Dear Journal;
I wish my old journal hadn't filled so quickly. I shall tell you about myself, so you won't feel left out. I do realise it's silly to pretend you are a person, but I feel if I don't confide in someone, I shall burst! My name is Sofia. I was born in the Fire-raiser's fortress. I am now fifteen years old. My father's name, they tell me, was Piper. But, Mother always tells me she wasn't in love with Piper. She was in love with another man; the one called Basta, who they say disappeared when I was but five, he is back now, if you listen to the old ladies gossip. But this, this is all another story, for another time. My mother's name is Maria, and my aunt's name is Anna. Piper brought Mother and I with him to the castle. Though he took Mother in marriage, after I was born, he has not been faithful to her. I shudder to look at him with his silver nose. Even now, just thinking of it, I brought my hand to my face. He has a nasally voice, and sings songs for the king, the Adderhead. I fear to write my thoughts of him, for this journal might fall into his fat hands. I have never met anyone who stinks of pride and fear. He fears that the White Women lurk around every corner. And there is his wife, the most recent one. She is swollen with child, but I fear what the Adderhead might do if this child was to be a girl. Oh, I cannot insult the Adderhead. He has not been horrible to mother and I, unlike Piper on his random bouts of temper. He has allowed me to learn the arts of the letters, reading and writing. I am glad of this, because I cannot let even Mother hear my concerns. How I wish to see the colours and flags of the Motley people again. I wonder if there are any new attractions.
With that last thought, our young Sofia closed her journal, and tucked it under the mattress. She smiled, reaching for a ribbon, to pull back her long caramel blonde hair. She blew out the candle on the table, walked over to her sleeping mother, and whispered, "Someday things will be different for you, Mother, I promise" She placed a note written earlier on her Mother's table, the note with a short explanation.
Sofia hastily pulled one of her work dresses from her wardrobe, and in it placed her journal, three hair ribbons, a coin purse, a quill and inkhorn, a burlap sack filled with cheese and bread, a knife 'borrowed' from her father and a necklace with a simple pewter charm. She finished wrapping the parcel, and snuck from the chamber. From there, she walked toward the Wayless Wood, a map etched in her mind.
Maria awoke with a start when the sun peered over the mountains. She glanced about the chamber she usually shared with her daughter. It was not unusual for Sofia to be out and about before the sun. She stretched her arms above her head with a yawn. As she got out of bed, she noticed a strip of paper on the bedside table. "Dearest Mother. I have gone away for a while. I have gone to Lombrica. I'd ask my father to take me, but this I fear, would be pointless. Please Mother; tell no one where I am. Perhaps, it was a foolish move, but I just needed to a go away, just for a little while. Remember, I love you!" Maria finished reading, her face turned pale and she whispered, "Oh"
Dear Journal;
I've been here five days and five nights. The forest is so large! I was a fool to think I would make it out of here! I travel while there is sun, and sometimes the nights, when I am not too tired. I've nearly exhausted my stores of bread and cheese, however, one night I came upon a raspberry bush. Oh, how pleased I was for the soft taste of a raspberry. I have rationed out my bread and cheese, so that it may last a few more nights. I must describe the forest. The long days become nippy, and I am often cold. The trees are so high; I thought it impossible, the first night. I tremble with fear, for there is always something rustling in the bushes. I know not whether I walk in the direction of my destination, or merely in circles. I was a fool to think I could make it to Lombrica all by my lonesome. I wish to find some form of civilization; even a charcoal-burner's hut would be welcome. I have even found some red anemones, which I placed in my pocket. They reminded me of a friend of my mother's, who's name was Demetrio. He loved fire, but he never used it to harm anything, or anyone. He has a house in Ombra. I shall stop there, and send him love from my mother, even if she didn't personally ask me too. Mother always wishes to be somewhere else, but she flinches to think of asking to leave. Piper can be a harsh man, of course, that is why I left without asking him to take me to Ombra…
Sofia frowned; shutting the journal she placed it back in her makeshift bag. She walked a bit farther, into a clearing. In the clearing was her wish. It was a small hut made of old wood, but it had a door, and a window. She knocked softly in the door, and no one answered. I guess I can stay here for tonight.
She opened the door, and as soon as she laid her head on her pack, she fell into a long, dreamless sleep.
The glare of the sun fell on the girl, who lay on the dirt floor of the cabin, while a young man, no more then twenty sat cross-legged in front of her, waiting for the peacefully sleeping figure to awaken. The man had a knife clutched in his hand, yet he was sure he wouldn't have to use it on the girl. When she awoke, she would explain her business, and if not, the knife was in his hand…
At that thought, thought the young girl stirred. A yawn fell from her pale lips, and she turned her head from the light, while stretching. As she turned again, and saw the man in the darker part of the hut, she screamed in fright. "Hush, darlin'. I'm not going to hurt you… yet." He whispered softly, tucking the knife in his belt.
"Wh-wh-who are you?" Sofia stuttered, grabbing her back, and moving back toward the other side of the shack.
"I wouldn't do that…" The man warned, but his warning came to late.
Sofia still scrambling away from him, felt something touch her foot. A human foot, the bones of one, at any matter, and at this fright, she screamed louder than before.