Sarah's Life
Chapter 1
She whispered slowly to herself and sprinted to the shelter. She climbed over the top and under the table. The rain pattered on the cloth above the stand. The dirt had turned to mud on the ground, but it was better than having rain drenching her. It gave her a headache and a cold that lasted for a long time. She shivered and returned to sleeping. The light shone down on her face and birds chirped and swooped down onto the stands rafters. She moaned and sat up slowly. Her clothes were still damp and dirty, as usual. She stood up and brushed the sand and rocks from her shirt. Her stomach rumbled and she licked the salty taste from her bloodied lip. She held her stomach and moaned. The bread she had, had not helped this aching pain in her belly. She wobbled into the street, which was sparsely crowded and looked around for food. She spotted a stand with ripe fruit piled to the top. Watermelons, cantaloupes, tangerines, it made her mouth water when she saw the food. She hadn't tasted the savory sweet juice of a fruit for a long time. She had a basic diet of bread and water fro what seemed like an eternity. Fruit hadn't been in season for a while, so it had been scarce. She inched herself towards the stand carefully, not being able to be heard or scene. She saw a watermelon that looked as though it would be easy to take and run off with. She snuck up to the front of the stand and eyed the melon vigilantly. She was about to snatch the watermelon when a young male grabbed it before her. "How much good sir?," The shopkeeper was busy with another customer at the time. The man just stood there holding the melon that Sarah had her eye on. She pouted and looked at him. "Dat was mine!" The man looked slowly down at Sarah and smiled. Do you have any money young one? Sarah looked around, panicking not sure if to lie. She noticed a pouch of money bulging from the man's pocket. She sneered and looked at him. She pulled on the string from the pouch and the money fell into her hands. Yes. The man smiled understanding that his pocket is lighter and looks at her benevolently. "Then here you go," He lowered his hand with the melon and nicely placed it in her small arms. She grinned and paid the storekeeper. The storekeeper nodded and smiled, turning to the next available buyer. The young man, who she had gotten the money from, swiveled around and walked down the street. Sarah clutched the melon carefully and sprinted down the street to the boy. MISTA! He stops and looks at her from over his shoulder. Yes young one? Sarah outstretched her available hand and gave him the change from his money. You have to watch ya money better The man smiled and returned the money to her open palm. Sarah looked at him quizzically. He chuckled lightly. Its alright, you can keep it Sarah pulled back frightened and looked wide-eyed at him. "Are you gonna rest me????!" He shook his head slowly. She cocked her eyebrow and looked at him carefully. "Den why mista you giving me the money?" He looked at her kindly letting his expression soften and his black hair fall in his face. "You look like you need it. You should buy some new clothes" His voice drifted off and a small smile met his lips. Sarah looked at him and took this offensively. She placed the melon down and moved close to him." I make a livi"new clothes are just very expensive" She pouted and picked up the melon again and held it close to her. He smiled and reached his hand into the back pocket of his pants. His hand revealed two gold coins and placed it in her closed palm. "This should be enough for some new clothes, now." Sarah looked in her hand and then slowly lifted her gaze to him slowly. A look of confusion crossed her face. "Mista,why do you buy me clothes?" He shrugged and looked at her. "Why not?" Sarah looked at the ground, herself and then the young man again. "Well I mean, give me money." He smiled, the sunlight beaming on his face. "Just a nice guy, I guess." Sarah shifted the melon around in her arms and looked at him sorrowfully. "Riched peoples hate peasants like me" The man extended his hands and picked up the melon from her arms. "How old are you young one?" Sarah stretched her arms and showed him six fingers. "I am seven years old mista" The boy lifted another finger on Sarah?s hand and smiled. ?There you go.? Sarah flushed a light pink. ?Sorry, I do not have any schoolin.? He smiled and nodded. He rolled his shoulders and put the melon in a pouch he had on his back. ?That is alright, and I am not much older than you young one, I