That Story That I Wrote But Couldn't Post Because I Had A Weird Week

First Chapter
Second Chapter
Third Chapter
Fourth Chapter
Fifth Chapter
Sixth Chapter

“Psst.” Such a quiet sound in the cacophony of voices. Tom froze where he stood, trying to find who had said it. His eyes swiveled around. Not Alisha. She was a few feet away, admiring more dolls.

“Psst.”

Tom turned to look, but fell against the wall, gasping. He had twisted the wrong way, causing his bruised body to resist. He groaned, but as he looked up, he caught the eye of a woman. She wore a yellow cloak with the hood pulled up. She made her way to him, but it was only until she was close enough that she touched his arm that Tom recognized her. It was the woman from the blacksmith.

                “What happened?” she said, lifting up his shirt to reveal more bruises.

                Tom growled and shoved her away, grimacing from the pain. “Nothing. What do you want?”

                The woman sighed and pushed her hood off her face. “Same thing you do, if I’m right. I need an apprentice.” She continued looking at his bruises, frowning.

                Tom stared at her. “You do? But, the blacksmith…” He had assumed the woman was his daughter or daughter in law. Not that the woman had a job.

                “The blacksmith was a customer,” she smirked. “He was buying a gift for his wife. I’m a seamstress. I need someone to run errands for me and do odd jobs. You have practically no choice but to say yes. I know what you are. Whoever else you ask will too. My shop is down there,” she said, pointing down the street left of them.

                Tom swallowed. He wanted to say no just to spite her. She was too confident, too certain of herself. Women weren’t supposed to be like that. He just wanted to prove her wrong. “I…” He frowned. Well, of course, he had to say yes. He glanced back to Alisha. He thought he would have time to help her. But now he had a trade instead.

                The woman followed his eyes. “Who is that? A sister?” She frowned. “I don’t have room for two. Not that much, anyway.”

                “Y-yes. A sister.” That was easier than the truth. “I- I will take your offer…”

                She smiled. “Good. I am Esaria. And you?”

                “Tom,” he said quietly. A trade. He had a trade. He now had a chance for a good future.

                “And the girl’s name?” Esaria asked, glancing at Alisha. “She’s a slave too?”

                Tom nodded. “Alisha.” He sighed. How was he supposed to get Alisha straight with her story? She wasn’t exactly a good liar.

                Esaria smiled. “Well, let’s go back to my husband’s house. He is working now, so we should be alone. Get your sister.”

                “Yes, ma’am,” Tom said, looking down. He walked over to Alisha and pulled her from the stand. “Listen, someone offered to hire me. I took the offer. We are going to stay at her house. You are pretending to be my sister, a slave.”

                Alisha stared at him, still holding her elephant. “Okay…” she said nervously.

                Tom sighed and walked back to Esaria, Alisha sticking to him. Esaria smiled at Alisha. “Hello, I’m Esaria.”

                Alisha smiled slightly. “I’m Alisha.” She put the elephant carefully under her arm.

                Esaria nodded. “Nice to meet you. Come on, now.” She turned and walked away. “This way. It’s not too far from the shop.”

She glanced behind her shoulder to make sure they were following. Alisha stayed close to Tom the whole time, and he couldn’t do much about it. She was his sister. “Right here,” Esaria directed, opening the door to a medium sized house. It was not exceptionally fancy, but only what was needed. It had different rooms, which was nice enough. They walked into an outer room for eating and having company, and there were two rooms off to the side. Tom had first thought she was going to put them in one of the rooms, but instead she led him to the roof. There was no real second floor to the house, only a small room built on top next to the staircase. Inside, it contained only a bed and a dresser; too much more and there wouldn’t be room to walk.

                “Here,” Esaria said. “Alisha will sleep on the bed. I’ll bring blankets up for you, Tom. I was only planning for one,” she said, pursing her lips.

                Tom grimaced. It was so small… Sure, it was nice to have a roof over his head, but for the two of them. Why did Alisha have to cause so many problems? Plus, he felt a little cheated at her offer so far. Any other apprenticeship would have come with a real place to stay. He wondered what the pay was going to be. They would have to head to the court to get the papers arranged.

                Alisha peeked in the room. She sat on the bed happily. “This is where we are going to live, Tom?” She placed the elephant on the dresser.

                “Yes…” Tom said.

                Esaria cleared her throat, seeing Tom’s dissatisfaction. She lowered her voice so only he could hear.  “I assumed this would do for one thief and ex-slave. I didn’t imagine I would have to accommodate two.”

                The words stung Tom. Of course. He was still being mistreated because he was a slave. Even now. “She is not a thief.”

