Gloria tiptoed into the kitchen and quietly closed the door behind her. She paused and listened – Everyone was still asleep.

  Gloria let out a pent-up sigh of relief. Praise Crim, she thought before creeping over to a chest in the corner of the kitchen. She pushed off a flattened pillow and patched blankets that sat on top, then opened the chest. Inside were a couple of dresses, a bag, and a few small belongings.

  She froze and stared into the chest. Am I really going to do this? she clutched the edge of the chest. Father’s fury and Shareen’s biting remarks flooded Gloria’s mind. The bruises, the tears, the hurt. I can’t stay... Gloria reached her hand out for the bag when the tender faces of her siblings flashed into her mind – Kelva, Timmy, Ava, Felicity, Liv… Can I really leave them behind? her hand shook. Would they be taken care of?

  An ugly voice whispered in her mind. You’ll never make it out there.

  Gloria shook her head and grabbed the lid of the chest to close it. I can’t leave! What was I thinking?

  Then Seth’s face came to her mind – His laugh at the dance, the warmth of his hands, the light in his eyes when he ate her pie… He sees me as a person. He cares… Gloria stared at the bag again and swallowed. If I let him leave, I will never find that again. She bit her lip, then snatched the bag from her chest and began to pack her things.

  A floorboard behind her creaked and a lump rose in Gloria’s throat. It was probably Timmy. She fought back tears and spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll get you something to eat in a minute, Timmy,” she rolled up the last dress and stuffed it in her bag.

  A deep gruff voice answered her. “Where were you last night?” Gloria’s stomach dropped. She trembled and turned back to see a tall, scowling black-haired man – her father.

  Gloria swallowed and slowly put her bag on the floor, then stood. “Since when have you cared where I’ve been?” she asked, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice. “Except to yell at me to do something or when I mess something up.”

  Father growled. “Don’t take that tone with me, young lady,” he jabbed a finger at her. “I care when there’s been a murder in town and the last time anyone’s seen my daughter was at the Maydance in the arms of that locksmith.” Gloria bristled at his disapproving tone, but she remained silent and clenched her hands together.

  Father pulled out a chair and sat down. He looked up at Gloria who stood still. He raised his arms in exasperation. “Is Timmy the only one who eats breakfast around here? Get me some food!”

  Gloria started and she quickly obeyed. She turned to the cupboards and grabbed cheese, dried fruit, and cured meat, then brought them to the table. Hopefully I can sneak some of this into my bag when he’s-

  “What is this?” Father cried in disgust. “I said breakfast!” he grabbed Gloria’s wrist and glared into her eyes. “Make me hotcakes.”

  Gloria swallowed and anxiously glanced towards the door. Hotcakes would take a while. Seth was going to begin to wonder where she went. Or worse, she thought, What if he leaves without me?

  “Hey!” Father snapped his fingers in her face startling Gloria. “Focus! I said hotcakes!”

  Gloria nodded and mumbled an apology. “Yes sir,” then she hurried around the kitchen collecting ingredients and utensils. She set everything on the table and began to mix the batter.

  She peered up at Father who smirked to himself and leaned back in his chair. “You know, I heard that Bhaldran thinks it was Seth who murdered the man.” Father put his hands behind his head. “The fool had the nerve to try and burn down the Twin Hammers as well. Thank Crim, we were able to put it out in time,” Father shook his head. “I never liked him. I always thought he was shifty.”

  Gloria’s hands shook with anger, and she spilled some batter on the table. Father looked up at her and raised an eyebrow. Gloria tried not to make eye contact and added some dried fruit to the batter.

  “I know you were always sweet on him,” he narrowed his eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know about your ‘broken’ jewelry box.” Gloria’s face grew warm, and she mixed the batter furiously.

  Father shook his head and laughed a little. “Your kind are all the same. You go after men with the biggest-”

  Gloria slammed the spoon down on the table, batter splattering across the table. “Stop it!” Gloria’s voice shook with anger. “He’s not like that! Seth’s twice the man you’ll ever be!”

  Gloria’s vision flashed red and white, and the slap rang in her ears. She tasted blood and felt her cheek swelling quickly. Father loomed over and glared down at her. “Don’t you ever disrespect me like that again!”

  Gloria’s lip trembled. It was too much – Seth’s death, his strange resurrection, the assassin, and now this? She let out a sob.

  Suddenly, someone banged on the kitchen door. “Gloria?” Seth called through. “Gloria, are you alright?” Gloria gasped and whipped her head towards the door. Hope and fear swirled in her chest. He hasn’t left?

  Father followed her gaze to the door, then looked back at Gloria as recognition caught up with him. “The locksmith…” he growled. “Why is he here?”

  Gloria panicked. What would Father do? “I-I don’t know.” she lied and inched away from Father.

  Seth banged on the door again. “Gloria! Are you there?”

  Father’s eyes narrowed and he followed Gloria around the corner of the table. “Where were you last night?” he demanded in a low dangerous voice.

  Gloria trembled and backed towards the door. “I-I was at the dance,” she deflected. “You knew that,” she subconsciously glanced at her bag on the floor by the chest. I won’t be able to grab it in time, maybe it would be better to just run.

