Elena
It is so nice going to the market in such a beautiful sunny day. The girls just crowded around to one market to the next, all giggling and going through every product displayed. Bonnie wrapped an arm around mine. I shadowed the two of us with my umbrella.
"Is this the last time I'm going to be with you?"
Bonnie nodded. "Yes. We will meet again when the two of us have a chance. But right now, other than thinking about the plans we made, let's enjoy our stay here. Come on, let's follow the girls. I'm sure their hairs and necks are decorated with elaborate luxuries. I usually hate spending money on such items. But today we should buy something to celebrate. Besides, you need at least one or two pieces of jewelry to capture the prince's eye."
I placed a finger on my shoulder. "Shh... Bonnie we're still in public, be careful what you say."
She pulled me over to a stand arranged with buckets of fruits and spices. She picked up two pears and handed the farmer the payment. She tossed me a pear. I wiped the fruit with my skirt and took a bite.
I savored the fruit. But could only taste its unpleasant bitterness. I looked at Bonnie, and her pear is half way finished.
"The pears are good this season."
"Yes. Delicious."
It pains me that I cannot eat food with pleasure and enjoyment. When I eat food that is made or grown I just cannot taste them like the others do. A warm loaf of baked bread. Fresh plucked fruit and vegetables. Roasted meat. Chocolates. Milk. Wine. None of them taste good as people say, nor do they make me full.
Bonnie pulled me over to another stand, but this time with a table with rows of fine broaches and necklaces. Bonnie awed at a round golden broach with a heart shaped ruby in the middle.
"That broach is very pretty. Simple. Yet quite pleasing."
I nodded. "Indeed, you should buy it. Excuse me?"
A woman stood behind the table, with her back facing us. "Are you ladies interested in buying anything?"
Bonnie picked up the broach and examined each detail with admired eyes. There is no way she will refuse to buy it.
"Yes. How much is this broach?" I asked.
The woman finally turned around. She is dressed in a ruffed white shirt tucked in with a gray wool skirt, her wrists jingled with golden bracelets and each finger shined with gemstone rings, and her silver hair tangled with its curls and knots. She is no doubt a gypsy.
"Try it on, girl. You should never buy something without trying it on."
Bonnie excitingly secured the pin carefully on the center of her collar. It didn't match her dress, and looks too simple to ever be worn with any dress. I could see her face fall with disappointment. She removed the broach and placed it back on the table.
"I guess I should hold my decision till I decide on another broach." She lowered her eyes, and examined every row with careful eyes.
The woman looked at me. "How about you, deary? Are you interested in any of my fine jewelry."
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I have no intention of buying anything. Besides, I am not very fond of wearing jewelry, only on special occasions though."
The woman shook her head, revealing a golden tooth as she spoke. "Now that is a lie. All the girls I see here loves jewelry. How silly that you don't. Why don't you at least look at some of them?"
I sighed. "Alright." I looked at each row.
They are all beautiful. But then, when it comes to jewelry I am very careful with them. I don't like the feeling of an object hanging or touching my skin. But I did force myself to pierce my ears, so I could wear jewelry if I must in important occasions.
"Still nothing in mind?"
I shook my head. "No."
Bonnie sighed. "You know what, I'm going to look for some ribbons. So far I think ribbons are the only things I won't have trouble choosing."
I nodded. "Alright."
When Bonnie left, the woman removed a small wooden box out of her sleeve. "Perhaps this could change your mind, deary. I was going to save this for a specific customer, but I think you are the perfect customer who won't refuse on this."
She opened the box and removed a necklace. She laid it on the table for me to see. The necklace is completely silver, the chain is thick and smooth, and a round silver rose hung on its chain.
"Pick it up, deary. Go on."
I picked up the necklace, and looked at it closely. The chain doesn't seem to be uncomfortable for my skin. I lifted the rose piece to my nose and sniffed.
"It has a nice scent."
The woman nodded. "There are crushed roses concealed in that piece. Lovely isn't it?"
The woman is right. I am beginning to be interested in this necklace. Such a fine, simple jewelry is able to match many of my dresses. Also leave a nice scent behind.
I cleared my throat. "How much is it?"
The woman revealed her golden tooth again with a smile. "I thought so you might be interested in that. How about this? I will let you have that necklace with no cost, if you allow me to read a fortune for you. If your fortune turns to have some interesting details for my entertainment, I won't bother to accept a single coin from you, but if it doesn't turn that way you will just have to pay."
I thought for a moment. It's not a bad bargain to agree to. I could be able to save a few coins. And as long as I keep my eyes open, I'll be able to avoid any gypsies stealing my pocket pouch. "All right. Fine. Let's get this over with."
The woman shook her head with a snicker. "Oh no, girl. Not here. Here is too public. I have a camp back home. There I could be able to tell your fortune."
"Is it far?"
"No. But the question you should be asking is are you brave enough?"
I frowned. "Brave enough for what?"
"Brave enough to enter Mystic Falls, deary."
