Heartbeat

The meadow was a place where peace enveloped her. An array of colors surrounded her bare feet, smiling as the wind caressed her skin. The field wasn't located far from her home. When she was younger, her mother had warned her not to wander far from the cottage, however, when and an emerald butterfly landed on her nose she let out a giggle and proceeded to follow the insect as it swayed left to right slightly above her. When the butterfly landed again it was on a flower. Her tiny giggles came to an abrupt stop as she took in the scenery around her. Round eyes grew as her small hand grazed over the flowers, staring at the buds in awe. As a child, she was captivated by the various shades of yellows and blues. Her hand, picking a small flower of yellow hue. Smiling she plucked the flower from the damp earth and turned to skip back in the direction she came from.

The small girl discovered the meadow nearly ten years ago. She had grown much since then. Chubby fingers and soft skin were now calloused from all of her daily duties. The spring brought new growth not only in the way of nature but for her too. In a mere few months, it would be her 20th birthday. Sighing, she thought about her age. Sometimes it felt as if she was still that same carefree child, wanting to see the world and all its beauty. However, age brought responsibility. A responsibility she knew she wasn't ready for. It wasn't abnormal for a girl at her age to be married with children. However, many were with children at the age of eighteen and she would be nearing twenty soon.

It had often occurred when she was in the marketplace, whispers could be heard about her being unwed and barring no child. Many times it had become too much for her, finding herself forgetting everything she had gone there for in order to flee to the comforts of her home. Her parents, however, never commented on it. They didn't push for her to be married off to just any man that could offer them something in return. However, a part of her knew that her parents were getting older and that one day she would have to do the one thing she never desired. Whenever it would be brought up in conversation by and outsider her mother would always reply,

"Our Maia isn't one to be tied down so easily."

Although her mother's reply received a scandalized look from the latter, she couldn't be more correct. All of her life she had disobeyed society's norms. Women were meant to bear children and serve their husbands. When in public they were to dress as though they were attending a royal event and always be on their best behavior. Maia was the exact opposite. If it weren't for her long hair and feminine features many would believe she was a man. The girl was never one to stray far from their cottage, so she always wore her father's hand-me-downs stating that they were more comfortable to play in than a dress.

Often times she did more work than her father and mother combined. Many days her mother would fall ill from overworking herself. During these days her father would be absent; attending to affairs in the town. On those days she bared the burden of everyday chores to lend a helping hand. She had never been one to sit idly and wait for her "Prince Charming." Maia was before her time because she knew that those men only existed in fairytales, or so she thought.

_______

It was a brisk spring afternoon. She found herself soiled in wet dirt. Although the air was cool, beads of sweat kissed her forehead. Her father had asked her to tend to the garden before he left that morning. With the new growth of flowers came weeds. She lost track of time as she pulled up the endless amount of dead root. The cooling rain had battered down on their land for the past few days; today is the first time she could be outside more than a minute without getting drenched. Their garden was small. When harvesting time came it was filled with a plethora of different vegetables. She maintained and cared for the garden year-round even if the seasons didn't call for it.

The girl found peace in nature. Even if her family's garden wasn't as beautiful as the field she often snuck off to visit she still cared for it. Many times it had been her family's source of income in times when her father wasn't able to travel due to being sick. Being a merchant wore on his health. He was nearly sixty now. Traveling from town to town to trade and obtain items for sale had worn on him. His bones becoming frail and strength weakening. She had pleaded with him to let her take over, however, as much as he appreciated her strong will it was frowned upon for a woman to do a man's job. She had no siblings. There was no son to take his place and provide income for their household. It's not that she hates being a woman she simply hated that she was helpless. Her father had reassured her that it was alright, but the lines on his face begged to differ.

As her mind drifted, the hours began to pass in a blur as more weeds were rooted. A distant call of her name pulled her from her thoughts. The sun had begun to bleed into the horizon. She stood, following the smell of porridge wafting from the stone structure. Greeted with the sight of her mother's frame, she quickly discarded her filthy shoes near the door. The soft thud caught her mother's attention as she glanced back at her.

