"Aye, ya just in time girl!" called the Weaver "I'll have what ya want if ya give me a second." He stated lively.

"Very good sir, I'll stand over here out of your way." I moved in the direction of the wall. Leaning against it, I thought back to the scene at the fountain.

"Why would someone of such great importance care so much about my well being?" I reflected. "Did my look show so much dismal that he felt it his moral duty to assist me anyway possible? Or maybe he felt sorrow for me like a boy who shows sorrow for a lost, homeless dog?"

All these questions flew through my head, but I could barely concentrate because of the Weaver's loud racket in the back room, so I decided to leave William's actions as pity, and nothing more. Besides, it wasn't as if I would see him ever again, right?

With my head cleared and the noise gone, the Weaver gave me the claim for the loom and told me it would arrive at sundown, if all doings went on schedule. Quickly thanking him, I strode out the door, wanting never to go near the place again. Late in the day, I arrived at my Master's Manor. I quietly stepped over the threshold, not wanting Master Grangerlous to hear me come in. Often times, he would be intoxicated and perform cruel actions. Whenever he became drunk, as a child, I hid in my room under my bed to escape his wrath. He never did have his wits when he was drunk; it was either me or the other servant, Tatlina, which he would come after in the night. A shiver of terror shot down my spine as I thought of it. Hopefully, if luck be with me, I would be sold again and my life of living in fear would end. Suddenly, my daydream was interrupted.

"Maria? Ah, Maria you're home!" He approached me and a wicked smile was spreading athwart his evil face. I could smell his breath; he had been drinking.

"It's so good to see you, or rather .....part of you.....Maria, what has happened to your face?"

He had been so hung-over this morning he couldn't remember. Not wanting to remind him, I said,

"Nothing master, I fell and hit my face on the side of my bed this morning, it was a silly thing to do, but I should recover in a week."

Master Grangerlous stroked the side of my face along my bruise. His hand was cold, rough and very unwelcome.

"Well, we can just get that cleaned up, can't we?" he whispered in my ear, his voice sounded eerily like a snake.

He grabbed my mouth and inclined to kiss me, but I hastily dodged, and drunk, Master Grangerlous passed out and fell to the floor, spilling his bottle of bourbon. This was my chance to get away, so without hesitation, I took it.

I jogged up the steep incline of stairs and into my quarters, shutting the door behind me. I sank to floor to let my breath catch up with me. If I had wanted to cry, I would have, but the tears just wouldn't come.

"You have to be strong, don't give up Maria! I can make it if I have the strength!"

James had always told me to be strong, but the truth was there was no strength left in me. Nonetheless, I needed to try, for him. With a newfound vigor, I got to my feet and marched out of my door and right into James.

I hope to have the next chapter up really shortly, and I apologize for the delay...curses infraction