Flashback 3
By Schammielynn
The first few days in the Emerald city were spent adjusting to the different lifestyle. I rarely spoke to either Oswin or Alexandra, though Aly made several efforts. It wasn't until my third night there that I knew I had made a true friend.
My new bedroom was on the same floor as Alexandra's and Oswins, so that they could watch over me easier. But I wasn't much to look after. I ate when I was told, slept when I was tired, and read most of the other times.
On that third night, though, reality somehow hit me. The lights in the hallway dimmed and the thunderstorm outside raged on. I looked to my left and right for my raggedy stuffed animals from home, but they weren't there. Just rather posh blankets and decorations.
And I began to cry. Wailing. The type of crying that you'd hear from a normal 7 year old who's away from home.
Normally, this kind of crying would get me a spanking and a harsh talking-to from Mother. And I didn't know if I should have expected the same thing from Alexandra. But as much as I tried to stop, I couldn't. All that anger and frustration finally was released in those tears, and the room felt a thousand times colder because of it.
"Essie?" Alexandra's calming voice came from the hallway, and in an instant she appeared at my door.
7 years of abuse and misery floated around in my mind, and all I could whisper was, "It's cold."
She lit the light next to my door with her candle and the look on her face assured me that she saw past my shallow response.
She sat down on my bed and tucked the blanket around my body. The whole bed seemed to be chilled.
"It is rather cold in here," she noted. "But we have extra blankets and then some."
I didn't say anything.
Alexandra ran and hand through her hair, pondering what to say next. "Tomorrow the village children are visiting for their field trip. You could meet them."
I must have looked pretty terrified, because she quickly recovered, "But you don't have to if you don't want to."
There was a pause before she leaned over and gently kissed my forehead, "Oh, Essie, dear… I know it' been so rough for you in the past. But please try to understand that I only want to help you. Oswin too, but… less… obvious."
"Why?" I asked.
"Why what?"
"Why did you want me?"
"How about we save that for when you're older. It's complicated. But know that no matter the circumstance, we aren't going to hurt you or tease you and we'll do all that we can to make you happy here. Does that sound good, sweetheart?"
I nodded with a smirk on my face. She reached out and wiped a stray tear from my cheek. "Goodnight, Essie. You going to be alright?"
"Yeah. G'night." I muttered, as she tucked me in. As she left the room, she blew out the candle, took one last look at me laying in bed, then sighed sadly.