"Dinner is nearly ready", her smooth voice spoke. "Go and wash up then prepare the table."

With a quick nod, she quickly stumbled to her room; itching to remove her rugged clothes. Moving to the adjacent room, she had found her mother had filled the tub prior to her return. The water that was once scorching hot now lukewarm as the tips of her fingers made contact with the surface. A faint smile touched her lips as she stepped into the wooden bath. She sighed as she began removing the layers of dirt and sweat she has accumulated over the past few hours.

From her bath, she watched as day turned to night. A cool breeze drifted through the window; sweeping through the quiet room. Crickets began to play their melodies of the night. As eyes settled back to the murky water below she frowned. The same routine occupied her life day in and day out. Every day she would work in the garden or tend to her studies. Her life had become boring to her. Waking up every day with a sense of adventure had become burdensome. Her ventures to the village and back home had become uninteresting. The only place the girl found exciting was the meadow in which she visited frequently. She wanted an adventure. Quite honestly she wanted someone to come along with her.

Her childhood had been lonely. In her younger years, she never found had anyone to play with. Her parents had moved them far from civilization due to her father's line of work. It wasn't uncommon for merchandise to go missing the closer a family resided to town. It was a safety precaution, but one that caused her to miss out on many childhood memories. Looking up to the stars she wished for one final adventure before the burden of marriage was placed on her. Marriage was inevitable. But she held hope that whoever it was she could come to love. She knew it was silly, wishing on stars. However, when her eyes opened and stared upon the twinkling lights in the sky, a tinge of hope settled in her heart.

The water had long become cold as she pulled her bare body from the tub. Once she was decent again, she began the trek back into the kitchen. The table before her was decorated with utensils and their food for the night. When her eyes locked with her mother's curious gaze she gave a shy smile. She quietly made her way to the already set table.

"I had begun to think you had drowned yourself", her mother laughed. Her cheeks heated as she let out a small laugh.

"No...just thinking", she wondered off as she stared at the pot before her.

Her mother quirked an eyebrow at her remark, not seeming surprised. "You do that a lot."

Not knowing what to say she glanced around at the table. A seat, usually occupied with a warm body, was untouched.

"Shouldn't Papa be here by now", the girl wondered out loud.

Her mother tried to keep her expression neutral and mask her worry but she could tell something was off. Instead, she smiled and nodded. "I'm sure he will be here in a few minutes."

Those minutes turned into an hour. The food had long gone cold and untouched. Her mother had begun to fumble with the ends of her sleeves as she chewed her bottom lip. As she opened her mouth to say something a shout rang out. Both of their heads quickly snapped to the door. Within the next few seconds, another came and the sounds of their chairs were heard as they quickly moved towards the noise.

Their legs had stumbled off the porch and into the crisp night. The urgent yelling continued as the wagon came closer. She knew it was Papa, however, his panicked tone sent her blood cold. He was still yelling as the wagon came to a stop in front of them. Quick to remove himself from the horse his panic became known. Sweat glistened on his body as a shaking hand motioned for the two frozen women to follow.

"Papa what's going on", she questioned him as his eyes became frantic. She followed him to the back of his wagon where his merchandise was piled.

"Quick help me get him inside", his voice was rushed as he unlatched the handle with unsteady hands.

Before she could question him her eyes had fallen on the quivering form. A sheer piece of cloth was all that covered him. The inky strands of his hair were matted to his forehead with the sweat that covered his body. Red had coated his skin from top to bottom making him almost unrecognizable. She felt a lump form in her throat as her eyes landed upon the deep wounds that marked his naked form. Short breaths were being exhaled from the man; wincing with every choking sound he made.

"Maia quickly please", her father exclaimed as he reached for the boy. Her mind blanked as the three worked to bring him into the house. Next thing she knew the man was laying in her bed, crying out in pain as she was being ushered out of the room. Her heartbeat pounded loud in her head as worried feeling erupted in her chest. The last thing she remembered was hearing the deafening screams of pain as she fled the house; unknowing of where her feet were taking her.