Freed by Fate

2

    Poppy arrived at the town a short while later, still feeling slightly muddled. The main road of the town was bustling with merchants and shoppers alike; the sound of conversations and energy flowing through her brain. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of freshly baked bread. Sundays are my favorite, she thought to herself, smiling. 

    She opened her eyes and began her descent into the hubbub. She always tried to buy something from every merchant, and today was no different. Speaking to each seller along the way, probably much to her mother's disdain, she reveled in the social aspect of the town square. She was at her happiest surrounded by others; hearing their stories, sharing in their jokes and laughter, and remarking about their talents. Here, alone, she was not simply Demona's daughter; she was her own person, free of the suffocating cage of the farm and her mother's love. Here, she was truly living. 

    What I wouldn't give to spend more time surrounded by others, she thought wistfully to herself. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't even realize the dark, cloaked figure following her through the streets. She felt so free that she probably would not have cared, either. Nothing would take away the glamour of Sunday strolls through the town.

    She came upon a small child next to the butcher's booth, and found herself being stared up at. She called out a small greeting and the child covered her smile with a tiny hand. 

    "Are you lost, little one?" she asked quietly, so as to not scare her away. The child only shook her head and ran across the road to a young woman buying jams. The woman turned and faced Poppy. She studied her for a moment, taking in Poppy's bright green eyes and freckled face, before smiling and calling out a greeting. Poppy returned the gesture, and made some quick judgments about the woman.

    Though looking a bit rough around the edges with her dark, jagged hair and piercingly dark gaze, there was something beautiful about this woman. She looked to be about the same age as Poppy, and she wondered if the child was hers or not. 

    As if sensing her thoughts, she apologized to Poppy, "Sorry about my sister. She likes to dart away from me at the worst moments."

    Poppy smiled, "Oh, she was no trouble to me at all. I was worried that she was lost, that's all."

    The woman laughed, "Even if she was lost, she would find her way back to me somehow. Don't let her fool you; her sense of direction is impeccable. I'm Evie by the way, it's nice to meet you...?"

    "Poppy," Poppy finished, shaking her hand.

    "I don't think I've seen you around, Poppy. Do you live in town?" Evie asked.

    Poppy shook her head and gestured in the general direction of the farm, "No, I'm close by though. I live with my mother on a farm a little bit away from here. Because it is a bit far, she homeschooled me. I only come to town on Sundays."

    "Oh, that sounds delightful! I bet living on a farm is so dreamy," Evie replied, with a far-off look in her eyes. 

    Poppy got the sense that Evie was a genuine person and liked her instantly. In a normal life, she supposed her and Evie would have been best friends, the kind of friendship that lasts for years. The two women continued down the road together, with the small girl following closely behind her older sister. They talked about the basic things; their favorite shops and what they like to do in their spare time. Poppy and Evie compared how it was to grow up on a farm versus in the town; she clung onto every childhood story Evie told her, wishing that was her life.

    "I know that we have just met today, and I hope this isn't too forward, but I would love to speak more with you later! I have some chores that must get done at the house, so I best be on my way. How about we meet at the bar later tonight to continue our conversation?" Evie asked eagerly. 

    After some persuading, Poppy finally said yes, and tried to not think about how her mother would react to her plans. After all, she was twenty-two years old and never had any form of alcoholic drink in her life. The rest of her trip in town was spent in her mind coming up with ways to approach the subject with her mother when she returned home. A large part of her wanted to keep this a secret and not tell her mother, even though she knew that went against every foundation of their relationship. She couldn't help but think that was the only way that she would get to go out.

    On the walk home, the more she thought about it, the more that her mind screamed at her heart to tell her mother. But she knew she couldn't-and she decided that she wouldn't. She just hoped that her mother never found out. After all, one night of fun wouldn't hurt anything.