It was stormy that night and the sky had darkened to a most frightening degree. The cruel wind pulled Charlotte and pushed her harshly about, forcing her into a murky and gray-green bayou. The ground was marshy and wet, walking on it left her shoes soaked and her clothes were torn by the brambles and thorns that got caught on them. The creatures in the bayou were unkind to her as well. Alligators snapped at her heels in hopes of making a meal out of her, wild pigs chased her away if she came too close to their territory, vultures screeched harshly at her, and other beasts would either claw or bite at her.

Finally the exhausted young woman found a safe place among the wet reeds and past the tall rushes and tangled vines where there lay a bed of Spanish moss. Not the resting place she was accustomed to but her feet were so sore and she was so out of breath from running that she hardly cared. With that last of her strength, she laid herself on to that bed of moss, said her prayers, and fell into a deep sleep. Her last waking thoughts being,

"Oh what's to become of me?"

She wasn't sure how long she slept but when she awoke the storm had passed and the wind wasn't blowing so hard. She had become hungry now and began to check the pockets of her now tattered clothes for any food that she may have brought along with her. All she could find was one apple that she had plucked from one of the trees as she was walking back from the orchards. It had about one bruise or two but still good enough to eat. She was just about to bite into it when she heard the sound a twig snapping. She stood up and became stiff, fearing that what was walking toward her was another alligator or wild pig but to her relief it was a woman.

A tall, slender woman as black and sleek as a velvet cat with mysterious and glistening eyes. Her hair was kept wrapped up in a shawl and her arms and legs bore scars that Charlotte recognized as coming from lashings and whippings. No doubt this poor woman was once a slave and judging by the scars, a very mistreated one.

"Good day to you, child." The woman said politely.

"Good day." Charlotte replied in an equally polite tone.

"I apologize if I am disturbing you at the moment but I have been wandering around all night and now I am so hungry that it is unbearable. Please, would you mind sharing some food with me if you have any?"

Charlotte looked down at the apple in her hand. It was the only food she had and there was no telling when or if she would ever get anything to eat again. But when she looked back at the woman she saw that she looked very frail, starved, and withered. Like she had not eaten in weeks. As hungry as Charlotte was in that moment, her kind heart would not allow her to deny food to this woman who obviously needed nourishment.

"Here you go." She said handing her the apple. "I'm afraid that's all I have though."

"God bless you child." The woman said with a grateful smile before biting into the fruit. "You're the first person I've met who's treated me with any decency. Everyone I've met while traveling across these fields and bayous have either ignored me or spat in my face. Makes me wonder how parents are raising their children in this day and age."

"Where are you wandering to good woman?"

"Call me Rosie, child and I am on my way to visit my nephew. He's the only family I have left now which means I'll have to visit him quite often. I do enjoy his company but Lord the trip to his home is a trial. Especially when I have to trudge through this mucky wetland and deal with nasty mosquitoes and snakes biting me. I swear if I didn't love my nephew as much as I did I wouldn't have made the journey."

"Do you have much further to travel now?"

"No. Thank heaven. I'll just rest for about a minute or two then be on my way. But what's a lovely and well mannered thing like you doing in this God forsaken bayou?"

So Charlotte told Rosie the whole story of how her father had banished her for taking her heartfelt words of love as insult to his once unbreakable devotion.

"Oh child." Rosie said shaking her head with sympathy. "One of the cruel but true facts of life is that a man's pride can lead him to do many foolish and regrettable things."

"But perhaps it is my fault." She said. "My words did sound quite simple. Perhaps I should have spoken more extravagant words."

"My dear girl there is no wrong in speaking what's in your heart."

"I hope you're right but even if I wasn't wrong I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. I don't know where to go or who to turn to. My father was my only family and all my friends were his and they'll no doubt want nothing to do with me once they learn that I've been disowned."

"Well honey only you have the power to control what kind of life you'll have from now on." Rosie said. "But that doesn't mean you can't have a little help."

"What do you mean?"

"Since you gave me all that you had I think it's only natural that I give you all that I have."

"That's not necessary."

"I insist." She said. "I'm going to give you the most precious and valuable thing that I own. The most magnificent gown there ever was."

Rosie opened the satchel she carried with her and pulled out the garment that she kept inside. However it didn't exactly fit the description of "The most magnificent gown there ever was." In fact it was quite homely looking. A ragged, gossamer dress made from gray-green moss. Not at all what Charlotte was expecting but she did not want to hurt Rosie's feelings or seem ungrateful so she accepted the gift.

"Wear this moss gown proudly and I assure you it will prove useful." Rosie instructed.

"Thank you. I will." Charlotte said taking it from her.

"Now tell me, child, are you willing to work to get by?"

"Yes I am."

"Then follow the nearest dirt road and it will lead you to a cotton plantation. You'll find work there. It'll be difficult but if you work hard then the rewards will be great."

"Alright but I don't see any dirt roads nearby."

"It's right over there."

Rosie pointed to the left and when Charlotte looked in that direction she saw that just over the next marsh was a dirt road.

"Oh there it is." She said. "Thank you so much Ro-"

But when she turned back around to thank the woman she was already gone. Charlotte was left confused but didn't dwell on it long. She did as Rosie said, taking off her old clothes and changing into the moss gown which was surprisingly comfortable, then going over the marsh and down the dirt road to look for the cotton plantation she had spoken of.

The plantation was quite a sight to be hold. Seemingly endless rows of cotton plants that were thriving and ready to picked. Green, sheltered, fertile nooks and a great elm tree that spread it's broad branches over the land. Lush fields and tall grass where she could see the deer prancing about as it was mating season for them. A small pond where ducks and geese would float on the surface. Magnolia trees lined among the roads and pathways. But the piece to resistance was a manor house that stood at the center of this great land, a manor house that was much more grand and lovely than her own home.

Like her former abode it was white with pillars but there was also much more color. The roof, chimney, doors, shudders, and even the windows were rich with Autumn colors such as red, orange, and a darkened yellow. Color contrast was very unique and quite fascinating, at least to her it was.

When she knocked on the front door it was answered by a servant. A gruff looking man with a grisled beard yet respectable clothes. When he took note of Charlotte's ragged dress, dirty hands and feet, and tangled hair he became rather annoyed.

"Sorry ma'am but we don't take in beggars." He said.

"Actually I'm looking for work." She said.

"We already have enough staff."

"Please I'm willing to do anything and I have no where else to go. I won't ask for wages I just need a place to stay."

This man was the head of staff and he didn't like the idea of opening his master's home to such a dirty looking girl. But he was not without a heart and he took pity on her.

"Very well." He told her. "You can work in the kitchen. You won't be paid any wages mind you and if there are any complaints then you're out of here. Understand?"

"Yes sir."

"What's your name girl?"

She was about to answer but then it occurred to her that if anyone knew that she was the disowned and disgraced daughter of Lucifer Magne then she would no doubt be sent away. She could not think of regular name that would suffice at the moment so she decided to let them call her by the nickname her mother gave her when she was a child.

"Call me Apple Cheek."

"Apple Cheek? What the hell kind of name is that?"

"It is the only name I can use for now."

"Well I guess it kind of suits you considering how big and red those cheeks of yours are. Niffty!"

At his command a rather short but pretty young maid came running to the front door.

"Yes Husk." She replied.

"Escort this young woman to the kitchen and later prepare one of the unused servant quarters."

"Yes sir. Follow me Miss."

Charlotte did just that and wondered what fate had in store for her now.