3

The Watch

Verona sat on the bed beside the child. She was wondering where she came from. Verona had never seen so many bruises on a child. Who could do this to a child? I know I'm not the best person to talk about such things, but none of us would never feed on a child.

Even though the child's body was battered, Verona thought she was beautiful. She had shoulder length hair that was a dark brown. It was straight as a board. Her skin was light as if she had not been outside in a long time. The girl was a medium height and malnourished. Just where had she been?

Verona reached over, touched the child on the forehead, and felt that she was cold and shivering. She scooted closer to the girl, got under the covers and put her arm around the girl to warm her up. Before long the girl's shivering subsided and she warmed up. Verona then fell in a deep sleep.

"Verona…wake up. Verona…" It was Aleera. Verona slowly stirred. The time had passed quickly. "It's already time?" asked Verona. "Yeah. Looks like you got comfortable." Verona slowly got up and said, "She was so cold she was shivering." Aleera nodded and said, "So she has not been awake?" "No…not yet." Aleera traded spots with Verona. Verona stood a while at the door before leaving. She did not wish to leave, but she knew she had to get some rest.

Aleera made herself comfortable in a chair next to the bed. She was not exactly sure about the girl. Aleera sensed that there was something different about her. She wasn't an ordinary child. Aleera was not sure if this was good or bad.

Aleera noticed that the fire in the fireplace was growing smaller so she busied herself making a new one. She was still thinking about how the count was going to react to there being a human in the castle. She had the strange feeling that he would reject her. She finished the fire and sat back in the chair. She just sat there and pondered what would happen when her master woke up.

After a few hours it was time for Marishka to take over. "I'll take it from here." "Ok." Aleera got up from the chair and walked out of the room. Marishka was surprised that she did not say more.

Marishka walked closer to the sleeping child and noticed she was moving a little. Maybe she is coming around, thought Marishka. Marishka noticed that the child was not as pale as she was when she was found. This was a good sign. Earlier Marishka had her doubts about the girl living. Marishka was still tired so she sat in the chair next to the bed and slowly drifted to sleep.

Morgan slowly stirred. The events of the night before were dazed. She slowly opened her eyes. Once her eyes adjusted to the light she looked around. Where am I? She looked around the room and realized she was in a castle. This can't be good, she thought to herself. She then noticed the woman asleep in the chair. She looked around thinking about how she could escape. She sat up in the bed and suddenly remembered what had happened the night before. The sharp pain clearly reminded her.

Morgan began to breath harder trying to alleviate the pain. It was not working. I've gotta get out here she thought to herself. She tried to ignore the pain as she slowly crept out of the bed. The cold air hit her body and sent shivers throughout her body. She quietly made her way to the door. She walked out into a long hallway. Which way now? She looked down the long hallway and saw some stairs. She slowly crept to the stairs. As she approached she heard voices. She stood in the shadows at the top of the stairs and saw two women talking.

"How long do you think she will be asleep?" said the redheaded woman. "I don't know, but it is probably time we go check on her", said the woman with the dark hair. The two women headed for the stairs. Morgan backed away and looked around for an escape route. She couldn't go back to the room she was in before. She crept to a dark corner and knelt in the shadows. She would hide until the women passed and then she would try to get away.

The women reached the top of the stairs when a voice sounded, "The girl is gone." It was the woman that was sitting in the room where Morgan had waked up. Damn, she thought to herself. Would her troubles ever end?

Verona looked around and spotted the girl in the shadows. "There she is", she said. Aleera and Marishka walked up next to Verona. "Come here we're not going to hurt you", said Aleera as she approached the girl. Morgan backed further into the corner, preparing to strike. Aleera kept getting closer to the girl until she was in reach. Morgan stood and grabbed Aleera's arm and jolted her. She screamed and fell to the floor. Marishka ran to Aleera's side. Aleera remained on the floor crying.

Morgan still was not strong enough to strike again so she ran away the best she could. "Marishka, stay with Aleera, I will go after the girl." Marishka nodded and Verona followed the girl.

Morgan was in a room full of armor. What kind of place is this? She was growing weaker and weaker. She decided her best bet would be to hide. She found a large suit of armor and hid behind it. She began to gasp for air because the pain was getting worse, she was not sure how much longer she could hold on.

Verona walked into the armory and knew the girl was in there. "Please come out, I promise I won't hurt you." Morgan stayed quiet. She didn't believe the woman. "Trust me, I can help you. I can ease your pain and protect you." There was a softness to the woman's voice that made Morgan want to believe her, but she was afraid that it was just another trick. Morgan felt her legs growing weaker. She began to falter and collapsed in the floor. Verona heard the girl fall and was quickly at her side. Although she had collapsed she was still awake.

Verona approached her slowly. The girl tried to back away but was unable to. Verona knelt and said, "I'm not going to hurt you." The girl said, "That's what everyone says, but it's never true." Verona moved closer and held out her hand, "I'm not everyone." Morgan sat there for a second and then took the woman's hand. She decided to cooperate. She figured her situation could not get any worse.

Well here's chapter three, I hope you like it. Please review. If you have any ideas for this story please let me know. Thanks.

P331