Chapter 2: 6 Months Later

6 months passed and May was finally 16. She was off in a daydream when she heard someone screaming her name. She had on her white outfit since it was chore day. She sighed and walked downstairs. "Yes, step mom?", she asked wondering what she had to do now. "Go and fetch some water from the well and if you spill any, you will be swimming in it!", Misty said in her I'm in control voice. "Fine.", May said with a sigh. Harley laughed, "You still have to buy food from the market too." Misty smiled a wicked smile, "Oh yes, I forgot. Thank you son." May stomped off angrilly. As she was filling the water Harley was foiling a plan from nearby. "I'll make her spill and then I'll push her in." He thought laughing. May weakly carried the water as it was extremely heavy. Harley stuck out his foot and tripped her. The water spilled everywhere. "Oh. Look what you did. Get up and get some more water or I'll tell mom.", Harley said in his mocking voice. May got up, as she was sopping wet. She slid on the water and mud combination. "Harley, please help me up.", May said weakly as she fell into the mud. He laughed and pushed her down the well. He threw her some insults and sneered, "Looks like you won't be eating again today." May groaned. The reason she was so weak, was because Misty hadn't fed her for 1 month. May's sides were caved in and she heaved whenever she breathed. She screamed as Harley threw water down the well and nearly drowned her. A passerby who was trying to take on a new identity thought he heard a well screaming. Harley left May all alone in the well. The mysterious passerby walked over to the well. He saw May's practically lifeless body. He reached in and pulled her out. "Wake up.", he soothed. Stroking her hair. She started to cough and her sides heaved. "Where..am...I?", she said gasping. "I don't know. Where I found you.", the boy said not trying to be smart. "Oh.", she said smiling weakly. He put a piece of bread to her face. "Hungry?", he said with a lopsided grin. "No, but thanks.", she said weakly. "But you are so skinny. I can practically see your ribs. Please take it.", he said placing a hand on her rib and holding the bread out to her. "Stop it, please. I can't accept your food.", she said gathering up her strength and putting her bucket down the well, drawing up water. "I can carry it.", he said reaching for it. "I said I don't need your help.", she said and tripped. "You can hardly lift it.", he tried to grab it again. "Are you trying to get me in trouble? I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.", she said angrilly. "Sorry. My name is Ash. Now I'm not a stranger.", he grinned as he spoke. "Just let me get this to my family, or I won't hear the last of it!", she growled annoyed. "Sorry.", he said with great sympothy. She gave a small smile. "Wait!", Ash said. "What?", she said even more annoyed. "I'll wait for you and if you need to go to the market, we can go together!", he said smiling. "Fine.", she growled. "Wait for me here. Ok?" "Sure.", he said with a grin. Finally he was being treated like a normal person. "While you're at it hide behind that tree.", she said giving a faint smile. He nodded and she walked away.

Back in her home, if that is what you wanna call it. May gave Misty the water. "So it took you that long to get water.", Misty cackled. "Indeed.", May replied. "Now, here is the money and make sure to get ramen for tonights meal.", she said thrusting the money into May's hands. May took off to find Ash. She ran and caught her shirt on the tree branch. "Just hanging around?", Ash asked in a joking voice. "Get me down!", was all she could say. He gently pulled her down. "Better?", he asked. May brushed herself off. "Yes. Thanks for the help." "Sure. It's my job.", he said. "Where to?" "Market.", May said. Ash took her hand and walked her there. Little did she know, May was in big trouble.

At the market, Ash got stares as he walked with the girl in the tattered clothes. "Keep your head low.", Ash had told her. He held her hand. "What do you need to get?", Ash asked. May smiled. "Ramen." "Interesting.", Ash said. "So is that all you eat?" "Um.. no.", she said kicking a rock. Noticing her actions he changed the subject. "Do you come here often?" "Yes. All the time.", she said with a smile. "Then let's meet here.", he said gently. "Ok.", she said as she bought the ramen. "See you tomorrow.", Ash said as she took off running. "Yeah.", she said.

Back at home. Harley had told Misty that May had been talking to a stranger. "I heard you was talking to a stranger!", Misty screamed as May walked in the door. "To a stranger. Heh. No. You are mistaken. I would never go behind your back.", May said hoping Misty would believe it. Obviously she wasn't. "You get into your room!", Misty said shoving May and locking the door. May flopped down on her bed crying even though it hurt her. Max was silent at lunch.

The next day was even worse for May. Misty had grabbed May and put a tight belt around her waist. She could hardly breathe. She was to wear it all day and if it came off she would get whipped. May was told to go to the market. She hurried as there wasn't any reason to stay at home. She put her head down as she walked. She couldn't been down to get stuff, because the belt tightened when she did that morning. She was to buy some chicken by the pound. May searched with her head up to find the chicken. She saw it by a young boy who was sitting on the ground. He held out his hands. She knew she had more than enough money so she tossed a coin to the child. He jumped up and bought a loaf of bread and munched on it like he never ate before. May was buying the chicken, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around to find Ash. "Leave me alone!", she cried as she took the chicken in her hands. "Wake up to early?", Ash asked trying to be kind. "Shut up and leave me alone!", May wailed. "Can I at least talk to you?", Ash asked as gently as he could. "No! I got in trouble yesterday and it's all your fault!", she screamed shoving Ash. "Stop her!", a cop screamed. "No!", Ash said. He threw the hood of of his head. "Prince Ash!", said the cop bowing. "Catch her, but don't hurt her! I wish to see her and this is the only way I can.", Ash said sadly shaking her head. "I need to talk to her!" The cop smiled, "Will do, Prince!" ..To be continued...