AN: thanx to all those who reviewed. My computer had that worm that shuts
off your computer randomly and it was a big pain so I've finally had a
chance to update my stories.
Chapter 5
"Please don't let Marta see me. PLEASE." I thought desperately. There she was talking to Sam at the front desk blocking my way out. I was surprised and thankful she hadn't started shrieking my name for the entire library to hear. I would be to embarrassed to see Terri again ever. Well maybe not ever but still a fifteen-year-old girl who still needs a nurse. It can't get any more pathetic.
Here was my chance Marta and Sam were both walking into the library. They looked concerned. I've seen Marta angry because of me but never concerned. Something really weird is happening. As Marta and Sam walked further into the library I slipped out from behind the book cart I had been hiding behind and ran for the door. I was free. I happily whistled crossing the street. Marta wouldn't find me in the library, I wouldn't get another lecture and I was going to see Terri again.
As I thought about Terri my thoughts went back to the guards. Why were they after Terri? I didn't want to believe Terri was a criminal but I hardly knew him. I tried to piece together all I knew about him. He obviously was well educated and he probably wasn't poor. The library was open to anyone rich or not, but thinking back on it Terri's clothes had always looked not fancy but expensive. I really never paid attention. I can kind of remember colors. The first day I think he was wearing a black tunic and today he had been wearing green. That's about it. I wasn't sure of Terri's age he seemed a couple years older then me but I wasn't sure. I opened the door to my house still trying to figure out Terri when I heard the sound of stifled crying.
"Betsy what wrong?" I said rushing to her side.
"Ria," she said between sobs, "Thank goodness your safe. We were so worried." "Worried?" I interrupted, "about me?"
"Of course, your who the men were looking for. I think."
"The men? What men?"
"The men who were looking for you."
"I know that, but who were they?"
"I've never seen them before in my life. They were all dressed in black with cloaks that covered their faces and they said they wanted to speak with the daughter of Lord Faris. Marta told them to get out of the house this instant and they did but I've never been more frightened in my life. As soon as they left Marta went looking for you."
"I wonder why they wanted me?" I said more to myself then to Betsy. I thought of Terri but it couldn't be because of him I've never told him my Father's name. Terri doesn't know much about me either I suddenly realized.
"Ria! Where have you been?" Marta burst through the door. "I want you in your room now and lock the door." I nodded to show I would then headed upstairs. Once I was in my room I locked the door a thousand questions racing through my mind. Why did the door need to be locked? Why wasn't Marta giving a lecture? Who were those men? I flopped onto my bed discouraged that I didn't know any of the answers. Maybe when Father comes home he'll explain things.
A couple hours later Marta came up to my room. "Let me in Ria," she commanded. " I made a face at the door and walked over to open it. Marta gave me a tired look. Obviously the day had been more stressful then I anticipated. I waited for her to speak hoping she wouldn't vent her frustrations on me. After a long pause she began.
"Ria, I can't keep you away from the library can I." she reminded me of a tired general who had realized he was fighting a losing battle and was preparing to surrender.
"No ma'm"
"Then I must ask you to use be careful. I don't want you associating with strangers and please if anybody approaches you tell Sam immediately."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, when you leave and return from the library I expect you to inform me immediately."
"Sounds fair enough." We stood there for a few minutes. Marta moved in front of my window and stared at the streets below. Evening was fast approaching and she seemed to be checking the streets for dangerous intruders who might be lurking in the growing shadows. I finally gained enough courage. My voice was quiet as I asked, "Marta, what happened today? I got some of the story from Betsy but if I'm in danger I think I should know."
"You aren't," Marta said staring directly at me, "but I fear your father may be and one way to get a man to do what you want is by having something he loves as a bargaining tool." I was beginning to see what Marta was getting at.
"Father?" I cried in alarm, "Who would trouble father?"
"I don't know" Marta sighed wearily, "I hope he returns soon. For his sake and yours too." I knew she wasn't lying but I had a feeling she wasn't telling the entire truth either. Before I could ask any more questions Marta marched out of the room " I'll have Betsy bring up some supper" She said as she shut the door. I sat by the window more confused then ever.