am only twelve years of age.? Sarah grinned and looked at him. ?What is your name mista?? The man smiled kindly and looked at the sky, his hair brushing along his cheeks and neck. ?I am Soti, what may I ask is your name??? Sarah starred at him and then at a group of kids who were wrestling in the street. ?My name is Sarah? She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He grinned and turned to face her. ?That is a very pretty name, how about we buy some clothes and clean you up?? Her expression brightened and she nodded quickly, her two front teeth missing. Soti laughed and watched her. Sarah took her dirty hand and grasped Soti?s. He held onto her hand as she skipped and giggled all around him. Thoughts raced through his mind and his eyes wandered around the town, looking for a good store to buy clothes. Sarah was lost in a world of happiness, she had a good feeling about this boy and he treated her kindly. Soti spotted a small store and led Sarah up to its wooden steps. She hopped up the steps, creating a creaking sound and waited for him. A tall man stopped Sarah and Soti before they could enter the store. Soti lifted his eyebrows questionably. ?May I help you good sir?? The man gave a disgusted look after looking at Sarah?s dirtied hands and clothes. ?Is SHE coming into the store?? He stepped away from her and Soti looked at Sarah and nudged her closer to the door. ?Yes she is coming into the store?is that a problem?? The man watched Sarah from the corner of her eye then rested his gaze on Soti. ?I don?t want dirty children in MY store?it?s bad for business.? Soti reached into his pockets and pulled out a gold coin and handed it to the gentleman. The man glared at Soti and moved the gold coin in his hand. ?Is this a bribe, sir?? Soti shook his head and grabbed Sarah?s hand. ?No, it is a payment?? Soti walked through the door Sarah following close behind. ?That girl better not touch or steal anything!? Soti looked back at him and gave him a look of she won?t. The man sighed and turned back to greeting the people as they walked in. The store shad a smell of being fresh and clean, having a small scent of pine from the wood. Luxurious gowns and tunics and shoes were neatly placed around the store. Sarah?s eyes lit up as she approached the rows of gowns and clean clothes. Sarah turned to Soti quickly. ?These are da pwetty dresses like all the rich girls have?.? Soti smiled and nodded, ?what is your favorite color Sarah??? He inspected the clothes thoroughly; young girls walked and giggled seeing Soti inspecting dresses. He blushed, but put it out of his mind and looked at Sarah who was awed by a beautiful blue dress. ?Blue?.? Her voice seemed distant and her gaze never left the dress. ?You need to pick out a tunic, and a dress?? He let his gaze fall to Sarah?s feet, which were muddy and blistered. She smiled and wiggled her toes. He laughed, ?and some shoes too.? Sarah grinned and looked a bit confused. ?All of dat?? Soti nodded and ran his fingers along the hem of a tunic. He looked deep in thought and then took Sarah?s hand. ?Yes?? He picked up a pair of dress shoes, sandals, a blue tunic and the dress Sarah had been starring at. He approached the counter and placed the items carefully on the desk. Sarah ran over to Soti and hugged him tightly, mud smearing his clothes. ?How much are these items good sir?? Soti?s voice echoed through the store. Sarah looked up at him and studied his face. A calm expression was laid over him. Sarah turned towards the shopkeeper. ?It is $210.00? Sarah shocked by the amount turned to Soti who was biting his lip sarcastically. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two large gems. The shopkeeper eyed him suspiciously and outstretched his hand asking for the gems. Soti smiled and turned around grabbing a blue belt. ?It should also pay for this?? Sarah grinned proudly at Soti and started walking outside. The shopkeeper took the money, shoved the items in a bag and pushed them to Soti?s chest. ?Alright, now go!? Soti turned and walked behind Sarah. