Chapter eight
After Tobias left, Rachel tucked her dress underneath her and sat, her head in her hands. She sighed halfheartedly and ran her fingers through her hair tangled with brambles and sweat. As she undid the knots, she thought of the boy who she'd met just minutes before. Tobias. She smiled and pulled her hand away from her hair.

What's so special about him? Rachel thought, standing up and picking a juicy berry. She found no answer to her question.

Slowly she walked toward the exit, twirling the blackberry in her fingers. The juice spilled across her hands. It almost looked like she was bleeding.

She was: from the inside. The very thought of her Fiancé tore her apart, and she bled. With hate, resentment, and fear.

How ironic.

Soon Rachel made her way down the dusty road. When she reached the place where she hid her shoes, she pulled them out of their hiding place and slid them on her feet. Frowning, Rachel walked back to her house.

So as to not draw attention to herself, Rachel went around her house, disappearing in the shadows. As she slipped unnoticed through the forest bordering her property, Rachel saw something strange blended into the environment of the wood.

It was a cottage - a little log cabin. Rachel studied it closely and saw an old road leading to another cabin.

Curious, Rachel crept closer, keeping in the shadows. After studying them for a while, Rachel came to the conclusion that they were abandoned houses. They definitely looked the part. Derelict, dirty, and mossy, the cottages looked like they had been without owners for years. They were a sorry sight.

Crunch! Rachel jumped as she smashed a piece of glass into the ground. Looking around, she noticed that there was glass everywhere, shining on the overgrown grass. Rachel bent down and picked up a sliver, holding it between her fingers. It had a strange, dreary scent.

Finally, Rachel stood up and began her walk back to the plantation through the small wood, stepping carefully to avoid making a sound. She didn't want to be caught here. Not in this part of the forest.

As soon as she stepped into her father's property, she relaxed. Rachel tiptoed quietly towards her large, white-painted house. It was a really beautiful, elegant home, but somehow, it made her feel horrible, thinking of Tobias living in a home where nobody wanted him, when she could have such luxuries.

He was a very nice boy - to nice to be treated like an animal trapped in a cage.

All of a sudden, a noise echoed through the trees. Rachel turned around, ready to run, when she saw a man stumble forward in front of her, obviously drunk. Rachel squinted, trying to make out the man's appearance. She didn't recognize him in the darkness.

It was hard to tell, but he seemed to be wearing rather nice, clean clothes. Except for the fact that he was drunk, he could have been a host at some sort of party.

Rachel backed away from the man and slowly walked backwards away from him. He didn't seem to notice her, or he just didn't care. Rachel still couldn't see his face, for it was hidden in shadow.

Rachel couldn't stand it any longer. She turned and ran out of the forest, only to arrive right on the front porch of her house. She let herself in and shut the door behind her quietly.

"Where have you been, young lady?" Rachel spun around just in time to see a scowl appear on her mother's face. Rachel lifted her chin defiantly and looked her mother straight in the eye.

"I was on a walk, Mother," she said, brushing off some dirt on her dress. Her mother looked suspiciously at the stains and dirt on her dress.

"Rachel Berenson. Not only have did you come home alone without an escort, you came home filthy! You ruined a perfectly good dress with blood stains!"

"It's not blood. It's berry juice." Rachel said coldly.

"Don't you use that tone of voice with me, Rachel. You know what I want to hear."

"And that is?"

"John. Why wasn't he with you?" Her mother asked, crossing her arms. Rachel clenched her fists upon hearing his name.

"I wanted to be alone." She said coolly, "if you'll excuse me, I need to get my rest. That walk tired me."

Rachel walked out of the room, and her mother gave a long sigh. She too went upstairs to her bedroom.

Once inside her small bedroom sanctuary, Rachel changed into her nightgown and slipped beneath her covers, pulling them over herself for warmth. Try as she might, Rachel couldn't stop thinking of the conversation with Tobias earlier that evening. She then realized with a start that she was actually looking forward to seeing him.

There was just something about him.
Chapter nine
The next day, Rachel waited all day for the time when she would see her newfound friend. She was impatient all day, always glancing quickly at the clock. The only part of her day that was not filled with thoughts of Tobias was during the middle hours of the day when she went outside and had a picnic with Jake and Marco. Rachel found Marco to be somewhat annoying, but she enjoyed his company nonetheless.

For the feast on the lawn, Rachel's mother had made biscuits, roasted chicken, pies, fresh fruits from the orchard, and even some cider for a beverage. The meal was delicious, and Rachel enjoyed every bit of it. She even laughed as Marco began to stuff his face full of chicken.