  Father followed her gaze, then back at her. “Leaving, are we?” he raised an eyebrow.

  Fear shot down Gloria’s spine and she backed into the door just as she felt it begin to open. Seth was on the other side!

  “N-no, of course not,” Gloria stammered, trying to inch to the side so she slip out the door. “Why would I do that? This is my home.”

  Father shoved the door shut and scowled down at her. “I don’t think so,” he growled. “This is my household, and you aren’t going anywhere. Much less with that scoundrel, Seth! Get over here while I’ll handle that cad!” Father grabbed Gloria and tried to pull her from the door.

  Gloria screamed and tried to fight back. Father adjusted his grip and dragged her away. Gloria grunted and twisted around just in time to see the door open again and Seth peer around the corner. “Gloria?”

  Gloria pulled an arm out of Father’s grip and tried to reach out to Seth. “Seth!” she screamed. “Help me!” Seth started and stared at her wide-eyed shock. “Please!” she begged him.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Shut up, you wench!” Father yanked her back and tossed her to the floor. Gloria caught herself and scraped her hand on the stone floor. Footsteps thundered overhead. Gloria gasped and looked up – the commotion was going to bring down the rest of the family.

  “Where do you think you’re going, locksmith?” Father demanded. Gloria looked back to Seth, his face was pale and he shakingly took a step back. Father stepped forward and cocked his head at him. “There are some people in town who’d like a word with you.”

  “Seth!” Gloria cried. “Don’t go! Please help!” Seth met Gloria’s eyes. His eyes shook with fear. He swallowed and looked over his shoulder towards the open door. Gloria’s face fell – she was asking too much of him.

  Her heart sank and she blinked back tears. He has so much to deal with already; it’s selfish of me to ask him to save me. Gloria put on a brave face. “Run Seth!” she cried, waving him out. “I’ll be fine!”

  Seth began inching away from Father out the door. Father stopped his advance and laughed. “Wow!” he spat. “Look at you! You’re pathetic! Gloria says you’re twice the man I am. She must have a very low opinion of me since you’re nothing but a coward.”

  Seth flinched, but he paused and glanced at Gloria, his hand gripping the doorframe tight. Gloria shook her head and urged him on. “Don’t worry about me,” she begged. “I’ll be fine, I swear… Just promise me you’ll get help,” she tried to smile at him but winced from the pain in her cheek.

  As soon as she winced, Seth’s demeanor changed. The fear didn’t leave his eyes, but a glimmer of anger shone alongside them. He straightened and stepped forward, pushing the door wide open. “Let…” he clenched his fists and met Father’s face. “Let Gloria go!” he demanded.

  Gloria’s mouth dropped in shock. He’s…staying? I thought for sure he was going to leave. Fear and admiration burst through her. Seth flicked a glance at her before looking back at Father. Tears pricked her eyes – He was going to save her.

  But Father laughed derisively. “Oh…the coward suddenly grew a spine?” he snorted. “What are you hoping for? That she’ll give you a roll for being her shining knight?” Then Father’s eyes glowered at him. “That is unless she’s already done so,” he growled. “Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s already whored herself out just like her mother!” Then he stormed towards Seth.

  Gloria’s face burned in shame and she tried to scramble over to pacify Father. “No!” she begged. “Please don’t hurt him!”

  But Seth stood his ground and whipped out his dagger. “Stay there!” he cried. Father stopped short and stared at the dagger point. Gloria froze shook and gulped – things were escalating too fast.

  “Gloria,” Seth said firmly, keeping his eyes on Father. “Get your things and let’s go.”

  At that moment, Gloria’s siblings thundered down the stairs and crowded in the doorway of the kitchen. “Gloria!” they cried, then froze to a stop, their eyes were wide with confusion and fear. Their voices overlapped each other. “Who’s that? What’s going on? Why does he have a knife?”

  A few children tried to run to her arms, but Gloria shook her head. “Stay put!” she commanded and tried not to look into their fearful eyes.

  “Gloria!” Seth cried, his eyes flicked towards the children, then back to Father who tried to take a step forward. Seth raised his knife threateningly. “Get your things, now!”

  Gloria looked between Seth and her siblings, torn. If she wanted to leave, then now was the time. Gloria spun back and hurried to her bag.

  “Theo!” Gloria looked back to see Shareen pushing her way into the kitchen and taking in the scene. “What’s going on?”

  Father snarled over his shoulder. “It seems that Gloria spent the night with the locksmith and now he’s here to whisk her away like some kind of princess.”

  Gloria met Shareen’s scornful gaze. “Gloria!” she scowled. “How could you? You’ve shamed the entire family! How can your father and I show our faces around town now?”

  Gloria shook with fear, fury, and embarrassment. She snatched her bag and climbed to her feet. “I’ve done no such thing!” she cried, then she stormed to the kitchen table and shoved some food into her overflowing bag. She turned back and glared at Shareen. “But I am leaving!” She glanced at the pale-faced children who looked from her to the bag in her fist.

