The Market
1156 Words
{Bill's P.O.V}
It's another glorious summers day with barely any breeze in the air. My son and I are heading into town to try and sell our merchandise, everyday I pray to my beautiful wife to bestow us with some luck in hope that we may eat a bit better and fix up our cottage.
It's only about 8 miles from home to town, setting off in the early dew we should arrive in time before the market comes alive with bustle from the townsfolk.
"I need you to stay with the stall today son, can you do that?" Staring at my only child, not long off being his own man.
"Yes Pa, where are you going?" Darius squints in view of the rising sun.
"I have important business to tend son, no need to worry!" I give a reassuring smile, though I sense he sees right through it.
He stares off into the hillside as we began pulling up to a tall archway, marking the border. As we arrive to the stalls, Darius sets everything up from the cart and I take the mule to leave in the stable. "Mind the stall, I dare not be late". I wave.
Walking through the streets of Kingstown, I find myself at the local church. Bells ringing above marking the time 10 o' Clock. I sit at a pew and wait, admiring the decadent artworks around me. Before long a man clad in a black cloak sits behind me and hands me a note between the pew seat.
The note reads "NO MORE HANDOUTS, PAY WHAT IS OWED OR PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!"
My heart sinks to my stomach and bile rises at the thought. I feel a sharp pinch at my back from the dark figure. "You have 3 days Mr. Nightingale!" he threatens in a low deep tone.
"No please, I will pay but I need more time than what you give" I reply flustered, sweat dripping from my brow.
The sharp blade sticks in further, a hot sharp pulsating pain writhes up my back. I wince as I feel a wet trickle down my spine. "3 Days" He repeats standing up to leave, bows to the cross and disappears amongst the busy streets.
I drop my head into my hands, imagining the thought of any harm coming to my only Son. What am I going to do? I ask myself. A woman sits two rows in front, kneeling down to pray. I get ready to leave. "Come pray with me Bill?" The woman asks. I stop frozen on the spot. "Maggie?" I ask short of a whisper.
Maggie stands up and elegantly glides towards me. Dressed in a blue frock, a wide woven hat on her crown with flowers and a white silk neckerchief complimenting her look.
"I see you're in a spot of bother there Bill?" She acknowledges raising an eyebrow at me with a smile. "I can help!"
handing me a note with a map on it.
"What's this?" I scoff.
"A way out my old friend" She sneers.
"This is directions to the Black Market is it not? Why would I go there?" I protest.
"From the looks of things Bill, it's the only option you have left, or face a fate worse than the gallows!" She remarks with a light chuckle.
I storm out of the church with anger filling my body and head towards the Inn next to the docks. The light sea breeze and the smell of the ocean fills my nostrils only to be tainted by the rotten essense of fish thereafter. Bursting through the Inn I find a seat and order a bottle of Rum from the barmaid.
Hours later I stumble out into the fire lit streets of Kingstown. Heading towards the stalls where I left my son. I find him packing up with a solemn look upon his face as dusk fast approaches.
"Any luck today Son?" I slur, stumbling to his side.
"Not much Pa, only a handful of shillings today". He sighs.
He hands me the bag of money, leaving to fetch the mule.
I hand him 4 shillings "Grab yourself some food before you go Son".
"Father? Are you not returning with me?". He looks at me with surprise.
"No Son, I am needed here to sort a few things out. You go on home!" I tell him sternly.
"How bad is it Pa?" Darius asks.
"No concern of any boy!" I snap.
Darius taken aback at my sudden outburst, I place my hand upon his shoulder and let out a long pent up sigh.
"Pa, you can tell me, I'm not a child anymore! Stop treating me as one!" He growls.
"I'm not going to risk your life knowing any knowledge of my business Son, now get going before it's dark" I tell him roughly.
"My life? What business? I know you're in dire debt with bad folk! I want to help Pa!" Darius exclaims with determination, making fists with his hands.
*Sigh* "Now Darius, there is nothing you can do! This is my fault and my problem, not yours. Since your Mother...".
"What about Mother? She has nothing to do with your heavy drinking and debts! You're not going to do what I think..." Darius angrily grumbled, gritting his teeth.
"I HAVE NOTHING LEFT DARIUS! NOTHING! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? HUH? WE HAVE FAILED! I have failed, failed your Mother, failed you!" I say, defeated.
"Pa, we can do better, I can get a job somewhere, be an apprentice for someone, I'm sure the Blacksmith might take me on?" Darius offers.
"No Son, I... *sigh* there's no time. Not enough for my mistakes". I tell him.
Darius storms off to fetch the mule as I watch the cart and await his return. I look up at the stars beginning to form thinking of my dear wife. What am I going to do Katherine? What should I do? With a light breeze hitting my face, closing my eyes, I turn surprised.
"THE BLACK MARKET!? ARE YOU f*****g KIDDING ME!?" Darius stood with the note Maggie handed me, shaking.
"I'm left with no choice Son, I have to". Holding my hand out for the note.
"So much for honest living, eh Pa!" He sneers.
I stare at him hurt with no words to say other than "I'm sorry Son, really I am!".
I take the note from his hand and pull him in for a hug, squeezing tight. "Learn from my mistakes Darius, be a better man, and when you have children of your own someday you'll understand why" I whisper into his ear.
"I love you Son!" I say smiling with sadness in my eyes.
"I love you Pa, but there must be another way, there has to be" He pleads.
I shake my head and set off into the rising darkness of the shadowy streets of Kingstown.
- Writer
