A/N: Hey guys! Thanks as always for your support! I am so grateful to have fans like you! Look out for the next chapter coming soon!
Chapter 9.
Suspicious Stranger
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"This should do the trick, Mr. Thomas." Sarah smiled at the man whom she'd come to know well over the years. Henry Thomas was always stopping by the apothecary to find remedies for all sorts of ailments. Today he came in complaining about a rash, and she gladly provided him with the necessary treatment.
"Thanks Sarah. By the way, did you hear about the disturbance over at Grady Harrison's place? Seems there were some intruders this morning."
Sarah nodded. "Did they find out who it was?"
"They're talking to Grady right now, but I'm not sure they'll get much out of him." Henry shook his head. "Crazy old drunk... Well, you take care of yourself, okay?"
"Oh, don't worry about me." She smiled and handed the man his purchase.
"Thank you Sarah. You're a lifesaver."
"Well I'm always happy to help."
He smiled and turned to leave. She pulled out the drawer beneath the counter and stored his payment in the proper place.
"Good morning," she heard.
Sarah looked up to see a young woman approaching her. The first thing she noticed were the girl's pale blue eyes that stood out like crystals against her tan skin. She was indeed a beautiful girl, though her dress was dreadfully plain and the bottom hem was torn. Her chin-length brown hair was in disarray and her cheeks were flushed as if she'd ran here. But she approached the counter confidently enough.
It wasn't until the girl reached her that Sarah noticed the marks on her neck. Working in the apothecary had made her pretty good at diagnosing injuries, and if she didn't know any better she'd say those marks were from someone's grip, as if this girl had been strangled. She quickly disgarded the thought, however, ashamed for jumping to conclusions about a girl she didn't even know. After all, this girl didn't seem to be scared or in pain. Sarah put on a smile.
"Morning miss. How may I help you?"
"I need bandages and disinfectant. And some pain medicine."
She looked at this young woman more closely. Usually people came in with an ailment or a complaint, asking Sarah's advice and what she'd best recommend. This girl's demands were soft-spoken but very direct.
"It's for a friend," the girl added.
Sarah took one more look at the young woman's appearance; the anxious, bright eyes and sad, polite smile. Then she nodded and went to the back room of the shop. As she pulled out the box of bandages and opened it up, she glanced at the wall in front of her where messages or IOUs were displayed. Next to this week's work schedule was a sign, recently posted. As she read over it a second time, something in her gut unnerved her. It was a description of a missing girl. Kendra Forester was the name. Short brown hair, blue eyes. Sarah thought about the girl up front. The description matched her. And it made sense... This girl was not from Dubia, which explained the fact that she didn't wear a headscarf like most women around here—it was a highly accessible fashion and most women took advantage of it. But what kidnapped girl would walk into an apothecary in the middle of the morning? Certain she was imagining things—she had a tendency to over think everything—Sarah pushed the thought to the back of her mind and returned to the front room. She grabbed the pill box on her way back to the girl.
"Here you are," Sarah said. She opened the pill box and took two of the pain pills and tucked them inside the rolled up bandages. "Will that be all?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, mam." Very polite.
Sarah put the three items in a bag and told her the price.
"I-I'm sorry, I have no money..."
Sarah looked up, slightly annoyed. No money? Then why are you here? Then she realized the girl must've known upon walking in that she had no money. She must be expecting charity...maybe she was homeless? She sure looked like it, what with her plain attire and dusty face. For some reason those blue eyes made Sarah trust her. Kendra Forester or not, Sarah decided to take pity on the girl. She smiled.
"I can tell you are a good soul. You have honest blue eyes. Take these, no charge."
She stared at Sarah. "Really?" Of course she was shocked.
Sarah nodded, thinking about the notice in the back room. She couldn't shake the suspicion that this was her. Maybe someone had threatened her not to say anything... Sarah tried to help the girl out, using her kindest voice. "You know, most girls don't wear their hair so short... What did you say your name was dear?"
"I didn't..." The girl suddenly became very uneasy. Sarah saw her raise her hand to her head and she noticed a bandage wrapped around her left hand. When the girl saw her looking at it, she dropped it immediately. Sarah wanted to ask her what happened, and why she needed more bandages.
"W-well, th-thank you for your kindness," she stammered. But Sarah couldn't let her go. The way she was acting was so suspicious. She tried to get the girl to tell the truth.
"Anytime. You know, you look a lot like that girl everyone's been searching for. Short brown hair, blue eyes... And you say you have no money? Strange that someone of your age would come in here expecting charity. What are you... seventeen?" Please let me help you.
But she dodged the question. "Oh I heard about that girl. It's too bad they can't find her..." She took the pouch from the counter. "Well, thanks for your help." She immediately turned away and left the store. Sarah watched as the door closed behind her, her bandaged hand and torn dress catching her eye. What am I doing? Sarah thought. Even if this wasn't the girl on the poster, she was still clearly in need of help. Sarah moved around the counter and walked to door. Then she saw the girl glance at the wall near the window before she got on her horse. Sarah opened the door to see what she was looking at. Her eyes grew wide—it was that same sign. Somehow she knew this must be Kendra. She whirled around and saw the girl turn her horse toward the gate. Why was she leaving?
"Miss!" she called, "Miss, come back!" but Sarah watched as the girl ignored her and raced out of the gate without looking back. It had to be her. She must be in trouble.
Sarah had to tell somebody...
She hurried up to one of the nearby guards. "John!"
The young guard turned. "Sarah? Is something wrong?"
"Did you see that girl that just hurried out of here?" He nodded. "I think she's the girl that's been missing—Kendra Forester."
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