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she stopped. ?You need to take a bath and get you all cleaned up?? Sarah turned and nodded and grabbed his hand once again. He pulls her to a bathhouse near the shop. He paid the man and picked up Sarah and brought her to a room. He placed all the items down and showed her the bath. He turns around and sits down on the floor facing the wall. Sarah stood there looking confused as ever, first looking at the bath then at Soti?s back. ?What am I supposed to do Soti?? A small amount of red crept up his face and he turned towards her, looking over his shoulder. ?Well, take off your old clothes, then get in the tub and scrub off all that dirt.? Sarah nodded and slipped off the damp clothes and climbed into the bath. Sarah rubbed a cloth up and down her arm then the rest of her body. The water was cold. ?COLD!!!? Soti jumped up startled and looked at her dropping his gaze to the floor. He turned and stuck his head out the door. ?We need some hot water in here!? A young woman came in a poured some hot water in the tub then left. Soti looked at her then closed the door and sat down facing the wall again. Sarah relaxed and laid back against the brim of the tub, letting the hot water warm her muscles. She sloshed the water around in the tub and splashed Soti. His hair went limp with the weight of the water and he sighed. ?Get all of that dirt off okay Sarah?? Sarah made a noise saying she understood. She scrubbed herself until she was a light pink, the soapy foam being fun to play with. Sarah splashed one more time and climbed out of the tub and snatched a towel. She wiped her body and wrapped it around herself. The water dripped on the floor, creating small pools of cold water. ?Soti!? Soti looked at the ground, ?hmmm? What?? Sarah tugged on his shirt and yanked his hair. He winced and looked at her. ?I cannot get dis mud out of my hair?? He stood up and plopped her back in the tub. He took a bucket of water and poured it on Sarah?s head. He scraped and rubbed with his hands to get the mud out. Sarah whined and kicked the water, getting Soti soaked once again. ?STOP DAT HURTS!? Soti stopped abruptly and thought. He pulled out a small instrument that looked like a flute. He tapped it a small blade popped out from the side. ?Close your eyes?? Sarah shut her eyes and stayed perfectly still. He brought the blade along her braid and other hair cutting it lose from the tangled mess. He washed the remaining hair, and returned to sitting by the wall. Sarah poured some water on her hair and stepped out of the bath. She wiped herself down with the towel and sighed. ?What alfet should I wear, Soti?? He hands her the tunic, belt and shoes over his shoulder. She slipped herself into the new clothes, the cloth fitting snugly around her. She tapped Soti on the shoulder and her turned and smiled with approval. ?You look nice, M?lady? She grinned and grabbed his hand. Soti stood up and dropped her old clothes in the wastebasket. ?Those shoes will protect your feet okay?? Sarah smiled and nodded looking around. He laughed, but soon became silent. ?Sarah I need to show you something?? he took her hand again and brought her to a small abandoned building. ?What Soti?? Confusion covered Sarah?s face; she fidgeted and looked at him closely. Her reached down and pulled off his shirt. His chest was now visible showing several scars. Sarah gasped and starred frightened. Her fear soon melted away as white feathery wings unfurled from his back. Sarah?s eyes widened. ?YOU?RE AN ANGEL!? He nodded, ?Yes Sarah, but this means I must go soon??His voice trailed off into the darkness. Sarah?s happiness faded and tears stung her eyes. She ran to him and put her arms around his legs clutching tightly. ?Soti, pwease don?t weave me?.? Soti looked away from Sarah?s face, but still able to feel her arms around his legs. ?I have about an hour than I must leave M?lady?? Sarah sniffed and sobbed into in to the cloth of his pants. He picked her up in his arm and she clutched tightly to him. He sighed and walked out into the street. ?Where do you live young one?? Sarah sighed and rubbed her face into his shoulder. ?No where?? She mumbled sorrowfully. He nodded and spotted an old building. He spread his wings and soared up into the sky. He slipped the window after gliding in the air. He hopped inside his boots clacking on the floor. He placed her softly onto a bed, which lay on the side of the apartment. The place had been abandoned for a long time and there was no one living there now. She sniffled and looked at Soti teary eyed. He sighed and draped a blanket over her. She held onto him and kissed his cheek lightly. He pulled away blushing slightly. ?Goodnight?Sarah?? Sarah whispered a thank you before drifting off into the dream world once again. He turned back and pulled a small egg from his pouch and placed it by her sleeping figure. He stepped on to the ledge and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Sarah to dream about the fantasy that had happened to her.