Why Do I Keep Disappearing?

First Chapter

Second Chapter

Third Chapter

Fourth Chapter

Fifth Chapter
Sixth Chapter
Seventh Chapter

The meal finished without more than ten words spoken. Even Alisha was silent, able to feel the discomfort in the room. It was a simple meal, only some bread and rabbit, but Tom imagined it was more filling than he or Alisha had eaten in a while.

                Esaria stood. “I will excuse myself if you will let me.” She went back into a bedroom and closed the door quietly.

                Sarid rolled his eyes. “You are going to make my father furious.” He smirked. “Though I don’t mind you as much as him,” he said, walking over to Alisha. He lifted her chin up, trying to catch her gaze. “Alisha. Such a pretty name. Very pretty for a slave.”

                Tom growled. “Don’t touch her,” he said, standing and stepping closer.

                Alisha stared at Sarid, unable to move, frozen in fear.

                “Oh?” Sarid said, almost seeming happy Tom was so angry. “And you will do what? Can’t hurt me unless you want to lose the job you’re obviously desperate for.” He put his hand by his side. “A boy apprenticed to a seamstress. I imagine that will go wonderfully when you are older, if the apprenticeship even goes through. My father will probably stop it before it even starts,” he said coolly.

                Tom yanked Alisha away. He was enraged. It took so much effort not to plant his fist right on the arrogant boy’s smirk. He was stuck again. Always stuck between keeping his job and fighting the injustice. “I said, don’t touch her,” he growled.

                Sarid nodded. “Oh, yes. Whatever you say, Thomas.” He bowed mockingly low. He snickered. Suddenly, there was banging at the door. The smirk grew. “Why don’t you get it?”

                The bedroom door swung open and Esaria came out in a hurry. “Tom, Alisha, upstairs. Go. I will get it. Sarid… Please go to your room.”

                Tom bowed his head and pulled Alisha to the room, glad to get away from the boy. Sarid stayed where he was, though. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. Just as Tom stepped onto the last step, he glimpsed a large, drunk man entering the house. Tom closed his eyes. No. Please no.

Alisha sat on the bed, hugging her knees. “I like her, Tom, but I don’t like him. At all,” she said quietly.

                Tom shook his head. “No, I don’t like him either.” He waited by the door, listening. It was quiet right now. “But I did tell you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” But there was a limit to what he could do… He just hoped Esaria would be around to make sure her son didn’t get out of check. “It’ll be fine.”

                Then came yelling. As much as Tom could guess, it was the father. He grimaced and closed his eyes. He ran a hand through his hair. It couldn’t end this soon, but he knew it was best he didn’t interfere or try. Esaria sent them away, and he had learned the hard way to stay far from a drunk in a bad mood. To stay away from any drunk, truthfully. He sighed and glanced at Alisha, who was staring at him.

                “What’s going on, Tom?”

                Tom had given up on lying to her. He would eventually end up lying about everything. He couldn’t and wouldn’t change life. “We aren’t wanted. Esaria hired us, but neither her son nor her husband thinks it’s a good idea. I might be fired soon enough.”

                Alisha frowned. “And then we will have to go back to the other house? I like this place better. It’s… livelier. Please don’t make us go back.”

                “It’s not my choice, Alisha.” Tom shrugged and sat on the other side of the bed. He was tired of hearing the argument from downstairs.

                She stared at him. “But, you, you won’t ignore me again, will you, Tom? That is your choice, isn’t it?” she asked hopefully.

                Tom grimaced. “I can’t be with you all the time. When Esaria has me work, you can’t always come with me. I’m only trying to get you to your father. Don’t you miss him?”

                Alisha’s eyes immediately began filling with tears. “I miss him awfully!” She hugged Tom. “And my room and my slaves and my toys… Oh, Tom!” She cried into him.

                “No! I mean, Alisha!” Tom groaned and pushed her off him. “I will take you to him. For now, I must stay and work. If not, I will be a slave forever. You will never stop being royalty. It is in your blood. I have to work for everything I get,” he said bitterly. She still knew nothing. He just needed her to understand.