~ Mystic Falls is everything like I expected. A large saloon crowded with men and stripped prostitutes, drinking still in the day time. Hundreds of tents surrounded on every inch on the grass. Children running around – the boys fighting with wooden carved swords, while the girls played with their dolls or spending their time bragging about who has the most jewelry on their fingers. Many people shouted at the old woman. I followed the woman from behind uneasily.
"So this is Mystic Falls?"
The woman nodded, still not looking at me. "That's right, deary...But I also know that it wasn't always like this before. I just haven't figured out what it really was like yet."
The thought of trying to remember the past is hard. I don't remember my childhood here. But I do know that all those moments were wonderful and I was happy with the family I once had, before I killed everyone, including the women. I didn't know then I could only consume the hearts of males; I remember I vomited after that tragic day.
"We're almost there. Just a little further, Lady Gilbert."
I gasped. "H-how do you know my name?"
"Oh, deary. A fortune teller knows many things by the look of a person. And for you there are so many trapped secrets I cannot unravel. That is why I brought you here, the only place I could meditate."
Two little girls attacked me and went under my skirt. They giggled and poked my legs. The woman finally turned around and picked those two girls up on both arms.
"How can you possibly meditate in a place like this?! Its full of noise and cramped with tents and saloon and I could hardly walk through here with no trouble!"
The woman gave a kiss to both the girls' cheeks. "It is peaceful here in my heart. You can't always believe on what you hear and see. There are some good qualities and importance to some things that are unable to be seen."
These are one of the reasons why I don't like gypsies or fortune tellers. They survive in taverns, steal, and tend to enjoy their lives with music and women. And fortune tellers just takes away your money in a second, speaking in unusual words and prove with convincing evidence of our present, past and future.
The woman lowered the little girls down. "Come along, deary. My tavern is now close."
I sighed and continued to follow her. As she promised me, we arrived at her tavern. The tavern is small, and painted with bright pink and dark blue. She opened the door.
"Come in, deary."
I obeyed and slowly entered. Inside the room is guarded behind a screen. The woman separated them and went inside. There is only a simple round table with two stools placed between them. Since the room is dark and there are no windows in sight, I forced myself to grab the woman's shoulders for her to guide me to the table.
She pulled out a stool and I sat. When she took her seat, she rolled up her sleeves. "Now, are you ready?"
I nodded. "But first thing first, swear to me you will let me walk out of Mystic Falls with no trouble or harm, either I take the necklace for free as you promised, or pay for it."
"I swear my old life as a gypsy. Convinced?" She opened her hands for mine.
"Very." I placed my hands on hers.
The woman closed her eyes. She rotated her neck a couple times. Her eyebrows harshly crossed that wrinkled her forehead, and her lips pursed tightly.
I am too impatient to wait another minute. I regret agreeing to this. Saltzman might already be in the market for my presence.
"Your past is very tricky. I do not see anything. Its doors are locked and too hard to open...But there is hope to your future."
"Hope? What do you see, old woman?"
"Wait...You will be a mistress to a man...A man very rich. Very rich..."
I shook my head. "No. That must be false. I can't possibly be anyone's mistress."
The woman finally opened her eyes. "Oh no, deary, you are wrong there. What I saw was true and real. And I am not mistaken the rich man I referred to was the king who is living today."
What?! No. No. No! NO! That is not possible. That is a lie. I can't possibly become the king's mistress. My life is miserable as it is. I wouldn't allow myself to do such thing to my life. I planned to runaway with Bonnie, to live the adventurous life as we planned when we were twelve...I would never-no I mean I will never accept such a decision...
"You must be mistaken, old woman."
The woman shook her head. "Deary, this wrinkled old head of mine may not remember as well as it use to. But my gift is never wrong. You are going to live a life as the king's woman."
My head is spinning, the air in my lungs taken away. I could feel the painful sickening in my stomach...I can't believe this. I just can't...
The woman placed the necklace on my hand. "I guess you won, I hope to see you again. You have quite a fortune, deary. Till again."
I instantly stood up to my feet and ran out of the tavern. I ran and ran. Ignoring children getting in my way, random pots and pans clattered by my unstoppable feet. I could feel my lungs cracking from its dryness, and my heart pounding louder to my ears and shaking my body by every beat. It's just so suffocating here. It's too much to take in.
"Watch out!" A voice shouted.
I stopped and turned around. A dagger shot straight across me, reaching closer to my chest. I watched the dagger with wide eyes, my body unable to move. Instantly I fell on my knees, bending my neck down as my hair shadowed my face. Footsteps came up to me. Four hands touched me.
"Miss? Miss you alright?"
"Is she dead, boy?"
"Who is she? How did she get here?"
The hands shook my shoulders. But I remain calm. Suddenly the voices silenced when another single footstep started. The footsteps came closer and closer and then came to a stop. I could see the color of his boots, all brown and muddy. The boots wrinkled as he bend down, and his hands brushed away my hair.
"Are you alright?" The deep voice started.