Then, she held out a handkerchief to him. He took it, grinning.

"Thank you, Miss." Marco said, dabbing his lips with it, "I haven't had food like this for. wait! I've never had food like this! It's wonderful. Send my compliments to the chief."

Rachel nodded and nibbled off a bit of biscuit. Her thoughts drifted again, and Jake glanced at her, concerned, as her face went from thoughtful to blank.

"Rachel?" He asked, shaking her arm. She looked at him and smiled.

"What is it?"

Jake suddenly understood. He gave her a grin.

"Oh. I understand, Rachel. You've been thinking of John and the wedding." Jake was surprised to see Rachel force a grim smile and clench her fists angrily. She set her jaw.

"Yes. How did you know?" She lied, spitting out the words venomously. Marco looked at her curiously, but stayed quiet. This was a matter between family members. Marco took a swig of cider.

"Lucky guess." Jake said, dropping the matter. He fingered a biscuit and bit off a chunk, chewing slowly. Rachel tensed.

"What are you planning to do tonight?" Jake asked, trying to change the subject. Rachel relaxed, losing her hostile manner.

"I am planning to go on a walk." She said, picking up her skirt and standing up. Jake and Marco watched her, confused. Rachel spoke again.

"Are you finished?" She asked. Jake and Marco held out their plates and Rachel took them. They took the food inside. Rachel's mother smiled as they came in. Marco shrunk behind Jake, nervous upon being around people he didn't know.

"Was the meal good, Jake?" Her mother asked.

"Very good, Ma'am." He replied, flashing a charming smile. Rachel's mother smiled again.

"Thank you. Now, you three go have some fun." She said, taking the plates from Rachel's arms. Jake and Marco put the food down in the kitchen.

Thanking Rachel's mother again, the three friends walked out onto the fresh, green lawn. They had a great time, laughing and talking and sharing stories. For one moment, Rachel forgot about her bitter life, her astringent existence. She was having fun with her friends; not getting married and helping a slave girl escape from her father's plantation. But try as she might, she couldn't imagine Cassie being there with Jake and Marco and herself. Yet.

Just then, a horrible sight overwhelmed Rachel. John was walking towards her. He was smiling broadly for Marco and Jake.

Rachel clutched Jake's arm. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She was shaking and the knuckles on her hand were white. John walked up to the trio.

"Hello John," Jake said, prying Rachel's hand from his arm. John smiled quickly, gave Marco a once-over, and turned instead to Rachel. He smiled and pulled her up. Rachel immediately tensed her muscles. John gently pulled her away from Jake and Marco.

"If you'll excuse us, we'll be leaving your little tea-party now." John said, straightening his shirt. Rachel could only clench and unclench her hands in anger. She tried to calm herself, but to no prevail.

How dare he treat her like this?

"Why do you ignore me, Rachel?" John asked, looking at her sternly once he led her away from Marco and Jake. Rachel swallowed. John sighed, partially annoyed.

"I want you to be mine, Rachel. You know I can get what I want. And I want you." He continued, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Rachel closed her eyes and tried to ignore him, thinking of Tobias. Sweet, kind Tobias.

She opened her eyes again and John began again, narrowing his eyes at Rachel.

"You'll be my wife, Rachel. You can't do anything about it. Your drunken excuse for a father is so easy to bribe." John said, smiling and shaking his head.

Rachel glared at him and closed her mouth so he wouldn't hear the flow of words that threatened to escape her mouth. John touched her face with a long, thin finger.

"Not happy with the arrangement? Well, get used to it, Sweetheart."

He pinched her cheek and walked off, leaving Rachel to glare at his back in rage. She bit her lip, breath coming out of her mouth in short, ragged breaths. There was no doubt in her mind. She needed to leave soon. And fast. There was absolutely no way that anybody could convince her to marry, that. that disgusting, wicked man. She sighed and clenched her fists again.

Rachel walked back to Marco and Jake. They didn't see anything, but with one look at Rachel's angry expression, they didn't say anything to her about John. She ignored them and sat down, her head in her hands. Marco and Jake glanced at each other, but left Rachel alone.

Soon, the sun began to set, the wind blowing in the trees. Rachel stood up, wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, and walked off, ordering Jake to tell her father that she was going on a walk. Jake nodded and watched her retreating back.

He went inside to deliver the message to his uncle. { A/N: Sorry about the cliffhanger, it's just that I have two other stories I'm in the middle of and. *slaps forehead* I have sooo much to work on right now! I have to work on the other two, too ya know! :) *hehe* well, I'll keep working. I have a plot! Go me! Yay! Love you guys! }