AN: Ok I know the story doesn't sound exactly like Cinderella yet but give me some time and as always please review.
Chapter 5
"Please don't let Marta see me. PLEASE." I thought desperately. There she was talking to Sam at the front desk blocking my way out. I was surprised and thankful she hadn't started shrieking my name for the entire library to hear. I would be to embarrassed to see Terri again ever. Well maybe not ever but still a fifteen-year-old girl who still needs a nurse. It can't get any more pathetic.
Here was my chance Marta and Sam were both walking into the library. They looked concerned. I've seen Marta angry because of me but never concerned. Something really weird is happening. As Marta and Sam walked further into the library I slipped out from behind the book cart I had been hiding behind and ran for the door. I was free. I happily whistled crossing the street. Marta wouldn't find me in the library, I wouldn't get another lecture and I was going to see Terri again.
As I thought about Terri my thoughts went back to the guards. Why were they after Terri? I didn't want to believe Terri was a criminal but I hardly knew him. I tried to piece together all I knew about him. He obviously was well educated and he probably wasn't poor. The library was open to anyone rich or not, but thinking back on it Terri's clothes had always looked not fancy but expensive. I really never paid attention. I can kind of remember colors. The first day I think he was wearing a black tunic and today he had been wearing green. That's about it. I wasn't sure of Terri's age he seemed a couple years older then me but I wasn't sure. I opened the door to my house still trying to figure out Terri when I heard the sound of stifled crying.
"Betsy what wrong?" I said rushing to her side.
"Ria," she said between sobs, "Thank goodness your safe. We were so worried." "Worried?" I interrupted, "about me?"
"Of course, your who the men were looking for. I think."
"The men? What men?"
"The men who were looking for you."
"I know that, but who were they?"
"I've never seen them before in my life. They were all dressed in black with cloaks that covered their faces and they said they wanted to speak with the daughter of Lord Faris. Marta told them to get out of the house this instant and they did but I've never been more frightened in my life. As soon as they left Marta went looking for you."
"I wonder why they wanted me?" I said more to myself then to Betsy. I thought of Terri but it couldn't be because of him I've never told him my Father's name. Terri doesn't know much about me either I suddenly realized.
"Ria! Where have you been?" Marta burst through the door. "I want you in your room now and lock the door." I nodded to show I would then headed upstairs. Once I was in my room I locked the door a thousand questions racing through my mind. Why did the door need to be locked? Why wasn't Marta giving a lecture? Who were those men? I flopped onto my bed discouraged that I didn't know any of the answers. Maybe when Father comes home he'll explain things.
A couple hours later Marta came up to my room. "Let me in Ria," she commanded. " I made a face at the door and walked over to open it. Marta gave me a tired look. Obviously the day had been more stressful then I anticipated. I waited for her to speak hoping she wouldn't vent her frustrations on me. After a long pause she began.
"Ria, I can't keep you away from the library can I." she reminded me of a tired general who had realized he was fighting a losing battle and was preparing to surrender.
"No ma'm"
"Then I must ask you to use be careful. I don't want you associating with strangers and please if anybody approaches you tell Sam immediately."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, when you leave and return from the library I expect you to inform me immediately."
"Sounds fair enough." We stood there for a few minutes. Marta moved in front of my window and stared at the streets below. Evening was fast approaching and she seemed to be checking the streets for dangerous intruders who might be lurking in the growing shadows. I finally gained enough courage. My voice was quiet as I asked, "Marta, what happened today? I got some of the story from Betsy but if I'm in danger I think I should know."
"You aren't," Marta said staring directly at me, "but I fear your father may be and one way to get a man to do what you want is by having something he loves as a bargaining tool." I was beginning to see what Marta was getting at.
"Father?" I cried in alarm, "Who would trouble father?"
"I don't know" Marta sighed wearily, "I hope he returns soon. For his sake and yours too." I knew she wasn't lying but I had a feeling she wasn't telling the entire truth either. Before I could ask any more questions Marta marched out of the room " I'll have Betsy bring up some supper" She said as she shut the door. I sat by the window more confused then ever.
AN: Ok I know the story doesn't sound exactly like Cinderella yet but give me some time and as always please review.