Snap-snap-snap-snap!
Irritatedly clicking his fingers with a knee on the flexing floorboard, snapping so much the heat produced was close to burning. A long night leading a horse through cold streets had left him maddened for sleep, needing to get this defenceless girl off so he can begin his journey home.
This random woman from a rich man's home, cast out in her bland pajamas and a single suitcase in tow. How peculiar... especially when told to drop her off at this specified location, quite strictly told in fact. It was slightly interesting to say the most, as interesting as the day worn clothes he has on. Which isn't very. Because he wasn't payed to ask questions nor is stepping into someone else's business his priority or even remotely worthwhile. He will do what he's payed like any other working man and he has more pressings matters to fulfil.
Swapping from snappy fingers to rough claps. Even resorting to muffled shouts which only seemed to give the girl a dosing frown.
"Hey. Wake Up! Hey. "
Still somewhat uneffective, much to his irritation. Deciding to combine both hand movements and his mouth to hopefully get a result.
Shocked awake, Marie opened her eyes to a vague figure vigorously clapping close to her face. Spooked by the sight Marie fell back landing on her hands, wide eyed and moderately gasping for air, instinctively prepared to apologise. Darting her sight around seeing barrels and dusty crates for a quick moment before calming down when she realised where she was and settled her thoughts. She was on a run-down carriage.
Weirded by the strange behaviour but uncaring to delve deeper, simply stated,
"We're here."
And jumped out the back as Marie stared at him while he left.
Coming to her senses, mind buzzing mildly from the sudden wake up. The newly jolted energy was rapidly leaving, not yet ready to bloom so Marie sat there. Eyes slightly aching but the sensation was starting to go the longer she sat with her eyes close to half open. Even if strength was leaving her, she was beiginning to wake.
Her body stired, taking up her briefcase and carefully stepped out the back past the many silent containers, one foot at a time. Too groggy and in a drowsy slump to think coherently. The horse shuffling away the moment she was fully off. Left alone in a chill, loosely watched as the wagon strolled away. Her baggage feeling like a boulder in hand.
Standing in an unfamiliar place with an uninviting stone building infront of her. Not a noise around, too disorientated to give attention to the swaying trees and wind, still tired even after she had just woken from sleeping. Pale moonlight and a flaming lamppost lit the dark yet still, images couldn't form in her unfocused drowse but she could make up the outline of a unfamiliar door she was placed near.
Dropped outside this building must mean it was where she needed to go, maybe, Marie couldn't think. Without wasting anymore time slowly creeped inside and as she looked around, there wasn't anyone to meet her at the entrance. Empty and still in the lobby, the sun still far away from reappearing in the sky. No sunlight to enter through cracks, or crevices or windows. A snuffed candle wanned in the dark on a desk. With the limited light Marie could barely figue out what was infront of her, let alone searching around. Unsure of what to do, Marie carefully plopped herself down to rest on a seat provided by the room, and waited. Having a small inkling why she was here, Marie didn't want to tug on it any longer.
As she waiting, Marie was mistaken about how awake she was, not completely rested, her body powerlessly closed and drifted off. Embraced by the icy stone walls and valise between her legs.
"umm. . . hello? Excuse me."
Woken in a quiet manner. Marie opened her woozy eyes, seeing soft orange light beneath her feet. Pitifully raised her head until the face of a concerned woman met her own.
"Are you here for a check up?" asking politely.
Unsure how to carry the situation, Marie shyly nods and was brought to the counter were she was told to wait in one of the many rooms.
"Someone will be with you shortly."
Thanking the woman meekly, Marie quietly made her way through a passage and sat on the bed in her designated room. A hard mattress separated her bottom from creaking wood, her valise placed back between her legs waiting patiently for someone to arrive.
Light poured in from the single window in the room high up the wall, faint in colour only recently risen from the horizon. It's weak strength unable to warm Marie's pajamas. Hands under her thighs and arms stuck close to her body, Marie soundlessly stared out the grubby window, watching as the birds glide and leaves shake. Not even the light blue sky could brighten her today. Studying the formation of clouds and thinking what they could've looked like, distracting herself until a woman entered the drab room. A different women than before making Marie go a shade nervious, an apparatus in her hand.
"Hello. What can i help you with?"
Speaking in monotone as she walked into the room and pulling a stool close to the patient. Marie stayed quiet not knowing what to say, it was her first time in such a situation and didn't want to do something wrong.
Obviously noticing the lack of interaction, the older woman knew what she was dealing with. She knew the moment the door opened. The nerviousness was pitifully obvious on the young patient.
So she began an flow of questions to build a web of knowledge of the little lady. Her feelings and wellbeing, any pain she has expirenced recently and any worries shes been having which Marie answered in short yes or no answers, leaving the woman a little helpless but there didn't seem to be anything worrying so far.
