Always have, Always Will

Chapter 7: As my own

“You don’t get bruises like that just from sleeping on your hands darling. Do you think I’m that foolish?” Misty said as she eyes the dark bruises on Abby’s neck. “Why does it always seem that out of all the servants, the one I love the most gets into the most trouble?” Misty shook her head and looked down to her hands.

“You shouldn’t worry so much Misty, it’s nothing I promise.” Abby reassured her. She knew her story was weak and eventually Misty would find out, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell her the truth. How could she when she didn’t even know why the man did what he did?

“I can only hope sweetie.” Misty whispered as she stood from Abby’s bed. She made one last glance at Abby’s neck before heading out the door. “Goodnight Abby.”

“Goodnight Misty.” Abby said as she snuggled into her blankets. She let her eyes slowly slide shut but couldn’t get her mind to slow down. Her eyes shot open again when the man’s face came into view. She unconsciously touched her neck and rubbed it softly. Everything that happened that day was a blur in her mind. The only thing that was clear was the feeling of that man’s fingers gripping around her slim neck.

“Get out of there.” She mumbled as she rolled onto her stomach. To her, the man was everywhere, in her mind, in the mansion, even in her room, quietly hiding in the dark corner waiting for the right moment to try again.

Only if he wasn’t stopped.

Abby let out a load groan before rolling back onto her back, as if preparing herself for the argue that was unquestionably about to take place.

“Well, he was stopped.” She whispered back.

You wouldn’t be a burden to anyone anymore.

“I’m not the burden.” She said as she rolled her eyes.

What do you think everyone says about you when you aren’t in the room.

“They don’t talk about anything in the first place.” She shot back. She was about to continue when she heard a load crash out in the hallway. She shot out of her bed and quickly ran for her door. She threw it open just in time to see Misty run out of her own room and down the hallway. Abby didn’t hesitate to follow. She finally found Misty again standing by the stairs.

“What is it Misty? Mist-“ She stopped talking when she seen her face. Her expression was like stone, it looked hard and pale. Abby looked back to the stairs, looking for a person or something that could have caused any disruptions, but she was met with a clean hallway, nothing was tipped over or even broken on the floors. Everything looked how it normally did.

“Misty what is going on?” Abby asked quietly. Misty turned her head to look at her. Her expression changed slightly, the color in her face was coming back into her cheeks giving her a more humanly look!

“There was a man in here.” She replied. Abby furrowed her brows in confusion.

“A man?” She asked. “In this room?” Misty nodded her head and looked back at the foot of the stairs.

“He looked like a commoner, old clothes and such. Nothing of much importance on him. Do you know what I mean?” Misty said. It went in one ear and out the other. Abby had no idea what she was talking about.

“Are you sure someone was even here Misty?” Abby asked with uncertainty. There was one man in her mind, she only prayed she was wrong about the guess.

“Yes Abby I’m sure. He was tall with short hair. That’s all I noticed. He ran back out the front door as soon as he seen me.” She replied as she made her way back to her bedroom. Abby went back into her own room shortly after. It wasn’t the man she was thinking about, yet the description seemed somewhat familiar. She laid back down in her bed, her mind still trying to remember any man who would look like that. She laid there for hours but no one specific came into mind. It wasn’t until three the next morning that she finally got to sleep. But was woken up by Misty at 6:15. She slowly got out of her bed and put on her work dress. Isabelle woke up quickly for once when Abby called. They hurriedly put on her dress and made their way downstairs for breakfast. Abby took her regular spot in the corner as Isabelle’s father pulled out her chair. The day was going as all days normally do, yet Abby couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. No one else seemed to feel it, but it was all she could think of.

“Abby did you hear me?” Isabelle said, shaking Abby from her thoughts.

“Sorry ma’am I did not.” Abby replied looking down to the floorboards. Isabelle let out what sounded like a snort, which is very unwomanly, but covered it up with a cough.

“I said that we are going to be going shopping today. Father gave me permission.” She repeated. She stood from her chair and excused herself from the table. Abby followed her out of the dining room into the main hallway.

“What is wrong with you?” Isabelle hissed. She continued walking for the front door and stormed out of it. “A servant is supposed to listen and do everything I tell them to, yet it seems you do everything you can to make that not happen.” Abby followed a short distance behind. Her face was of pure confusion.

“Ma’am I assure you that was never my intention.” Abby replied quietly.

“Oh hell it wasn’t.” Isabelle shouted. Abby looked up at her back with hatred.

Now is your chance. Do it now.

“Ma’am I think it would be best if we stopped this conversation.” Abby said as she quickened her pace to keep up.

“I don’t think so Abby. I have let you off the hook far to many times, now I think it is time I do something about it.” Isabelle said as they continued to make their way to town. “I think a whipping will do. Father will undoubtedly agree.” Abby’s eyes went wide. She didn’t think she had done anything to deserve that.

“But Isabelle my lady, isn’t there anything else I could do to make it up to you.” Abby said in a pleading voice.

“I have already given you chances to make up your past mistakes. You should have learned from them.” She replied. Abby looked down to the dirt, knowing the argument was lost to her.

They turned a corner and the town came into view. It was full of activity, as it always is. They looked around the town in silence. Isabelle stopped at three different jewelry stands but left with nothing. She always thought nothing there was good enough for her. They stopped at only a couple other stands, purchasing nothing. Abby knew where they still had to go and she was dreading it. Isabelle walked ahead and led the way to the docks. There were a lot of people running around getting boxes and hurrying off towards a ship. Someone must have been leaving port.

