Ominous morning

The next day, Victoria stepped out of her home to pick up groceries from different shops. Something she has grown up to do, daily. Donning a peach gown with ribbons on the chest, she made her way towards the already filling crowd. It was 8 in the morning and the weather was a little darker than usual but that didn't stop the people from getting one or two things before the heavy downpour would ensue.

The rain started drizzling and most people were put into panic while some murmured bad luck. Some shop owners weren't happy about the weather. It would clearly disrupt their business schedule for the day.

"Victoria, so nice to see you this morning," a middle aged lady greeted her with a smile.

Victoria paused to return the smile. She bowed a little, "good morning Mrs Donald. I think you should head home quickly before the rain descends."

Mrs Donald smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your concerns. I'll surely bring apple pie for you tomorrow. Send my wishes to your father," and with that, the woman rushed away.

Stepping into one of the shops, Victoria came face to face with a woman in scary make-up. "My apologies for not knocking. The weather is pretty bad outside, Ms Elise."

"Of course it is." The lady scrutinized Victoria from head to toes before retorting, "It has been awhile since I last saw you and your pathetic father."

Victoria gave her a small smile. "I bet you missed us," she replied with the same hostility. Her father had borrowed fifteen gold coins from this lady two years ago when their bread business was dwindling. Her father couldn't repay the money because the bread business wasn't that profitable.

Elise shot a glare at the girl with brown hair. "Ungrateful bitch," she muttered before moving the brown boxes of newly imported spices from Everia. Everia has been sending in good stuff into the kingdom yet the Duke has refused to form an ally with them.

"What are you doing here? Let me guess—to borrow again," she added and kept arranging the boxes. Not paying attention to Victoria. She sighed and turned to look at the girl. "I'm sorry for acting harsh on you. It's just that, my daughter is sick and I can't afford her treatment." Her eyes turned watery and she finally took her seat. "I can't offer help to you and your father. Sorry," Elise added before using the hem of her faded blue dress to wipe her eyes.

Victoria's heart immediately saddened upon hearing the lady's words. She knew the feeling of not being able to help someone who's so close to you. It makes one miserable. Her father was once like that, including herself.

"My apologies, Ms Elise. I'm not here to borrow as you thought." Victoria dip her hands into her pocket and brought out a small pouch which she outstretched towards the woman. "This is the money my father owed you. He also added an extra five coins for the time spent. Consider it a thank you for helping us."

Elise blinked once, twice before standing up. She stared at the pouch before moving her eyes to Victoria. "Are you sure?" She asked.

Victoria smiled at the woman's actions. Taking the woman's hand, she placed the pouch on her palm with a sincere smile. "You helped us when we were in need. Though I'm returning this money to you, I know it will go a long way to help your daughter Ms Elise. Thank you," she bowed before walking out of the door.

Ms Elise blinked back the tears she was holding and immediately picked her bag from the stand, throwing it over her shoulder, she stormed out of the shop in haste to meet her sick daughter.

When Victoria came out of the shop, the sky became darker and the atmosphere, more colder than before. "This is going to turn out worse," she whispered to herself before joining the crowd.

After she was done collecting all the possible supplies, Victoria rushed home. Yet, she couldn't escape the angry drops of the rain. By the time she reached their home, Victoria was already soaked to her bones.

The moment she stepped inside, her father immediately came into view. A worried expression on his aged face. "You scared me Toria. What kept you so long?" He asked as he stepped aside for her to enter the living room which was quite small. The floor was made of wood and creaked quietly when stepped on top. Three small old fashioned couches were positioned in a circle around the living room with a wooden table at the center. On top of it was a bright burning oil lamp which exuded a faint yellow glow in the room. There was no dining area.

"The flour supplier came late, I had to wait for him," she replied. Handing the basket to her father, she removed her wet shoes and raised them vertically against the wall to drip off water.

Patrick inspected the items she brought and satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. "What about Elise?"

"Couldn't be any happier. Did you know she has a daughter?" Victoria asked in curiosity.

"I do. What about her?" He asked his daughter whose eyes were now wide as saucers.

Victoria started walking towards her room to change her dress. "Well, she is sick. I pray that the money would be enough to nurse the little girl back to health."

Patrick pondered for some time before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

After changing her dress, Victoria hung the wet one to dry before going to bed. Peeping outside, she saw that the downpour had immensely increased and the streets were almost dry except for those with umbrellas. She exhaled and laid quietly on her bed, staring at the wooden ceiling when she suddenly drifted up to sleep.

>> 'What are you?' an unknown voice asked.

>> 'Hello? Is anyone here?' Victoria shouted. There was no response in the dark except her voice echoing through the large space.

>> 'I'm here.'

>> 'Show yourself. What do you want from me?' Victoria yelled in frustration. There was this sense of familiarity with the darkness yet, also unfamiliar. A sudden chill ran up her spine. It was as if a bucket of ice water were suddenly poured on her from head to toes.

>> 'You can see me, feel me and hear me, Victoria.'

>> 'Stop being a coward and show yourself,' she dared. Suddenly someone grabbed her neck, choking her without letting go.

>> 'I'm the darkness. Your darkness.'