The Warden

"Y-Your eyes, and your hair!" He exclaims, pointing with a shaky hand.

"Please don't be afraid." I urge,

"Your eyes t-there yellow, your hair is white, and your skin is so pale!? What are you?"

"I-I'm…Well… it's complicated! Just give me back my money and get out of here."

"H-here don't hurt me" He begs as he tosses me the coin pouch with trembling hands.

After he gives me the coins, he runs away frightened, and I return to the market.

-

​"That'll be five tokens" The shop keeper tells me,

I hand him the last of my coins and start heading back. I wonder what the warden will say when she sees the food I bought. All the prices in the market went up since last year. This won't be enough food to feed everyone back at the orphanage. I grimace as I walk through the crowd.

"Did you here about the palace?"

"What about the palace?"

"Well, I heard that people have been going missing. They say there is a ghost in the palace that will steel you away if you don't know its name."

"What will it do if you do know its name?" someone asked,

"I heard that if you tell it it's real name it will grant you any wish you want. It must just be a myth though."

Just some gossip, though it is interesting. I'll head back quickly it's getting dark, and I'm getting cold.

​As I walk towards the orphanage, I hear the Warden talking in her office. Someone must be in trouble. After I'm inside I take off my old boots and hang up my jacket to dry. Now I just have to put the food I bought in the kitchen. While passing through the halls, I here all the other children getting ready for supper and I can't help but envy them a little. They're so carefree, giggling and having fun. When I was little, I didn't have things to freely laugh about. Even now I have nothing.

"Emily!"

"Yes?!" I blurt startled

"Jeez, I called your name three times before I got your attention." Elize nagged.

Ugh… Elize. She's always trying to get me into trouble.

"What do you need Elize?" I ask,

"Well, I was going to start making supper, but we don't have enough food. I was wondering if you could hand over the things you got from the market?" Elize asks in a sarcastic tone,

"Alright, here you go."

"Oh yeah, the Warden wants you in her office. She didn't sound so happy either. Have fun~" Elize teases.

Great just my luck. I wonder what I did this time to make the Warden mad. Could she have already heard about what happened at the market today? I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

​When I reach the wardens office, I hesitate to open the door. I'm nervous. With a shaky hand I knock.

"Miss? Um… It's Emily. Elize said you wanted to see me?"

"Come in." The Warden barks firmly

I open the door and see her sitting at her desk. She stands and walks towards me.

"Was there any trouble at the market?" The Warden asks,

"No Ma'am" I lie,

"Did anyone see your face."

I flinch.

"I see. Who saw you?" She demands

"Just a thief. He won't tell anyone about me. Even if he did, no one would believe him." I explain,

"We keep you here because we need the extra hands. We don't keep you here because we want to. We feed you. You sleep here. If you don't follow our directions, you get punished. Do you understand."

I nod.

"Good. Then you understand that you need to be punished. Correct?"

"Yes…"

"Come with me."