“Abby you’re doing it again. Hurry up.” Isabelle shouted from ahead. Abby ran up to her and continued walking to the docks. Isabelle stopped at the edge of a dock and looked at the men working. Abby looked to the ground when she noticed a man eyeing her. Isabelle noticed it to and looked over to Abby.

“You know him?” Isabelle asked, pointing to the tall man with short hair. Abby hesitantly shook her head in reply. “Why is he looking at you that way?” Isabelle asked with irritation. Abby looked up at the man and shivered when they locked eyes. His gentle face turned into one of anger in mere seconds.

“I don’t know Miss. But can we please go back to the mansion.” Abby pleaded. Isabelle gave the man another glance then nodded her head and walked up the path leading into the forest. Abby followed right on her heels. Fear was flowing freely throughout her body. When the mansion finally came into view Isabelle picked up the pace and walked through the front door. Abby stayed outside.

“Why do they hate me so?” She muttered to herself.

You will no soon.

“How soon?” She asked.

Soon enough.

She shook her head and made her way into the mansion. There was no activity in the mansion. But Abby could hear hushed voices coming from the study. She didn’t pay them any mind, just walked straight to the kitchen to get herself something to eat for lunch. Misty was already standing over the stove and preparing this evenings meal for Isabelle and her father.

“Misty I need to leave.” Abby whispered. She walked up behind Misty and waited for her reply. Misty only continued to stir the stew, acting as though she didn’t even hear her.

“Misty?” Abby reached a hand out and touched Misty’s shoulder. The old woman didn’t move under the contact, she just let out a deep sigh.

“I knew this moment would come sometime Abby. You are not meant to be kept here in this mansion working as a servant.” Misty replied as she turned around to face her.

“Misty I am sorry. I just… to many things are going wrong and I don’t want to put anyone in danger.” Abby said in a whisper.

“What danger could come to us Abby?” Misty said in an urgent tone. “You are just a woman, you wouldn’t be able to bring yourself to do harm to anyone.” Abby took a step back and looked to the floor. “What are you hiding Abby? I have known you all your life, yet I have never seen you so scared.” Misty said.

“Misty please, you must understand. If I stay… something terrible will happen. I can feel it. Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.” Abby said and left the kitchen quickly.

“You don’t even have anywhere to go child.” Misty said as she followed Abby into her bedroom. “Where are you going to stay? Your not going to leave Port Royal are you?” She asked as Abby threw her dresses into a bag.

“No I don’t, but anywhere is better than here where you could get hurt.” Abby replied. She looked up from her packing and took immediate notice of the tear slowly rolling down Misty’s wrinkled cheeks. “Please, at least pretend to understand.”

“What are you hiding from me?” Misty asked. “What is so wrong about you that makes you think you can’t tell anyone…even me?”

“Its best if you don’t know. Please Misty, just trust me.” Abby said. She turned back and grabbed her packed bag off of her bed and rushed out of her room with Misty right behind her.

“Please Abby, you are the only child I have ever known!” Misty yelled when Abby reached the front door. Abby stopped immediately. She pulled her hand away from the doorknob. “I love you as my own. I can’t just let you walk out into harm.” Abby slowly turned around to face her. Her own tears were now staining her cheeks.

“You are the only mother I have ever known Misty. Which is why I must go. I can’t let myself hurt you.” Abby said. She turned back around and threw open the door.

“I will miss you Abigail Waters. I love you, don’t ever forget that.” Misty said in between sobs. Abby knew if she turned around she wouldn’t ever be able to leave. She couldn’t bring any words to her lips. Everything was caught in her throat. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I love you too Misty.” She replied as she ran away from the mansion.

The sun was still high in the sky, warming up everything below. Abby ran deep into the forest, making sure to keep far away from the docks. When darkness finally came to the land, Abby was far away from Port Royal. Her feet were sore and bleeding from running on the rocks. She slumped down next to a tree trying to catch her breath. Everything seemed so clear earlier, now she had no idea why she ever chose to do this. She was in far more danger out here than at the mansion.

“I would have hurt someone if I stayed.” She kept telling herself. She rolled over onto her side, her eyes shut tightly, trying to forget the pain shooting through her legs. They were stiff and cramped now, she wouldn’t be able to move even if she had to. She let her mind wander to other things, praying she couldn’t feel the pain in her legs.

“I knew I seen ya runnin’ through dat forest there.” A deep voice said from behind her. She let out a sharp scream as a hand reached around and grabbed her waist. She wriggled in the persons grasp but couldn’t get free. “Stop it lassy, I can make it quick if ya jus’ stop now.”

“LET ME GO!” She yelled. She threw her fist at what she hoped was the mans face but hit a spot very much lower. The man doubled over in pain, gasping for air and coughing at the same time. She scrambled to her feet and ran down a nearby path. Her legs started to cramp up again in a matter of seconds. She fell onto her knees, trying to pull herself farther away with her hands. Everything was blurry around her. She could hear heavy footsteps from behind her. She couldn’t even bring herself to move when she suddenly felt arms wrap around her weak body and lift her up. She clung to the strange mans neck, silently praying that everything would turn out alright.
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OOHH NO WHOS THE SECOND MAN!!!!!! I NO I NO!!!!!! LOL Please tell me what you think of this so far!!! i'm not quite sure about it yet!!!!! lol