Chapter 4? So soon? Yes! Because I love you guys! ;)

Happy with my timing? Like the story or chapter? Please review! Much love!

I sat on a chair leaning against the window sill with my face moist from sweat. Not only was the weather boiling, but on top of that, I was in the kitchen cooking with my mother. Outside in the heat children were playing. I could not imagine how, in this temperature, but I watched. Two years ago that would have been Alec and me. I sighed happily remembering those days. I was thirteen now though, and of course my twin brother, Alec, was the same. I was to help Mother around the house and run errands for her all my days till a man asked for my hand in marriage. Then I would care for our children and spend my days caring for our home as well. What a life. It wouldn't matter at all that Alec had educated me. It wouldn't matter at all that I would prefer to sit around all day dreaming. Then again who wouldn't? For a second my life seemed small. I frowned.

"Jane, would you go fetch some lettuce from the market for me?" my mother called bringing my attention back to the present. I sighed again. Not in irritation, but nostalgia. "Of course," I told mother to make sure she did not misinterpret my heavy breath.

I moved away from the window sill and took off through the backdoor in our kitchen. I grabbed a worn old basket that I had made in my younger days for errands such as this. It was more convenient to keep it outside though time and weather showed no mercy on it. I carried it loosely in my hand so it would not break. I noticed then just how old it truly was. If I gripped it too tight, the handle would surely break from the pressure. As I walked along to the market, I was so consumed by these prior thoughts, I did not notice anything amiss. I looked around to see children playing so I could reminisce once more, but I found something quite different… quite odd. These children were no longer playing. All their attention was on me. They watched and gaped at me. One of the little boys' mothers even came out and led him back inside hissing. I made sure that my eyes reflected confusion as the woman turned to me, but she only glared and muttered something nasty under her breath.

I scoffed and walked toward the market. As I stepped onto the street, I noticed some of the adults looking strangely at me as well. Some seemed angry, some regretful, and some seemed… fearful. My brows furrowed as I glanced at these people. What did they want from me? Some of these people were even friends of my family. Why would they have such negative emotions toward me? Was I doing something wrong?

I shook my head and walked over to Jeth, one of the farmers. I usually bought my vegetables from him. I smiled widely at him, but he just stared at me. My smile fell, and I decided to just get the lettuce and go home before things got worse, if that was possible. I picked up a fresh-looking head of lettuce and place it in my basket. I ran through my pocket for some money and held it out to Jeth.

"Just take it," he told me. His voice was quivering and his hand shaking.

My brow furrowed further and a blond strand of hair fell onto my wet face. "What wrong Jeth? What's going on?"

His eyes broke into fear. "Go witch! Leave me be!"

My eyes grew wide as I watched his wife, Helen, come out and start to wave a piece of cloth at me. "Witch?" I questioned slowly but backed away.

"Go demon child, or you will regret it!" Helen yelled at me.

"What are you talking about? I am not a witch or a demon!" I cried.

"Liar!" Helen cried back. "Go back to the hell you came from!"

I winced and turned to run. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a cloaked figure. It was rather large so I assumed it to be a man. What caught my attention was not the fact that he was heavily cloaked, but the fact that he was looking at me strangely. Not like everyone else now, but he seemed intrigued. I continued on my way home. People no longer seemed to fear being rude or making me even more uncomfortable. They hissed and even shouted vulgar and disgusting words and phrases at me.

I hurried home ready to burst into tears. As my home came into view I made out steady footsteps behind me. My pace slowed unconsciously. Normally I would turn around and greet the person kindly, but now I was afraid. Who knows what they want with me if they think I am a witch? I thought to myself.

"Watch out for your family…" whispered an airy voice. It was so quiet, I almost took it as the wind. I spun around now with the courage of great curiosity and confusion. No one was there.

I shook my head. Maybe I was getting just as paranoid as everyone else. Though I accepted that it had been paranoia that made me hear the voice, I still had to run home. I checked the sky before opening the door and stepping in. It was five in the afternoon. Alec would be home. I walked into the kitchen and set the lettuce down on the table.

"Thank you, honey," my mother said kissing me on the forehead. I smiled. She looked so much better than the day I had come home from my encounter with Grandmother. Her eyes seemed more lively as I had gotten better, and she got back to her regular routines. Her face seemed more animated and warm even though it was covered in grease, sweat, and dirt. Just her essence seemed happier now. I wondered if I should tell her about what the people down in the market had said to me. No Jane, my conscience told me. Let her be happy.

I walked back over to the window with a sigh. "Did Alec come home yet?" I asked mother.

"No, darling. Is he suppose to be home yet?" My mother glanced at me from her work in tearing up the lettuce.

My brows furrowed, and I quickly looked away from her direction. "No… I was just wondering. Uh… maybe I should go down and wait for him. Please?"

I looked back to my mother with an angel-child smile, and she nodded. "Alright, sweetheart. Just don't be too long."

"Of course mother." I hugged her from the side and walked until I was outside. I then ran with all the energy in me through the awful heat. Alec was supposed to have returned an hour ago.

Uh-oh? Cliffhangers! *laughs evilly, coughs* :D

So yeah... short chapter. That is, short than 3. And I was doing so well...

I have the next chapter typed up and ready to go, but I want to get ahead some more so I'll post it once I do.

Please don't forget to review! Love ya! :)

And before I forget it! Special message to someone who mysteriously reviewed my story with a question anonymously!

I left you an answer in the reviews so you can go ahead and check that out. Also anyone who was confused with the last part in chapter 3 should look at it too. I gave a rather thorough explanation that shall not go to waste! Hehe O.o