It has been 9 years ago since that day, and not a day goes by that I do regret my being alive. I don't trust people anymore. Everyone I have ever known has been a lie to me. After my parents died of the plague on my 11th birthday, our landlord sold our share of the land and I was sold to a wealthy merchant in town. Since then, I have been living a life of servitude and poverty.
"Maria, I will not tell you a second time!" my master called to me. He was fuming up the stairs ready with his cane. This was the day I was supposed to be going into town to pick up a loom.
"My apologies master, I was on my way out and..."
I was struck mid-sentence by a forceful blow to my face. My eyes sparkled and I staggered to keep my balance. Nothing outraged me more than having Master Grangerlous grope me and beat me in the same day. As I watched him smolder, hating the sight of him, I bowed low to show my "regret" at not being on time, though if I dared to stall even longer, it could have cost me more than a strike to the face. Satisfied at my gesture, he allowed me to pass, glaring at me all the way down the steps. With burning cheeks, I flew out the door before he could get another swing in. Once in the streets, I hid my face in my cloak because beginning to swell and turn blue.
"Mommy, what is that horrible monster?" a child calls out in dismay with his lip curled to show displeasure. My cloak must have slipped.
"Was my face that bad?" I whispered to myself. I really didn't care what anybody thought anymore, but having my face blackened humiliated me and destroyed what was left of my dignity.
"If this is how I am to be treated, then what's the purpose of living?" I said under my breath. "If I have nothing left, why should I go on?"
I was a good seamstress, some even dared to say the best in the land, but nothing could make my talent worse than wasting it on Master Grangerlous and his stout, pompous old wife. It seemed every time I was to go out and buy fabric, an extra three yards were needed to complete any clothing for that old hag.
I stared at the little boy and he hid, frightened, under his mother's cloak. I then looked up at the mother, who only sneered at me as the common garbage collecting in the conduit. Hurriedly she walked past, not saying a word.
Ok, this is a transition chapter into Maria's now present life. It is short as well as the other chapters, but now that we've cleared the background of the story, the chapters will get longer, unless you want me to keep them short and numerous. Tell me what y'all want and I will do my best.
