Hello my lovely readers! i know that it has been forever and that this chapter is extremely short but this is more of a quick reminder and acknowledgement that yes i have not abandoned this lovely tale of love, loss, and misfortune, but perhaps i have just given myself plenty of time to develop the story line. Okay i hope you love it as much as i love you all! R&R me lovelys!

Elizabeth's POV

I had to do a third double take on the death of dog man. Only moments ago he had been harassing me and hoping to rape me, then in the next moment he had been lazily swinging by the blade of the rope dart. Blood seeping from the hole protruding hit chest and bruises swelling around the flesh that was entangled by the ropes fingers. A mesmerizing sense of panic rose inside of my chest before I felt utterly numb and utterly scared.

The kind of skill that was required in order to stay calm must have been an art, and I was sure most people possessed those skills, but not me. I didn't even attempt being calm. The moment the second drop of blood fell onto my forehead, I lost it. Not only did I lose control. I lost my sanity. I fell apart right in front of the panicked crowd.

The image of the lifeless man swinging from the ceiling permanently engraved its gruesome intensity into my mind. I stared. Death wasn't something I had witnessed often. Hangings were the worst that I had experienced, but this…this was inhumane.

Screaming the name of God I scrambled to my feet. Glass shards dug into the bottom of my feet and bit into the base of my arms as I rolled around helplessly. Too wildly fearful to acknowledge the pain I hobbled and tripped over myself as I tried to escape. Blood oozed from the irritated wounds making me feel slightly queasy.

The world tilted and spun as I struggled to regain my balance. I shoved myself through countless walls of inn residents. Gasps and horrified glares followed me as I escaped the scene. A sickening sense of fear washed over me as I fell to the floor and became fatigued. What if they tried to accuse me of killing the dog man? Hollowness swallowed my stomach making me feel nauseous. Whether it was my defect or if it was the fact that murder had just been committed on my behalf I was unsure. I knew if it was being sick, it was a horrible time to be plagued by the infection, but what could I do as I wiggled into a corner and began to vomit uncontrollably. Everything that had been my meal for the entire day came spewing from my insides in a puddle of putrid acids and half-digested foods. Then once I had nothing left to barf, I simply convulsed and gagged on the oxygen my lungs seemed to hate processing.

"Ah Jesus kid!" Boomed an unfamiliar man. Looking up from my pitiful position I was met with the gaze of the same man as before. Slightly confused I curled back up another wave of pains overwhelmed my convulsing body. He scowled down at me.

"Alright! Alright! Calm down girl! Calm yourself! You are gonna have a fuckin' heart attack!" He commanded falling to my level. I inhaled deeply trying to calm myself as the stranger had advised so rudely.

"There ya go, come on honey, you're a mess." He sighed taking in the sight of my vomit stained dress. I nodded sheepishly. The thought of any man seeing me at my worst was slightly unnerving. Feeling a little unsteady I ignored his outstretched hand and stumbled onto my feet. Pain ignited along the heel of my foot as well beneath my toes. The fire spread up my legs, an obvious sign that the glass had dug deeper than I had hoped. Choking back tears I waved him away,

"I assure you that I am fine. I appreciate your concern, but your assistance is unnecessary. I will be sure to repay you for your kindness some time. Now if you will excuse me, I must go and freshen up." I assured the handsome man. His concern melted into anger,

"I wasn't askin' ya what ya wanted. Now, I believe that you need help to your room, or am I going to have to carry you there miss.." he demanded. I wasn't surprised by his sudden anger. I imagined trying to help someone as stubborn as I, and I couldn't help but feel as though he wasn't going to leave me alone anyway.

"Elizabeth, call me Elizabeth." I sighed. The man's smirk returned despite the chaos erupting across the bar. He seemed to be amused by my name, but his cheery nature was contagious. I returned his half smile in defeat he seemed harmless enough.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Thomas, Thomas Hickey." His green eyes softened as he looped his arm through my own and lead me slowly towards the stairs.