Author's note: Here's the next chapter, since I have a lot of these saved up in doc manager, and I'll continue posting chapters on my Quotev account, this is relatively short but the chapters from here on will get darker and worse for lil Benjamin. I only own Hashira/Hadley, I do not own BEN Drowned, please review.
Benedict road into a small town with Hadley sitting him. It had been a few days since he had taken Hadley from her home in that cultist village. He had been trying to get her out of the habits she had gotten from her life in such a horrible horrible place.
He stopped his horse and jumped down before helping her get off, "Come on Hadley, I know this town and I know some people that can help you not be in torn up rags for cheap."
"B...but this is what I wear for the year… they told me that I could only have one outfit for a year…" She looked down a bit at that.
"Exactly why I am bringing you to some people I know to get you something that isn't rags." He huffed, wondering just what horrible things they told her, "But first we need to check into an inn, it is almost nightfall."
She nodded a little, as he brought her towards the nearby inn. They were let in with no problem, no creepy villager to come and bother them, all they got were looks from the innkeeper and a whisper of being quiet so other guests could sleep. They walked into their room, which had two beds and a window which made Hadley stop in confusion.
"What's wrong Hadley?" Benedict asked as he set his gear down by one of the beds.
"I've never slept in one of those before… My room was empty apart from some straw to lay on and didn't let me look outside…" She blinked at the odd sight in front of her.
"Hadley, I've told you before, everything those villagers told you was right, is actually wrong. You need not worry yourself about everything, I will help you."
"Thanks Benedict…" she smiled a bit.
"I can't imagine what life was like for you in that village, it must've been horrible." He sighed.
"Well it really only got worse when I was old enough for the mask ceremony. Children are supposed to get their masks and be blessed by Luna when they turn 6, but they whipped me and told me I housed a fire demon and should not be allowed to taint the masks. They told me I'd be the first to die when Luna comes down and consumes everything." She looked down, "The other kids would throw rocks at me, and every day I'd be shoved into cleansing water."
Benedict got up and hugged her then, "That isn't going to happen as long as you are here with me, you are under my protection and you need not any mask to hide behind."
"Benedict… we need to be careful around towns… the only people I know that were allowed to leave the village are mask salesmen… if I am seen…" Benedict hugged her tighter, then to comfort her.
"Hadley, you are safe, no one will know. Now get some rest, a flower shouldn't be covered and hidden from the world to wilt." Benedict smiled before he realizes what she had said, "What do you mean 'when Luna comes down and consumes everything.'?"
"The prophecy of my village, the Moon's Children are my village. The moon will one day crash into the ground and Luna's chosen will be what's left for the new world." She said blankly as if it were fact.
"Hadley, the moon isn't going to crash into the ground, and if it does I'll protect you and you won't be the first to die." He held her like that and hummed a small tune and eventually she went to sleep, he won't let her die, he needs to get her to safety.