Holding the apparatus up for display, asked Marie in a unchanging tone to show her stomach nicely. Embarrassed, Marie followed, lifting up her course grey pajamas where the women promptly placed the end of her equipment on her belly. The object connected to her ear, she listened with hooded eyes, moving the apparatus to multiple locations. Marie shivered lightly from the sudden cold touches.
Finished with her check, peeled the object out her ears.
Speaking a tiny bit too fast,
"you are complely fine, there doesn't seem to be any problems. You should come back in about two to three months for one more health check." Maintaining a small smile for Marie.
"Yes." Replied Marie shortly after, marking the end of the session. Seeing the woman leave, Marie regretted not asking more questions to better understand her situation. But she didn't know what to ask, the words would've stayed stuck to her throat anyways. If not frightened to ask questions herself then Marie was apprehensive to talk about it, she didn't want to talk about it anyways.
'She's nice.', Marie thought.
Left in solitude. Marie stayed a while longer thinking. She wasn't expecting to be in such a place so soon but Marie wasn't thinking about it much anyways, keeping herself closed off. Even if she felt overwhelmed she would lock herself away. Because she didn't want to face it. The truth was ugly.
Keeping her pain and sickness to herself. No one else knew of the times she would vomit into the trash, no one else knew of the times she would stay alone in the bathroom. And to have it discovered with her mind unprepared left her ashamed. Dread squirming it's way to her toes and hidden fingers, Marie wanted to bring her body even closer to herself than it already was. Arms closer to her ribs and head lower to her anxious heart. Feeling the stir of clammy hands as she rubbed herself under her legs whilst she pressed them together. The back of her pajamas stretching to follow her slight hunch.
Turning back to the window and peeking out at the early day clouds, worriness of money began to surface in her mind. She would need a place to stay, maybe she could find a cheap Inn if she looked around the area if she tried really hard. Also needing to eat, in fact, she was feeling peckish. Ready for a hardy breakfast. But she needed to spread her money tremendously thin to last her. And to pay for all that until she came back here to the stone walls, she needed to use her money sparingly, only bringing a few coins with her in her orange pouch she must be wise. Along with the daily necessities and thick cloths she would need for the upcoming winter. She would have to find work; the cloths she brought with her in a daze weren't enough which she couldn't help but be fearful of the thought.
The entirety of her thoughts and what she had to do, it was daunting. Never being able to comfortably be with, let alone talk to people. She thought everything was going to be alright after she was picked.
Multitudes of troubles waited ahead, but maybe the outside can liven her mood. Marie stared pass the glass, searching.
No more birds that sored across the fresh blue and white. Leafs still shook but their sight couldn't sway her mood.
Remembering a scene in her recent read, earlier in the story. Her most liked scene, a picture she could relate with. The wise archer gazing out a window lost in thought. Also searching for something just like Marie. Out onto the grass and far across the hills the archer perceived. Finding something so much more than adventure and excitement. Something the land couldn't give to her, something her home couldn't give her. Something where only life existed. The possession of freedom to explore, like that of a rogue, a traveller, a wonderer. Only, Marie didn't want a distant dream to chase. She wanted something instant, in this moment.
Staying motionless in the spot, the window taking her whole mind. Thoughts speeding past, not one remotely full but hastily replaced with another when the thought slightly waned.
Sitting on the hard mattress eyes unwithering away from the window. Marie stayed in the cold room longer than she should've. Anyone could come in and become confused by her not being gone. Which would be embarrassing if not for the small hope from Marie that someone would.
Still and thoughtless Marie stayed with the scenery. The showcase of flying birds going on and off, a third of her view blocked by leafs and another third blocked by a wooden wall extending out the building. Feelings stiring but all seeming to converge back into the same sad emotion. Thinking hard to keep it away.
Thinking
Thoughts
Distractions, it was all distractions. To force her mind away from what she never wanted to think about. To stay away from what's happening to her body. To hide away from what her life would soon become. Hoping for it to be gone but it was an impossibility, like hoping away rain, commanding the current to stop, to wish away the inevitable. Awful, it's just awful. She didn't want anyone to know but now every person would know when they looked at her. The peering eyes of the people that she couldn't run from. Their judging remarks that their eyes spoke of. The scorn she felt for herself and her own scorn she will show to a new life. It was too much.
But Marie was a warrior, able to face anything, she was a warrior, she was...
Unable to find her strength outside she was forced away from the window's view and looked down upon herself. Lips sealed shut and slightly wobbling, a hot sensation sneaking into her face and eyes. Her vision no longer clear nor free, blurred by the salty tears that uncontrollably formed. Slipping down her cheeks and chin, Marie sat in silence, tears falling down onto her grey cloths and brief case. Trying her best to control what she couldn't. Lonely in a quiet room, she could only hear the trembling breathes that escaped her mouth.
She wasn't prepared, no matter how much time she had she wouldn't have ever been ready.