Lotus

Bumpbefore I go to bed.?

 

When night comes, I don't sleep. I can't. Margaret doesn't either. We don't talk to each other, but we sit side-by-side, the bars making us neighbours once more.

After a while, a tall, dark figure unlocks Margaret's cell, and drags her out by the ankles. She tries to protest, but the man whips her violently, and ends up dragging her out unconscious.

So it's just me, now. And I lay on my bed and try to process everything that has happened to me so far. My name is Lotus Bryce, I am fifteen, everybody thinks I'm a witch, my mother is dead, and I am alone.

I try and think of happy memories. I think again of the time I met Richard. I think of the time we found that injured squirrel in the forest. Or the time we tried to climb the highest tree. I stop for a moment. All of my happiest memories involve Richard. There must be a reason to this. I've never thought of him as more than a friend... but-

I'm distracted by the sound of rattling keys near my cell. I look up and see the man who was standing with Gale and Jas. His beautiful features mystify me. He opens the door and holds out his hand.

"Don't worry," he says. "I wont hurt you."

His voice is manly but caring, and all I can do is smile and nod. I take his hand and he pulls me up, then embraces me.

"You'll be OK." He reassures me.

"Thank you," I reply.

He lets go of my body, but I don't want him to. I know I have to, though. He leads me down the long corridor of sleeping prisoners, and I stop for a moment to think of Margaret, and how she's probably being tortured right now. Then I think of Melanie, who's probably thinking of me.

The man leads me up the narrow staircase into the Church, and it's deserted. It must be gone midnight. But there is one figure standing by the door. One I recognise. His muscular body, the way he leans on the door frame. He begins slowly walking towards us, then he takes my hand.

"Hiya, Lotus," he says.

"Hello, Richard," I reply.

"You two don't have much time, there will be a prison check-up in an hour, at which point, the guards will realise you escaped. I want you to get as far away from here as you can. Don't ask questions. Don't talk to anybody you don't know. Lotus, here is your satchel, and I've put your rope in there." Explains the man.

So this is it. Now we are running for our lives.

 

?Why are my updates so short?

 

Before I can get a grip of myself, I lunge forward and hug the man. He returns the favour, then lets go and puts a hand to my cheek. "If you ever come back," he begins. "My name is Jon Williams. And I'll be waiting." I simply nod in reply, then Richard puts his arm round me.

"Come on, Lo. Let's go." He says, and pulls me in the opposite direction.

We walk for what seems like five minutes, until we are at a place I recognise for both good and bad reasons. Boarshall House. For a moment, I contemplate going in and greeting Louise and Mrs Bersham as friends, but then I remember that they're dead to me.

Richard and I wonder round the town for a while, his arm still wrapped around me. I can feel his body heat, and by the expression on his face, he is completely calm.

We come to a halt at the beginning of the Yule, as I remember Bertha and her family. Then I remember that letter to Richard. "Did you ever receive my letter?" I ask.

"No, I didn't." He replies.

For a moment, I'm upset he didn't see it. But then I'm distracted by the most brilliant idea I've ever had. I take Richard by the hand and lead him through the narrow streets lined with small houses.

I come to a stop outside the smallest, but nicest house, and knock gently on the door. An old, hunch-back woman answers the door, and immediately smiles at me.

"Lotus..." she says, in a croaked whisper. "What brings you here?"

I explain about what happened after I visited her, why I left, and why I'm back.

"So, you see. We were hoping that we could take refuge here. But there is something in it for you, as well." I explain.

"What is it?" She asks.

"We can hunt for you!"

"Of course, you can stay here, my dear. What I wouldn't do for the daughter of the bravest woman I've ever known." And she opens the door wider.

Inside is small and crowded. Six children sit by the fire, and a thirty-year-old woman is cooking a rabbit over a small fire. It reminds me of where I used to live.

"Welcome home," I whisper to Richard.

And he kisses me.

 

We are nearing the end of our journey, readers.I hope you have enjoyed it.

 

Sorry it's been a while since the last update, but I was in France visiting my Dad.I will try and update as soon as I can.

 

June 1646

Me and Richard have lived with Bertha for two years now. Every morning, Mrs Bersham buys the blankets I make. Then, I use that money to buy carrots and potatoes from the farmer. Richard hunts, and always comes home with enough for all nine of us to eat.

When the landlord comes, me and Richard have to hide in the forest, which is great, because we get to spend more time together. We have definitely grown closer, and we have been courting for three months now.

Everybody in Boarshall is so nice to us, given our background. They no longer judge me because of my family, and Louisa occasionally visits, too. The only people I miss are Jas and Gale, but I know they are alright. After all, they do have Jon looking out for them. He writes to us sometimes, to see if we are getting on okay, and I've never had to write back negatively.

The Yule is alive with happiness again; it seems me and Richard are a kind of hope for these people.

I love my new life.

Everything is perfect...




























THE END

 

Sorry the entire story was short; the one I'm working on now promises to be a lot better.Thank you all for your lovely feedback and I hope you enjoyed reading!May the story of Lotus Bryce live with us forever.