Alas, It Cannot Be

by The Chandelier Fell

Emma Waters wishes to please her family and better her station, but when she is set up with a dull gentleman she wants out. Through her diary entries we explore the life of a young lady trapped by society and duty. Romantic Emma finally gets her wish of true love when she meets a certain top hat-wearing cockney boy. But alas, it cannot be.

4. Chapter 4

Dear Diary,

I've decided to run away. It was a silly choice, I know, but I can't take it anymore.

William asked if he could call me Emma rather than Ms. Winters, yesterday. That's when it hit me. We would be married soon. I would be even more trapped than I already am. I had to escape.

I packed all my favorite things and some food and money. I left a little note telling my parents and William not to worry. Then I ran.

It's kind of cold out here. Very dark in this alley. I can hardly see what I am writing. I wish I had thought this through a bit more. It won't be very long till I starve. What if the Workhouse takes me? What if I'm attacked by drunken goons?

I need to calm down. I'll be fine. I know I can find that boy and he'll take care of me, just like in a novel. I know I'll be safe.