Edie

Edie

SasatheShy

--

To answer a reviewer's question, Edie's name is pronounced 'EE-dee' It is not pronounced like Eddie.

--

Chapter Five: Cretchen

--

The door leading into a small, well-decorated room opened wide. In walked Tonisha. She looked around the room, looking to her left at a small straw bed wearing a white sheet. To her right sat two stools, and the wood floor had a nice blue and red rug spread flat.

This bedroom seemed to be empty. Smiling, Tonisha turned to face Mark. She took his hand, ushering him inside. “Here we are.”

Mark glanced about as Tonisha closed the door behind them, making sure to lock it with her special key she kept in the pockets of all her dresses. This key gave her access to every room in the inn. She was, after all, in charge.

Placing the key safely in her pocket, Tonisha sensually faced Mark. He had taken a good few steps into the room, and was now eying her at a fair distance.

“Um…” he gulped. “Listen, Tonisha -- I --”

“Don’t say anything,” Tonisha said as she walked up to him. She put her hands against his chest, pushing him towards the bed. She had made him sit, but he seemed rather uncomfortable -- and a little green.

“Tonisha, please…” he tried again. “You don’t have to do this. We don’t --”

Tonisha blinked down at him. She was quite flabbergasted. Mark was a sissy man. She chuckled at him. “Why are you so -- anxious to save yourself?”

“I’m not,” he said. “Well, I just do not feel this is right.”

Shocked. Tonisha was shocked. This man -- he was not like others. He was quite decent, especially for a Cretchen.

Cretchen. That very word sent indescribable fear throughout those with weak hearts. The very word, Cretchen, was born by those afraid of the uniformed, horse-riding men. It meant cretin, and for some out-of-this-world reason, the name stuck, and the very men that should feel offended by it accepted it.

The Cretchen feared no one. They were ruthless, black-hearted imbeciles that stole from the weak, and they’d kill any that dared to challenge their ways. And having such power had gained Cain his massiveness. In Forter, at the very left end, was his large home.. It was like a mansion, decorated with the rare mineral marble and he even had much grander furniture than most other rich people living nearby.

Tonisha had never met a friendly Cretchen -- until Mark.

“Are you serious?” she asked as she leaned back. She glanced into his handsome green eyes. She was surprised, for she saw no hint of greediness. “Well…”

Slowly, she got off of him and stepped back, feeling slightly embarrassed. “I’m --”

“Don’t,” Mark said as he stood to his feet. He walked up to her. “You’re not at fault.”

Smiling, Tonisha stared up at Mark. “Are you truly a Cretchen, Mark?”

Mark blinked, stunned by Tonisha’s persistence, even if she was accurate. He rubbed at his neck, showing he was partly distressed by this topic of conversation. “Of course I am.”

“Of course you are,” Tonisha said softly. She touched her hair, twirling it around her finger. “I won’t force you, Mark --” she finally said as she chuckled. “No person, even a man, should feel forced into something they don’t want…”

Appearing stunned, Mark suddenly felt more guilty as he turned his head away. Tonisha had no idea -- she was lucky enough to not witness sights Mark has had the privilege of viewing. Sights he had viewed by true force. Death, despair -- no otherwise.

Lowering her hands, Tonisha watched Mark with concern. Had she hit an emotional spot? “Mark?”

“I should go,” he said. “I’m tired -- I smell like shit.”

“Alright,” Tonisha said. She did not want to argue. Something about Mark made her feel for and respect him.

--

As Tonisha and Mark made their way back downstairs, Tonisha found Cain sitting in the exact same spot they had left him in. He was cleaning at his teeth with a knife. He looked up at them, and raised a brow, but Mark kept his head lowered, hoping his Captain would not ask why the two were back downstairs so soon.

Tonisha walked up to Cain, smiling. “Still here?”

“Is that a problem?” he asked, raising a brow.

“Of course not,” said Tonisha. She looked up at Mark. “Will you be leaving?”

Mark tried ignoring Tonisha’s beautiful gaze. He turned to Cain and bowed. “I am heading out.”

Cain gave a short nod. “Have a good night. Wake early tomorrow for work.”

Understanding, Mark saluted. “Yes, sir.”

As second-in-command, Mark had the privilege of working alongside Cain at his home. There, their offices resided.

Turning, Mark bowed to Tonisha, giving her an apologetic stare before taking his leave.

Cain stood to his feet. He watched Mark vanish through the front door. He looked at Tonisha and raised a brow.

“Don’t ask,” she chuckled. “Did you visit with our cook?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Cain said. “She never came upstairs to find me. Isn’t that something? Perhaps -- you could take me to her and introduce me fully? I still can taste that delicious broth on my tongue.”

