Yeara shook her head as she sniffled, her nose turning upward as it made a small sound. It seemed like she had caught a cold. She shook her head again. Ella nodded as she looked around before whispering,
"Go now."
But Yea remained standing, shaking her head. Ella was her family. She had accepted her as her own, and leaving her was not an option.
Ella shook her head weakly.
"Please, Y..Yea."
She said it softly as Yeara nodded. She did not know how to feel—her friend was doing this for her. She began to climb down the stairs. As she ran further down, she suddenly heard noises, and not long after she heard cries. That crying voice sounded like Ella's. Her lips trembled as she turned, still climbing down.
She was so focused on looking back to see if anyone was following that she missed her footing her legs tripped as she fell. Pain shot through her ankles and knees as tears ran down her cheeks. She stifled her cry standing back up continueing her run.
She moved toward the exit door, quickly unlocking it, her heart pounding loudly against her chest. She managed to open it, the pain still burning in her legs.
She stepped out, and just as she did, the cold wind hit her skin. Goosebumps crawled over her flesh as her body shivered. She ran outside, the rain hitting her skin hard as she moved forward, her legs slipping slightly against the muddy ground. Her face was pale as she cried while running, her teeth shaking from the cold.
Just then, she felt a light point at her—it was a torch from above. Standing on the second floor was Mister Kindness, holding a torchlight.
"There she is!" he yelled.
Yeara ran toward the main gate and pushed it, but it was locked. Her heart pounded in fear, her eyes shaking as she shook her head. This was not how the plan had gone. It had gone so smoothly—so what had changed?
She turned and decided to follow the back gate; at least that one did not need keys. The rain hit her head as thunder cracked loudly. She flinched and turned, seeing a figure step out of the entrance door. She began to run toward the back gate, her legs aching as she pushed herself harder. Her shoes clung to her small feet as her white hair pressed against her back.
She finally reached it and turned the gate open. Her body jolted as she turned and noticed it was Lady Lorence running toward her. She ran out of the gate and down the empty, lonely street. The rain fell harder against her head as tears streamed from her eyes. She wished she had taken Ella with her, unknown to her that the delay had been because Ella had saved her.
"I… I am scared," she whispered, but no words came out—she had lost her voice.
She kept running, turning to see the lady still chasing her. Her body shook in horror as she tried to increase her pace. The muddy floor slowed her down, yet she kept moving. She could not let that woman catch her.
Her lips trembled as her pace began to slow. She looked ahead and noticed the street was unending. The lady would catch her sooner or later. Her vision blurred badly. She tried to run further but couldn't.
Then she heard a sound coming from ahead. Her teeth gnashed together from the cold. A carriage was arriving—another behind it, then more carriages followed. The carriage stopped. Yeara, not caring about the teachings in the orphanage about not talking to strangers, ran to the door of the carriage.
A young woman opened it. She wore a black hat, her eyes slightly wide as she saw the girl dripping with rain. Yeara's face was white as a ghost, horror clear in her eyes as she pleaded,
"Pl… please help me."
The woman moved, stretching out her gloved hands into the rain. As lightning blinked, the girl stared at the woman before reaching out and holding her hand. The woman's body froze at the coldness of the girl's hands as she pulled her inside and shut the carriage door. She knocked her stick twice against the carriage, signaling the man to move.
Yeara bent down, lowering her head until they passed Sister Lorence. The carriage moved on. Lady Persephone looked outside and noticed a reverend sister standing in the rain, looking around as she ran.
Yeara lowered her head where she sat. Water dripped from her gown as her body shook uncontrollably. Before she knew it, everything turned dizzy, and the world went black.
****
Yeara opened her eyes and shifted slightly as she felt the softness of a blanket against her skin and the comfort of a soft bed. She turned to the other side, closing her eyes again. She had never had such a dream before—it was such a good dream.
She opened her eyes once more, and just as she did, the memories of the previous night came flooding back. Her body trembled as she jolted upright.
"Do not be scared," a soft voice said.
She turned her gaze and noticed the lady. She wore a floral gown, holding a cup of tea, her legs crossed as her eyes remained on the newspaper in her hands. The lady did not shift her gaze, allowing the girl to calm down. Her black hair was tightly packed in a bun as the afternoon sun peeked through the window, giving the room a bright, natural glow.
Yeara looked around the room. It was large and calm. She did not know why her heart felt at peace—perhaps because she had not been caught by that woman.
"Your lunch will be here before you know it. Eat and make yourself comfortable," Lady Persephone said calmly as she stood, placing the tea and newspaper on the table. She would allow the girl to rest well before asking any questions.
Her heels clicked softly across the floor as she walked out of the room, leaving Yeara behind.
Yeara sat there, noticing she had been changed. She stared at her dress, her hands moving along the flower patterns, her eyes wide in awe. Back at the orphanage, they were only given pure white dresses—no colour at all, just white. But this was…
"This is… beautiful," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
She stood and turned around, giggling softly at the beauty of the dress, forgetting everything else as she laughed and jumped up and down.
Back in the living room, Lady Persephone sat as the maid finished arranging the little girl's meal.
"Lady Persephone, I advise you not to worry. Overthinking will only cause you more harm than good. We will find her," the old butler said as he stood nearby.
She nodded slowly.
"Very true, Butler, but I still cannot help being mad at myself," she said calmly, staring blankly into the air.
She realized she had been careless years ago—when she and her daughter went to the market and she lost her little girl. She had been searching ever since.
Lady Persephone managed a small smile, nodding again as if convincing herself.
"Why are you here anyway, Butler? Is there any news?" she asked.
He nodded.
"Yes. I believe there is a way we can find Ella."