I lifted my head. I looked around. I didn't realize I was running to the middle of an archery field. I tried to get up but the man took my arms to stay calm.
"I am fine. Let go of me."
The men looked down at me closer. Their eyes blinked at the sight of me. I quickly crossed my arms. "What are you all staring at?" The men didn't speak a word. I too looked down at myself. I gasped. The dagger landed through the center of my chest, every inch of the blade hidden beneath my flesh. But no sign of blood is found , nor any pain. Shocked by the sight, I grabbed the dagger to remove it. But the man in front of me stopped me.
"Miss, stay calm. You need help."
I tried to yank his hands off me. "I feel no pain. I don't need help. Now let go of me, please. I have an urgent engagement to attend to. I don't have an instant to lose."
His hands released my arms and then without warning I ended up being lifted up in his arms. I gripped on his collar and pounded my fists on his chest.
"Please, sir put me down! Put me down!"
The man ignored me. "Boys, go fetch for a surgeon. In haste, now, run!"
Three of the young men nodded and ran. The others followed the man as he rushed me to another tent. I tried my best to break free. I kicked my feet, pulling on his collar and gripping on his arms tightly. But he refused to put me down. When we got inside the tent, the men quickly removed everything off a wide table. The man put me down on it and pressed me straight down.
"Boys grab her, now. When the surgeon comes the scene will not be pleasant for any of us."
The men grabbed my arms and legs, pressing them down with their arms. The man who carried me placed his hands on my scalp and pressed it down on the table. I still fought, kicking and screaming.
"I don't feel pain! Let me go you damn gypsies!"
The man hushed me and his voice turned low. "Remain calm, you'll be fine. Try not to move."
My stomach is starting to growl. I could feel the hunger building my strength, and haunting words forcing for me to kill. The stronger the men gripped me, the stronger my body is generating.
The surgeon finally arrived. I can't hold the hunger no more. The surgeon's blood is just an extra meal...I need to get out of here. I need to get out...
The surgeon rolled up his sleeves, but he looked at my wound in confusion. "Is this a trick? Why is there no blood?"
The man shook his head. "Don't ask, we don't know either. Just help us now."
"Alright. First I need to remove the dagger. Grab hold of her tightly boys." The surgeon grabbed the dagger. The smell of blood rushed up to my nostrils, building a large pool of saliva in my mouth.
I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. "Wait. Wait, can I just...Can I just breathe for a moment?"
The man looked down at me. "Of course, just relax everything will be just fine."
I took a few breaths, biting my tongue tightly till teeth marks formed. How can I get out of here without killing any of them? I wish I made a kill before I left to the market. What was I thinking, I couldn't possibly just walk out in public near little boys and men...Oh what a fool I am. What a stupid full I am.
The man tucked strands of hair between my ears. "Are you ready, miss?"
I shook my head. "No...Just another minute, please." I covered my face with my hands, puffing a few more breaths. I could feel the man leaning closer to my face.
"My men are waiting, miss. You'll be just fine, try to relax so this procedure will be finished more quickly."
This is my chance. I slowly lowered my hands away from my face. The man gave a nod and started to stand up straight again. Before he ever had the chance I slapped my hands on his cheeks and gripped them tightly. In a quick move, still gripping on his face, I slammed his head on the man in my left and my right in a loud pound. The two men who were grabbing my arms instantly released them. I pushed the man aside, clumsily he fell backwards. I quickly sat up and with all my strength I pulled out the dagger. I slashed the men's wrists that were still clinging on to me. As they released the parts of my body, I quickly stood up. My eyes darted at the open exit. The men recovered after a moment from their injuries, and now ready to charge straight at me. As they came closer I jumped on their shoulders, I ran across while stepping on each men's shoulders, crouching my back for my head not to touch the ceiling of the tent. I jumped off as I came closer to the doorway. With no hesitation I ran like the wind. I didn't dare look back, I ran and ran. I leaped up in the air, over crowds of children. I could hear the men running after me from behind. My calves are aching, and the life of my lungs now dry and raw.
"Stop! Stop there girl!"
"You're going to kill yourself, miss! Stop!"
The sight of the exit is by the herd of horses. I ignored their shouts; my only focus is getting out of here. I could almost taste the victory of freedom from this place. But suddenly something pulled me back, arms were wrapped around me tightly and pressed against someone's chest.
I clawed my fingers on the person's arms. "Let me go! Let me go, you gypsy!"
"You're not going anywhere without an explanation, miss." It's the man. "Bound her arms, boys. We are going to have another prisoner today."
A man with dirty blonde hair took my arms while the man still held me tightly. "Do you think she's a witch, Klaus?"
"I don't know, Matt. But we'll find out soon enough."
It appears I'll be remaining here in Mystic Falls a little longer than I expected...But of course, I have options. Just two. One, allow these men to capture me helplessly and give them time to figure out what a monster I truly am. Two, leave this horrid place deserted with blood and shattered bones like I once did before.
