Fates Forgotten in Time

Strange conversations

Chapter 9

Penance (P.O.V.)

I awoke feeling more rested than I had in longer than I can remember but also sad for some reason. I couldn't remember my dream, just the feeling of being happy and safe. Was I sad because I couldn't remember my dream or because I woke up and had to leave it? As I thought about it, Maybe it was a bit of both. I really felt as though I had forgotten something important that I needed to know. I turned my head and jumped, almost falling out of my bed. Olivia was so close to me, peering so intently at my face that it scared my still foggy brained self. She truly surprised me I didn't expect her to be there.

Olivia helped keep me from falling while laughing. I wanted to be mad at her for startling me but I couldn't. Her smile and laugh were just so infectious that I ended up laughing with her. I couldn't help myself, I knew she didn't mean to scare me and had to admit it was pretty funny. Once we got done laughing she smiled at me and said, "I know you don't get much opportunity to laugh but it really is the best medicine. How are you feeling? I see you are able to breathe and laugh now without much pain." I realized as she said this it was true, I was still quite sore but I could now breathe without problems. Even laughing didn't hurt like I thought it would after the beating I had gotten.

I slowly felt my ribs to test the healing of my injuries. Though they were sore and still very tender, they felt way more healed than they should be in such a short amount of time. I was very grateful for that and impressed with Olivia's healing abilities. It gave me hope that there is a chance that I could still make a plan to escape. "I feel much better, I'm still sore though and my ribs are very tender. I am far more healed than I thought I would be after what happened to me. Thank you Olivia for healing me, I know it was because the Alpha ordered you but I still really appreciate it " I smile at her as I say this. It really does mean more to me than I can say that she healed me to this extent. Without it I would never be able to escape before I am sold in two weeks.

She smiles sadly at me and says "Yes it's true that the only reason I was able to heal you is because the Alpha ordered me too but I was happy to do it my dear. It's been good seeing you, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman. Just like your mother in so many ways, I know she would be proud of how you've survived like you have." I can't keep the surprise off my face, she knew my mother and I'm like her. I don't remember my mother at all and I wish I did. I don't remember either of my parents. "You knew my mother?" I ask in a shocked voice "What was her name? What was she like? Did you know my father too? Did they love me? Where are they?" All these questions flow out of my mouth in rapid succession. Fueled with the need to find out anything about my parents. My voice breaking at the end filled with more emotions than I can name.

Olivia gives me a sad look, "yes I knew your mother, though I never met your father. Your mother's name was Cadence and she looked a lot like you. Same eyes, hair and sharp features. She also shared your strength and kindness. She was very sick when she was brought here and you were such a small beautiful little baby. She did her best to survive for you but her sickness finally became too much for her one day. She died when you were very young and yes, she loved you so much Penance." Tears were falling from my eyes as I took in every word she said about my mother, and I committed it all to memory. How I wished I could remember her even a little. My mother had loved me and it meant everything to me to know that. I never knew before now if I had been abandoned or not. I never knew why I grew up alone here. Well until I met Jasmine and her mom, they were the family I found in this horrible place and they saved me from my loneliness.

"Here take this and hide it in your chest wrappings," Olivia says as she shoves a small bottle of something into my hand. I give her a confused look and ask with a shaky voice still trembling from my tears"What is this Olivia and why are you giving it to me?" She gives me a sad knowing smile and says," I know what the Alpha plans to do with you and I can tell you that the moon goddess has different plans for your future. Your mother worked for me here in my gardens and we became quite close. I also spent a lot of time with you as a baby and I don't want the life he plans for you to happen. You deserve to be free to find your own fate Penance. You were never meant to live this kinda life." Tears falling down her face Olivia hugs me and I can't help but hug her back.

She was friends with my mother and knew me as a baby. No wonder I feel so comfortable around her and already feel very fond of her. it all makes so much sense now. "You still didn't tell me what's in the bottle Olivia," I say feeling bad for ruining the moment but needing to know what she has given me. She laughs wiping away tears and says," I suppose I didn't sweet one. That is a potion to hide your scent so you can run from here once you are healed enough too. It should help give you a good head start so hopefully you can escape. I wish I could help more but it's the best I can do for you in these circumstances. You must hide it though because if you are found with it we will both be in deep trouble my dear one." I look at the small bottle in my hand and feel hope swell anew within me.

I look at Olivia eyes filled with tears and hug her saying,"Thank you so much, you have no idea what this means to me and for telling me about my mother." Olivia hugs me softly back so as not to irritate my wounds. "It's my pleasure to help you Penance, I just wish I could have done more for you throughout your life deary. Hopefully you will find your freedom with this and it will make up for everything I haven't been able to do for you in your life. I'm also gonna request that you start work for me here. It will give you a chance to heal and I can give you more healing herbs to speed up your recovery." She says smiling at me, "Plus it will give me a chance to spend some time getting to know you before you leave. Now quickly hide that in your chest wrappings before someone comes to fetch you. Its almost dinner time and I'm afraid they won't allow you to spend the night here."

I quickly hide it where she told me too, trying to find a comfortable spot where it won't fall out or be seen. I feel such gratitude and love for this amazing woman. Then I remembered she said something about the moon goddess having different plans for me. I was so caught up in hearing about my mom that I didn't think much of it when she said it but now I'm curious. "Olivia thank you for everything but what did you mean about the moon goddess having different plans for me?" She looks at me and gives me a strange smile. "You will find out in time deary, Ooohhh yes you will find out when the time is right. The moon goddess is very big into not having all her cards laid out till just the right moment. Just know you are very special Penance and the fate you choose in the future will decide many things. The only advice I can give you is be brave and to always follow your heart."

As she finishes talking I just feel more confused than ever. Why would the moon goddess have plans for me, I've never been anything special. Also what does she mean about the fate I choose deciding many things. My head is buzzing with more questions than ever and by the look on Olivia's face she isn't going to give me anymore answers. I let it go for now and decide to concentrate on more important things. Like planning my escape before I'm sold in two weeks. Thanks to Olivia I'm one step closer to my freedom.