Young Writers Society

I hug Amelia and Sarah. They are both clutching the hem of my shirt and with big tears rolling down their thin, bony cheeks. I kneel down so that our eyes are at the same level. Hopefully, the next time I will see them, there will be happy tears rolling down their plump cheeks. These little girls deserve so much better.

“I will be back soon,” I promise, taking their hands.

“Please don’t go, sissy,” Amelia begged.

I pulled them both into one last hug before turning to Mother.

She gave me a sad smile and put her hands on my shoulders. I was taller than her by a head. She was small, but I was much taller because my father had been a giant.

“Take care of yourself out there, dear. You are about to enter the big world.”

“I will be fine, Mother. I’ll see you soon,” I say, trying to be brave for both myself and her.

Her eyes fill with tears. “I know you’ll be fine. You’ve always been such a strong one, Keri. Don’t ever let anyone take away your courageous heart.”

I pause for a moment. I have been through so much more than any other girl my age in Sorington. Pretty dresses, balls and boys fill their lives. Hunger and thievery fill mine. We are so different, yet I will be living among them in just a few hours. I will never be like them, though. They are so shallow, so petty. I have actually experienced real life, have suffered and endured hard work. They have only ever squealed about fancy clothes and gossiped.

Liam lays a hand on my shoulder. I startle from my thoughts. “It’s time to go. We better get moving if we want to reach Sorington by sundown.”

I nod and give Mother a final hug before getting onto my horse. I take the reins in both hands and urge it to follow Liam’s steed. There is a steady clatter on the cobblestones as the horses’ hooves pick up speed. The sudden wind pulls at my hair and my body falls into a rhythm with my ride. I feel tears prick the corners of my eyes. I do not even know when I will see Mother or my dear sisters again. I so badly want to turn and see their sad faces and waving hands become so tiny I can no longer see them. But I don’t turn around. I’m leaving behind my past and heading towards a brighter future. I can’t look back.

***

The sun beats on the back of my neck and I can already feel the skin starting to peel. I consider taking down my hair, but then it will just make my neck hotter and stick to my face. We have been riding for over six hours, only stopping once for a bite to eat and to relieve ourselves. I am tired and my whole body aches. I want to stop for a break so badly, but I do not complain. If I have learned one lesson in my entire short life of seventeen years, it is to not complain. Things can always get worse.

And I do not want Liam to think badly of me. After everything I have been through, my pride has always been strong and will continue to be. And as much as I hate to admit this to myself, what that boy thinks of me might matter a little tiny bit.

Liam turns around and grins at me. I blush, for the hundredth time since I met him. It’s as if he knew I was thinking about him!

“Are you getting excited?” he asks.

“What do you mean?”

He gestures to the road ahead of us. “We are almost there. Sorington is right over this hill!”

I study the horizon. All I can see is heat waves coming up from the dry cracked dirt. There . . . there is a small white object. I encourage my horse to go faster and he, though just as tired as I, obeys. As we cover ground, the object starts to get larger and larger. The grand castle of Sorington is growing before my very eyes. I cannot help but feel a rush of excitement go through me, more refreshing than even a cool drink of water right now.

It is huge, bigger than I could ever imagine. The white marble domes reflect the sun, causing it to seem as if it is glowing. As we get closer, I see a collection of houses and stores. It could be a replica of Redreef, except Sorington is actually clean and the streets are clear of trash and beggars.

Liam comes up beside me as I reach the front gates. They look exactly how you might imagine the entry to heaven is like. Huge, white and simply demand attention. On either side is a guard, standing erect and at attention. They both come forward as we approach, stopping us.

“Halt!” one of them command.

“Elijah, it’s me! Have I really grown that much handsomer the last few days?” Liam exclaims, stroking his thin beard.

The guard, Elijah, lifts his tall black hat, revealing mischievous green eyes. He grins up at his friend. “Liam! Haven’t seen you around lately. Where have you been?”

Liam shrugs. “This and that. Visiting my mother . . . getting stolen from. You know . . . the usual.”

Elijah raises his eyebrows. “Who managed to take you money? You’re one of the king’s best guards!”

“That’s what I thought!” he joked. Liam moves his horse closer to mine. Our legs brush and he reaches over to put his arm around me. “This lovely young lady here was the thief, of both my money and my heart.”

I stare at him in shock as he and Elijah laugh.

“Isn’t that right, Keri?” Liam asks, winking at me.

I stumble over my words for a moment. I was flustered to say in the least. “Um . . . yes. Not about the heart, though. But I was also shot in the process!”

“Shot? Liam must really like you. I don’t think he has ever shot anyone in his life!” he exclaims, a smirk on his face. He turns to Liam. “Isn’t that right, buddy?”

For the first time, Liam didn’t seem to know what to say. He was just simply glaring at Liam. I laugh out loud, not able to help myself.

Elijah gives me a grin and turns to Liam. “I like this girl. You should keep her around, especially after what happened with-”

“That’s enough,” Liam interrupted.

I look over and am surprised to see how serious he is. His usual carefree expression has turn dark and his eyes are cloudy with memories. What girl was he talking about that troubles Liam so? What had happened?

“Sorry, buddy,” Elijah says, his face apologetic. He steps back and motions for the other guard to open the gates.

As they creak open, Liam kicks his horse forward, avoiding my curious gaze. His upright posture was now a bit bent, his shoulders slumping.

I follow, shooting one last glance behind me. My eyes meet Elijah’s and he gives me a small smile. Apparently, this mysterious girl is a touchy subject with Liam. Maybe I can ask him about it later. Did something tragic happen between them? Were they courting . . . are they courting? I suddenly realize that I hope not.

My thoughts dissolve from my conscience as I am pulled into the business and noise of Sorington. Everywhere I look there is movement. Shops line the streets and people mill in and out of the doors, causing a chain of ringing bells. Small stands are scattered throughout, their owners shouting at anyone that happens to pass by. They advertise their diverse products, ranging from beans, fruit, and bread to cloth, soap, and earrings. My horse walks slowly, the passageways crowded. Well, crowded is an understatement. I manage to get only a few feet every minute.

It doesn’t take long for me to lose patience. I let out a frustrated sigh and try to call out to Liam, but he doesn’t respond. I suspect he can’t hear me, for he is quite a ways head of me and is somehow pushing through the crowd much faster than I. I try to urge my horse to go quicker, but that just causes him to back up even more and the people around me start to glare. Finally, I decide to take a look around while I’m here.