Ten Years Later…

"Candy!" Lady Gruphay called.

"Coming!" Candy called back. She had been working in the kitchen. She ran up the stairs and into her stepmother's room. "Yes, Ma'am?"

"I going to give you a list of things we need from town."

"Yes, Ma'am" She hated going to town because people always made fun of her because she wore a tattered, filthy dress, no shoes, always filthy and her hair was always raggedly cut.

"And I expect dinner to be done by time you get back."

"But…"

"No buts." Lady Gruphay snarled. "Understand?" She glared at the girl's confusion. "Go to my daughter's rooms and tell them to make a list as well."

"Yes, M'Lady." Candy did a slight curtsy and left the room.

An hour later, Candy left the house. As she entered into town, people started pointing and laughing at her.

"There's that sewer rat." She heard someone say.

"Sewer rat? Don't you mean walking pig sty" another scoffed. Candy continued walking pretending not to hear them. A moment later she felt a mud ball hit her in the face. As she wiped it off she felt more hit her. She tried to run but couldn't move for the people surrounding her. She fell to the ground and covered her face. Mud, rocks and sticks struck her from all sides.

"Stop!" She heard someone shout, but they continued their scoffing. She could feel someone standing near her. "If you want to beat someone, beat me." Candy looked up, surprised that someone would defend her. As she looked up, she looked into a pair of deep blue eyes. The young man smiled at her then looked at the crowd. "If you're done, then leave." The young man withdrew a sword and pointed it at the crowd. "Make your choice now, or else." The crowd started slowly dispersing. He put his sword away and bent down and scooped her into his arms.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I am fine." She said. "May I ask to whom I am indebted to?"

"I'm Jay." He smiled at her. "And you are?"

"I'm Candy." She smiled back at him. "You're the first person that has helped me in all my time of coming here."

"Nobody should be treated that way"

"You can't stop it all."

"No. But I can try."

Candy remained silent, trying to think of something to say. She then realized that she was still in Jay's arms.

"Um…"

"Yes?"

She wiggled "Do you think you could put me down?"

With a nervous chuckle, he set her back onto the ground "I'm sorry"

"Thank you for your help, but I must get the things on this list." Candy started walking off.

"Candy."

"Yes?"

"Will I be able to see you again?"

"I don't come to town often"

"Well, can I come see you where you live?"

"No."

"But."

"I'm sorry, Jay, but I will never be able to see you again. Good bye." She ran down the road and around corner.

"I will see you again." Jay said to himself.

Candy made her way back home four hours later. As she walked through the door she could hear her stepmother calling her.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Did you get everything on the lists?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Would you like me to bring them up here"

"Yes. And bring dinner with you." Candy ran downstairs and scooped up the bean soup she had put on before she left. She put each bowl on a tray with a piece of bread. She then carried them upstairs gave them to whomever they were going to, then ran back downstairs and brought up the purchases. When they were finished eating, Candy collected the dishes and turned out the main house's lights. She then washed the dishes, tidied up the kitchen, and then went to her room. As she lay on her rug, all she could think about was Jay and she kept hearing him say her name. She knew that he would always be in her mind and heart. She fell asleep with the memory of him, his voice and being in his arms.