Demonforge: Audley and Jessenia's Secret Journey

The sun was setting on the horizon and the tangerine sky shimmered with purple and red hues. I had to hurry, as my sister would be home any second from school and if mom was in a mood she would have me scrubbing the dishes for hours. I ran through our garden, pink flowers bursting out of the dark soil as I hopped over the fence to head towards town. The last thing I needed was another beating after school today. I didn’t think I had anything to do with the accident, but she said it was just bad luck that we all got in trouble because I wasn’t paying attention. She was right, but it still hurt when she hit me so hard my ears rang for hours.

As thoughts of her hands on my face made me cringe and run faster, I noticed something small dart in front of me. It looked like a mouse but it ran too fast to be one. As it disappeared into the tall grass, I continued on towards the market where my friend Mina worked. She often had spare food for us kids and liked to give us good deals when people weren’t around.

I slowed down once I got inside and quickly found her behind one of the long counters filled with fresh fruit, meat and other goods from the earth. Her dark eyes lit up when she saw me and she pulled on her tight black bun before motioning for me to follow her down an isle where nobody seemed to be shopping at this time of day.

We sat down on some wooden crates filled with potatoes and carrots and she handed me a small apple from a crate next to me. “What happened?” Her voice was soft as she looked at my face which was covered in dirt and some blood running down my cheek from a cut above my eyebrow.

“Mom got mad again today… you know how it goes.” My eyes filled with tears as we stared at each other until she handed me a piece of cloth she kept in her pocket for emergencies like this one. “Thanks…” I mumbled while wiping away some of the blood before biting into the apple she gave me with gratitude in my eyes. “You are always so nice…”

She smiled back at me with warmth in her eyes, “I can’t help it really… you remind me so much of someone I used to know back home…” We both lost ourselves in our own thoughts for a moment before I broke the silence by asking about some water so we could wash up before heading home. She tossed me a bottle of juice instead and told me it would be better for us not to be seen carrying anything that could make mom angry even more if she saw us drinking or eating outside of dinner time. Before leaving, we agreed that we would meet up again tomorrow afternoon after school so that we could both eat something decent before dinner time.

* * * * *

After helping mom clean up dinner and getting smacked in the face twice after coughing while washing dishes, I headed off to bed to rest before another long day tomorrow at school followed by work at Mina’s stand again after school if mom lets me go out of course... It is already bad enough that dad left us like he did without making things worse with Mom so hopefully she feels better soon enough... It hurts every time I think about him going away like he did without saying anything or leaving any money or food for us... But everything is better now since Mina helps us out whenever she can... Even though mom hates her guts sometimes... She still gives us stuff when mom isn’t looking or goes easy on us when we get beaten...

* * * * *

I woke up early again because Mom decided that everyone should wake up early today to go work out because god knows that no one has tried hard enough lately… We quickly ate what little breakfast there was before heading out onto the dusty streets towards our assigned workout area where we waited until someone came around to lead us through some exercises…. A few hours later, my body ached all over but after showering off all the dust covering our clothes and skin, we were allowed to head home once again before dinner time started…. Once home, Mom yelled at Jessenia who almost fell asleep while cleaning today while giving me extra chores because apparently I didn’t try hard enough… After doing all this work while feeling like death warmed over... All I want is sleep.... But as soon as dinner is done tonight, I will be back at Mina's stand waiting eagerly for her food... Hopefully nothing happens tonight... Or else tomorrow will probably suck even more than today already does..