Chapter Text
Pnelope slowly made her way out of the alley, surveing the sun lit plaza. The mismatch of colors and textures of the stalls towered over her small figure, the dirt streets crowded with people, the way it always got before festivals.
Tears glide slowly through her filth stained face.
Sprinting, she started running, wildly looking around. searching for Inconsistencies, anything that would tel her this was fake a post regretion fever dream. An illusion.
"Cotton apples! just 3 copper coins!"
"Whale meat! 4 silver each kilo!"
Miss.Johnson's yellow dress twirled together with her body, matching her market stall's roof. Penelope could see the fakes jewels on their stands.
Old Harlow was sitting by his wooden box, selling his smoked skewers. A quick look to the alleway behind him and she could tell they were made from cat meat.
A group of sreet children sold flowers in baskets by the circular stage.
Everything was exactly how she remembered. Every little detail.
'Maybe...this is Real'
Penelope couldn’t help but laugh. Not the cold laugh she faked in the last years. No, a true laugh, one she had let scape her lips in a long time.
Running and giggling, she wandered around the market she spent her chilhood years in, saying “Hello!” or a joyful “good morning” to every person she passed by. She knew some of them. saw their corpses burning with the rest of the world.
She stopped at a water fountain , leaning on the edges. The reflection of a skinny girl, magenta wavy hair flowing freely over her shoulders, met her turcoise eyes.
‘So this I it’
more tears fell.
‘The felling of freedom’
---------------------------
Drgging her feet, head low, the girl made her way through the busy market street back to her mother. All the happines had rapdly melt down after Penelope felt her stomach growl. She was not at the Duke's manor anymore , she would have to provide for herself again.she starved all the same at the damned house
*thump*
“Oh my, are you fine sweetheart?” a smooth voice asked.
From the ground, tilting her head up, Penelope looked up at the outstretched hand in front of her.
“I'm sorry” she mumbled, barely audible. It was never good to get attention
she could still see the Dukes's hand reaching for her.
Accepting the help, she shoots a sneaky peek at the owner of the hand.
The lady's mossy green hair was styled on a braided updo. She appeared to be around her mid 50’s, face fille with freckles that accentuated her tanned skin, dressed in simple but well made clothes. Definitely middle class. Caramel colored eyes looked gently, filled with pity, at Penelope.
“You should pay more attention to where you’re going, dear. You could get hurt” The lady's voica was soft.
“I will, thank you for your worries, ma'am” Penelope said in a small voice, shoulders hunched. Acting submissive was always safe. it never worked with her brothers
“I don’t think you should be wandering around alone dear, there have been a lot of dead children apearing around recently.” the lady said with a worried expression.
“Dead children?” Penelope's head shot up.
A bad feeling settled in her. She's almost forgotten about a very important detail.
“Yeah, there are already 7 missing! I've heard recently the Duke's daughter dissapered too! Such a pity I say, heard she was a sweet one!”
“....”
“Oh, poor princess. The duke has been looking everywhere for her. Anyway, you should be careful dear. If even someone with so many guards got caught, imagine us!”
The lady smiled innocently as she walked away. Completely unawere of the turmoil of emotions she caused on the girl.
Penelope was too deep in her thoughts to notice that the Lady had already left. She just stood there, looking at the the sky. Elders
‘Ah shit, I forgot about that part’.