The sun was starting to come out, the dark forest waking up to the light. Michael nursed happily, oblivious to what was happening around him. Jane rested against Richard hugging him, both covered by Elsie's dry coat. Elsie hadn't slept at all, she didn't know what time it was but they had to start moving soon. Slowly Michael had stopped nursing and was now drifting off his mouth still latched. With her finger she removed him from her breast covering herself before she started shaking the twins.
-Time to wake up.
-It's too early. - Jane stirred awake rubbing her eyes.
-I know, but we have to try and find a village. Daddy must be looking for us, and we have to give him a little help.
-I'm hungry mum. – Richard got up and stared out the window with his hands on his tummy.
-I know sweetheart, but I don't have any food. The only thing I can think of is milk.
-But we will be stealing Mike's food.
-There's more than enough for a glass or so for each of you. Jane, do you want to go first?
-I think Richard is hungrier than me.
-Okay then, come here darling. Jane take Michael very carefully. –Richard yawned and rested his head against his mother's arm as she unbuttoned her dress again. – Remember not to bite, you have teeth and it would hurt me. Sit on my lap darling.
Richard tried his best not to bite as he nursed. Elsie knew they had to move, they couldn't wait until Richard was finished, it would be too dangerous.
-Richard, hold on to me, we are leaving. –She made her way to the door and after struggling a bit she opened it. The air was cold and the floor very muddy. She held Richard as not to disturb him much as she got out and helped Jane down. – Okay, we are going to keep walking up north and see if we find a path or something. Okay?
They started walking up north, or what she thought was the north deeper into the woods. There was a cold breeze that was freezing Elsie to her bones, her coat around Jane's shoulders. Last night she hadn't paid any attention to the pain on her side, but today it was sharp and was making her wonder if she had been right and she had broken a rib. She was feeling lightheaded as well but she couldn't let anything stop her, she had three children that counted on her to survive.
-Mum, why did that man said that we were his children?
-Oh Jane, it's a very long story and you are too young.
-I'm three, I'm old enough.
-I promise you one day I will tell you the whole story, but for now the only thing you have to worry about is your siblings, you yourself and us, mum and dad.
-But is he our dad?
-Of course not. Charles is your father, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Richard, I told you not to bite. – She winced slightly when she felt his teeth sinking lightly. He let her breast go and looked up.
-Sorry. I think you can let me down now mum.
-You can have your meal now Jane. – She let him down and buttoned her dress again.
-I'm tired and cold, but not hungry.
-Okay. We soon will be out of this forest, I can feel it. OH! - She didn't see the huge branch on the floor, and to her dismay she had stumbled upon it, landing on her face.
-Mum! - Both children run to their mother, who was trying to get up. - Mum?
-I'm fine. It's okay. –she stood up with some difficulty due to the muddy slippery floor.
-Your cheek is bleeding.
-Doesn't matter. - She brushed her hand against it- Jane, give Michael here, your arms must be getting tired. - She cleaned her dress with her hands as well as her muddy bloody face.
-Ma, I want to go home. – Jane turned to give her the baby as a few tears started running down her cheeks.
-I know, I know baby. - She wiped them away. – And we will soon. I promise.
-Mum, look here.
-Not now Richard. It will be okay darling, and we will be home in no time.
-Mum, come on, you have to see this.
-What is it? – She turned her head to where Richard was pointing. – A church. It's a church. And that means a village. Come one, it's not far and maybe we can get someone there to help us. Careful with the floor, is very muddy and you might fall the same way I did.
-Mummy you look white.
-White? You mean pale?
-Yes, that. Are you okay?
-Yes, don't mind me. Be careful where you step, I don't want you to fall. There you go Richard, over that branch. Mind the rock.
They reached the church through the woods carefully. Many branches had fallen due to the storm, and just to walk a few inches was becoming the worst and most difficult thing they had done so far, if climbing down a window didn't count. After around twenty minutes they reached the building. It seemed very familiar to Elsie. She could hear voices at the other side, and she knew she looked horrible, but maybe they were the key to going back home. To her surprise she found a really familiar graveyard at the right of the church and as they kept walking she found herself face to face with Charles, Lady Mary and Robert. She couldn't believe it, and at first she thought she had knocked herself out when she had fallen and this was only a dream. She came back to reality when she heard Jane and Richard scream and run to their father.
-Children! Careful! – Charles turned around and opened his mouth in surprise, kneeling on the floor so he could hug them.
-Oh, thank God you are fine. Thank God.- He kept them close to his chest and looked up to meet Elsie's eyes. – Elsie, are you okay? You are bleeding! - He stood up and walked over to where she was standing. - What did her do to you? Did he hurt the children?
-Mrs. Carson, are you okay? – Robert run to her looking down at Michael.
-Yes. We are all fine. He didn't touch the children.
-Did he hurt you? – She stared at him without moving her head -May I take Michael? I want to make sure he's fine.
She nodded at his petition and the moment Michael's weight had been lifted from her arms everything caught up with her. She was sore to the point of feeling pain when she blinked, her side hurt more than anything in the world, a sharp pain that ache even more whenever she breathed. She felt extremely lightheaded, her head spinning. The bruises were now purple and very notorious, and the scrapes in her legs and her face had started to bleed when she had fallen. People were talking to her but she couldn't hear anything, everything around her a blur. She felt cold, her breathing very laboured and all of a sudden a sharp pain in her tummy finished everything. She had screamed without knowing it and everything went dark around her as she fell backwards on the grass.
-ELSIE!
