I'm trying to type this before school…I wonder how much I can get done.

--------------------

I got up after trying to sort out what had happened, but was still in a daze while doing my regular chores.

I bathed, dressed, tidied my bedroom, taking off the sheets for washing, started a fire in the stove and walked out to the well to get water in the kettle.

The sun was coming up over the woods, sending bright rays of light over the snow, if only for a little while before the clouds covered up the morning miracle that was beautiful no matter what weather.

The cold rope stung my hands as I brought the pail up, punching trough the layer of ice on n the water, plunging my hand into freezing cold water

I shook my hand vigorously, trying to shake the water as I tottered inside, the heavy water weighing me down on one side.

The bucket thudded on the counter, and I grabbed the long wooden ladle, stirring the ice floes until they melted, and pored half into the kettle on the stove, the other halve into the sink for washing.

I tied the empty bucket back onto the rope, lowering it into the abyss below.

I finished the chores, ate an Oatmeal breakfast with Gramma, washed the laundry then the dishes, and swept through the kitchen before getting out the loom.

Gramma had been teaching me the fine art of spinning and knitting, and so far knitting seemed far easier for me to accomplish.

I was flying solo today, as over breakfast Gramma told me she was running up to the City to get some Teaberries, seeing as our garden was frozen, and she had told me that I wasn't to go gallivanting off with Jack.

My knitting needles clacked noisily as I remembered my dream, a blush appearing in my cheeks at just the thought.

How is it that my subconscious could think of such sinful things? Had I been in the proper state of mind I wouldn't have dared think of anything of the sort, but it's rather hard to pick what you dream, like how you pick what you wanted to wear.

A knock on the door startled me, making me drop the stitch, and my cheeks flamed, as thought the person at the door could read my mind.

I smoothed my hair, putting the knitting gently back on the settee, and opened the door, letting cold air rush in.

"Master Jujubes?" I asked, completely surprised.

"Genny, I've been thinking about this all night long," he said, stepping inside without my invitation.

"Master Jujubes…" I said weakly, but he was already inside.

"Genny, I saw you with him."

"Him who?"

"Jack! I saw you with jack last night!"

"Oh…" I said faintly. Hang on…how did he see? I opened my mouth to say something, but he was already talking.

"Genny, I thought we had something, and then I see you kissing him? I've been thinking about it all night, and I've come to the conclusion of this…"

He grabbed my shoulders, pulling me roughly into him, and kissed me. Not gentle like Jack, but hard and bruising.

I tried to pull away, but his arms went around me, his arms suddenly stronger than iron, crushing me into him.

He forced my lips apart, snaking his tongue into my mouth while his hands migrated south from my waist.

I brought my hands up, pushing all my strength into him, and he suddenly fell back, crashing into the sofa, the feet screeching against the hardwood before it rammed the wall.

I stumbled backward, my balance lost, and almost fell, but two arms caught me before I fell.

"Are you alright?" He asked, and I nodded, trying to wipe my cheeks where twin trails had slipped from my eyes, and he straightened, going back over to Joseph after setting my gently on the floor next to the fireplace.

He picked Joseph up by the back of his jacket and bodily threw him out of the house before going out himself, shutting the door behind him.

I could hear the sounds of a fight breaking out between the two and shuddered violently, listening to the thud of someone getting thrown against the wall and prayed it was Joseph.

The noise stopped, and the door opened again, and I shivered again, tensing up my muscles, not relaxing until he took me into his arms, cradling me against his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked again, and I shook my head.

"What did he do to you?" he asked, holding my shoulders and peering at me.

"He just…" I couldn't finish the rest, burrowing my head into his neck, holding him close to me.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked softly, and I shook my head again, and he paused for a long moment for saying "Genny, where's Gramma at?"

"She's gone off to the City, and…and I was just there knitting and he knocked and I let him in and…" he put a finger to my lips, shushing me.

"I'm going to go and find her; she'll know what to do with you, because I sure can't be staying here until she gets back." He said, and started to stand, but I held onto him harder.

"Jack no! Please don't leave me here! What if he comes back wanting something else?" I pleaded, and he stopped, knowing just what else I meant.

"Maybe I should stay then."

-----------------

Please Review, even though I have a ton of little chapters and didn't proofread!

Check out my other story that i'm half working on...

Breaking Free