“Of course,” said Tonisha. “Right this way.”

The captain grinned. He knew this was going to be fun.

--

Lavan sat opposite of Edie in the kitchen as Edie wiped at her runny nose with a piece of cloth. She had finally started to settle down after hugging Lavan around the waist out in the hallway. Lavan made sure to keep his distance, in order to keep himself present. At least, for a little while longer.

As she folded the dirty cloth, Edie kept her head down. She managed to whisper, “I -- I’m sorry.” as she placed the used cloth into a wastebasket just at her feet.

“Don’t be,” Lavan said.

Edie did not wish to involve Lavan in her worries. Slowly, she stood and stared up at him. Her legs still wobbled. She had seen the man from her nightmares that night, in the flesh. His eyes had locked onto hers, and he had wanted to walk over to her -- Edie feared why. She did not mean to run into Lavan. It had been accidental, and now here she was with him in her kitchen, and she was not going to share with him why she had been crying.

“It’s been a hectic night,” she said instead. “I just -- suddenly felt like crying.”

Not for a single second had Lavan believed Edie. However, he did not wish to pry and upset her further. Instead, he gently placed his hand over hers, thankful that she had not forced her hand away.

“It’s alright,” Lavan said to her. “I understand.”

“You do?” she asked, playing along with it. She hated lying to this generous man, but she had no other choice. How could she explain why she had really been crying?

“Of course,” he said. “I know that work can be rough, at times. Sometimes, when I’m out hunting and I find no game, I feel like crying. And then Roddy and Pip laugh at me behind my back. The bastards.”

Surprisingly, Lavan had caused a petite smile to spread over Edie’s lips. She giggled cutely as she wiped at more tears. “I haven’t really met your friends.”

“They’re normally busy,” Lavan smiled. “It’s been very snowy, and winter isn’t even here yet.”

“Why does that matter?” Edie asked.

“Snow makes it harder to hunt,” said Lavan. He gently rubbed her hand, seeing that Edie did not seem to mind this. “If we can’t get enough food, there’ll be nothing for our village..”

“Your village?”

“Yes,” Lavan said as he sadly smiled. “It’s far from here and little. We -- suffer most years.”

Frowning, Edie looked down. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not at fault,” Lavan said. “Besides, they’re strong. Somehow, every year, they live and fight for the next year. They’re good people.”

Edie thought of her own village. She had not known most of them very well, even though the village had been small. She frowned, growing quiet. Lavan eyed her, trying to read her eyes hidden by some fallen strands of her curly hair.

“Edie?” he asked. “You all right?”

Rattled by her past, Edie lifted her eyes. She peered up at Lavan through her hair, questioning whether she should tell him about what had happened to her. Taking a deep breath, she quietly said, “I’m…” just as Tonisha entered through the kitchen with her worst nightmare.

“Here you are,” Tonisha said, noticing Edie sitting next to Lavan.

Lavan and Edie looked up. Edie immediately became stiff, watching as Cain walked up behind Tonisha, taking a stand beside the woman as he kept his hands folded behind his back. He was smiling sweetly, though Edie was not fooled by its fakeness. She found her bottom hand grasping Lavan’s as she tried controlling herself. She would not cry in front of Lavan and Tonisha.. Then they’d know something was wrong.

“I was hoping you’d still be up,” Tonisha went on. She led Cain over to the two. “Edie, this is Cain. He’s the man that I told you about earlier.”

Slowly, Edie stood as Lavan rose with her. Lavan was tempted to glare at Cain. This man was the leader of the Cretchens -- the very men that had ruined his village. He could feel Edie’s smaller, softer hand squeezing his tightly, and he wondered if she was frightened.

“Hello Edie,” Cain said, then. He bowed as his smile broadened. “It is a pleasure meeting you.. I enjoyed the soup you made for me this evening.”

At first, Edie said nothing. She tried desperately to avoid eye contact, but when her gaze met with Tonisha’s, she could see that Tonisha was a bit puzzled by her sudden change of attitude.

With little hope, Edie softly replied, “T -- thank you.”

Cain victoriously stood very straight. He kept his eyes on Edie as Tonisha clapped her hands together.

“Edie here just came to us a few days ago,” she told Cain. “She’s the best of the best.”

“Well, she must be,” Cain said. “You’ve had more business with her here since I let you work in this town. Is that right?”

“That’s -- true,” Tonisha said, laughing. She was used to Cain’s crude words. He was an asshole, but a rich one. “And thanks to her, I’m not doing half bad.”

Stretching his back, Cain showed his admiration by releasing a soft sigh. He chuckled as he looked at Tonisha. “She is beautiful, too.”