  Gloria turned away and stormed past her father to Seth’s side. “So, now you’re leaving too?” Father spat. “You’re just like your mother.” The words tore into Gloria’s heart and tears sprang to her eyes.

  Gloria looked back and glared into her father’s eyes. “Maybe Mom was right to leave you, you horrid old man!” her lips trembled. “I just wish she had taken me with her!”

  Father reached out for Shareen who joined him. He wrapped her in his arm and met Gloria’s gaze. “I wish she had too.”

  There was a sharp pain in Gloria’s chest; she stumbled back a step and tried to hold back her tears. So that was it then…his love really was dead. Gloria swallowed, then nodded. “I see…” her voice cracked. “At last, we’ve had an honest conversation…Good-bye.”

  Gloria turned to leave when Timmy called from the kitchen doorway. “Don’t go, Gloria! We love you!” Gloria hesitated, fighting the urge to turn back to Timmy and tell them all that it would be okay.

  She bit back a sob and clenched her fists. I’m sorry, she thought, and slung her bag on her back. I’m so sorry! Then she stepped out the door, trying to block out the wailing children behind her. Seth followed close behind and shut the door behind them.

  In a daze, Gloria walked down the steps and walked toward the grass at the end of the alley. Don’t look back, she told herself, her vision beginning to swim with tears. Don’t look back.

  Seth hurried up beside her and continually looked over his shoulder. “We should hurry,” he said, gripping his dagger tight. “Before he changes his mind and follows us…or gets help.”

  At the end of the alley, Gloria stopped, trembling, and shook her head. “No, he won’t follow us…” she sniffled and stared out at the grass – a safe haven all these years. “Now he has everything...” Gloria burst into sobs and buried her face in her hands.

  “I left them!” she wailed. “Oh Crim, I’ve left them!”

  Seth hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. “You…you did the right thing,” he awkwardly patted her shoulder, then looked behind them. “Regardless, we shouldn’t stay, let’s go.”

  Gloria nodded and took a deep breath. She ran her hands through her hair and tried to smile at Seth. “Alright,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m ready.”

  Seth nodded and sheathed his dagger. “Alright then, let’s go.”

  Gloria and Seth dashed into the tall grass. From there they circled Northhorn until they reached the east road and headed on towards Westfjord. The sun was firmly in the sky when Northhorn was behind them. Gloria finally turned back and watched the small town begin to shrink in the distance. A cold breeze blew through her hair. I did it… she thought, tasting her salty tears. Now… Gloria let out a deep breath. Now neither of them can hurt me anymore.

  Gloria turned back and watched Seth marching ahead of her, his face filled with worry. Now what? Now that I have nowhere to go now, will Seth let me follow him north? Gloria adjusted her bag. Maybe…Who knows what will happen by the time we get to Westfjord, she smiled a little and hurried to catch up to Seth.

  Seth marched along the road; his mind swirling as he tried to process everything that had happened. Gloria’s terrified face and her father’s glare replayed itself over and over in his mind.

  I…I had no idea… Seth thought to himself as the dirt path crunched beneath his feet. She always seemed so happy…

  Seth looked behind him and looked at Gloria hurrying to catch up to him. I’m a horrible man, I almost left her… left her to her father. He turned away, disgusted with himself, and marched onward. What does this mean when we get to Westford? Seth pursed his lips. I’m not taking her with me. I can’t. She deserves some peace after this.

  Gloria came up beside him. “Thank you, Seth,” she said, interrupting his thoughts. Seth started a little, then looked up at her. Gloria smiled briefly at him before wincing. “I wouldn’t have been able to leave without you.”

  Seth looked down; guilt and shame burned in his chest like smoldering coals. “Don’t thank me,” he said quietly, avoiding her gaze. “I almost abandoned you back there. Your father is right – I am a coward.”

  Gloria looked at the horizon and let out a long sigh. “You’re not a coward,” she answered, softly. “If you were, then you would’ve run at the first chance and never looked back.”

  Seth gave a wry chuckle and shook his head. “You have too much faith in me.”

  “Perhaps,” Gloria answered, with a small smile. “I guess we’ll just have to see who’s right then, won’t we?”

  Seth shrugged, but still couldn’t meet her eyes. The two walked on in silence, the crunching dirt pounded in Seth’s ears. He slowly peeked up at her, curiosity beginning to get the better of him. “Where’s your mother? Why did she leave?”

  A shadow passed over Gloria’s face and her little smile faltered. Seth stammered. “I-I’m sorry. If it’s too painful-”

  Gloria shook her head, and a coy smile replaced the shadow. “I’ll make you a deal: When you can tell me your past. I’ll tell you mine,” she winked at him, then strode forward.

  Seth stopped dead on the pathway and stared after Gloria, blinking in surprise.

  Gloria spun back and playfully raised an eyebrow. “You heard what I said. Now it’s up to you to decide if you’ll accept it.” Seth stammered for a bit, Gloria giggled then turned back and continued on the road.

  Seth stared after her, captivated. He watched her red curls bounce as she walked away, the mystery beginning to intrigue him. Seth smiled a little. He shifted his bag and followed after her – now he had two mysteries to solve.