This is Chapter 21 of Pox. http://www.protagonize.com/story/pox

Luckily Maggie required me to run errands in the village immediately after I came downstairs so I was able to vacate the rectory.  If she noticed my wild hair and skittish manner she didn’t comment on it. 

I grabbed my basket and practically ran from the house.  Half-way down the path I turned back to look up at Jasper’s window and thought I saw a curtain twitch but I couldn’t be sure.  Let him watch me, I thought, hopefully he feels contrite about scaring me half to death in that uncalled for manner.  Yes I had stolen his letter, but to scream and rant and pound the wall were the actions of a mad-man.  For the first time I considered that Jasper might truly be unhinged.  Could I really be in love with such a person?

 My errands in the village took no time at all, though I lingered at each drawing out the time when I would have to go back to the rectory.  Any time not spent in the same house as Jasper was preferential. 

So it was almost dusk when I reluctantly turned to go back.  To draw out my journey even further I decided to take the long way back through the woods that bordered the back of the village and eventually joined up with the rectory.  I had been through once before so I knew there was a clear, well-cut path and that I should be easily able to find my way through.  

The growing dark did not bother me, after the events of the afternoon I welcomed the peace and quiet of the shadows and the muffled sound of my footfalls.  The smell of the oak trees soothed my frazzled nerves and the late afternoon sunlight filtered down through the treetops piercing the gloom.   I felt at ease and breathed deeply as I trod the well-worn path.

Suddenly though I became aware of movement behind me, a kind of scuffling noise.  I looked behind me but could see nothing.   I quickened my pace.  There it was again.   I sensed something following me.  With my heart racing I started to run, the basket heavy in my arms.  Eventually though I could run no further and paused for breath backed up against a tree. 

Let whatever it is attack me, I thought, better that than being afraid.  I stood and waited, hardly daring to breathe.   

Then right in front of me a gypsy man appeared.  I felt the urge to scream but bit my tongue.  Dusk was now falling so I could only make out that he wore breeches and a shirt.   His face was hidden by a hat with a wide brim.  In his hand he held a knife which he now brought up towards me.  I stiffened in terror.  He spoke not a word but still came closer until I felt the warmth of his body and his rank breath as he proceeded to sniff my hair, and touch my clothes. 

I was glad of the ensuing darkness for it meant he could not see my face.  Even though he was a vagabond I still had my pride.  If I was about to be ravaged at least let him think I was beautiful.

At this point I had not had a good look at my attacker but now I turned my head to look properly.  The face that I saw was not male however, it had high cheekbones, rosebud red lips, and creamy skin streaked with grime.  Bright green eyes, fringed with dark lashes looked into mine with a bitter expression.  I was surprised that such a pretty young girl should need to turn to a life of crime.     

I thought I should at least try and speak to her “Miss, please let me go...take my money…some food, just please let me go. My master will be getting worried about me and will come looking for me”.  The girl spat violently into the ground beside me, and stabbed her knife into the tree-trunk above my head, she was a good deal taller than me. 

“Master eh?  Does he treat you good?” she snarled, her red lips curling in a sneer “Or does he make you do chores after everyone else has gone to bed?  Extra special chores”. 

“I…I…don’t know what you mean, he’s a good man, he’s a rector”.  The girl laughed uproariously at this, “A rector! The worst kind of all”.

She peered intently into my face, raking my pox scars with her gaze. “Be grateful you’ve had the disease that makes men leave you alone.  If I could have anything I wish for I’d wish for that”. 

I was amazed, trade her beauty for my ugliness, she must be half-crazed with hunger.  I thrust my basket at her, “Here take anything you want, just please let me go now”. 

The girl searched through the basket and took a loaf of bread and some fruit.  She looked at me and her face softened “Thank you, I was very hungry.  I left my place of employment last week and I haven’t eaten much as you can imagine”.

Before I could stop myself I heard myself saying “You should come with me back to the rectory.  It’s nearly dinner time.  Father Fannon won’t mind.  You could have a proper meal and a wash”.  As if she suddenly realised what a mess she must look, and how she must smell, the girl self-consciously smoothed her hair and plucked at her shirt. 

“Yes”, she said suddenly, “Yes that would be very good of you, I will come”.    She put the bread and fruit back into my basket and lifted it.  “Lead on to the rectory by all means, my name’s Rose by the way, Rose Baker”.  “Mercy Graham, pleased to make your acquaintance”.

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1766 Chelmsford, England. Thirteen year old Mercy Graham is infected by smallpox when it rages through her village. Although she survives, her appearance is drastically altered and she fears no one will ever love her for who she is. Desperate for money, her mother sends her to the next village to be a housekeeper for the local pastor. Mercy forms a close bond with Father Sebastian and he takes it upon himself to educate her. However it soon becomes apparent that Father Sebastian isn't as saintly as he makes out. When his friend Jasper arrives, Mercy finds herself unprepared for what ensues and she must fight to assert her right to love and life.

updated Aug 21 '11 by bella_005