Edie released Lavan’s hand. She hugged herself, suddenly feeling nauseous. Tonisha saw this as embarrassment, however, for she began laughing. “That she is.”

Lavan looked down just as Edie’s hand let go of his. He almost urged himself to re-possess it, but watching Edie hug herself closed that thought. He found this scene strange, though. He’s not seen Edie act like this before -- she seemed sad and afraid.

Did she know this man?

There was so much Edie wanted to say -- but she just couldn’t. She had taken Cain well in. He looked older than he had so long ago. She never bothered about his age back then, but from what she could tell, he looked as if he could be between his late thirties or early forties, even, though he had no gray hairs and only few wrinkles. He only seemed old. He still wore that same uniform -- from that day. And his hair hadn’t changed, really. Any other girl would find him to be very handsome. If only most women knew what a true monster he was.

“She seems shy,” Cain suddenly said, causing Edie to look up at him with a shocked expression.

Tonisha agreed. “She can be. Right, Edie?”

Blushing, Edie looked away.

“I always guess right,” Cain said. It was then that he noticed Lavan. He looked up at him, raising a brow and trying to stand taller than the other man. “And who might you be?”

Lavan desperately kept his face straight. He would not snare at this man. “Lavan. I sweep the floors.”

“Oh,” said Cain, seeming bored by this answer. “Very good, then.” Cain turned his attention back on Edie. He smiled. “Well Edie, I think I might like to better know you. Would you -- care to join me for dinner at my place? Hmm… I am busy for most of this week. Sadly, I have some work I need to catch up on. Perhaps next week, then?”

Edie’s eyes went wide as tomatoes. She shook, hoping that either Lavan or Tonisha would claim that she was going to be busy. Unfortunately for her, Tonisha found this to be a good idea.

“Splendid,” she said as she walked over to Edie and put her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “Edie’s been working so hard. She could surely take some time off.”

“B -- but..” Edie began.

“It’s settled then,” Cain interrupted. Obviously, he would not accept no for an answer. He looked down at Edie. “I’m thrilled, Edie. I‘m looking forward to it.”

Lavan was flabbergasted. He wanted to say something, but knew not to talk back to Captain Cain. Frowning, he lowered his gaze as Tonisha smiled.

“Must you go now, Cain?” she asked.

“Afraid so,” Cain said. “I do have some work to do.. And I am quite tired. I should get home.”

Slowly, Cain looked down at Edie. He gently took her hand, making her gasp. “I am looking forward to next week.. Perhaps I’ll see you again before then?” he whispered, and he gave her hand a kiss.

Turning, Cain took his leave, but not before allowing only Edie to gaze upon his eerie grin.

Once the captain had gone, Tonisha turned to Edie and smiled. “You are lucky. No one gets to see the inside of Cain’s home. Not even I’ve had the honor.”

Lucky?

“I -- I don’t…” Edie began.

“Oh, come now, Edie,” said Tonisha. “You’ve been working very hard this week, and next week may be just as busy. You can take a night off.. Well, I’m off to close up the inn and then I’m off to bed.”

When Tonisha had left the kitchen, Edie slumped her shoulders. If not for Lavan still standing there, she surely would have screeched out in misery. She could feel her knees striving to fall over, but she had to administer the pain -- as long as Lavan was there.

“What a jackass,” she heard Lavan say. He looked down at her. “He clearly saw that you didn’t want to go, and yet -- mm…” What else could Lavan say? Was he -- jealous? The man had clearly asked Edie to dinner.. It was shocking, even for Lavan. But not even he could have changed that man’s mind. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Edie said strongly. She kept her eyes off of Lavan as she turned her back to him. “I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”

“Want me to walk you?” Lavan asked, but Edie shook her head.

“No,” she whispered. “I can manage. Good night, Lavan.”

“Night,” he said as he watched her leave.

--

Not bothering to undress for bed, Edie slowly laid down wearing her work clothes. Her head found the softness of her pillow, but currently it felt hard as a rock. Edie’s entire body felt heavy as she stared up at the ceiling, thinking of all that had occurred that night… And how her horrible past had suddenly taken a turn, catching up with her in a future she had assumed would make everything better.

Immediately, as she lie flat, Edie brought her hands up to her face, catching warm tears. She cried softly, so not to wake those in the bedrooms around her. The walls were not that thick.

“No…” Edie cried, shaking her head. “No -- no…”

She put her legs together, remembering the pain; the blood; the screams; the fire. “No… Why?”

Forgetting her covers, Edie turned on her side, facing the wall. She sniffed as her body shook.. Her body fought for sleep. She feared what awaited her in a week. She feared finding herself naked beneath him again: bloody, cold, and abused.