a step towards freedom

Minerva's house sat at the edge of the town, a modest yet well kept cottage with ivy creeping up it's stone walls. The front garden was bursting with herbs and flowers, was a familiar sight _ One that always carried a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

Larissa spotted Minerva kneeling by the flower beds, her hands deep in the soil as she tended to the plants. The older woman looked up at the sound of footsteps, her face breaking into a gentle smile.

"Larissa dear." She greeted, dusting dirt off her hands. "I was hoping you would come."

Larissa returned the smile, though it was small. "You knew I would."

Minerva rose to her feet, brushing the stray hair from her face. "Come, let us seat as we have a lot to talk about."

"I won't waste your time." Minerva begun, her expression turning serious. " The job that I mentioned in the letter- it's real and I believe that it could be good for you.

Larissa nodded, her fingers twisting on her lap. "You said I would be looking for an old man?"

Minerva's lips pressed together for a moment before she continued, "yes, he is wealthy. Lives in a large estate outside this town. He needs someone to assist him with daily tasks,_ Simple things like keeping his room clean, and ensuring he takes his meals."

Larissa frowned slightly. "That's_ an odd request for someone rich, wouldn't he have servants?"

Minerva hesited, then sighed. " He does. But this is different. He asked specifically for someone who would pry into his affairs. She looked at Larissa meaningfully. "I thought of you."

Being desperate to get a job so that she could at least support herself with the little she could, she did not see the need to refuse.

"I will take the job."

Minerva's face softened. " I hoped you would. You deserve a chance at something better.".

They sat in silence for a moment, the wind rustling through the leaves. Then, Minerva reached out. Placing a hand over Larissa's.

"Make me proud dear."

Larissa gave a slow nod to the older woman, a reassuring smile on her face whereby she thanked the woman.

Spending some time in lady Minerva's home, she finally departed. Her feet did not lead her home, instead, she went to a place where she visited often.

The church's orphanage was a familiar place _ one of the few that brought Larissa a sense of peace.

The old stone building nestled behind the main church was always bustling with life. Children's laughter echoedbin the air as they played in the courtyard, their faces bright despite the hardships they endured.

As Larissa stepped through gate, sister Margot, a plump woman with kind eyes spotted her and beamed.

"Riss, dear!" She hurried over, wiping flour from her hands. "You are just in time. The little ones have been asking about you all morning."

A small tug on her skirt made Larissa look down. A boy no older than seven grinned at up at her. "You are here."

She bent down, ruffling his messy hair. "I promised I would come, didn't I ?"

The next few hours passed in a blur of activity. She helped the children with their reading lessons, assisted in the kitchen and patched up torn clothes. The work was tiring but fulfilling, and for a little while, she almost forgot the weight of her own troubles.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Larissa sat outside with a few older children. Watching as the younger ones played. One of the girls, a quiet one named Elise tugged at her sleeve.

" Will you be spending a night here?"

"No, but I wish I could. I missed you all so much." There was a tender smile on her face and reluctantly, the girl nodded.

As the evening approached, Larissa bid the children farewell and made her way home. Tomorrow would curve a new path for her, one that could change everything and though fear curled in her stomach, hope burned just a little brighter.

The sun had begun it's descent, casting long shadows across the narrow dirt path. Larissa walked briskly, the hem of her dress gathering dirt as she took the quickest route home. This particular path, though faster, was rarely traveled_ flanked by tall, gnarled trees that loomed overhead like silent sentinels.

A hush of woods was unnerving. The deeper she went, the more she regretted taking this shortcut. There were no houses nearby, no pàssing carriages_ just the rustling of leaves and occasional hoot of an owl settling in for the night.

She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, quickening her pace. Then she heard it. A low agonized groan.

Larissa froze. The sound came from up ahead, just beyond the bend.

It was followed by another _ a choked gurgle, wet and unnatural.

Her pulse stuttered.

She wasn't the curious type. She wasn't the type to investigate strange noises or peek into things that did not concern her. Fear had always kept her cautious, and right now, the same fear urged her to turn back .but her feet betrayed her.

She stepped towards, her movements slow, almost unwilling. Rounding the bend, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Her breath hutched in her throat.