                Esaria raised an eyebrow. “But she still is a slave. Only you could have the apprenticeship.”

                “But-” Tom bit his tongue. But she isn’t a slave, he wanted to say. He couldn’t. He bowed his head.

                “So, it suits you, Alisha?” Esaria said suddenly.

                Alisha smiled. “I’m used to a bit bigger, but it is very nice. Thank you.”

                Esaria raised an eyebrow. “A bit bigger?”

                Tom interrupted. “She means like, outside… ma’am.” He glanced at Alisha with a small frown, and she stared back sadly, obviously wondering what she had done to make Tom upset.

                Esaria didn’t seem to notice. She laughed. “Yes, outside is quite a bit bigger than this little room.” She sighed. “Alright, I’ll go get blankets for you.” She nodded and walked outside, going downstairs.

                “What, Tom?” Alisha said nervously. “What did I do?”

                He sighed and shook his hair. “Nothing… Just... You’re supposed to be poor, Alisha. You can’t be used to your huge house and servants. You will have to start doing things for yourself so Esaria doesn’t find out who you are.”

                “But why can’t she know? She seems nice, Tom!” Alisha pouted.

                “We don’t even know her!” Tom groaned. How could anyone be so thickheaded and so airheaded at the same time?

                Alisha huffed and crossed her arms, pouting. “I trust her.”

                Tom opened his mouth, but stopped as Esaria walked back in. She smiled innocently. “So, Tom, would you like to visit the shop? Alisha can stay here, if she would like.”

                “She does,” Tom said quickly, ignoring Alisha’s looks. She glared at him as they walked out. The shop really wasn’t that far away. It was a fairly large shop for being outside in the market, stuffed with dresses of vibrant colors. Esaria had a large loom set aside where she would thread in fabrics and make the dresses. Tom was to deliver dresses, pick up orders, and buy supplies. He might even make dresses, if Esaria gave him a warning that if he ever tried to steal even one inch length of a single thread, she would have his head cut off. Tom simply nodded. If he was to be paid and treated fairly, why would he have reason to steal?

                The day was almost ending by the time they were coming home. Esaria said she would begin making a small dinner, so he was to fetch Alisha. Tom ran up the stairs quietly and opened the door to the room.

                “Alisha,” he whispered. She had fallen asleep on the bed.  He gently touched her shoulder. “Alisha.”

                She sat up and moved her long hair away from her face. She glared at Tom. “What?” She crossed her arms.

                “Look, I’m sorry, Alisha.” Tom sighed. “I don’t want you to get me fired, and you must protect your identity.”

                Alisha was not satisfied with this at all. “I’m not scared of her. You won’t ignore me.”

                Tom scoffed. “I did it to protect both of us!”

                “Don’t do it again,” she snapped.

                He sighed and pulled her up. “We are to eat dinner. Now.” He practically dragged her down the stairs, as she made no effort to walk. As soon as Esaria came into view, Alisha straightened.

                “How are you?” Esaria asked her, handing Tom wood plates for him to place on the small table.

                Alisha smiled. “Very good. How are you?”

                Tom scowled and began setting out plates. He frowned. There were five of them. Counting Esaria’s husband, that was only four.

                “Well. Thank you,” Esaria smiled softly. A noise came from the door, and she turned. She motioned to Tom.

                He glowered silently, walking over to the door and opening it. A boy two years his elder stood at the door wearing the same expression as he. Tom’s eyebrows furrowed. Who was this? A son. He had Esaria’s eyes, but not her face or hair.

                “What? Who are you?” the boy spat. “Mother?” He shoved passed Tom and to Esaria. He gave Alisha a digusted look. “Father said not to hire anyone. He needs new tools for the shop.”

                Esaria’s face was placid. “I need someone to work as well. He has you and many other works, and I have no one. Also, where is he to argue now?”

                The boy growled. “He went to the tavern. I doubt he will be happy about this.”

                “Then let him deal with it when he returns. He knows as well I don’t like him going to the tavern, especially when he brings you,” she said, an edge finally coming into her voice.

                “It’s nothing, Mother.” The boy scoffed.

                Esaria clenched her teeth. “This is Tom and Alisha, and this is my son, Sarid,” she said quietly.

                Sarid stared at the two, lip curled. “You hired two? Father will be very mad…” He sat down at the table and grabbed some bread.

                “I hired the boy! That is his sister.” Esaria sighed. She sat down at the table as well, and Tom joined her. Alisha hesitated before sitting; Tom assumed she was waiting for someone to pull out her chair or some other ritual. She sighed and sat down. The table was awkwardly silent. Tom kept wondering how mad the father would be… just coming home from the tavern, too. Had he gotten anywhere at all?