11. An Odd Encounter.

Astrid's POV

×××

I barely had a wink of sleep. As I squatted trying to dig out the soil and place the seed in it, my heavy eyelids could not allow me to do it properly.

"Hey!".

A guard called alerting my consciousness which made me shudder and the bowl of seeds went straight out of my hand to the floor.

"H-huh?".

I mumbled turning to him only to be met with a blinding flashlight directly flashed into my eyes. I shut my eyes and when I opened them, I tried to adjust them to the environment.

"Two rows left, so do it properly. I don't have time to waste". He ranted and walked away, taking his former position.

"Don't...don't they sleep?". I asked myself in a whisper and shook my head trying to keep myself awake.

It seemed like they were non-sleepers but not me, I was heavy on sleeping. I loved a good rest but that was impossible here because I swear, that Alpha King was determined to end me.

The other farmers had since long, called it a day, but this prisoner who is me, would not hear the end of it.

I was alive yet dead with exhaustion, fatigue, hunger and thirst.

I turned behind to look at the two rows that were left for me. It was dawn yet I was still working.

"A-and I have to finish this before daybreak".

I knew it sounded impossible given the length of a single row.

But I faced the front to continue with the row I was currently on.

"N-not this…". I mumbled adjusting the band around my head and positioning the headlamp so I could see what I was doing well.

I stretched out my hand picking the wild berries seeds that were scattered everywhere on the ground. When I was done, I continued with the usual process;

…digging the soil with a spade, dropping the seed in it and covering it back then tapping the spade on it to give the soil an even texture…

I moved on to the next and continued the same routine.

"A-all done". I beamed tiredly and got up yawning as I did. I stretched my arms and legs to lessen the friction I felt there.

"Th…they must've gone to take rest huh?".I turned to look around but did not catch sight of any guard.

I pouted and walked to the palm tree that provided shade whenever it was sunny.

Once there, I slumped to the ground, rested my head against the tree and closed my eyes.

"F-finally".

I sighed.

The chill morning breeze danced about me and my breath was in sync as I felt relieved that I was finally resting after every…

"Hey!".

I heard someone say, followed by a tap on my feet. My eyes flattered open and I saw a different guard from the one who was here at dawn earlier. He was standing in front of me and staring daggers at me.

He used his boots to tap my feet again.

"Get up".

I squinted my eyes and my hand went to my head to soothe the surge of headache I felt.

Mother had told me once that, it happened when you've only slept for a short period and then you're woken up after a few minutes into the sleep.

Now, I could relate to it. I had barely slept for up to thirty minutes before I was woken up by the guard.

"I said get up". He seethed with a smug look.

"I…I've completed my task". I clarified pointing to the field where I had planted wild berry seeds. "I…I finished a while ago". I beamed proudly.

"Just come with me". He ordered and started walking away not caring about a thing. I stood to my feet and dragged along lazily.

"Hasten up". He called after me and I increased my pace.

Soon, we were standing in front of a large barn. I could see some men already carrying large bags of grains out.

The guard turned to me.

"Share those bags of grains to each household here". He handed me a paper and walked away.

"Th…they always leave before I can ask a question". I stared down at the paper and turned, almost colliding with someone.

"Yeah, I guess you're blind now huh?".

I recalled that voice correctly.

"S-sorry". I apologized but Gina eyed me carefully clicking her tongue. She bent down and picked up a bowl pressing it to my chest.

"Here's the bowl. Measure the grains as per the description given on that paper and share them with all the households in the pack".

I received the bowl from her reluctantly.

"Is…isn't there someone who usually transports the grains to the households?".

"Hmmm…". She seemed to be in deep thought. "Yes, there is".

I sighed with a small smile. At least the work wouldn't weigh down on me too much since I would be assisting someone.

"W-who is it?". I asked. At least I wouldn't be doing this alone.

Gina raised a finger and pointed.

"M-me?". I asked with widened eyes and she nodded. So I was gonna do this alone after all. Who was I kidding?

"But why?".

"You're the Alpha's slave, don't you get it? You're being treated the way you ought to be treated".

The Alpha King was really after me. I've now decided that I hate him so much. How could he be so wicked?

"Yeah, so better do it well". Gina uttered as she strolled away. I stared at the paper again and a frown settled on my face.

"But…but there's no measurement for the grains here". I called after her but she waved a hand in the air.

"Solve that by yourself then. Just get to work". She replied to me without turning.

"You're transporting the grains right?". Someone asked behind me and I turned to her. I then nodded slightly.

"Good, come with me". She said and started walking away. I followed suit.

"Are you the only one?".

"Ye…".

"No, she isn't ".

My head jerked up only to be met by Talia, Audrey and Gina. The trio had a fake smile plastered on their faces as they approached us and took space beside me.

"Great". The lady said and walked us into the barn. "You'll be sharing these grains with the households as per the instructions from the higher-up".

The trio nodded quickly as we came to a stop at the side of the barn where bags of grains were kept.

"Yeah, we know what to do Marcy". Gina assured and the other two nodded in support.

"Okay, girls, do a good job. I'll get back to work then". She gave a sweet smile and walked away.

"Le…let's start then". I said and the trio bursted out in laughter. I was honestly confused. Why were they laughing?

"OMG. Le…let's sta…start?". Talia mimicked.

"N-no sweetheart, you…you're doing this a-alone". Audrey also mimicked.

"Guys, her stammer is not funny, stop". Gina said with a pout. "It's hilarious ". She broke into laughter and the other two joined.

"Le…let's start. Girl, you…you're doing it alone. Stutter freak".

Tears stung my eyes but I held them back, I didn't want them to make mockery of me all the more. I just bit my lower lip to suppress the urge to break down.

"Le…let's go girls".

With that, they walked out of the barn and their voices and laughter faded.

I turned to the bags of grains and a tear escaped my eyes but I quickly wiped it away and placed the bowl on the floor so I could start measuring.

"It's…it's fine Astrid". I sniffed and smiled, although my heart was hurting.

I knocked at the door of the fifth house to give the bowl of grains. I placed the bowl on the ground and rubbed my red palms together. I adjusted the hat on my head on wiped away the beads of sweat from my forehead.

"Iva, check who's at the door". I heard a man call from inside. Soon after, I heard footsteps approaching and the door swung open.

"Fairy". The little girl I met before called with a smile. So her name was Iva.

"H-how are you, Iva?". I asked bending to her level.

She nodded quickly and I smiled.

"Are your friends getting better?".

She nodded again.

"Th…that's a relief…oh! I almost forgot. Grains delivery to little miss Iva". I got up and picked up the bowl.

"May I?".

Iva stepped away from the door giving me space to go in.

"I-is your papa home?".

"Uh-huh". She responded and showed me where to turn the grains.

"O-okay, just let him know the grains have been delivered, nothing else okay?".

She nodded and we walked back to the door.

"I'd like to meet your friends again".

"Okay. They'll be so pleased, thank you again for the other day, Fairy".

I playfully pinched her cheeks and she chuckled.

"Bye".

"Wait Fairy". She called and I stopped. I squatted to her level and she pasted something on my hand. "Bye-bye Fairy".

I walked back to the barn and transported the grains to other households too.

"I am so hungry". I muttered sitting on a bench close to the isolated dungeon.

It was nearly evening and I was already done with transporting the grains to each household.

It was stressful and tiring but I was pleased it was now over. I looked at the sticker Iva had pasted on my hand, it was a butterfly.

"Here, my child, have this".

My head shot towards the person's direction and I slumped.

"You recognize me, don't you?" she asked with a smile.