                Alisha wiped her tears. “But take me home soon. I need to get home.” She hugged herself tightly.

                “Yes, I know,” he sighed. No one had to do whatever he said.

                The door opened, revealing Sarid. He frowned as he saw Alisha. He took her hand. “What’s the matter, beautiful?”

                Tom pulled Sarid away. “What did I say about touching her?” he spat.

                Sarid ignored Tom. He brushed Alisha’s hair out of her face. “Listen, I can see Tommy here isn’t taking care of you too well, but I know how to treat a lady.”

                Alisha trembled. “Please don’t touch me…”

                “I don’t bite.” Sarid whispered. He stroked her cheek, causing her to flinch. He stood. “You both are to go downstairs and see my father. Sorry about this, Alisha. But I could convince my father to let you both stay.”

                “I’m sure you did,” Tom growled and shoved Sarid away again, ignoring the pain it caused himself. He swallowed. Why was everyone against him? Where was the old captain now? Sarid rolled his eyes and left the room. Tom held his hand out to Alisha. “Come on.”

                Alisha let him help her up. “Tom.”

                “I will do what I can, Alisha.”

“I can’t believe you got two of them!” the man growled.

                Esaria closed her eyes. “I only expected one. I’m sorry.” She stepped closer to them.

                Tom stared at his feet, not daring to look up. Alisha was looking at Esaria, frightened by the man. He was a fat man, but richly clothed. His thin, greying hair was groomed well, though it was slightly askew from his evening at the tavern. His face was red with anger. Sarid stood not far his father, appearing smug. Yes, Tom could clearly see him arguing for he and Alisha to stay. Stay in the gutters and the streets.

                “They are filthy! Look at them! The boy has no shoes and with his hair like that I couldn’t even be sure he has eyes! Has he just been beaten? Unsurprising for his kind. The girl, well, we might be able to sell her hair,” the man spat.

                Alisha gasped and grabbed her hair.

                Sarid frowned. “Come on, Father. Let the poor girl keep her hair.” He smiled at Alisha.

                “Please, Ruvr. You have plenty to work in your shop. Let me have the boy. Please,” Esaria begged.

                Ruvr turned on Esaria. “Because I have the real business! Your petty little thread shack is nothing. I need the workers and you don’t. I am the man of this family until I die, and then Sarid is. You listen to him and you listen to me.” His hand shot out across her face and she recoiled.

                Sarid’s smirk only slightly faded at the action. Tom bristled at the sight.

                “Please,” Esaria whispered, shrinking from Ruvr.

                The man spat. “Fine. But do not ask me for money to pay them or more money for thread.” He stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

                A smile played on Sarid’s face. He took Alisha’s hand and kissed it. “Goodnight, fair lady.”

                Tom growled at Sarid, but the older boy just ruffled Tom’s hair and retired to his own room.

                Esaria sighed and collapsed on a chair, holding back tears. She felt the bruise on her cheek. Alisha walked over to her, and the woman smiled weakly. “Goodnight, Alisha. I apologize for my son and my husband’s actions. I hold no control over them. And goodnight, Tom. You begin work tomorrow. We shall go to the office first thing in the morning.”

                Tom bowed slightly and nodded. Her voice did not allow for arguing. He pulled Alisha away and they went upstairs. As soon as she touched the bed, Alisha was asleep. Tom laid out the blankets on the floor and lay down. He began to worry about the job and getting Alisha to her father, but he was already asleep before he managed to consider much.

A Tale About Dragons

Here's a little story to break up the other story. I'm telling you, awful with titles and names. Here goes nothing!

The day had been long in coming.

She had checked every day to see if had come yet.

It was the same routine: Wait until the sun dropped, watching the window every second of the day, as if she would miss nightfall. Then, when the moon and stars fought for the greatest claim on the sky, she opened her bottom dresser drawer slowly, carefully, so not to wake the house’s other inhabitants. She would take the large, heavy object and wrap it in a silk scarf, then clothe herself with a jacket on top of her nightgown. Slowly creaking open the door to reveal darkness and snow, she would bring a candle into the seemingly limitless abyss of night.

