wife." She curtsied and looked expectantly at me. I almost curtsied but I bowed a little and she gave me a wide smile. I looked around for something because I didn't have a false name I could go under.

"Milton. Milton Tilly." I nodded at and she seemed satisfied. "Catherine! Please bring the newcomers up to my office!" She ushered us along and I mentally sighed. Guess Milton is my name now. I frowned a little. Such an ugly name.

"I'm John Diggle. Who are you? My nephew says I must take you in. You better pay for your rent. I am also informed you are a girl. Why are you in men's clothes? Such a place this world is coming too. Females wearing men's clothes. Tut tut. He says to keep it a secret. Are you being chased? Are you a murderer? Did you poison your husband? So sad really, when a woman murders her betrothed. Whatever is the reason I advise you to not leave this house in a dress if you wish to stay dressed like this. Since you walked in here I already know the street is filled with rumors. No need to expand them. Getting off that topic it's a shilling per month and a pound to begin staying here. If you do not have the money now you are to pay three pounds at the end of the month. Dylan will show you you're room. Goodbye. Be off with you."

He shoved us out of the door and I stood there completely dumbfounded. The blasted geezer. Who the Hell does he think he is? Not even a sound was able to utter from my lips from the time I stepped foot into that room and when I was forcefully kicked put.

"You'll get used to that deary. He usually doesn't let you talk in his presence. Rise him a lot of trouble time from time. Thank the Lord no one bothers to talk to him unless it's about business." I nodded at Mrs. Diggle. I was still frozen from the sudden attack but Cathlin pulling me knocked me out of my trance. "You both will stay in here. Try not to use up anything that costs a lot. Uncle doesn't take kindly to people who waste money." I nodded and sigh. The things for freedom.

Cathlin's giggle made me look at her. A moth flew around us and she seemed so happy looking at it. I smiled and picked her to be closer to the moth. "Do you know what it is?" She nodded and it landed on her nose. She sneezed and it flew away. "Mothy." She looked so sad but then giggled. I laughed lightly at her antics. Then she started crying. I stared at her confused. "Come here child." Catherine took her form me and I watched her rub her stomach, it seemed to calm her down. 

What the hell did I get myself into?