She never had to walk far, just a few yards from the house. She would kneel and place the object lightly in the packed snow before unwrapping the scarf. The object had stood out clearly in the night, even against the white of the snow. Its color was a milky silver that glowed in the darkness, the exterior almost appearing never endingly deep. She had known it wasn’t like that, though, for the surface was just that: something to hold the most beautiful part inside. And she was about to find out what really was inside.

She always had the same argument within herself. Should she get her family, in case something happened? They wouldn’t want to miss it, but she didn’t want to wake them up for nothing. But then, what if she missed something herself? No, she couldn’t take her eyes off it, not even to blink. As her eyes begged to wander elsewhere, the first crack was heard. She grinned and shivered with excitement. There was a full moon that night, so the moon’s power was at its strongest. Of course, it didn’t always happen then, but it was best when it did.

Another crack split through the silent night and the oddly shaped object. It was louder than the last one. Then, after a couple of seconds, another crack, and a split in the egg’s surface was broken straight down the middle. Yes, the object was an egg. It wasn’t a common egg, but neither a rare one. Unless you found one by accident, they cost thousands, and not many places sold them legally. Most trainers kept the eggs for practice and natural experimentations. The egg was about the size of a bread loaf, but ironically, the animal inside would grow thousands and thousands of times bigger. What she had was nothing less than a dragon egg.

Crrrrrrrack! A small piece of shell flew as the rest fell apart. She gasped. It was better than the legends and the tales said. She had never seen one before, only heard of them. Much better. The small creature made a noise that was akin to a chortle. Its skin was the same exact tone of its shell, and the wings stuck to its body to make it seem almost like mutated dog or cat. It stumbled back and forth over the remains of the egg shell, trying to stand. The dragon crowed triumphantly and flapped its tiny wings. It only had the wingspan of about a foot.

The girl smiled and gently reached out her hand. She almost pulled her hand back, though. Touching the dragon would make you a dragon rider, which was what she wanted, but it was a grave decision. She knew not to take it lightly. She glanced up at the dark, snow dotted sky. If the dragon did touch her, her eyes would change from their normal chestnut color to its silver. She glanced back at the little dragon, who continued to stumble around.

“You will need a name,” she said quietly, reaching her hand out farther. “What shall it be? Are you a boy or a girl anyway?” She examined it, still holding out her hand. “Boy. Let’s see…”

The dragon sat down on his hind legs, watching her curiously. He shook the gathering snow off the wide bridge of his nose. He suddenly stood and waddled toward her warily. He glanced up at her, looking right in her eyes. His nose shot out to sniff her hand and brushed it ever so softly.

The girl sucked in her breath as an icy cold shiver ran through her. It started at her hand and spread up to her heart and down to her toes. It was different than the shivers the snow brought her, much different. This was powerful, ancient. She felt more alive in that small moment than she ever remembered feeling. Then the power surged up to her head, bouncing around her brain almost painfully. There was a sharp change right before the feeling disappeared altogether.

“Oro.”

She had snapped her eyes open, not remembering having closed them, and she knew the dragon’s name. Oro. Word. It fit quite well. Everything she had ever heard of the dragons had been legend, and she had never seen one before. She had read about them in books and heard about cousins’ aunt’s mother’s gardener’s son being a dragon rider, but that was all just word. Now, in front of her, she had living, breathing word.

The dragon roared and nuzzled his nose against her, searching for warmth. He curled up beside her. She smiled and reached for the scarf she carried the shell in. In the morning, following tradition, she would bury the pieces. She wrapped the scarf around Oro and picked him up. He screeched and fought against her, tangling the scarf. She hushed him gently, calling his name. She held him against her carefully and began walking back to the house, this time, as a real dragon rider, silver eyes and all.

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?